208 NATURAL HISTORY. 



of a red colour. White stags are much more uncom- 

 mon and seem to become domestic : the colour of the 

 horns, like that of the hair, depends on the nature and 

 age of the animal, and in general on the impression of 

 the air : the horns of the young stag are whiter than 

 those of the old ones. Of those stags also whose hair 

 is of a light yellow, the horns are often of a sallow 

 hue, and offensive to the eye. 



This animal seems to have good eyes, an exquisite 

 smell, and an excellent ear. When he would hearken 

 to any thing, he raises his head, pricks up his ears, 

 and then he hears from a great distance. When he 

 issues from a little coppice, or some other spot half 

 covered, he stops in order to take a full view around 

 him, and then snuffs up the wind, in order to try whe- 

 ther he can discover the scent of any thing that maj 

 disturb him. Though naturally simple, he is far 

 from being destitute of curiosity and cunning. If one 

 whistles, or calls aloud to him from a great distance, 

 he instantly stops short, and gazes with fixed atten- 

 tion ; but if one has neither arms nor dogs, he passes 

 along without altering his pace. With equal tran- 

 quility and pleasure he seems also to listen to the 

 shepherd's pipe, or flageolet ; and the huntsmen, in 

 order to embolden them, sometimes use these instru- 

 ments. In general, he is much less afraid of men 

 than of dogs, and entertains neither distrust nor arti- 

 fice, but in proportion as he is disturbed. He eats 

 slowly, chooses his food, and seeks afterwards to re- 

 pose himself, that he may ruminate at leisure, though 

 not with the same ease as the ox ; nor is it without 

 undergoing much violence, that the stag can throw up 

 the food contained in his first stomach. He seldom 

 tuiflkg in the winter, and seldomer still in the spring. 



