io8 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



can adduce but two exceptions to this rule, the calf 

 having been in both the excepted cases born in the 

 month of September. Later experience shows that this 

 rule is by no means so trustworthy as the good doctor 

 supposed. Two hinds have been found comparatively 

 recently in August and September, which were heavy 

 In calf, the fact being unfortunately made quite certain 

 by the death of both. This occurred, of course, during 

 the stag-hunting season, and the hounds were stopped 

 as soon as it was discovered that a hind was before 

 them, but unfortunately too late to save the deer in 

 their exhausted condition. Again, early lin March, 

 1883, a calf was seen on Brendon Common, which 

 In the opinion of a good judge (Mr. Nicholas Snow) 

 was not more than three days old. In November, 

 1883, it was found necessary to stop hounds from a 

 hind owing to the extreme youth of her calf On 

 the 1 2th of January, 1884, while hind-hunting, the 

 writer, In company with the huntsman, saw a very 

 small calf still white spotted, which in the latter' s 

 judgment was not above two months old ; and on the 

 4th of September, 1885, another calf was seen, ap- 

 parently less than a month old. From all which it may 

 be gathered that calves have been dropped at all 

 periods between early spring and early winter, but that 



