40 FOREST CEEATURES. 



September ; consequently a month later than that of the 

 roe. To Winkell this seemed anomalous ; for that the 

 period of gestation of an animal so much weaker than 

 the red-deer, should, instead of being less, be four weeks 

 longer, was contrary to all precedent. And yet, as has 

 been said above, the roebuck had been seen ivith the doe 

 in July and August, and in May there was the young- 

 animal a few hours or a few days old. But still our old 

 forester was not satisfied with these facts. From the 

 end of July and throughout the whole of August he was 

 a steady and unwearied watcher in the woods. Before 

 dawn he was at his look-out, on the branch of some ash 

 or oak, again at noon, and at evening, when the sun was 

 setting and the roes began to move out of their retreat 

 among the long cool shadows ; there he was watching his 

 roe-deer, nearly all of which he knew, and could dis- 

 tinguish as a huntsman recognises the hounds of his 

 pack, though consisting of thirty couple. 



" I confess," writes this thorough old sportsman, " my 

 patience would hardly have endured the trial, if Nature 

 herself had not rewarded me by a bountiful enjo}Tnent 

 of her delicious beauties, and if many an opportunity 

 had not been presented me of delighting myself in 

 varied wise, by noticing the peculiarities of the animal 

 whose exact observation was now my chief intent." He 

 saw that when the time approached for the buck to chase 

 the doe, the stronger roebuck drove away any weaker 



