THE DEER TRIBE 261 
broken clean off and remained embedded in the skull, firmly wedged between the ears and the 
antlers. ‘“ When wounded and brought to bay by a dog,” says Mr. Millais, * a roebuck brings 
into play: both head and fore legs in his defence, using his horns as described, and striking out 
with his legs, more as if to push off his antagonist than to cause a forcible blow, for he gives 
no shock, as a hind can. A doe, too, uses her fore legs and boxes with her head; and 
Mr. Steel, who has had wide experience in roe-shooting, tells me that he has seen a doe use 
her hind Jegs as well. The bark of the buck is loud, sharp, and deep in tone, not unlike what 
a single call might be from an old collie. At this season, too, the female gives an amorous call 
when she wishes the male to come to her. If he is within hearing, he puts his neck out 
straight and comes full speed to her. In Germany many roebucks are shot by alluring them 
in this manner, and calls exactly imitating her voice are made for the sportsman’s use. One 
who has shot roe in this manner tells me it is most exciting sport, for the buck comes straight 
PERE DAVID’S DEER 
Nineteen of these deer are in England; three are at Berlin, It is believed that these are the only deer of this species in exisience 
for the sound at full speed, and will only stop startled for a second when he discovers the 
fraud, and as often as not he passes right on without giving a chance.” 
Roe have a curious trick of chasing one another in play, and certain roe-rings in the woods 
near Cawdor Castle, according to Mr. Millais, demonstrate the fact that for ages the deer have 
been in the habit of disporting themselves in these strange circles over the same pieces of 
ground. The fact is very singular. “ These curious circles are most used in early summer; and 
Sutherland, the head keeper, tells me,” says Mr. Millais, “that hardly a morning passes without 
there being one or two roe playing in the rings, and sometimes there is quite a party of them.” 
Roe feed chiefly on grass; they will eat also rowan (mountain-ash) berries, of which they are 
especially fond, as well as turnips, grain, heather tops, and various other roots and plants. 
Certain fungi, to which they are partial, they take much pains to dig out with their sharp 
hoofs. ‘A roebuck that I once kept,” says Mr. Millais, “was a good Scotchman, though he 
had a beastly temper, for he liked nothing so much as oatmeal porridge.” Roe make delightful 
pets, but the bucks are not to be trusted after the third year. One of these animals, supposed 
