244 FAMILIAR LIFE IN FIELD AISTD FOREST. 



the fairest kind of sport, for the deer has an equal 

 chance with the hunter ; the latter must still-hunt 

 and prove his skill as a marksman by bringing down 

 his game by a single well-directed shot, or else, with 

 less success, he must make up his mind to follow 

 the tracks of the wounded creature several miles over 

 the snow-clad hills the next day. 



jSTot long ago, a iine deer, weighing one hundred 

 and fifty-four pounds, was shot near my cottage by 

 the "fair-play " means of still-hunting, and my sports- 

 man neighbor,* ever a good shot at a partridge, 

 brought down his game with unerring aim. 



The flesh of the deer is the most juicy and pala- 

 table of all meats, and it is also the most easily di- 

 gested. The hide not only makes excellent heavy 

 driving gloves and moccasins, but, when it is well 

 dressed and neatly lined, it makes a handsome chair 

 rug. It is in the best condition in iNfovember. 



* Whoso name is James McCann, a true man of the woods, 

 whose knowledge of Nature, from the humblest flower to the giant 

 trees of the forest, including all the animals great and small that 

 live under their shade, I have found to be like an interesting vol- 

 ume — but one not yet published. 



