56 RED DEER. 



their shadowy masses are impenetrable, and 

 all that can be done is to look into each 

 opening where fern occupies the space be- 

 tween the trees. Under the oak boughs 

 and in the thickets the stags can lie per- 

 fectly unseen ; and the brake, too, is high 

 enough to hide them if- lying down. In 

 June the deer spend the whole of the day 

 in the covers out of the heat. At this 

 time they are more shy than at any other, 

 both stags and hinds retiring out of sight. 

 The stags' antlers are as yet only partially 

 grown, and while these weapons are soft and 

 tender they conceal themselves. The hinds 

 have their calves only recently dropped, or 

 are about to calve, and consequently keep 

 in the thickest woods. 



One might walk across the entire width 

 of the North Forest, and not see a single 

 deer, and yet be in the midst of them ; and 

 so it is common for fishermen to whip for 



