Of this genus there are many species, as the elk, moose, stag,
fallow-deer, reindeer, &c. They are characterized by timidity, a love
of retirement in the solitudes of the forest, a general capacity for
domestication, and great swiftness of foot.
The MOOSE.--In the immense forests of North America, this animal is
hunted by the Indians with such relentless perseverance, that all its
instincts are called forth for the preservation of its existence.
Tanner tells us that, "in the most violent storm, when the wind, the
thunder, and the falling timber, are making the loudest and most
incessant roar, if a man, either with his foot or hand, breaks the
smallest dry limb in the forest, the moose will hear it; and though he
does not always run, he ceases eating, and gives all his attention to
the sounds he may hear, and he does not relax this till after three or
four hours of the keenest vigilance."
The AMERICAN ELK.--This stately creature is easily domesticated, and
will then come at the call of his master, follow him to a distance from
home, and return with him quietly. Although of a gentle disposition,
instances have occurred of its turning upon its pursuers. A wounded one
was once known to turn and face a hunter in the woods of Canada; the
man was found next day pounded to a jelly, his bones being broken to
pieces; the deer, having exhausted its fury, was found dead by his
side.
The RED DEER.--The stag is said to love music, and to show great
delight at hearing any one sing. If a person happens to whistle, or
call some one at a distance, the creature stops short, and gazes upon
the stranger with a kind of silent admiration; and if he perceives
neither fire-arms nor dogs, he slowly approaches him with apparent
unconcern. He seems highly delighted with the sound of the shepherd's
pipe. Playford says, "Travelling some years since, I met, on the road
near Royston, a herd of about twenty bucks, following a bagpipe and
violin. While the music continued, they proceeded; when it ceased, they
all stood still."
Brown tells us the following story: "As Captain Smith, of the Bengal
Native Infantry, was out in the country with a shooting party, very
early in the morning, they observed a tiger steal out of a jungle in
pursuit of a herd of deer. Having selected one as his object, it was
quickly deserted by the herd. The tiger advanced with such amazing
swiftness that the stag in vain attempted to escape, and, at the moment
the gentleman expected to see the fatal spring, the deer gallantly
faced his enemy, and for some minutes kept him at bay; and it was not
till after three attacks that the tiger succeeded in securing his prey.
He was supposed to have been considerably injured by the horns of the
stag, as, on the advance of Captain Smith, he abandoned the carcass,
having only sucked the blood from the throat."
The following circumstances are mentioned by Delacroix: "When I was at
Compiegne," says he, "my friends took me to a German who exhibited a
wonderful stag. As soon as we had taken our seats in a large room, the
stag was introduced. He was of an elegant form and majestic stature,
his aspect at once animated and gentle. The first trick he performed
was, to make a profound obeisance to the company, as he entered, by
bowing his head; after which he paid his respects to each individual of
us in the same manner. He next carried about a small stick in his
mouth, to each end of which a small wax taper was attached. He was then
blindfolded, and, at the beat of a drum, fell upon his knees, and laid
his head upon the ground. As soon as the word _pardon_ was pronounced,
he instantly sprang upon his feet. Dice were thrown upon the head of a
drum, and he told the numbers that were cast up, by bowing his head so
many times. He discharged a pistol, by drawing with his teeth a string
that was tied to the trigger. He fired a small cannon by means of a
match that was fastened to his right foot, without showing any signs
of fear. He leaped several times, with the greatest agility, through
a hoop, which his master held at a man's height from the ground.
At length the exhibition was closed with his eating a handful of oats
from the head of a drum, which a person was beating the whole time
with the utmost violence. Almost every trick was performed with as
much steadiness as it could have been accomplished by the best-trained
dog."
At Wonersh, near Guildford, the seat of Lord Grantley, a fawn was
drinking in the lake, when one of the swans suddenly flew upon it, and
pulled the poor animal into the water, where it held it under till it
was drowned. This act of atrocity was noticed by the other deer in the
park, and they took care to revenge it the first opportunity. A few
days after, this swan, happening to be on land, was surrounded and
attacked by the whole herd, and presently killed. Before this time,
they were never known to molest the swans.
The VIRGINIA DEER.--A young gentleman, in Bath, Virginia, killed two
large bucks, the horns of which were so interlocked that they could not
disengage themselves. There is no doubt that they had had a combat;
and, from observations made by the sportsman, he supposed them to have
been in that condition several days. The horns were so securely
fastened that, he could not separate them without breaking off one of
the prongs. The bucks were killed at two shots, and the one which
escaped the first ball carried the other a hundred yards before he met
his death.
A farmer in the state of Kentucky domesticated a female deer, but lost
her during the whole spring and summer. After an absence of several
months, she returned with a fawn at her side, and, on her arrival,
seemed to take great pleasure in showing her young one.
The Virginia deer is said by the hunters to evince a strong degree of
animosity towards serpents, and especially to the rattlesnake. In order
to destroy one of these creatures, the deer makes a bound into the air,
and alights upon the serpent with all four feet brought together in a
square, and these violent blows are repeated till the hated reptile is
destroyed.
The REINDEER.--This animal, as is well known, is the great resource of
the Laplanders, to whom it furnishes most of the necessaries of life.
Two or three varieties are found in the polar regions of the American
continent. "They visit the Arctic shores," says Captain Lyon, "at the
latter end of May or the early part of June, and remain until late in
September. On his first arrival, the animal is thin, and his flesh is
tasteless; but the short summer is sufficient to fatten him. When
feeding on the level ground, an Esquimaux makes no attempt to approach
him; but should a few rocks be near, the wary hunter feels secure of
his prey. Behind one of these he cautiously creeps, and, having laid
himself very close, with his bow and arrow before him, imitates the
bellow of the deer when calling to its mate. Sometimes, for more
complete deception, the hunter wears his deer-skin coat and hood so
drawn over his head, as to resemble, in a great measure, the
unsuspecting animals he is enticing. Though the bellow proves a
considerable attraction, yet if a man has great patience, he may do
without it, and may be equally certain that his prey will ultimately
come to examine him; the reindeer being an inquisitive animal, and at
the same time so silly, that, if he sees any suspicious object which is
not actually chasing him, he will gradually, and after many caperings,
and forming repeated circles, approach nearer and nearer to it.
"The Esquimaux rarely shoot until the creature is within twelve paces,
and I have frequently been told of their being killed at a much shorter
distance. It is to be observed that the hunters never appear openly,
but employ stratagem for their purpose--thus by patience and ingenuity
rendering their rudely-formed bows, and still worse arrows, as
effective as the rifles of Europeans. When two men hunt in company,
they sometimes purposely show themselves to the deer, and when his
attention is fully engaged, walk slowly away from him, one before the
other. The deer follows, and when the hunters arrive near a stone, the
foremost drops behind it, and prepares his bow, while his companion
continues walking steadily forward. This latter the deer still follows
unsuspectingly, and thus passes near the concealed man, who takes a
deliberate aim, and kills him."