THE WILD REINDEER OF NORWAY. 109 
When a herd is on the move it is worse than useless 
to lie in their road, as their sharp noses readily detect 
danger, and they will start off in wild flight; and 
it is of little avail to endeavour to follow them in 
their rear. Should the herd disappear over a hill, the 
enthusiastic and inexperienced hunter will think “ now 
is the time to push on ;” but not so the cool old hand, 
for he knows well, from dearly-bought experience, that 
after having disappeared as above said, they wniversally 
throw out three or four of their rear guard, which 
retrace their steps till they come back to the top 
of the hill down which the main body has only just 
gone. ‘These remain there for some minutes, carefully 
examining the whole country in their rear; and not 
- until they have satisfied themselves that there is no 
cause for apprehension will they quit the spot. They 
then scamper back and rejoin their companions, who 
are awaiting them out of shot of the summit of the said 
hill. Many and many a chance has been lost by 
incautiously appearing too soon from behind one’s 
hiding place. The best and only safe way of coming 
within shot of a herd that is on the move is to approach 
them on the flank. But great caution is necessary lest 
a straggler gets wind of you. 
The above remarks I have been favoured with by 
a friend of mine, a very experienced hunter, and they 
will, I hope, prove useful. 
