CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 6i 



had been observed that the hind was most unmistak- 

 ably in a very advanced period of pregnancy. She 

 was secured and placed in a barn, and the same day 

 produced a male calf. ' Mother and child ' fortunately 

 did well, and in a few days were turned loose. 



The second instance occurred in September 1853, 

 when Captain West was hunting the country. He 

 had tufted a long time at Culbone, the seat of Lord 

 Lovelace, but had not been successful in finding an 

 old stag, which was known to frequent those coverts, 

 when a hind broke, and the field being impatient for 

 a gallop, urged the master to lay on the hounds. It 

 was objected by some who had viewed the hind that 

 she appeared big with calf, but the idea was scouted, 

 as being contrary to all probability. The hounds 

 were laid on, and after a fast burst to Oare, Badg- 

 worthy, Brendon Common, Farleigh, and Waters- 

 meet, near Lynmouth, the hind was killed, and was 

 found to have a fine male calf in her. These inci- 

 dents should lead the huntsman to be cautious in 

 laying on the hounds, if from the observations of a 

 reliable person it should be surmised that a hind, 

 contrary to rule and the common order of nature, 

 presents the appearance of being with calf, however 

 improbable it may be that such is really the case. 



The calf generally continues to live with the hind 



