Fallow Deer 
the deer were allowed in the garden. This stock of food probably saved the greater number 
of the deer, for they refused all other food till the ivy was finished. 
A wet spring or wet autumn is very fatal to fallow deer, as they contract liver fluke. 
Some years ago at Savernake I remember seeing, I should think, nearly half the stock dead 
or dying from this cause, and this on a fairly dry and sandy soil. 
One of the prettiest sights in connection with the habits of these animals is to see the 
does and calves playing in the spring. The old bucks and males over three years do not 
indulge in such exuberance of joy, as they doubtless consider such light-hearted frolics 
beneath their dignity. Like the art critics, they rest under the trees, look on, and patronise. 
I 5 I 
which constituted their only extra, was not put out for them until the heavy snow had 
entirely covered the ground in December. The deer were by that time in a miserable 
plight, and absolutely refused to touch the food that was put down for them—doubtless on 
account of the damp. They now began to practically die of starvation, and it was noticed 
the animals evinced a desire to get into the ground around the old ivy-covered mansion. 
Some were allowed to do so. Once there they made straight for the ivy on the walls and 
ravenously devoured it. After this all the leaf was shorn from the sides of the house and 
DOES PLAYING. EARLY SUMMER 
