DEER KIND. 



strength of the forests, to shelter themselves from 

 the severe weather, feeding on holm, elder trees, 

 and brambles. The three following months they 

 leave herding, but keep four or five in a company, 

 and venture out to the corners of the forest, where 

 they feed on winter pasture, sometimes making 

 their incursions into the neighbouring corn-fields, 

 to feed upon the tender shoots just as they peep 

 above ground. In April and May they rest in 

 thickets and shady places, and seldom venture 

 forth, unless roused by approaching danger. In 

 September and October their annual ardour re- 

 turns ; and then they leave the thickets, boldly 

 facing every danger, without any certain place 

 for food or harbour. When, by a knowledge of 

 these circumstances, the hunter has found out 

 the residence and the quality of his game, his 

 next care is to uncouple and cast off his hounds 

 in the pursuit : these no sooner perceive the ti- 

 morous animal that flies before them, but they 

 altogether open in full cry, pursuing rather by 

 the scent than the view, encouraging each other 

 to continue the chase, and tracing the flying ani- 

 mal with the most amazing sagacity. The hunt- 

 ers also are not less ardent in their speed on horse- 

 back, cheering up the dogs, and directing them 

 where to pursue. On the other hand, the stag, 

 when unharboured, flies at first with the swiftness 

 of the wind, leaving his pursuers several miles in 

 the rear ; and at length, having gained his former 

 coverts, and no longer hearing the cries of the 

 dogs and men that he had just left behind, he 

 stops, gazes round him, and seems to recover his 



47 



