CHAPTER III. 



FAUNA. 



IN Northern Russia, with the exception of insects, the 

 number of species of animals is limited, and they are only 

 such as are found generally in almost all the countries 

 of the same latitude. 



SECTION I. QUADRUPEDS. 



Game is plentiful in Russia. There are plenty of hares, 

 Zayatz : the white hare, which frequents the woods and 

 moors, weighing from seven to ten pounds, and the red hare 

 of the plains and cultivated lands, weighing from ten to 

 fifteen pounds ; and rabbits, Krolik, are abundant. 



By the end of September shooting with dogs is con- 

 sidered over for the season; the capercailzie and black 

 game have retired to the thickest woods ; the willow grouse 

 are packed, and defy the most wary dog ; and the snipe 

 and woodcock have all left for warmer climes. 



Battue shooting now commences, and though a large 

 head of game is seldom bagged, the sportsman finds 

 variety in the game driven before him to be shot, and a 

 wildness in the vast woods and moorland which possess a 

 charm peculiarly their own ! 



There are bears, Medred, to be found in almost all the 

 forests of Russia. 



Bear hunting in Russia is generally conducted thus : 

 ' As soon as the first snow falls the peasants go out in 

 search of bear tracks. When they come upon traces they 

 follow the track, until they know by the numerous turns 

 and twists which Bruin has made that he is thinking of 

 choosing some snug corner for his winter quarters \ they 



