CHAPTER III. 



Of the Red Deer continued, and herein of the Hind and Calf— Periods 

 of Gestation — Anecdotes — Habits of Deer— Fondness for Water 

 — Their Sagacity and Fierceness when pursued — Woman killed 

 by a Stag. 



Having described at some length the red deer 

 generally, I propose to devote a few pages to the 

 female, or hind, of which some description has 

 already been given in the preceding chapter. 



Hinds consort with the stag in the second year 

 of their age, though I have known the contrary 

 asserted. Generally speaking, the hind produces one 

 calf at a time, and an opinion has prevailed that the 

 hind never produces twins. But here again I must 

 observe, that from information of experienced foresters, 

 carefully tested and sifted by me, I am induced to 

 differ from those who maintain this view,'^ and I can 

 mention instances contradictory to the position. 



One of those instances occurred in my younger 



* Mr Scrope, in his interesting work on Deer-Stalking (p. 4, ed. 1839), 

 writes : — ' The female does not cohabit with the male till three years 

 old. She has never more than one calf at a time, though a contrary 

 opinion has been entertained.' 



