154 STAG HUNTING WITH THE 



and heavy in the beam, boasted only brows 

 and trays, with two and an offer atop ; this, I 

 fear, would interfere sadly with the rules and 

 principles as to age of deer lately laid down 

 in a correspondence appearing in the columns 

 of llic West Somerset Free Press, which I, for 

 one, followed with much interest. The stag's 

 injuries received in his early days would account 

 no doubt for his remarkably small weight, seven 

 score, while his mask and slot were those of a 

 four-year-old hind. 



In old age, or after severe injuries, there 

 can be no doubt that deer decline in their 

 horns as well as in their bodily proportions, the 

 beam becoming thinner and smoother and 

 assuming weaker curves from year to year, but 

 long brow antlers, even though thin, are a sure 

 characteristic of old deer. 



On Monday, August 27th, i8g4, drawing 

 with the pack was resorted to, for a heavy stag 

 had been harboured by himself by George 

 Barwick in Hollacombe Wood, almost opposite 

 Mr. Snow's, at Oare. Mr. Christopher Birming- 

 ham was the hrst to \'iew him as he rose from 

 his lair in the short oak scrub, and his rousing 

 "Tally ho!" was quickly followed by Anthony's 

 cheer and Sidney's quick note with the whistle. 

 In three minutes the wood was made too hot 

 to hold him, and he raced away for Lillycombe 

 where two other stags got up, one of them a 



