CHAPTER VII. 
VIRGINIAN DEER. 
Tuis beautiful animal, in size, shape, and coloring so near- 
ly resembles the fallow deer of English demesnes, that the 
one might be taken for the other, if it were not for the char- 
acteristic formation of the horns in each, the former hav- 
ing the tines pointed forward almost in a perpendicular line 
above the eye, while the antlers of the latter are palmated. 
Its range is most extensive; being from Canada West to 
the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic sea-board to 
New Mexico, north of which a different variety takes its 
place, viz., the black-tailed deer. Although the Virginian 
deer of late years has greatly decreased in numbers, still 
they are to be found in tolerable abundance in portions of 
the country within easy access of several of the largest 
cities: for instance, in the John Brown’s tract, in Eastern 
New York; in the country north and west of Ottawa, in 
Upper Canada; and in the Alleghany Mountains ; but, as a 
rule, in such situations they are very wild and difficult of 
access, as they are incessantly harassed by every visitor or 
resident who owns or can borrow a gun. However, good 
sport with them can be obtained in many of the Southern 
and Western States, more especially in Texas, and in the 
country traversed by the upper waters of the Brazos, Red, 
and Canadian rivers. If driven into open country, they are 
easily overtaken and pulled down by a strong greyhound. 
Shot or ball are indifferently used in their pursuit, choice 
in your projectiles being guided by whether the nature of 
the country is open or wooded. 
