102 THE COMMON AMERICAN DEER. 



till he has covered half the distance between the edge 

 of the long grass and the spot where the deer are feed- 

 ing. He must then take advantage of any little hollow 

 which he considers suited to his purpose, and lay him- 

 self flat on his stomach, and after arrano-inof a forked 

 stick to serve as a rest for the muzzle of his rifle, he 

 will wait quietly and motionless until some of the deer 

 happen to turn their heads towards him. 



At such times it generally happens that the old does 

 are the watchers over the safety of the herd, and they 

 have quite as much curiosity as is exhibited by the 

 female sex in other species of animals. 



As soon as the hunter perceives that one of the 

 animals is looking in his direction, he will raise his 

 hand into the air and work the fingers very rapidly, 

 rmtil the gaze of the doe is attracted towards him, when 

 he will immediately lower it, and remain motionless. 

 The continued stare of the old lady, who has witnessed 

 what is, to her, a most extraordinary phenomenon on 

 the prairie, will be certain to attract the gaze of one or 

 two of her immediate neio-hbours ; and as soon as half- 

 a-dozen are straining their eyes to see the singular 

 appearance which so excited their companion's curiosity, 

 the hunter wdll repeat his manoeuvres. As many of the 

 anim.als as have seen this unwonted sio-ht will be certain 

 to advance towards itj and their combined motion will 

 attract the attention of others, who will join the inquisi- 

 tive party. 



