BRITISH MAMMALS 
Genus Capreolus 
THE ROE DEER. 
Capreolus capreolus, Linnaeus. 
Plate 39. 
Much smaller than either of the preceding species, the Roe stands about 
26 inches high at the shoulders, and measures 4 feet from nose to tail. 
A full grown buck may weigh over 60 pounds, but the average weight 
is less. 
The striking change in the colour and texture of the coat as the season 
advances is remarkable. Between May and September or October, the body 
is lightly clothed with hair of a bright chestnut red, with a white patch on 
the rump and the muzzle beautifully marked with black and white, as shown 
in the Plate. 
In winter, when the coat becomes very thick and long, it changes 
to a dark greyish brown or mouse-colour, and the throat is marked with 
two light patches. The tail is almost concealed by the long hair of 
the rump. 
The Roe buck's horns first appear in his second year as single prongs, 
in the next season's growth the brow tines are developed, which in turn are 
succeeded by the complete antlers, each having a brow and two top points. 
This is the normal head of the roe, but examples occur with a larger number 
of points, especially in the forests of Germany. The horns are generally 
cast in November and are renewed and free from velvet by the following 
April. 
+6 
