134 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



and, in many countries, where once it was common, the 

 race is now wholly extinct. 



When about eight or nine months old, their horns be- 

 gin to appear in the form of two knobs: The firft year 

 they are without antlers. They fhed their horns the lat- 

 ter end of autumn, and renew them in the winter ; in 

 which they differ from the Stag, whofe horns fall off in 

 the fpring, and are renewed in fummer. 



The life of the Roe-buck feldom exceeds twelve or fif- 

 teen years. 



They are very delicate in the choice of their food ; 

 and require a large tract of country, fuited to the wild- 

 nefs of their nature, which can never be thoroughly fub- 

 dued. No arts can teach them to be familiar with their 

 keeper, nor in any degree attached to him. They are 

 eafily terrified ; and, in their attempts to efcape, will run 

 with fuch force againft the walls of their inclofure, as 

 fometimes to difable themfelves: They are alfo fubjecl: 

 to capricious fits of fiercenefs and, on thefe occafioris, 

 will ftrike furioufly with their horns and feet at the ob- 

 ject: of their diflike. 



Some years ago, one of thefe animals, after being 

 hunted out of Scotland, through Cumberland, and various 

 parts of the North of England, at laft took refuge in the 

 woody recefies bordering upon the banks of the Tyne, 

 between Prudhoe Caftle and Wylam. It was repeatedly 

 feen and hunted ; but no dogs were equal to its fpeed : 

 It frequently croffed the river ; and, either by fwiftnefs 

 or artifice, eluded all its purfuers. It happened, during 

 the rigour of a fevere winter, that being . purfued, it 

 crofTed the river upon the ice with fome difficulty ; and 

 being much ftrained by its violent exertions, was taken 

 alive. It was kept for fome weeks in the houfe, and 



