The Descent of Man

comes to the conclusion that their horns are
more injurious than useful to them. But this
author overlooks the pitched battles between
rival males. As I felt much perplexed about the
use or advantage of the branches, I applied to
Mr. McNeill of Colonsay, who has long and
carefully observed the habits of red-deer, and
he informs me that he has never seen some of
the branches brought into use, but that the
brow antlers, from inclining downwards, are a
great protection to the forehead, and their
points are likewise used in attack. Sir Philip
Egerton also informs me both as to red-deer
and fallow-deer that, in fighting, they suddenly
dash together, and getting their horns fixed
against each other's bodies, a desperate struggle
ensues. When one is at last forced to yield
and turn round, the victor endeavours to plunge
his brow antlers into his defeated foe. It thus
appears that the upper branches are used chiefly
or exclusively for pushing and fencing. Nevertheless
in some species the upper branches