DEER IN SUMMER. 55 



if it were marked in lines like a map. From 

 a spot where the heather is thin and the 

 red stones show, to a bush, is one division ; 

 between a rough track and a hollow is an- 

 other; there is then a slight change in the 

 colour of the surface, sufficient to form a 

 resting-place for the eye, and beyond that 

 some mountain sheep are settled. I look 

 slowly down each of these parallels, com- 

 mencing at the summit and letting the eye 

 gradually descend, so that the vision does not 

 miss the least portion. Every acre is thus 

 examined, and nothing could be missed. 

 Some sheep on the ridge for a moment 

 attract attention ; either there is a slight 

 vapour there, or it is an effect of mirage, 

 for they appear larger than sheep, but their 

 motions are not those of deer. Neither stag 

 nor hind is feeding nor lying down in the 

 heather. 



The oak woods cannot be so scrutinised ; 



