SEPT. ESCAPE OF DEER. 293 



grey hen, which, having been disturbed by the beaters 

 at the other end of the cover, came skimming rapidly 

 past us. Presently we perceived far below us four 

 brown forms walking slowly through the high fern 

 and herbage which grew amongst the birch-trees. 

 As they emerged from the cover we saw that they 

 were three hinds and a calf. With uncertain pace 

 they went on, sometimes trotting in a line, and 

 sometimes standing in a group on some hillock from 

 which they looked back earnestly and inquiringly 

 into the wood. I was convinced by their manner 

 that there were other deer, probably stags, still in 

 the cover. As, however, the sound of the beaters 

 came nearer, the four deer gradually mended their 

 pace, and in a quiet canter followed the devious 

 track which led them to the summit of a steep hill 

 to our right hand. It was interesting to see how, 

 having once made up their mind as to their route, 

 they went steadily and rapidly on in single file, 

 winding up the face of the hill, sometimes lost to our 

 sight behind a cluster of rocks, or a birch-covered hil- 

 lock, and again appearing as they kept deliberately 

 on their way. At the very ridge of the hill they 

 halted again, and after standing in a confused group 

 with their heads all together, and their long ears 

 at full stretch, they at once disappeared from our 

 sight. 



