THE BLACK- TAILED AMD VIRGINIA DEER. 339 



out there ; in fact his services would be invaluable to those 

 who hunt much, and nearly everybody there seems addicted 

 to the sport. 



Stalkers should also remember that, when a deer is star- 

 tled from its retreat, it bounds away as silently and rapidly 

 as possible, keeping the head very low, as if it would utilize 

 the undergrowth to protect it from being seen by the hunt- 

 er ; hence his gaze should be directed some distance in ad- 

 vance, and he should turn the head from side to side slow- 

 ly, so as to sweep the ground in front of him. He should 

 also scan the ground for signs, and note where the grass 

 or leaves are trampled, or the dew brushed away from the 

 shrubbery. If his dress is of a neutral tint, and he walks 

 slowly, he may approach a deer to close range from the lee- 

 ward, as its sight is somewhat defective, and it seems to 

 recognize objects only when they are in motion. 



It may be stalked to good advantage on moonlight 

 nights, as it is then out grazing ; but one may be sure that 

 he will not see many during the day after such expeditions, 

 as they keep concealed in the densest thickets. 



Driving deer is a favorite sport with those who have 

 good horses. This is a very sociable affair, and is partici- 

 pated in by, probably, all the farmers in a neighborhood. 

 After the meet they take their dogs into a piece of woods 

 which the deer are known to frequent, and the pack is 

 left there under the care of an improvised huntsman who 

 knows where to look for the game, while the company seek 

 the run-ways, and wait until the canine chorus announces 

 that the quarry is afoot. Those whose steeds will stand 

 fire remain in their saddles; but those whose animals are 

 not so well trained, dismount, and tie them to trees, while 

 they keep watch on foot. The former have the best 

 chances of getting a shot, as they can dash about and head 

 off the game sometimes; whereas the latter have to de- 

 pend on its passing their stand, with the probabilities 

 strongly against them, too often, owing to the number of 

 mounted men present. 



When the deer is started, if a black- tail, it heads for 



