62 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



until it reaches the age of ten months ; and numer- 

 ous and most interesting- are the instances of affection 

 and sagacity exhibited by the mother for the pre- 

 servation and protection of her offspring. Carefully 

 does she guard it during its infancy, as it lies curled 

 up in fern or heather, stationing herself at a short 

 distance from its bed, ready, at a moment's notice, 

 to rush to its aid in case of need. ' When the 

 hinde's calf is greate, she teacheth it to runne, and 

 to leape, and the coast that it must keepe to defende 

 itself from the houndes.'* When disturbed by 

 hounds, the hind and calf dart away side by side, 

 and trust to their speed for safety. If followed, 

 however, the calf of course soon becomes fatigued, 

 yet still the mother continues by its side, and 

 accommodates her pace to that of her protege. 

 But suddenly and unaccountably the calf disappears, 

 as If by magic. In a moment, on finding a con- 

 venient spot for her purpose, the hind thrusts the 

 calf into the fern, or into a furze-bush, and standing: 

 near until the hounds come close to her, she again 

 gallops off, leaving the helpless little creature fast 

 nestled in its hiding-place. It is said, and possibly 

 with truth, that the hinds frequently resort to the 

 same stratagem to save their male offspring from 



* ' Art of Venerie,' p. 43. 



