STAG on UK!) DEliU. 



This magnificent animal is one of the hirp^est of the Deer tribe, the adult male 

 measming nearly five feet in height at the shoulders, and abont seven feet nine 

 inches from the nose to the loot of the tail. It is a native of North America, 

 where it is popuhn-lv known under the name of the Elk. 



The Stag, or Red Deer, is spread over many parts of Europe and Asia, and 

 is indigenous to the British Islands, where it still lingers, though in vastly 

 reduced numbers. 



In the olden days of chivalry and Robin Hood, the Red Deer Averc plentiful in 

 every forest ; and especially in that which was nnide by William the Second, at 

 the expense of mucli sorrow and suffering. Even in the New bore.>t itself the Red 

 Deer is seldom seen, and those few survivors that still serve as relics of a bygone 

 age, arc scarcely to be reckoned as living in a wild state, and approach nearly to 

 the semi-domesticated condition of the Eallow Deer. Many of these splendid 

 animals are preserved in parks or paddocks, but they no more roam the wide forests 

 in unquestioned fi-ecdom. In Scotlaiul, however, the Red Deer are still to be 

 found, as can be testified by many a keen hunter of the present day, who has had his 

 strength, craft, and coolness thoroughly tested before he could lay low in the dust the 

 magnificent animal, whose head witli its forest of horns now graces his residence. 



Formerly, the Stag Avas ])laced under the i)rotection of the severest ])enalti(N, its 

 slaughter being visited with capital punishment on the offender if he could be 

 known and arrested. Indeed, a man who nuu'dered his fellow might hope to 

 escape retribution excei)t by the avenging hand of some relation of the slain man, 

 but if he were unfortunate or daring enough to dip his hands in the blood of n 

 stag, he could ho})e for no mercy if he were detected in the offence. 



The great speed of the Stag is proverbial, and needs no mention. It is tiTl 

 admirable swinnner, having been known to SAvim for a distance of six or seven 

 miles, and in one instance a Stag landed in the night upon a beach which he 

 could not have reached without having swam for a distance of ten miles. The 

 gallant beast was discovered by some dogs as he landed, and being chased by 

 ih^vo inmiediately after his fatiguing aquatic exploit, was overcome by exhaus- 

 tion, and found dead on tlie following morning. 



The colour of the Stag varies slightly accordhig to the time of year. In the 

 summer the coat is a warm, reddish-brown, l)ut in winter the ruddy hue becomes 

 grey. The hind quarters are paler than the rest of the fur. The young Red 

 Deer are born about April, and are remarkable for the variegated api)earance of 

 their fur, which is mottled with Avhitc upon the back and sides. As the little 

 creatures increase in dimensions, the Avhite marking gradually fades, and the fur 

 assumes the uniform reddish-brown of the adult animal. 



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