DEVON AND SOMERSET. 291 



In striking at a hound the stag's object is 

 evidently to pin him to the ground, and then 

 to strike downwards at him with his antlers and 

 transfix him when helpless. In goring a horse 

 a stag cannot of course strike downwards, but 

 lowers his head, so that the upward curve of 

 his brow antlers may not prevent the points 

 from coming into play. In striking at a man, a 

 stag would doubtless try to bear him to the 

 ground, and then transfix him after the manner 

 of a hound, but fortunately such object lessons 

 are seldom or never seen. 



Deer will use their feet both fore and hind 

 very cleverly when in ditiiculties, and will deal 

 shrewd kicks and strokes at unexpected angles, 

 bringing up a hind foot to dash away the hand 

 that would ^seize their fore leg, or dealing out 

 cow kicks with great force and rapidity, and 

 the downward stroke of a cleft forefoot is a 

 thing to be avoided. 



With October and its wild nights and 

 showery days the stag becomes wild in habit 

 and appearance, and his gutteral melancholy 

 voice is heard [loudest on some stormy night 

 when the sleet squalls are dashing across the 

 hills and lashing the wooded combes that are 

 lit up ever and anon with the fitful gleam of 

 sheet lightning. Lying on her back the sickle 

 moon lights up the dripping foliage with 

 uncertain gleam as the storm passes by, roar 



