WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The little book of British quadrupeds cover

The little book of British quadrupeds

Chapter 14: THE FALLOW DEER.
Open in WeRead

About This Book

A compact collection of short, plainspoken entries on a wide range of four-footed animals found in Britain, from large livestock and working horses to wild carnivores and small rodents. Each entry summarizes physical traits, typical habits, habitat, and interactions with people, and often notes practical uses of animal parts alongside brief illustrative anecdotes about temperament or performance. The work compares breeds and working capacities, offers concise natural-history observations about diet and behaviour, and presents information in an accessible, utilitarian style for general readers interested in familiar quadrupeds.

THE FALLOW DEER.

These animals live together in herds, which sometimes divide into two parties, and maintain obstinate battles for the possession of a favourite part of the park: each one having its leader, which is always the oldest and strongest of the flock. They attack in regular order of battle; they fight with courage, and mutually defend each other.

THE FALLOW DEER.

The chief difference between the Stag and the Fallow deer, seems to be in the size and form of their horns; the latter are much smaller than those of the former. The Fallow deer is easily tamed, feeds on a variety of things which the stag refuses, and preserves its condition nearly the same throughout the year, although its flesh, called venison, is considered much finer at particular seasons. We have in England two varieties of the Fallow deer, which are said to be of foreign origin: the beautiful spotted kind were brought from Bengal in India. These animals, with some variation, are found in almost every country of Europe. Those of Spain are as large as stags, but darker; their necks are also more slender; and their tails, which are longer than those of ours, are black above, and white beneath.