84 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
he can make his escape, a single blow from the fore foot of the 
leading doe crushes him down, and he is trampled to death in a 
trice. If they see a dog through the fence, their combativeness 
is at once aroused, and they will rush toward him and strike the 
fence terrible blows. The dog generally leaves at their first 
bidding. : 
Sometimes the bucks are vicious and dangerous during the rut- 
ting season, but a very wicked one is a rare exception ; still all 
at that time are more courageous than at other seasons, and it: is 
prudent to avoid any contest and leave him the path if you meet 
one in the park. In the wild state, their timidity prevents them 
from attacking man, and they expend their courage or viciousness 
on their own species. 
In hot weather they are inclined to stand in the pools of water 
in the bed of the creek, and the males wallow in the mud like 
the hog, so that they are often seen well smeared with the adhe- 
sive soil, and present a disgusting appearance. 
The Elk is not entirely voiceless, yet it never utters a sound, 
except under strong provocation, generally of alarm or defiance. 
Either expression is on a very high, sharp key, often uttered with 
great force. During the rut, the master buck is often heard in 
loud defiance, which serves as a warning to the younger males to 
keep clear of him. 
I shall have more to say when we come to compare the differ- 
ent species of the deer, and consider them more in detail. 
