PINE-WOOD STUDIES 3 



for themselves. This time next year their second 

 pair of tines will be showing; and another twelve 

 months will see the third tine, which make the antler 

 complete. From that date the antlers will develop 

 in length and thickness, and the grown-up buck will 

 shed them by December, and reappear with his new 

 ornaments before March. 



The pretty things move on, stepping quietly through 

 the trees. They are tailless, and the large white 

 patch on the rump is very distinct in the moonlight. 

 Suddenly something startles the leading buck. He 

 stands for a moment motionless in the silver light 

 that floods the open aisle between the dark columns 

 of the pines. His head is uplifted; his delicate ears 

 are alert; his intelligent eyes are bright with atten- 

 tion. Then he and his whole family break into a 

 trot which is a perfect picture of going, and so they 

 disappear down the ride of the forest, and the summer 

 night is emptied of their wild, timid grace. 



II 



SUNFLASHES 



THE light of a summer day falls on open spots in the 

 forest which are as oases in the desert. Sunflashes 

 come to the glades, and the glossy-plumaged wood- 

 doves coo in them. In the pine-tops they have their 



