RED DEER. 



29 



The antlers of the red deer are very complex. " In the spring 

 of the year following its birth the antlers are nothing more than 

 straight, conical, and unbranched ' beams,' the animal being then 

 known as a 'brocket.' In the following spring the antler has, 

 besides the ' beam,' a small branch from its base, directed for- 

 wards, known as the ' brow antler ' ; it is then termed ' spayad.' 

 In the third year an extra front branch is formed, known as the 

 ' tres,' and the whole antler is larger. This ' tres ' is sometimes 

 seen in the smaller antler of the ' spayad.' In the fourth year the 



FIG. 3. RED DEER (AFTER LYDEKKER). 



'brow-antler' is doubled, to form the 'brow' and ' bez-tine,' at 

 the same time that the top of the main beam divides into the ' sur- 

 royals ' of the ' staggard,' or four-year male. In the fifth year 

 the ' sur-royals ' become more numerous, the whole antler of the 

 ' stag ' being heavier than previously, only to be exceeded in weight 

 by those of the fully adult 'great hart,' with ten or more points, 

 eacli being larger and longer than the year before. In Britain the 

 conditions of life and food are not of the quality which develops 

 first-rate antlers; at the same time it is in Scotland, at least 

 the habit to shoot those with the finest heads, and so leave the 



