104 



LETTER XIX. 



the stag is so unnatural as to be one of its most dan- 

 gerous enemies ; and he would soon destroy the fawn, 

 if not prevented by the maternal care of the dam, in 

 concealing the place of its retreat. 



The following historical fact, shews that the stag is 

 capable of an extraordinary degree of courage. 

 Some years ago, a tiger and a stag being inclosed in 

 the same area, the stag, when attacked, made so reso- 

 lute a defence, that his assailant was obliged to desist. 

 During the reigns of our first Norman kings, the pas- 

 sion for hunting the stag was carried to .such excess,, 

 (hst it was esteemed as small a crime to murder one 

 of the human species as to destroy one of these tmi- 

 UKI'S. la our i.slaud large tracts of land were cou- 

 'verted into forests for deer. Happily for mankind, 

 these wide-extended scenes of desolation and oppres- 

 sion have been gradually contracted : agriculture lias 

 spread itself over the- land;- beasts of chase have given 

 way to the ox and the sheep, and lowing herds and 

 bleating flocks enliven the face of the country, and 

 increase the national wealth. 



THE FALLOW DEER 



Is well known in this country : though it very much 

 resembles the stag, they are a distinct species, and so 

 determined an animosity exists between them, that, 

 although both are gregarious, they will not herd to- 

 gether. The fallow deer is inferior to the stag in size 

 and strength; it is seldom found wild in the forest; 

 but it constitutes the ornament of the park. Its horns, 

 instead of being round like those of the stag, are broad, 

 palmated at the top, and better tarnished with antlers. 

 Dissentions about pasturage frequently occur among 

 these animals; and in such cases, uie herd divides 

 into two parties, aud an obstinate engagement ensues, 

 to determine the possession of some favourite part of 

 the park. Each par-.y has its leader, which is always 

 the oldest and strongest of the herd. They attack in 

 regular order, light with couuige, support one ano- 

 ther, retreat, rally, and seldom give up the contest-, 

 in consequence of one defeat. The combat is fre- 

 quently renewed several days successively, till, aher 



