236 FOREST CREATURES. 



on the ground, and then darted upwards on the trunk 

 of a tree. And it amused me to see how unconscious 

 they were of my presence : and I have watched their 

 gambols and their looks, and have laughed at their droll 

 ways. And so I have whiled away the time instead of 

 looking round, and minding what I was about. Mean- 

 while, the game I was waiting for approached and 

 stood before me ; but I, not being observant, did not 

 see it until it was too late. And all this it is which 

 you are not to do. 



As the rutting season advances the stags will generally 

 be found in the train of the hinds. If therefore you 

 see a herd of deer with their calves passing from the 

 wood, do not follow them with your eye, diverting 

 yourself with them and letting them draw off your at- 

 tention from what may be coming. The stag will most 

 probably be behind, and presently bring up the rear. 

 Keep your eye therefore in the direction they came 

 frorti, not in that whither they are going. That does 

 not concern you. The stag may be some distance 

 behind, but he is sure to follow in the wake of the hinds. 

 Once near the Danube, and once in Suabia, towards the 

 end of August I watched some hinds thus ; but as it 

 was not them I wanted, let them pass, watching them 

 for a long time after they had gone by. In each case 

 a good stag was behind, but as I was stupidly watching 

 the others instead of expecting the stag, which I 



