112 FOREST CREATURES. 



acknowledge, bear any antlers, even the most gigantic, 

 on his head. 



Although long practice will enable the sportsman to 

 determine by the size of the slot the animal's age with 

 sufficient accuracy, he must be careful not to overlook 

 attendant circumstances in forming his decision. The 

 firmness and tenacity of the soil must be considered; if 

 hard and dry, or soddened by rain ; for the impress left 

 by a stag in crossing sticky marl, will be of considerably 

 larg-er dimensions than that of the same animal a hun- 

 dred yards further on, when treading on firm ground. The 

 hoof sliding on the clay causes the slot to be longer; and 

 if we find it round the muddy pool, its size might betray 

 us into the belief that a giant of other days had come 

 again to revisit the old woodland haunt. Again, the 

 slot of a stag moving away precipitately will be deeper 

 and altogether more considerable than of one stepping 

 leisurely along. All is to be taken into consideration ; 

 as well when judging of a stag you have not yet seen, as 

 when pursuing one you may have fired at, but which did 

 not at once drop to your shot. 



In examining the slots found on the ground, you are 

 to proceed as follows. The first thing to be attended to 

 is the form of the tracks ; then look at the length of 

 step ; and thirdly observe the width between the im- 

 pressions of the right and left feet. 



Here are three reliable points for guidance. Should 



