Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-01-26
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America, ia its temperate and frigid zones.-r
More than two species are rarely found inhab
iting the same district, and the geographical
distribution Of these animals is Somewhat sin
gtlar, the reindeer, moose, elk, and common
deer occupying succession Of zones from north
to south, but overlapping each other. There
are. two other species-the blacktails, and the
lOng-tails--and Of these less is known than, o.
any Of the proceeding, The reason. is that
both these species inhabit region of country
hitherto but little explored by men of science.
Both are found only, il, the western half of the
continent-that is, in the wild regions ,extend-
ing from the Mississippi to the Pacific. In
longitude as far, east as the Mississippi they
are ready seen; but as you travel westward,
either approaching the Rocky Mountains, or
beyond these to the shores of the Pacific, they
are the common deer Of these countries. The
BlacklAiled kind is more southern in its range.
1t is found in the CALIFORNIA;, and the valleys
of the Rocky Mountains as far south as Tex
ass while to the north tits met with in Ore
ss0h, and on the eastern side of the Rocky
Meuntains, as high as the ffty-fourth parallel
The ieng-isiied species is the most common
deer OF Oregon and the Columbia River, and
ats range also extendseast of the Rocky Noun
1ainss Lhsngh nst 50 far-as the longitude Of the
Mississippi These two o-species are often com
founded 3ifh each etiler, though in many re-
specB they are totally unlike Indeed there
are two varieties Of the former, both having
black tails and long ears, which distinguish
them from other animals of the deer kind
From the great length of their ears, they are
called mplerdeer by manyihunters : but black
tails is the name most commonly used, from
fbe circumstance that the hair Upon their tail
ops is Of a deep jetty blackness, and very con
spicnOus,4 The black taiIs are larger than the
lOng-taiis, their legs shorter, and their bodies
altogether of 'stouter build. in r6nring they
bound with all their feet raised al once while
those af the long-tailed species run more more ike
fiie common sfallow deer-by trotting few
steps, zhd' theh giving one bound, and trotiing
as before. Il is to this species our description
viii now be confined, as in connection with it
the adventure we are about to relate befel us.
The long tailed deer is one of the smallest
of the deer kind It's weight rarely exceeds |
100 pounds. It resembles, in form. and habits
the common. fallow deer, the chief distinction
being the tail, which renders the former con
spicuous object. This aPpendage is often
found to measure eighteen inches in length -.
While running, it is held erect, and kept CON,
stantly switching from side. 10 side, 50 as to, ,
produce singular and somewhat ludicrous
effect upon the mind Of the spectator Its gait
is also peculiar 1t first takes two ambiing
steps that resemble a trot, after these ii makes
long bound, which, carries il about twice the
distance Of the steps, and then it trots again,
No matter how closely pursued, it never alters
this mode progression 80 o,s ----.s.,- -
Like the fallow deer, it produces spotted
fawns, which are brought forth il the spring,
and change their color to that Of the deer it
self in the first winter, About the month Of
Novemb66r they gather into herds, and remain
together until April when they, separate, the
females secreting' themselves to bring forth
their young.
The long-taiIed dec. is found principally in
wooded countries, but its, favorite hapnts are
not in the heavy timber Of the great forests.
but in the park-Ike openings that occur in
many many parts Of the Rocky Mountain valleys
Sometimes whole tracts Of country are met
with in these regions whose surface exhibits a
pleasing variety of woodland and prairie !;
s1oPing hills appear with coppices upon their
crests and along their sides. Among, these
natural groves may be seen troops of the long
tailed deer, browsing along the, declivities Of
the hills, and By. their. elegant attitudes and
graceful movements adding to the beauty of the
landscape.
Some years ago, had an opportunity Of
hunting the long-tailed deer. was on my
way across the. Rocky Mountains TO Fort Van
couyer, when circumstances. .renderedit neces-
sary that /, shoudi stop for some days at. a
small trading post opy one of the branches Of
the Columbia, Il was, in fact, detained, watt
ing for party of fur traders, with whom J.
was to travel, and who required sometime to
get their packs in readiness The trading
postswasa small place with miserable accom-
medatiOns, havihgiscarOely room enough in its
tWelor three wpetcEied log cabins to. lOdg e half
the company that happened atI4he time to
claim its hospitality. AS my business was
simply to wait for my travelling companions. Il
was of course esraays almost to death in such a
place! !!sdThere was nothing 10 be seen around
bun packs Of beaver, otter, mink, fox, and bear
skins 1ahd nothing TO be heard but the inces2
SAINT chattering Of Canadian yoyageurs, in their
mixed .jaFg9q Of French, faaAl, English, and Indian.
To make matters still ymSre n unpleasant, there
was very little to cat, and nothing to drink but
the clear water p, The little mountain stream
upon WHICH the fort was bplltsuoo eyes q
yLhedsurFasRdisg1 rcOnntrys sahoweyer, was
beauitaLsi and tAe.JAselH landscape that rop
evsFyslas met the eyssalmpst pstscnmpeBsatelifpr
thasdlsesmfogtss 'sfnthaPest., The ssnrfaceo
the, ,esHRJV sNas what 10 .terlned ROD olbug=nsen-.
tie undulations here and there rising into dome
shaped hills efrEow beleSafioR.- These. xere
cr0wqeh whEbcnpses off Hhrubby treesy priucii-
pally of the wild filbert or hazel, with several
species Of rosa and raspberry, and bushes Of
thea nteberry Z, With 4her q eldstefs Of purplish