330 NEWFOUNDLAND 



and stones falling down a hill create a state of "jumps." 

 Red deer, however, will take little notice of falling stones ; 

 but I have had more than one stalk spoilt in Norway by 

 dislodging a few pebbles which came within the hearing of 

 reindeer. This is the more curious, because stones are falling 

 all day in the high Qelds of Norway when the snow is melting. 

 On the other hand I have fired at and killed a stag in the 

 midst of a herd of caribou, when the deer, after merely turning 

 their heads, have continued to feed. In fact, if a strong wind 

 is blowing, and the fallen deer does not roll and kick, and 

 the hunter lies hidden, it is unusual for caribou to take much 

 notice of a shot. 



The female call is a low grunt which she utters either 

 when travellinor or to attract her calf. She uses it at all 

 times, and the watch doe often makes this signal of alarm 

 before she raises her tail and bristles out the hair of the 

 rump. Females and males also make a loud puffing snort 

 or hiss as they spring into the air. In the rutting season 

 the stag makes use of two calls. It depresses the neck and 

 raises the nose, giving vent to three loud grunts. If much 

 excited it makes a second call, which is produced in the 

 throat by means of the breath being inhaled and exhaled 

 quickly. Mr. Thompson Seton, in an excellent article^ on 

 caribou, says, " In several parts of the country I find traditions 

 that formerly the Indians used to call the caribou as they 

 do the moose, but the art has been forgotten." The Indians 

 of Newfoundland invariably call the caribou stag in the 

 rutting season, and I have called many myself. The art 

 is quite easy, and can be learnt in a few days. The only 

 skill required is to know when to give the call. Travelling 

 stags come to the cry more easily than herd stags, and 



' Scribner, 1906. 



