102 THE MUFFLON. 



the theories of the learned. We can affirm also that 

 the mnfflons breed with the gazelle ; and a tame stag 

 in the enclosure of our house killed two mufflons 

 which we possessed, from jealousy." 



"There are," says the author whom we have just 

 quoted, "three methods of hunting the mufflon : by 

 caccia piutta, that is, by surprise. The hunters start 

 some hours before daybreak to gain the heights which 

 command the dales and mountain sides where the 

 game is to be met with. Sometimes they bivouac 

 the previous evening in the immediate neighbourhood, 

 if the wind is favourable. At daybreak they place 

 themselves on the look-out. The mufflons do not 

 move until the sun shines on their pasturage. If the 

 weather is cloudy, they come out later, and are much 

 more distrustful. 



" As soon as they are perceived, their position is 

 marked, and the hunters creep near to them, often on 

 their hands and knees, to protect themselves from all 

 accidents of the ground, rocks, trees, or bushes. It is 

 necessary to be to the windward, otherwise every other 

 precaution would be useless ; they are off like lightning, 

 before it is possible to get within range of them. By 

 the greatest caution it is sometimes possible to get 

 sufficiently near to shoot them with buckshot. It is 

 always well to load one barrel with a ball, for distant 

 firing, and when the game is still. 



