of the Old World. 11 



months. She drops the fawn in some secluded 

 and shady spot, making it lay down by pressing 

 her nose and forehead against it, after which it will 

 never stir until she comes again, for she leaves it 

 until the close of day, remaining a short distance 

 to windward, so as to be at hand in case it should 

 be found out by foxes or jackals. 



The natives say, and I believe with some truth, 

 that if you find a young fawn that has never fol- 

 lowed its dam, take it up and breathe in its nostrils, 

 allowing it to suck your fingers for a few moments, 

 that it will follow you for miles, becoming instantly 

 tame ; but if it has once followed its dam, for ever 

 so small a time before you found it, it will never 

 follow a human being. 



The female does not cohabit with the male until 

 three years old, and never has more than one fawn 

 at a time. During the rutting season, which period 

 lasts about a week, the harts are extremely vicious, 

 and may be heard roaring all over the forests, 

 calling and answering each other. When they 

 meet they engage in savage conflicts, rearing 

 themselves on their hind legs, sparring with their 

 fore-feet, and butting each other with their antlers, 

 until one feels himself worsted, and leaves the 

 herd ; the hinds, who generally watch the engage- 

 ment with the utmost nonchalance, bestowing their 

 favours on the conqueror. 



