a8o ODD HOURS WITH NATURE 



thanks to the good sense and fine judgment 

 freely exercised by the hinds. 



But is this what really happens? I have no 

 very exhaustive personal knowledge of deer forests 

 in November, but recently I had some talk with 

 one who knows them all the year round, and his 

 views and those of the lady do not harmonize. 

 In November stags begin to collect hinds, and 

 those graceful ladies are not allowed much choice 

 in the matter. When a stag has buffeted a few 

 of them into his train, and still wants more, he 

 casts his eye on the bevy of beauty another stag 

 has gathered and fights him for them. If he gets 

 the better of it in the fight, he drives the beaten 

 stag away and takes possession of his wives. Their 

 leave is not asked. If they show a disposition to 

 follow the beaten husband, the victor simply jostles 

 them into his train and shepherds them with jealous 

 eye. In this way a first-rate fighter gathers a 

 fine harem, and ought to be happy ; but he 

 is not. 



" Of all the miserable animals in the world," 

 says my friend, " a stag which has gathered a 

 large harem of hinds is the most wretched." Let 

 us suppose that his collection is complete. His 

 success means that a great many other stags- 

 mettlesome creatures, but younger and lighter are 

 left in desolate bachelor state. But they do not 

 accept that condition as inevitable. They hover 

 near the coveted collection and keep its owner in 

 perpetual hot water. One of those interested on- 

 lookers appears on a neighbouring eminence and 

 utters a challenging roar. He comes nearer, and, 



