294 



The Living Animals of the World 



broken clean off and remained embedded in the skull, firmly wedged between the ears and the 

 antlers. "When wounded and brought to bay liy a dog," says j\Ir. jMillais, "a roebuck brings 

 into play botli head and fore legs in liis defence, using his horns as described, and striking out 

 with his legs, more as if to pusli off his antagonist than to cause a forcible blow, for he gives 

 no shock, as a hind can. A doe. too, uses lier fore legs and boxes with lier head; and 

 Mr. Steel, wlio has had wide experience in roe-shooting, tells me that he has seen a doe use 

 her hind leo-s as well. The liark of the buck is loud, sharj), and deep in tone, not unlike what 

 a single call might be from an old collie. At tlds season, too, the female gives an amorous call 

 when she wislies the male to conre 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 aUuring 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 



l-ln.l.j Inj the Dvchcss of Bedford] 



[ }Vohurn Ahbcij, 



I'ERE DAVIDS DEKK. 

 Nineteen nf tlie«e deer ;ire at Woti\irn Abbey ; three are at Berlin. It is believed that these are the only deer of this species in existence. 



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." 



Ivoe have a curious trick of chasing one antjther 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. Tlie fiict is very singular. "These curious circles are most used in early summer ; and 

 Sutherland, the head keeper, tells me," says IMr. Millais, " that hardly a morning })asses 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 wliieh they are partial, they take much pains to dig out with their sharp 

 hoofs. "A roebuck that I once kept," says Mr. JMillais, "was a good Scotchman, though he 

 had a beastly temper, for lie liked nothing so mucli as oatmeal porridge." Eoe make delightful 

 pets, but the bucks are not to be trusted after the third year. One of these animals, simnosed 



