The Black-Tail Deer. 131 



and galloping at a good speed the whole length against 

 the wind. The patter of the unshod hoofs over the turf 

 makes but little noise ; and the turns are so numerous and 

 abrupt, and the horses go so swiftly, that the hunters 

 come on the deer almost before the latter are aware of their 

 presence. If it is so late in the day that the deer have 

 begun to move they will find the horses close up before 

 they have a suspicion of danger, while if they are still 

 lying in the cover the suddenness of the appearance of 

 their foe is apt to so startle them as to make them break 

 out and show themselves instead of keeping hid, as they 

 would probably do if they perceived the approach from 

 afar. One thus gets a close running shot, or if he waits 

 a minute he will generally get a standing shot at some 

 little distance, owing to a very characteristic habit of the 

 black-tail. This is its custom of turning round, apparently 

 actuated simply by curiosity, to look at the object which 

 startled it, after it has run off a hundred and fifty yards or 

 so. It then stands motionless for a few seconds, and offers 

 a chance for a steady shot. If the chance is not improved, 

 no other will offer, for as soon as the deer has ended its 

 scrutiny it is off again, and this time will not halt till well 

 out of danger. Owing to its singular gait, a succession of 

 buck jumps, the black-tail is a peculiarly difficult animal to 

 hit while on the run ; and it is best to wait until it stops 

 and turns before taking the shot, as if fired at, the report 

 will generally so alarm it as to make it continue its course 

 without halting to look back. Some of the finest antlers 

 in my possession come from bucks killed by this method 

 of hunting ; and it is a most exhilarating form of sport, 



