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.
[Illustration:
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.
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