182 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXI. 



red-deer invariably knows the exact time when 

 the shepherd's patch of corn and potatoes is fit 

 for his food, and will sometimes come down in 

 such numbers as to eat up and destroy the entire 

 crop in a single night ; or if the cultivated ground 

 be extensive, they will repeat their visit in spite 

 of all attempts to drive them away ; and the 

 cleverness they display in taking advantage of 

 every unguarded moment is quite astonishing. 

 In Sutherlandshire little loss accrues to the tenant 

 from this, as a fair allowance for such damage is 

 always readily granted. It is a curious sight to 

 see these animals depending entirely on their own 

 resources and cunning in avoiding danger, and, in 

 spite of their natural timidity, coming fearlessly 

 down to the very door of a cottage to feed on 

 their favourite food, and frequently from very 

 considerable distances ; and even after the oats 

 are cut and piled up in sheaves, I have seen red- 

 deer with astonishing boldness manage to appro- 

 priate to themselves no inconsiderable share of 

 the ripe corn. 



All the deer tribe soon find out when danger 

 ceases. In a domesticated state no animal becomes 

 more fearless and bold than a stag ; and in pro- 

 portion as they become so they are dangerous to 

 strangers, whom they attack with great fierceness. 



