

86 STAG. 



have brow-antlers, with broad and widely-spreading tips, 

 directed forward. The hair on the upper parts of the 

 body is generally of a brownish-ash colour, and in the 

 older animals nearly grey. The space about the eyes is 

 black ; and that round the mouth, as well as all the 

 under parts of the body, is white. The tail is white. 

 The hair upon the neck is peculiarly long. 



Staff, or Red Deer. There are, at this day, very 

 few parts of England in which these noble and majestic 

 animals are found in a state of nature ; but in the moun- 

 tainous districts both of Ireland and Scotland, they are 

 occasionally observed in herds of considerable numbers. 

 When unprovoked, they are of a mild and peaceful dis- 

 position, frequenting the wildest parts of the mountains 

 and forests, where they browze on grass, or the leaves 

 or buds of trees. During the breeding season, which is 

 in the months of May and June, the females separate ; 

 and they do not again collect into herds until towards 

 the close of autumn. Each female seldom produces more 

 than a single young one. This she conceals, for some 

 time, in the most obscure thickets, until it has sufficient 

 strength to allow of her leading it abroad. Red Decl- 

 are supposed to live to the age of about forty years. 

 Their sight and hearing are both extremely quick. The 

 males only have horns, which they shed every year; 

 and, whilst the new horns are budding, they frequent 

 the most retired places, and feed only during the night, 

 to prevent the soft skin being irritated by the flies, 

 which otherwise would alight upon and tease them. 

 Red Deer are found in all the four quarters of the 

 globe. Their flesh is eaten, but is by no means so deli- 

 cate as that of the fallow deer. Their skins are manu- 

 factured into leather for breeches, gloves, belts, and 



