136 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



different parts of the great deer coverts. Patience and 

 sagacity go far in harbouring, but luck Is important 

 too. 



There are other signs by which a harbourer can 

 tell where stags have been "using." In a turnip 

 field, for instance, a stag pulls up many more roots 

 than a hind, not exactly for the reason given by Dr. 

 Collyns, that the stag takes but one bite and throws 

 the turnip over his head, while the hind eats it down 

 like a sheep. Both sexes of deer bite at a turnip till it 

 comes out of the ground, but a stag with his greater 

 strength, especially in the neck, roots them up quickest. 

 Again, a stag Is said to take but half an ear of corn, 

 while the more frugal and less dainty hind takes the 

 whole. The present harbourer, however, states that 

 the only infallible distinction between male and female 

 deer in feeding is the partiality of stags, old and 

 young, for the young shoots on a new-laid ash hedge, 

 or small ash tree. Deer are also very fond of ivy ; 

 and Mr. Bisset records a tragic death of a hind in 

 search thereof. The poor thing was found hanged 

 between two branches of an oak-pollard. She had 

 reared up to reach some ivy, and while standing on 

 her hind legs had slipped from the higher ground 

 whence she had attempted to pluck It, and thus caught 



