1 8 THE MINDS AND MANNERS 



but also of each animal; and there are times when this neces- 

 sity bears hard upon human nerves. The proneness of captive 

 deer to maim and to kill themselves and each other calls for 

 the utmost vigilance, and for heroic endurance on the part of 

 the deer keeper. 



Even when a deer species has a fairly good record for com- 

 mon sense, an individual may "go crazy" the instant a slightly 

 new situation arises. We have seen barasingha deer penned 

 up between shock-absorbing bales of hay seriously try to jump 

 straight up through a roof skylight nine feet from the floor. 

 We have seen park-bred axis deer break their own necks against 

 wire fences, with loo per cent of stupidity. 



Characters of Deer Species 



The white-tailed deer is sanguine, but in the fall the bucks 

 are very aggressive and dangerous, and to be carefully avoided. 



The mule deer is sanguine, reasonable and not particularly 

 dangerous. 



The elk is steady of nerve, and sanguine in temperament, 

 but in the rutting season the herd-masters are dangerous. 



The fallow deer species has been toned down by a hundred 

 generations of park life, and it is very quiet, save when it is 

 to be captured and crated. 



The axis deer is nervous, flighty, and difficult to handle. 



The barasingha deer is hysterical and unaccountable. 



The Indian and Malay sambar deer are lymphatic, confi- 

 dent, tractable and easily handled. 



Never keep a deer as a "pet" any longer than is necessary 

 to place it in a good home. All "pet deer" are dangerous, and 

 should be confined all the time. Never go into the range or 

 corral of a deer herd unless accompanied by the deer-keeper; 

 and in the rutting season do not go in at all. 



The only thoroughly safe deer is a dead one; for even does 

 can do mischief. 



