THE ROE DEER 



An interesting observation has been made by Mr. Millais, that the Roe 

 of Pleistocene times, whose horns are found from time to time in our forest- 

 beds and brick-earth, are, with few exceptions, in no way superior to good 

 modern Scottish heads, while the pre-historic remains of the Red Deer show 

 how vastly superior these animals must have been, compared with those of 

 to-day. 



Good Roe horns measure about 9^ inches. 



This species inhabits the greater part of Europe, ranging as far north as 

 Sweden and southwards to Italy and Greece. It is also a native of Asia 

 Minor and Northern Asia. Larger forms are found eastwards in Siberia 

 and in the mountains of Manchuria. The Roe was formerly abundant 

 throughout the greater part of England, where it was reckoned among 

 the beasts of chase, but the original stock appears gradually to have 

 become extinct, with the exception of a few which lingered in the 

 northern counties. 



They have since been introduced into various parts of the country and 

 now exist in the New Forest, Dorsetshire, Sussex, Surrey, Epping Forest, 

 Cumberland and Northumberland. Roe are not uncommon in the 

 neighbourhood of Godalming, Surrey, where they run wild among the 

 surrounding woodlands. 1 have seen them on several occasions and even 

 noticed their footprints in my garden. These deer probably strayed at 

 some time from Petworth or Virginia Water. 



The Roe has been known from the earliest times in Scotland, and still 

 exists there in large numbers in the northern woods and glens. Their chief 

 stronghold seems to be in Perthshire, and the country about Forres and 

 Beauly, though they are also numerous in many other parts, wherever they 

 can find large tracts of timber with thick undergrowth. 



Though the Roe is not indigenous in Ireland some have been introduced 

 there. 



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