Roe deer have been called the “Fairies of the Woods” and their elfish charm and graceful movements certainly bear out this name. Even when found living in the proximity of man, they never lose their shyness in the same way as would the red or fallow under the same circumstances.

In spring and summer their coats are a foxy red unrelieved by any other colour except on the lips, which arc black with a white patch near the corners of the mouth and a patch of yellowish hair on the target (the rump). Although they actually have a tail, this is not visible; yet many old prints and some modern drawings as well, show them with tails which would not shame a fallow.