20 HABITS OF RED DEEK. 



In the performance of this task the hinds are the most 

 vigilant, and when deer are driven they almost always 

 take the lead. When, however, the herd is strongly beset 

 on all sides, and great boldness and decision are required, 

 you shall see the master hart come forward courageously, 

 like a great leader as he is, and, with his confiding band, 

 force his way through all obstacles. In ordinary cases, 

 however, he is of a most ungallant and selfish disposition ; 

 for, when he apprehends danger from the rifle, he will 

 rake away the hinds with his horns, and get in the midst 

 of them, keeping his antlers as low as possible. 



There is no animal more shy or solitary by nature than 

 the red deer. He takes the note of alarm from every 

 living thing on the moor, all seem to be his sentinels. 

 The sudden start of any animal, the springing of a moor-- 

 fowl, the complaining note of a plover, or of the 

 smallest bird in distress, will set him off in an instant. 

 He is always most timid when he does not see his adver- 

 sary, for then he suspects an ambush. If, on the contrary, 

 he has him full in view, he is as cool and circumspect as 

 possible: he then watches him most acutely, endeavours 

 to discover his intention, and takes the best possible method 

 to defeat it. In this case he is never in a hurry or con- 

 fused, but repeatedly stops and watches his disturber's 

 motions ; and when, at length, he does take his measure, it 

 ia a most decisive one : a whole herd will sometimes force 

 their way at the very point where the drivers are the most 

 numerous, and where there are no rifles ; so that I have 

 seen the hill-men fling their sticks at them while they 

 have raced away, without a shot being fired. 



When a stag is closely pursued by dogs, and feels that 



