84 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



is this distinction between calling the roe-deer and 

 the stag, that the former is attracted by the voice of 

 a possible mate, the latter by that of a presumable 

 rival. 



Although the roebuck bears a character for con- 

 jugal fidelity which he has won by attaching himself 

 to one doe, not only during the rutting season, but 

 throughout the year till the fawn is born, his virtue 

 is not equal to resisting the temptation. Frequently 

 his own doe appears first, drawn no doubt by the 

 desire to know what rival is attempting to seduce her 

 lord from his allegiance. The buck has two distinct 

 methods of approach. Either he bounds gaily and 

 rapidly to the spot, or he creeps warily from tree to 

 tree as if he were himself stalking the sportsman. 



The recollections of such " sport "vary little. I 

 will endeavour to pick out a couple, which possess an 

 interest of their own. 



On one occasion I had successfully plied the lure, 

 and a good buck had listened to " the still, small 

 voice." He seemed, however, somewhat suspicious 

 as to the identity of this closely-hidden female, and 

 kept himself concealed among some young beeches, so 

 that I could not get a fair shot. At last I made out 

 a good bit of his shoulder and let drive. The buck 

 bounded off and the second bullet went anywhere. 

 I reloaded rapidly, thinking he would cross a clearing 

 on the crest of the opposite slope. Sure enough he 

 appeared there, and, what was more, stopped. I had 

 put the second sight up, and, " drawing a bead," was 

 just about to press the trigger, when the buck col- 



