The rutting season of the red deer commences in the Coto Doñana at the end of August (the last quarter of the August moon), and continues till the full moon in September. We have seen fawns following their mothers as early as January, but May is the month when they are usually dropped.
The antlers fall in April—few stags are seen with them in May. During the hornless period of spring and summer, the stags seek shelter in the densest thickets with damp lying: they also "lie out," like hares, in open country, and it is surprising how they conceal themselves—a big hart will lie completely hidden among rushes not two feet high. The flies at this season are a terrible torture to them, attacking the sprouting horns and tender surroundings.
Deer-shooting commences in November, and ends in February or early in March; and it is only necessary to add that all lands in which deer are found, both on mountain and plain, are preserved.
Measurement of Red Deer Heads.
Forest-Deer.
| Length. | Circumference. | Beam. | ||||
| No. | 1. | 8 points | (small) | 17¾ | 3½ | 16½ inches. |
| " | 2. | 11 " | " | 24¼ | 3¾ | 19½ " |
| " | 3. | 12 " | (royal) | 29 | 5¼ | 25 " |
| " | 4. | 13 " | " | 22¾ | 4-1/16 | 22½ " |
Mountain-Deer.
| [{**}] | Length. | Beam. | ||
| No. | 1. | 12 points | 34½ inches. | 32 inches. |
| " | 2. | 12 " | 36 " | 34 " |
| " | 3. | 15 " | 37½ " | 34½ " |
| " | 4. | 17 " | 40 " | 36½ " |
[{**}] No. 4. This magnificent beast, of which we annex two photos (see pp. 360 and 430), was shot near Marmolejos in the Sierra Morena.