8o RED DEER. 



the fern is thick the deer-paths are distinct. 

 In hind-hunting time the brake is bronzed, 

 or brown from frost ; it holds the dew, or 

 the thawed rime of the winter nights, and 

 soaks those who attempt to walk among it. 

 As it rises again in spring it helps to hide 

 the dropped antlers of the stag. 



The antlers fall in March ; though so hard 

 and capable of giving a wound like a spear, 

 they are not fixed to the bone of the head, 

 nor do they grow like the cow's horn 

 deeply rooted ; they seem, indeed, to have 

 scarcely any root or hold, and yet are per- 

 fectly firm till the proper time arrives to 

 shed them. The stag then retires into the 

 woods, and, it is believed, tries to drop his 

 horns in a place where he thinks they are 

 least likely to be found. He separates him- 

 self from his companion stags, and keeps 

 alone at this moment. It is possible that 

 he may drag brambles or branches over the 



