138 RED DEER. 



cover is small he does not approach it till 

 he thinks the stag has had time to lie down 

 and settle himself in his " bed," because if 

 the stag should be still standing up and 

 "wind" him, i.e., catch scent of him, he 

 would very likely move on to another copse ; 

 but when once settled down the stag would 

 not shift his quarters for so little disturbance 

 as that. With a large wood no such care is 

 necessary, and the harbourer need not wait 

 for the stag to settle. First he has to 

 ascertain that the stag has actually returned 

 to harbour in the same place ; and for this 

 purpose he visits the spot where he saw the 

 slot on the previous afternoon. Should there 

 be a soiling-pit or shallow pond, he goes to 

 that, and notes the marks in the mud ; or 

 if he " douted " the slot, he looks to see if 

 any fresh impressions have been formed. 

 Dew assists him in the search. When he 

 has discovered the slot of the stag he tracks 



