32 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



a previous chapter as being kept in a paddock at 

 Lynton. These show more development and a 

 greater number of points than is usual ; indeed, the 

 four-year-old head might well have been a seven- 

 year-old. From this some people have deduced 

 that the Exmoor deer, having free access to good 

 food, are all about three years younger than they are 

 said to be ; this theory is effectually disposed of by 

 the fact that there is a plentiful supply of young 

 deer carrying the normal two or three year-old 

 heads. 



All that can be done is to point out the normal 

 development. 



A normal three-year-old would have thrown out a 

 tray point on each side and might have in addition 

 two on top on one side. The beam being light and 

 smooth and with little spread between the antlers. 



A four-year-old should have brow, tray, and two on 

 top on each side, but he might have two and one, 

 the whole antler, however, should be stronger and 

 heavier, and the spread wider. At this age the deer 

 has a full mouth, so that the age can be ascertained 

 in that way. 



At five a deer may have all his rights — brow, bay, 

 and tray, and two on top on each side, but more 

 often misses one point, and should have a small tush 

 showing on each side. Some deer never develop the 

 bay point, some carry it only on one side. 



The writer has hanging on the wall beside him as 

 he writes the head of a very heavy old deer known for 



