vi. HORNS AND ANTLERS. 95 



them all a-fightiDg, since each attributed the pricking 

 sensation in his nose to the influence of his next-door 

 neighbour. 



It is stated by M. Yaschenko, that in Asia the reindeer 

 are gradually changing their habits, and are beginning to 

 forsake for the forests the tundras, or spaces covered with 

 the lichens which constitute their favourite food. The 

 reason of the change is, according to this observer, the 

 desire to seek a more favourable shelter from the hunter. 

 In the open whole herds may be taken, but in the forest 

 it is only practicable to hunt one or two at a time. 



The senses of the horned and an tiered creatures are 

 wonderfully acute, especially those of smell and hearing. 

 A chamois dashing down the mountain will suddenly stop 

 some yards from the spot where recent human foot-prints 

 are to be found in the snow. He will stand and snuff the 

 air, and turning scared away will bound off in a new 

 direction. The deer-stalkers in Scotland must often make 

 a long ddtour lest they should get to windward of the 

 keen-scented animals. Even the snapping of a twig will 

 disturb the wary elk of North America. And this animal 

 is said to have a cunning habit of making a sharp turn in 

 his route and choosing a place of repose so near some part 

 of the path he has traversed that he can hear the least 

 noise made by one who attempts to track him. Living- 

 stone describes a similar procedure on the part of the 

 African buffalo, which will " turn back to a point a few 

 yards from his own trail, and then lie down in a hollow for 

 the hunter to come up." 



We are wont, perhaps unjustly, to regard the whole 

 group of ruminating animals as somewhat wanting in 

 intelligence. Endowed with senses so wonderfully acute, 

 they trust to the impressions these convey, and do not as 

 a rule display any large amount of cunning. They do not 



