ORNAMENTAL COAT. 155 
progresses very much as in the case of the mule deer, but the 
ground coat after the disappearance of the spots undergoes so de- 
cided a change that at first I was inclined to think that an inter- 
mediate coat was supplied. But this is not the case. The first 
coat has grown long and looks rather rough, and has assumed a 
bright bay color, with nothing of the variegated appearance of 
the winter coat of the adult, but is like the universal summer 
coat. The ground color of this fawn is of a deeper or darker 
shade than that of any other of our fawns, except that of the 
Acapulco deer. 
By far the most beautiful, is the ornamental coat of the fawn 
of the Virginia Deer. The spots are a pure white set in a bright 
bay red ground. The contrast is marked, and commands the ad- 
miration of all who see them. This is heightened by the exceed- 
ingly bright eye, erect attitude, elastic movement, and vivacious 
appearance of the little beauty. 
Although a little out of place, I may as well describe the pace 
and motions of this fawn, in connection with his beautiful color- 
ings, for each lends fascination to the other. 
The highest perfection of graceful motion is seen in the fawn 
of but a month or two old, after it has commenced following its 
mother through the grounds. It is naturally very timid, and is 
alarmed at the sight of man, and when it sees its dam go boldly 
up to him and take food from his hand it manifests both appre- 
hension and surprise, and sometimes something akin to displeas- 
ure. I have seen one standing a few rods away face me boldly 
and stamp his little foot, in a fierce and threatening way, as if 
he would say: “‘ If you hurt my mother I will avenge the insult 
on the spot.” Ordinarily it will stand with its head elevated to 
the utmost; its ears erect and projecting somewhat forward ; its 
eye flashing, and raise one fore foot and suspend it for a few mo- 
ments, and then trot off and around at a safe distance with a 
measured pace, which is not flight, and with a grace and elas- 
ticity which must be seen to be appreciated, for it quite defies 
verbal description. A foot is raised from the ground so quickly 
that you hardly see it, it seems poised in the air for an instant 
and is then so quietly and even tenderly dropped, and again so 
instantly raised that you are in doubt whether it even touched 
the ground, and, if it did, you are sure it would not crush the 
violet on which it fell. The bound, also, is exceedingly graceful 
and light. Indeed, the step of the fawn of the Virginia Deer is 
so light that it seems almost worthy the hyperbole of one refer- 
