il6 RED DEER. 



that barren hinds are the most addicted to 

 doing mischief in gardens. But perhaps 

 the greatest injury is done to wheat. 



Stags visit the wheat fields at two seasons. 

 They come so soon as the green leaf shoots 

 up and nibble it, and are especially fond of 

 it just before the ear appears, when it is 

 full of succulent juices, and pleasant even 

 to a human palate. Any one who will pull 

 a green ear of wheat and crush the stalk 

 between the teeth will find it sweet to taste. 

 As it turns yellow and becomes drier, more 

 like straw, they leave it, but return again 

 when the ears are ripe. Immediately before 

 harvest they will go into a wheat field and 

 remain there day and night for a week 

 together. Eight or ten stags may herd in 

 a field and eat and destroy fifteen or twenty 

 pounds' worth before discovered. The wheat 

 fields are often far from the homesteads, 

 and not very frequently visited ; the stags 



