DEER IN SUMMER 47 



is a slight vapour there, or it is an effect of 

 mirage, for they appear larger than sheep, 

 but their motions are not those of deer. 

 Neither stag nor hind is feeding nor lying 

 down in the heather. 



The oak woods cannot be so scrutinised ; 

 their shadowy masses are impenetrable, and 

 all that can be done is to look into each open- 

 ing where fern occupies the space between 

 the trees. Under the oak boughs and in the 

 thickets the stags can lie perfectly unseen, and 

 the brake, too, is high enough to hide them 

 if lying down. In June the deer spend the 

 whole of the day in the covers out of the heat. 

 At this time they are more shy than at any 

 other, both stags and hinds retiring out of 

 sight. The stags' antlers are as yet only 

 partially grown, and while these weapons are 

 soft and tender they conceal themselves. 

 The hinds have their calves only recently 

 dropped, or are about to calve, and con- 

 sequently keep in the thickest woods. 



One might walk across the entire width of 



