CHAPTER XVIII
WHITE-TAILED DEER

THE white-tailed deer is known to scientists as the
Odocoileus virginiensis, There is a peculiar charm about
this species, which no other deer has. They are pretty
little beasts, much smaller than the mule deer and far
.more dainty; they are about the same size as the coast
deer. In colour their winter coats are of a browner
shade than either of the other two species, but in summer
they are the usual red. Their horns, which have a forward
curve at the top, are larger than those of the coast deer
and, while they cannot compare in any respect with
those of the mule deer, are very prettily shaped and
by no means to be despised as a trophy. As far as my
knowledge of the measurements of this deer’s horns goes,
I should say that a length of 20 inches would be the
very limit, though I have seen them recorded as being as
long as 27 inches. Possibly in other parts of this con-
tinent this species may grow longer and finer horns,
but they do not do so here; at any rate, I have never
come across any that would approach such a length.
The number of points on each horn would run from five
to seven or eight.

The distinguishing feature of the white-tail is the tail,
which is very long and bushy, and not entirely white as
the name implies. The underneath part is all white,”
and this white extends round the outside base of the tail
for about half an inch, but the remainder of the outside
is a light brown colour. They obtained the name of
white-tail owing to their habit of sticking their tails

straight up in the air at right angles to their bodies when
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