BRITISH MAMMALS 



The antlers are rounded, and when fully developed each usually 

 branches into three * tines ' pointing forwards, with three more points 

 at the top starting from a cup-like depression, but great variation occurs 

 in the number and shape of the points as well as in the size of the horns. 



In the first year of a stag's life the growth consists of a single pair 

 of spikes, in the next the brow points are developed, and afterwards the 

 points increase in number till in his sixth year he is usually fully grown, 

 and often has a head of twelve points, when he is known as a ' Royal/ 



According to Millais, wild stags in England shed their horns in 

 April, those in Scotland a month later. 



Good shelter and abundance of suitable food increase the size and 

 number of points in the antlers, as surely as less favourable conditions, 

 such as poor feeding and overcrowding, cause deterioration. 



There are no wild deer in the British Islands to-day approaching in 

 any way the great stags which inhabited our forests far back in pre- 

 historic times, whose wonderful antlers of many points and enormous 

 beam are occasionally dug out of peat deposits or river beds, and dwarf 

 by comparison our best Scottish specimens of modern times. 



When the Red Stag casts his horns in spring, the new growth, which 

 increases rapidly, is at first soft, very sensitive, and clothed in a delicate 

 hairy covering known as * velvet.' When the new horn is complete, 

 this outer covering dries, and as it peels is removed by the action of the 

 animal, who may be seen at this time rubbing his horns against rocks, 

 banks of peat, or trees. 



The Red Deer is found inhabiting forest country throughout the 

 greater part of Europe, ranging as far north as Norway, Sweden, and 

 Russia, and southwards to Corsica and Sardinia, but it is now unknown 

 in Greece and Italy. 



It also inhabits Asia Minor and North Africa. This species is 



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