ANIMALS OF THE 



female, who at first flies from them, but is at last 

 compelled and overtaken. When two stags con- 

 tend for the same female, how timorous soever 

 they may appear at other times, they then seem 

 agitated with an uncommon degree of ardour. 

 They paw up the earth, menace each other with 

 their horns, bellow with all their force, and strik- 

 ing in a desperate manner against each other, 

 seem determined upon death or victory. This 

 combat continues till one of them is defeated or 

 flies ; and it often happens that the victor is 

 obliged to fight several of those battles before it 

 remains undisputed master of the field. The old 

 ones are generally the conquerors upon these oc- 

 casions, as they have more strength and greater 

 courage : and these also are preferred by the 

 hind to the young ones, as the latter are more 

 feeble and less ardent. However, they are all 

 equally inconstant, keeping to the female but a 

 few days, and then seeking out for another, not 

 to be enjoyed, perhaps, without a repetition of 

 their former danger. 



In this manner, the stag continues to range 

 from one to the other for about three weeks, the 

 time the rut continues ; during which he scarcely 

 eats, sleeps, or rests, but continues to pursue, to 

 combat, and to enjoy. At the end of this period 

 of madness, for such in this animal it seems to 

 be, .the creature that was before so fat, sleek, 

 and glossy, becomes lean, feeble, and timid. He 

 then retires from the herd to seek plenty and re- 

 pose j he frequents the side of the forest, and 

 chooses the most nourishing pastures, remaining 



