FALLOW-DEER AT HOME 37 



as they are brought in off the hill, with the head 

 and the horns still on, but "gralloched" and bled. 

 Their horns are not nearly so broad and shovel- 

 like as those of a park buck ; some run to points 

 almost like a red deer's. I have heard various 

 suggested explanations of this, but none satisfac- 

 tory to my mind, so I content myself with merely 

 stating the fact. To conclude the catalogue of 

 their qualities, their venison is the finest known. 



Fallow-deer are naturally frequenters of woods, 

 only leaving the cover to feed in the early gloam- 

 ing, and in the evening just before the twilight, 

 and, therefore, cannot be stalked in the proper 

 sense of the word. I have, however, often suc- 

 ceeded in getting a shot walking quietly through 

 the covers in the evenings, and keeping a sharp 

 lookout in the open places. Even when startled 

 at your approach, the deer generally stand for a 

 moment, and give an opportunity for a snapshot. 

 In the smaller woods it is as well, in the first 

 instance at any rate, to try to start them by simply 

 sending two or three beaters through, as they do not 

 travel so far or so fast as when the hounds are after 

 them. I have never known an unwounded fallow- 

 deer actually run down by the hounds, although 

 they might, no doubt, be occasionally caught by a 

 more numerous and swifter pack. The best sort 

 of hound for the purpose is one with a good nose 

 and solid of bone and sinew, and, above all, plenty 

 of tongue to tell the soporific sportsman of the 



