Red Deer 
2 5 
under my eye, I cannot but think that it is simply from lack of patience that many an 
observer so frequently fails to notice habits of interest. A naturalist may have the same 
creatures under view for a long period and yet see nothing out of the common either in 
their habits or actions ; so, jumping to the conclusion that there is nothing more to be 
learnt, he gives up the quest, like the gazer who said, “The Spanish fleet I cannot see, 
because ’tis not in sight.” He has, in fact, missed his chance. If he had watched and 
waited just one day more he might perhaps have seen many things worthy of his notice ; 
PARK STAGS OF THE STOKE HERD, 1872 
for nearly all wild animals, both birds and beasts, have at least one day in the year when 
they disport themselves in an eccentric fashion or exhibit some marked deviation from their 
ordinary habits. And deer are no exception to the rule. One must watch them constantly 
and at all sorts of times to understand their varying moods or witness their peculiar frolics. 
In a park red deer are never really tame, nor is it at all desirable that they should be. 
Like wild fowl, they readily learn to distinguish between friends and foes in human shape ; 
so if the observer wishes to get very near to them, he must try, first of all, to gain their 
confidence. By well-worn paths, which the deer themselves know, one can pass within a 
few yards without causing alarm, the difficulty being to get near a herd in full view in the 
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