DEER IN SUMMER. 43 



some on the surface, and others partly 

 imbedded in the ground. Bed stones are 

 everywhere under the grass ; some of them 

 roll at a touch. Looking down the descent 

 increases in steepness, for the trunks of 

 the oaks beneath are almost parallel with 

 the side of the hill. It is possible to get 

 down, but the loose stones would render it 

 awkward and even dangerous in places to 

 those unused to such footing. The deer go 

 up and down, and pass along the steepest 

 parts easily, entering the meads on the 

 summit where the grass is fresh and sweet, 

 for they will always have the best of every- 

 thing. They have their own especial tracks 

 across and aslant the Ball ; the thin grass 

 and hard red stones do not show much 

 impression, still their paths can be traced by 

 the worn sward and by the hollow their hoofs 

 work in the stones like a shallow furrow. 



A hawthorn bush in bloom has the ends 

 of many of its boughs cut off as if with 

 a knife. This was done by the deer in 



