62 POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 
the whole Pacific slope, from Cape St. Lucas to British 
Columbia, although in northern California it is almost re- 
placed by the Columbian Black-Tail, (O. columbianus). 
The White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus virginianus), is the 
species most widely known throughout the United States, 
partly by reason of the fact that it was the first species 
with which the early settlers of America became acquainted, 
partly because of its wide distribution, and also its persist- 
ence in holding its own. In various localities this animal 
is known under various names, such as ‘‘ White-Tailed Deer,”’ 
‘‘Plag-Tailed Deer,’’ and ‘‘Fan-Tailed Deer.’’ Although not 
at all in need of it, quite recently it has received still an 
other name—American Deer. The small deer of Florida, 
and also of New Mexico and the Southwest, have been 
described as separate forms; and if size is to be accepted 
as a factor in the differentiation of species, the diminutive 
proportions of the proposed southern species are quite suffi- 
cient to establish their separate identity. 
The White-Tailed deer of Virginia and the northern United 
States is a fine animal—large, strong-limbed, heavily-ant- 
lered, and hardy. Between it and the deer of Florida the 
difference is as great as that between a setter dog and a mas- 
tiff. Thanks to the fact that this species is a born skulker 
and lives only in thick brush and timber, it still holds its 
own throughout the forest regions of the South generally, 
Pennsylvania, the Adirondacks, Maine, Michigan, Minne- 
sota, the Dakotas, Montana, and Colorado. In the West 
it is often found inhabiting brushy ravines and river bot- 
toms. 
This species breeds readily in confinement, and when pro- 
tected in any large tract of brush or timber, increases 
rapidly. During the months of September, October, and 
November, the bucks are dangerous and untrustworthy. 
The peculiar formation of the antlers—three strong, spear- 
like points thrust straight upward from the beam—makes 
them dangerous weapons; and when an ill-tempered buck 
lowers his chin and drives straight forward with eight 
sharp spears of solid bone, and nearly three hundred pounds 
of weight to back them, he may well be considered a dan- 
gerous animal. He is to be feared less than the elk only 
because he is smaller. 
The Woodland Caribou, (Rangifer caribow).—The first 
hoofed animal to arrive at the Zoological Park was a young 
