326 SHOOTING. 



the farmer as a greater nuisance than the rabbit is 

 in the South. 



The roe-buck has in general three points to each 

 horn, sometimes four or even more, and sometimes 

 only one. 



In August, the buck chases the doe, for the pur- 

 pose, as is supposed, of making her give up suck- 

 ling her kids ; and so determined are the bucks on 

 their object, that they will chase a doe for several 

 hours without intermission round some favourite 

 " knowe." The bucks become so worn by this ex- 

 ercise, that even poachers do not then think them 

 worth shooting. 



Eoe-deer commence rutting (or tourning) the 

 end of November, and give birth to their kids from 

 the middle of May to the middle of June. They 

 have sometimes only one, sometimes three, but 

 generally two at a birth. 



These graceful but diminutive creatures are much 

 more difficult of domestication than the red-deer, 

 and instances of their being tamed are fewer. We 

 have heard of one living in a domestic state several 

 years, during which it was often allowed its freedom 

 in the woods, from whence it would always return. 



THE FOWLING-PIECE. 



Before making choice of a gun, the sportman 

 should determine what weight he can conveniently 

 carry. The heaviest gun, as regards shooting, will 

 be most effective ; but he should recollect, that un- 

 less he be a very robust person, a light gun will, on 



