THE RED DEER. 97 
^^^’kably expressive, being at once brilliant 
ttiild, and his hearing and smell are ex- 
acute. 
horns of the stag which are branched, 
and recurved, are an index of his age. 
first year exhibits only a short protuber- 
; the second year the horns are straight 
u ^ single ; the third produces two antlers, 
® fourth three, and the fifth four. After the 
Ofi;: 
has attained his sixth year, the number 
antlers, being sometimes six and some- 
seven, cannot be considered as an exact 
®rion. In the beginning of March the old 
their horns, but the younger not be- 
Sg the middle of May. At this period they 
**01 
ess 
h^’^ate themselves from the herd, and wander 
'f^ry and dispirited, till their antlers have 
fie^ S^own and acquired their complete hard- 
’ Expansion, and beauty. When this ope- 
completed, which is in July, the ani- 
^ ^oave their retreats and return to the herds. 
I. H 
