THE VIRGINIA DEER. 555 



boat. Audubon gives the following anecdote : " We recollect an occa- 

 sion when, on sitting down to rest on the margin of the Santee River, we 

 observed a pair of antlers on the surface of the water, near an old tree, 

 not ten steps from us. The half-closed eye of the buck was upon us ; we 

 were without a gun, and he was therefore safe from any injury we could 

 inflict upon him. Anxious to observe the cunning he would display, we 

 turned our eyes another way and commenced a careless whistle, as if for 

 our own amusement, walking gradually toward him in a circuitous 

 route, until we arrived within a few feet of him. He had now sunk so 

 deep in the water that an inch only of his nose and slight portions of his 

 prongs were seen above the surface. At length, we suddenly directed 

 our eyes toward him, and raised our hands, when he rushed to the shore, 

 and dashed through the rattling cane-brake in rapid style." It has been 

 seen crossing broad rivers, and, when hard pressed by dogs, has even 

 swum boldly out to sea. 



In those parts of the country where it is unable to visit the planta- 

 tions, the Carcajou feeds on the young grasses of the plains, being 

 fastidiously select in choosing the tenderest herbage. In winter it finds 

 sustenance on various buds and berries, and in autumn it finds abundant 

 banquets under the oaks, chestnuts, and beeches ; but, excepting in the 

 months of August, September, and October, the Carcajou is in very poor 

 condition. It is then, however, very fat, and the venison is of remark- 

 ably fine quality. It is in October and November that the buck becomes 

 so combative, and in a very few weeks he has lost all his sleek condition, 

 shed his horns, and retired to the welcome shelter of the forest. 



The sight of the Carcajou does not seem to be very keen, but its 

 senses of scent and hearing are wonderfully acute. 



It is a thirsty animal, requiring water daily, and generally visiting 

 some stream or spring at nightfall. It is remarkably fond of salt, and 

 resorts in great numbers to the saline springs, or " salt-licks," as they are 

 popularly termed. The Deer do not drink the briny water, but prefer 

 licking the stones at the edge where the salt has crystallized from the 

 evaporation of the water. 



The Virginia Deer has been often tamed. A pair kept as pets by 

 Audubon were most mischievous creatures. They would jump into his 

 study-window, and when the sashes were shut would leap through glass 

 and woodwork like harlequin in a pantomime. They ate the covers of 

 his books, nibbled his papers, and scattered them in sad confusion, 



