RUTTING SEASON, 33 



would drive the deer to his house in the still hour of night 

 to search for the least particle of such fodder as might be 

 dropped betwixt the barn and the byre in feeding the 

 bestial. He therefore took his station within the window, 

 with the end of the tether in his hand. He had not been 

 long in this situation before he saw the gaunt and starving 

 animals approaching. They came forward slowly and 

 cautiously, stopping at intervals, and examining every 

 object; at length the cravings of nature prevailed, and two 

 hinds walked into the barn, and began eating the corn. 

 The stags soon followed; and some of them had great diffi- 

 culty in getting their antlers through the narrow door. 



As soon as ten deer had fairly entered, Donald pulled the 

 tether, and made the door secure. More blithe than before, 

 he set off a second time for Tongue, travelling as fast as his 

 legs could carry him. On his arrival he craved an audience 

 of Lord Reay, and told him in Gaelic that he had followed 

 his advice, and pounded ten of his deer. " I might," said 

 he, " as well have had a hundred as ten ; but I could not 

 afford to give them straw whilst I came to report the affair 

 to your lordship." 



Not a little incredulous, Lord Reay despatched two men 

 to ascertain the truth of the matter. The deer were found 

 imprisoned as related, and were liberated. Donald M'Kay 

 then came to terms with his chief, who very handsomely 

 gave him his little farm rent-free for his life, upon condition 

 that he would not pound his deer for the future. 



It is remarkable for how short a time deer continue in 

 season in the cold climate of the north, owing to the back- 

 ward vegetation, and the causes already alluded to. In 

 warmer climates they come in sooner ; and we are informed 

 by Aristotle that, in Greece, the rutting season commenced 

 in the beginning of August, and terminated about the end 

 of September. 



In Scotland this season varies slightly according to the 

 weather; if mild and warm, the deer do not rut so soon ; 

 but, if the weather is cold and frosty, the harts are brought 

 forward earlier ; indeed, it is quite surprising what a few 

 cold nights will effect in this way. 



About the end of September, and the first week in 



