2i8 HUNTING TRIPS 



selves 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, ow- 

 ing to a very characteristic habit of the 

 black-tail. This is its custom of turning 

 round, apparently actuated simply by curi- 

 osity, 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 dan- 

 ger. Owing to its singular gait a succes- 

 sion of buck jumps, the black-tail is a pecul- 

 iarly 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 re- 

 port will generally so alarm it as to make it 

 continue its course without halting to look 

 back. Some of the finest antlers in my 



