OF THE STAG AND HIS NATURE. 17 



been told by Mr. John Fortescue in his own 

 inimitable style, that it is not necessary to say more 

 than a few words here, and just to touch on a few 

 characteristics a knowledge of which forms a part of 

 successful woodcraft. 



Deer are classed generally as gregarious animals, 

 but in the red deer the gregarious instinct is not so 

 strong as in other kinds, and it depends largely on 

 surrounding circumstances, such as food supply and 

 covert. 



The little spotted calf is laid down by the hind 

 after being carried by her a trifle over eight months, 

 the spot chosen being almost invariably on heather 

 or long grass, though almost any sheltered undis- 

 turbed place will be made to serve on occasion. At 

 this time, and until the calves are strong enough to 

 travel some little distance without fatigue, the hinds 

 lie and feed separately ; there may be others not far 

 off, and they may all use the same feeding grounds, 

 but their movements are independent of each 

 other. 



The calves are almost all born within a very short 

 period, according to the late Dr. Collyns between 

 June 7th and June 21st; under the old Forest Laws 

 the month following the feast of St. John the 

 Baptist was ordained to be an absolutely close time 

 under penalties of great severity. This, allowing for 

 the change in the calendar, would cover the same 

 period. Dr. Collyns in all his long experience only 

 knew of two cases of calves being born except 



C 



