300 MAMMALIA. 



with a real muzzle, or bare space in which the nostrils open. 

 The various species differ somewhat in the shape of their antlers, 

 and the colour of their coat, which is sometimes all of a fawn- 

 coloured shade, sometimes dotted over with white spots during 

 their youth, and sometimes mottled during the whole of their 

 life. The principal species are the Common Stag, the Large Stag 

 of Canada, or Wapiti, the Virginian Stag, the Axis, the Porcine 

 Deer, the Fallow Deer, and the Common Roe. 



The Eed Deer (Cermis claphiis) is certainly one of the most 

 beautiful of European animals. It forms the chief ornament 

 of our forests, owing to the majestic antlers which adorn its 

 head, and its stately and graceful bearing. This quadruped 

 is about the size of a small Horse. Pennant mentions one 

 that weighed eighteen stone. Its coat, which varies accord- 

 ing to the season, changes from light brown in summer to 

 greyish in winter. It has generally a verj^ gentle and timid dis- 

 position, and dreads the presence of Man, taking flight at the 

 slightest alarm. On the contrary, when not disturbed, it mani- 

 fests an amount of laziness which contrasts strangely with its 

 extraordinary agility. When arrived at a certain age, and in 

 full possession of all its strength, the Stag loves solitude, and in 

 localities where jDossible, confines itself during the whole summer 

 to thickets and woods, scarcely coming forth except at night to 

 search for sustenance ; this done, it again retires to the thickest 

 brake, to rest and digest its food. At the end of autumn it 

 visits the plains, making its way into badly- enclosed gardens, 

 where it satisfies its appetite with the agriculturist's cereals 

 and fruit. If there should not be a sufficiency of the latter on 

 the ground, the Stag increases the supply by standing upright 

 against the trunk of the tree, and using its antlers as a pole to 

 knock down enough to satisfy its appetite. 



The favourite food of the Red Deer is grass, leaves, fruits, and 

 buds ; but as none of these can be found in winter, it is com- 

 pelled to eat moss, heath, and lichens. When the ground 

 is covered with snow it will feed upon the bark of trees. At 

 this season of the year they assemble in numerous herds 

 under the tallest trees of the forest, to obiain shelter from the 

 north wind, when they crowd closely against one another for 

 warmth. 



