160 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



day (this is a common opening with romances, but 

 this is a true story), in the year 1844, I found 

 myself at a tavern kept by an Irishman, on the 

 banks of Big Wolf Lake, in the northern part of 

 New York State. I had arranged with a gentleman 

 farmer, whose acquaintance I had made at Newport, 

 during the bathing season, to pass a fortnight with 

 him, hunting deer, and according to Mr. Eustis (who 

 was a charming companion whether in the field or 

 at table), the sport around Crow's Nest was of such a 

 character, that I should have no difficulty whatever 

 in bagging a dozen or so of roe-bucks.* For ni}' 

 part, the dozen head (two pei' diem), would have 

 amply satisfied me ; but four a day seemed a little 

 too strong, and I became desirous of knowing whether 

 Mr. Eustis had not been shooting a little with the 

 long bow, and whether he had not estimated the 

 qualities of his territory a little too highly. 



It was a fine October day when I arrived at 

 Crow's Nest, and Mr. Eustis received me with 

 true American hospitality. The mistress of the 



* The roe-buck differs from liis European congener in the colour of his 

 fur, which is of a uniform and very handsome tinge of red ; the belly 

 is gray, and the tail short and white, planted io a square of the same 

 colour. The horns are much the same, only that the antlers are flatter 

 and more indented, and are bent so as to describe a semi-circle, curving 

 over the animal's muzzle. As for the legs, body, and its attributes of 

 lightness and vivacity there is no difference between them. As in 

 Europe, they go about in herds ; the rutting season is similar ; they 

 shed their horns about December, and are in the highest state of per- 

 fection in June and July. 



