Virginian Race 255 



of the water-lilies, which form a very favourite article of food, they con- 

 stantly wade long distances into the shallow waters, and will sometimes even 

 venture out of their depth and swim. Here they suffer great persecution 

 from flies and mosquitoes, which they apparently submit to as an unavoidable 

 evil. Occasionally in the Adirondacks, and more commonly farther south, 

 they enter the water when not in search of food, and will then stand with 

 scarcely more than their eyes and nose exposed ; but whether they do this 

 in order to rid themselves of insect torments, or merely to enjoy a bath, is 

 very difficult to decide. Early in September, when the marsh plants in the 

 Adirondacks begin to wither and die down, the deer forsake the neighbour- 

 hood of the water-courses for the forests, where a plentiful supply of food 

 awaits them. 



In places much frequented by man the deer in the Adirondacks feed 

 chiefly or entirely by night, but in more sequestered districts they may be 

 seen abroad at all hours of the day, and apparently repose at night. Their 

 favourite resting-places are often under the low boughs of an evergreen 

 shrub in some dense thicket, or beneath the protecting branches of a fallen 

 tree. In the deep snows of severe winters the deer frequently collect in 

 companies, and keep more or less open a limited space, or " yard," by 

 constant trampling, in the same way as the American elk. 



In the Adirondacks the new antlers of the bucks make their first 

 appearance about May, and are generally free from the velvet by the com- 

 mencement or middle of September. The pairing-season in the same 

 district commences in the latter part of October and continues till the 

 beginning of December. At this season the necks of the bucks swell in a 

 remarkable manner, and their whole demeanour alters. They rush wildly 

 through the forest in search of the does, fiercely attacking any members of 

 their own sex with which they may happen to meet, and occasionally even 

 charging human beings. From their peculiar shape, the antlers are 

 exceedingly likely to become interlocked during such combats ; and not 

 only have there been several instances of two bucks thus caught, but one 

 case of three with their antlers interlocked is on record. In fighting, while 

 the antlers form the chief weapons of offence, the front hoofs are also called 

 into requisition, and inflict terrific wounds. 



" I was once sitting quietly in a deer park," writes Dr. Merriam, 

 " when a buck approached, and, making a sudden spring, dealt me such a 



