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 Yirginian Stag, the Axis, the Porcine 
Deer, the Fallow Deer, and the Common Roe. 
The Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus) 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 very 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 possible, 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 obtain shelter from the 
north wind, when they crowd closely against one another for 
warmth. 
