THE BUMINANT ORDER. 
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over a large part of Europe, in the north, of Africa, and also in 
Asia Minor. 
The Roe Deer ( Capreolus dorcas) is one of the most elegant 
and graceful representatives of the genus Cervus; it does not 
measure much more than a yard in length. Its horns are 
small, and very simple in their shape. They are composed of a 
deeply indented stem, which is straight for the greater part of 
its length, and furnished at the top with two short branches, 
forming a fork at the extremity. Its coat is a uniform fawn- 
colour, the shade of which varies with the season. It has 
"Fig. 120. — Fallow Deer ( Cervus dama, Linn.) 
neither tear-pits nor any vestige of tail, and on the end of its 
muzzle there is a white marking, edged with black. 
The Roe differs from the Red Deer in its habits ; it does not 
live in herds or practise polygamy. The male remains attached 
for life to the companion he has chosen ; he never quits her for an 
instant, and devotes himself, with her, to the rearing of their 
young family. The most affectionate relationship exists between 
him and his mate ; they are content one with the other, and 
voluntarily confine themselves to solitude. 
The Roes frequent young woods and thickets in the vicinity 
of cultivated ground, where they delight to crop the buds and 
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