296 



THE RED DEER OR STAG. 



Cervus Elaphus. LINN. 

 PLATE XXXIII. 



Horns elongated, round, diverging, incurvate, with 

 several branches or antlers 9 of which three are directed for- 

 wards ; hairs* tubular, stiffish, brittle ; upper parts red- 

 dish-brown, lower^grey, hind part* white . 



Cervus Elaphus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 93 ; Desmar. Mammal. 434 ; 

 Jenyns, Brit. Vert. Anim. 37 ; Bell, Brit. Quadr. 394. 



THE Red Deer is considered as the noblest of our 

 indigenous animals by those who estimate nobility 

 by bulk, or some undefined qualities, which, judging 

 from the objects usually so designated, can scarcely 

 be recognised. Thus, the Eagle, a large, rather 

 cowardly bird, is said to be noble ; as are the Jer 

 Yalcon and Peregrine, which, although not very 

 &rge, are full of courage; and the Bustard, which 

 nas no courage at all. The Stag is almost as timid 

 as a Hare, and therefore cannot claim nobility un- 

 less on account of his size, or his pre-eminence as a 



