190 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 





FALLOW DEER. 



time in chewing the cud and sleeping, 

 and, if the day be hot and sunny, will 

 lie with all four legs stretched out, 

 exposing as much of their bodies to the 

 sun as they can. About 2 p.m. they 

 feed, and wander about till 4, when 



they again lie down for about two hours, 

 starting again about 6 p.m. and con- 

 tinuing until 9 p.m., when they rest 

 until 5 the next morning, feeding from 

 that hour until 9 or 9.30 a.m. In the 

 winter they feed most of the short days, 

 but when well supplied with corn and hay 

 they rest during the middle of the day. 



" In parks which are heavily stocked 

 Deer have to work harder for their food, 

 and rest for shorter periods. When 

 rising from the ground they get on their 

 knees first, then raise their hind-quarters 

 before getting on their fore-feet. In 

 fact, they get up as a cow does, just 

 reversing the actions of a horse." 



The Fallow Deer is said to be less 

 delicate in the choice of its food than 

 the Red Deer, and to browse much 

 closer. 



The males, although not so fierce as 

 those of the Red species, frequently 

 fight desperate battles during the 

 rutting season. 



