30 WILD LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND. 



indifferent specimens to perpetuate tin- spirits. In some of tin- 

 ancient forests of (lermany superb herds of the red deer were to 

 ancient forests of Germany superb herds of the red deer were to be 

 obtained [this was before the war. of course], whilst in several of tin- 

 old castles of that country antler trophies are preserved as memorials 

 of sport in times gone by with as many as six-and-sixty points." 



It is clear that there are several distinct strains of red deer 

 in the country. recogni/ed chiefly by the form and growth of the 

 antlers, which are usually what sportsmen look to. This mixing <>f 

 breeds probably tends to the production of a strong race, and the 

 efforts of tlu- main acclimatization societies are directed often, it 

 must be admitted, rather blindly to the elimination of defective 

 deer. In the case of some of the large herds attempts are frequently 

 made to thin out all weeds and deer with malformed antlers. 

 According to Mr. Hardcastle. the majority of malformations occur 

 in the skull and not merely in the horns, the horn-pedicle being 

 often misplaced. In Of ago these malforms are most common in 

 open tussock land or open birch bush: they are not met with. 

 as a rule, in rugged gorges or in rough and dense bush country. 

 Perhaps malformation is due to want of nourishment at some period 

 of growth, but there is no definite information on the point, nor 

 is it known whether the trouble is hereditary or not. 



The pairing season in New Zealand is in March or April, and 

 at that time the siau's arc dangerous creatures.. They drop their 

 ainlers usually about September, the youngest being the latent to do 

 so. The fawns are born in November or December, and the animals 

 continue to increase in bulk and strength till they are about twelve 

 years old. They probably do not live more than twenty years, 

 "though superstition credits them with very many more." 



Wherever they are abundant red deer live mostly on certain 

 trees and shrubs, and eat -jrass only when other food is not ob- 

 tainable. In the North Island it is stated that fuchsia is the 

 principiil food in spring and autumn, but that in winter 1 hey 

 take to Veronica sulirifnlw (koromiko) and other shrubs. Probably 

 they eat the majority of the native shrubs. In the South Island 

 forests the following tree* are mostly eaten: Broadleaf. species 

 of Panax, Nof/io/xina.r. foprosmn. ribbon wood, pepper tree, milk- 



, and tutu.* Hut when these are scarce they will eat almost any 



* NOTK. Tutu is not poisonous, l.ut rather fatt .-uiiiL'. wh.-ii animals l.rrnmr 

 slowly :irru-tIUi'<l t<> it- ll-<r. 



