4 DEER-STALKING. 



a strong, steady wind, lasting for some days, will 

 always make the deer change their ground, by facing- 

 it often for miles. Mist is the worst of all, for the 

 deer are pretty sure to see you before you see them. 

 Always advance on deer from above, as they are much 

 less apt to look up than down a hill. If possible have 

 the sun at your back and in their face : with this ad- 

 vantage you may even venture to -approach them from 

 below. Birds, on the contrary, always look up, and 

 it is best to stalk them from the lower ground. If it 

 is a quiet spot, even if the sun is at your back, wait 

 for a clear blink before making your near approach. 

 Of course every one knows that it is out of the ques- 

 tion, under any circumstances, to attempt advancing 

 on deer unless the wind be favourable; so all other 

 directions are subject to this. 



" In corries and hollows it is quite impossible to 

 know how the wind will blow upon a particular point, 

 unless you have marked every change of wind upon 

 every point of the corrie. After deer have been 

 stalked and shot at, they become much wilder; the 

 best sport with the old harts is therefore obtained at 

 the beginning of the season. They generally keep 

 together, and when their stately mien and branching 

 antlers are seen in the distance, it is enough to in- 

 spirit the most apathetic : but when told to cock his 

 double-barrelled rifle, I could well excuse a novice for 

 being scarcely able to obey. When there are hinds 

 in the herd, they often present themselves between 

 you and the unsuspecting harts ; but even should 



