vi PREFACE. 



by the deerstalker, but he does not enter into the 

 subject with a view of being of any assistance to the 

 tyro. I have also lately read with pleasure and profit 

 A Handbook of Deerstalking, by Alexander Macrae, late 

 forester to Lord Henry Bentinck, with Introduction by 

 Horatio Ross, Esq. 



As I read this trio of formidable names, my heart fell 

 within me for fear the ground I was treading should be 

 cut from under my feet. On perusal of Macrae's book 

 my anxiety was relieved, for though all that he says is 

 good and to the point, he does not enter closely into 

 detail. For the sake of those interested in the subject, 

 I must freely confess it is unfortunate for them, but 

 lucky for me, that Mr. Horatio Ross's contemplated 

 book as mentioned in his introduction has been allowed 

 to remain unwritten ; had he carried out his intention, 

 the pleasure I have derived from putting these pages 

 together would have been denied me ; for all I have to 

 say would have been anticipated. 



The late Mr. Bromley Davenport, in his excellently 

 well written Sport, devotes two chapters to stalking : 

 one to the chase of the totally wild animal, and the 

 other to the pursuit of the Scotch red deer. He com- 

 pares the former with the latter to the disadvantage of 

 the Scotch sport, and I do not dispute but that he is 

 correct. When, however, one reads his chapter on the 

 Home Sport, none can doubt but that all his energies 

 were in the chase, and that no thought of lameness 

 crossed his mind at the moment. At any rate Scotch 



