THE MULE AND WHITE-TAILED DEER 
and coming back to the same area if moderately hunted. Nevertheless, the 
mule deer always dwells in a less confined range than the white -tail, 
which will frequent the same cane-brake or willow swamp year after year 
unless killed or driven out. Like most of the deer this species in its 
summer habits is either found solitary or in pairs. It is very common to 
find two bucks consorting together at this season, and the friendship is 
always that of a large and a small buck, the latter being used as a sentry 
to the big fellow. Parallel instances are found in red deer and wapiti. 
Towards the end of April the winter parties split up and in May the 
female wanders off alone and frequents a narrow area of scrub, which in 
future is useful to conceal the fawn shortly to be born. At the end of May the 
female produces one, two, and sometimes three fawns. The ground colour 
of the young is paler, yellower and duller than the calf of the white -tail, 
but otherwise much alike. The mother hides her young for six or eight 
weeks in dense thickets, coming to feed them at dawn and sunset, and 
permits them to follow her as soon as they are able to nibble the grass 
and gallop swiftly. She is a good mother and hides her young, or flies with 
them, according to the degree of danger or the place wherein it takes place. 
The female makes a loud “ blow ” or “ whistle ” when alarmed and the 
male a snort. In the fighting season the bucks occasionally make use of a 
barking challenge, but this is not often heard, except in the height of the 
rut, which only lasts for a few days. The doe also utters a bleating call, 
like a sheep, when anxious for the buck to come to her. Both sexes also 
stamp with the feet when alarmed and not quite sure of the danger. 
The female mule deer is very bold in defence of the young and will attack 
any coyote that comes near. In the case of a wolf, bear or cougar she 
retreats as quickly as possible as she knows her powers of resistance are 
useless against these animals. When brought to bay by dogs both sexes 
will stand on the hind legs and box with their fore legs, as other deer will do. 
By the beginning of September most of the spots on the coat of the young 
have disappeared, and by the end of that month they are, like the adult, 
in winter pelage. In September and October the adults are found consorting 
together. Often two or even three adult bucks are found with three or four 
does and their young, whilst single bucks are to be observed on all 
occasions. By the beginning of November the necks of the bucks have 
much swollen and fighting commences. In the case of these species war 
is not a serious matter, for the antlers, being devoid of the long brow 
tines, that do the mischief in other species, are so formed that severe blows 
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