RED DEER. 125 



before an enemy. A hind bears her first calf when she is about 

 three years old. 



All the species of Deer belong to what naturalists know as 

 the even-toed ungulates (animals with divided hoofs). As dis- 

 tinguished from the Horse, for example, which walks on a single 

 hoof in the middle line of the foot, the Deer are supported on 

 two smaller symmetrical hoofs and the axis of the foot passes 

 between them. If you come across the footprints of the Red 

 Deer "slot" the hunter calls them in soft ground you will 

 find that fact well-marked. Let me say parenthetically that 

 when observing wild animals, footprints or u spoor " should be 

 eagerly watched for. In the deeper slot of the Deer there may 

 also be slight impressions of two other toes, one on each side 

 behind and above the hoofs. 



If you should come across a no longer needed skull of the 

 Deer, take the opportunity for examining its dental arrange- 

 ments. You are, of course, more likely to meet with it in a 

 museum than in your rambles. You will find the teeth and 

 their disposition do not differ materially from what are found in 

 the jaws of the ox and the sheep ; for like those the Deer is a 

 ruminant, living on vegetable food and having a four-chambered 

 stomach. There are no teeth in the fore part of the upper jaw, 

 the three premolars and three molars of each side being placed 

 well back in the cheek. On each side of the lower jaw we find 

 right in front three incisors or cutting-teeth, which bite against 

 hardened gum in the upper jaw. The Stag alone has a single 

 canine tooth a little behind these, but the Hind is denied this 

 possession. Three premolars and three molars correspond 

 with, and bite against, those of the upper jaw. Dental formula : 

 f't,*fc^f*t = 32> 



The food of the Deer is herbage and the young shoots of 

 trees and shrubs. It is this fact that led to their nominal 

 extermination in the New Forest and other places. By nature 

 they are woodland animals although their greater prevalence 



