Pere David's Deer 



263 



four show a progressive increase in size and complexity. The htth pair 

 (bottom figure of illustration), which were shed early in 1897, are, 

 however, very much smaller and less complex than either the tourth, 

 third, or seventh. Later on in the same year (1897) this stag grew 

 another pair of antlers of the type of the third and fourth, which were 

 shed that autumn. These were followed by a small pair like those ot 



Pig. 63. — Breeding and Non-Breeding Antlers of Pere David's Deer. The first four pairs are the 

 breeding, and the fifth pair the non-breeding antlers. Photographed by the Duchess of Bedford. 



1896, which were clear of the velvet by Christmas 1897, and were shed 

 the following February, to be again succeeded by a more complex pair. 



As the pairing- season only occurs once annually, during the latter 

 part of June or July, when the old stags in the park at Woburn Abbey 

 may be heard uttering their braying cry, the individual in question, at 

 any rate, may be said to have developed in two successive years one pair 



