76 GAME ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



smaller, of a more decidedly reddish shade, in having a lesser patch 

 of white on the buttocks and, most prominently, in the markings 

 of the tail. The tail of C. macrotis is entirely white except a black 

 tuft at the tip ; in the variety a black to reddish-black line extends 

 along the upper side of the tail from the root to the tip. The 

 habitat is not as yet well determined, but Judge Caton thinks it 

 safe to say that this variety predominates in the Coast Range 

 south of San Francisco, which seems to be its northern limit. 

 The Sierras seem to define its eastern limit, east of which it is re- 

 placed by the true Mule Deer. It ascends to higher altitudes than 

 any other American deer, being frequently found above timber line. 

 Those living in the high mountains are the largest. They are not 

 uncommon, and further information, it is hoped, will soon be ob- 

 tained of the distribution and peculiarities of this novel variety. A 

 skin and skeleton are said to have been sent to the Smithsonian 

 Institute by Judge Caton. 



The Mule Deer is always found in a rough country. The white 

 bluffs of the Bad Lands, the sparsely wooded buttes that rise here 

 and there above the level of the prairies of Dakota and Montana, 

 and the rockiest timbered ridges of the mountains, are its favorite 

 haunts : in fact it may be said to be the deer of the plateaus and 

 mountains, as the Virginia Deer is of the forest and lowlands. Its 

 flesh, as has been remarked, is very palatable, and is superior to 

 that of any of its congeners except the elk. It is somewhat diffi- 

 cult of approach, as it is very vigilant and a rapid runner ; hence, 

 one must have a sure eye to kill many during a season. It is said 

 to be more abundant in the Blue Mountains, which traverse East- 

 ern Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho, than in any other 

 portion of the continent, as it finds there plenty of food and shel- 

 ter. 



The does of the Mule Deer are found throughout the foothills 

 the whole year, but thetucks retire in the spring to the highest 

 mountains, to " grow their horns," where they remain until about 

 the first of October. While on the mountain tops they collect 

 generally in small bands of four or five. They are generally found 

 near timber line, in the heat of the day, but in the morning and 

 evening they leave the shade of the forest and go further up the 

 mountains to the grassy tops, to feed on the young rich growth 



