WOODLAND CARIBOU. ■ 63 



the vast number of deer paths which, like a net work, seam the 

 surface of the interior in all directions, show that the number of 

 Jeer was formerly enormous. Their great enemies are the wolves, 

 which are continually chasing them from place to place, especially 

 during the winter months, when the deer leave the mountains and 

 come to the plains below to feed on the " browse " of the birch. 

 A few settlers who are in the habit of deer stalking, go into the 

 hills in pursuit of deer about the middle of September, which is 

 just prior to the rutting season, and consequently at a time when 

 the stags are in their best condition. 



The migrations of the Newfoundland reindeer are as regular as 

 the seasons, between the southeastern and northwestern portions 

 of the island. The winter months are passed in the south, where 

 " browse " is plentiful, and the snow on the lower grounds is 

 not so deep as to prevent them from reaching the lichens. In 

 March, when the sun becomes more powerful, so that the snow is 

 softened by its rays, permitting them to scrape it off and reach the 

 herbage beneath, the reindeer turn their faces toward the north- 

 west, and begin their spring migration. The whole surface, of 

 the country is now alive with the deer, as herd follows herd in 

 rapid succession, each led by a noble stag as tall as a horse, and 

 all bending their course, in parallel lines, toward the hills of the 

 west and northwest. Here they arrive from the middle to the end 

 of April, and amid the rocky barrens and mountains, wheie their 

 favorite moss abounds, they remain until October. Here they 

 bring forth their young, and here they are in a measure free from 

 the persecutions of the terrible flies above referred to. 



So soon, however, as the frosts of October begin to nip the 

 vegetation they turn toward the south and east, and repeat their 

 long march in the same manner, and pursuing the same paths 

 as when on their northern migration. Thus for countless cen- 

 turies, it may be, have these innumerable herds been moving along 

 the same route, unless when interrupted by the Indians or the 

 irregularities of the seasons. Their movements are generally in 

 parallel lines, unless where the narrow necks of land, separating 

 lakes, or the running waters or straits uniting them, or intervening 

 :hains of hills, cause them to concentrate on one point. It was at 

 such points that the Boeothics, or indigenous Red Indians, were 



