Toponymie | Canton de Potton | Place Names

In Quebec, and in many French speaking regions of Canada, the cerf de Virginie or white tailed deer, is called chevreuil.  These medium sized ruminants are often seen browsing in Potton at the edge of fields near the tree line.  Though timid, deer will approach houses and gardens, where the smorgasbord of treats is sometime irresistible to them!  Witness cedar hedges they have munched!  This deer is recognized by the white underside to its tail, which it shows as a signal of alarm by “flagging” or raising the tail during escape.  Fawns are born in May and June and stay close by the mothers for sometime thereafter.  The winter habitat of deer is called a “yard,” or in French, a ravage.  Deer browse usually at dawn and in the twilight hours, often beside roads.  Driving in our Township requires extra care.