90 THE BOOK OF THE OPEN AIR 



favourable wind depends very much when the fish are found at the redds. 



on the lie of the scene. In two con- The end of September is as far as they 



tiguous beats of the same forest, the care to go ; if they trespass, it is only 



wind of one is north, and the other into the first week of October. Some 



south. There are sites where two time between late November and 



opposite winds visit either nostril of Christmas is a second battue for the 



the stag ; and back eddies which draw thinning out of the hinds. In May, 



whichever way comes the blow. Many the white flecked calves are hidden 



things beside remain to be interpreted, for a day or two in some cunning place 



by the sportsman, who has dropped of the forest ; after which they wander 



his gillie, and is alone with his wits. with their mothers. 



There is a talk of deterioration of The annual record of the red deer 



Scottish deer. The isolation of herds ; is different from that of the roe. 



the greed for a big return from a small Similar things come about in quite 



forest ; the vanity which searches an opposite half of the year. In spring 



out the best heads although not neces- the stag changes his winter grey for 



sarily the heavier stags, tend that the russet coat. We have red grouse 



way. While it is possible, by wiser and red deer, our two main sporting 



management, to maintain the physique forms. There is a tendency for animals 



of the deer, noble horns must always to turn red here which are some other 



be, more or less, an accident. shade elsewhere. The fox also. The 



The rutting season begins in Sep- colour of British sport may well be 

 tember. Stags are more concerned red. About the end of April, the 

 to meet one another in conflict than stag drops his horns ; against the 

 to avoid the gun. All things else roebuck's November cast. This time 

 being equal, the victor is the better, of helplessness he spends apart. The 

 Thereafter, each group has one picked new pair are full grown in August ; 

 stag in its midst. Stalking becomes their perfection marks the begin- 

 easy. One knows where to look ; and ning of the season. The red deer is 

 has only to fear the vigilance, and shot when in the pink of condition, 

 restlessness of the hinds. Good sports- Therefore, is his venison thought to be 

 men carry the season as short a dis- so much better than that of the roe. 

 tance as possible into the rutting time, The horns lend zest and distinction 

 just as good anglers lay aside the rod to the sport. 



