Notes on Illinois, ^ 187 



generally from the prairies in the interior of the state, to the margins of the 

 krge rivers ; showing- the course of their migrations as they changed their 

 pastures periodically, from the low marshy alluvion, to the dry upland plains, 

 in the heat of summer they would be driven from the latter by prairie flies, 

 in the autumn they would be expelled from the former by the musquitoes ; 

 in the spring the grass of the plains would afford abundant pasturage, while 

 the herds could enjoy the warmth of the sun, and snuff the breeze that 

 sweeps so freely over them ; in the winter the rich cane of the river banks, 

 which is an evergreen, would furnish food, while the low grounds, thickly 

 covered with brush and forest, would afford protection from the bleak winds. 

 I know few subjects more interesting than the migration of wild animals, con- 

 necting, as it does, the singular displays of brute instinct, with a wonderful 

 exhibition of the various supplies which nature has provided for the support 

 of animal life, under an endless variety of circumstances. These paths are 

 narrow, and remarkably direct, showing that the animals travelled in single 

 file through the woods, and pursued the most direct course to their places of 

 <Jestination. 



Deer are more abundant than at the first settlement of the country. They 

 increase, to a certain extent, with the population. The reason of this 

 appears to be, that they find protection in the neighbourhood of man, from 

 the beasts of prey that assail them in the wilderness, and from whose attacks 

 their young, particularly, can Vv^ith difficulty escape. They suffer most from 

 the wolves, who hunt in packs like hounds, and who seldom give up the 

 chase until a deer is taken. We have often sat, on a moonlight summer 

 night, at the door of a log cabin on one of our prairies, and heard the wolves 

 in full chase of a deer, yelling very nearly in the same manner as a pack of 

 hounds. Sometimes the cry would be heard at a great distance over the 

 plain ; then it would die away, and again be distinguished at a nearer point, 

 and in another direction — now the full cry would burst upon us from a 

 neighbouring thicket, and we could almost hear the sobs of the exhausted 

 deer ; and again it would be borne away and lost in distance. We have 

 passed nearly whole nights in listening to such sounds ; and once we saw a 

 deer dash through the yard, and immediately past the door at which we sate, 

 followed by his audacious pursuers, who were but a few yards in his rear. 



Immense numbers of deer are killed every year by our hunters, who take 

 them for their hams and skins alone, throwing away the rest of the carcass. 

 Venison hams and hides are important articles of export. The former are 

 purchased from the hunters at 25 cents a pair, the latter at 20 cents a 

 pound. In our villages we purchase, for our tables, the saddle of venison 

 with the hams attached, for 37w cents, which would be something like one 

 cent a pound. 



There are several ways of hunting deer, all of which are equally simple. 

 Most generally the hunter proceeds to the woods on horseback, in the day 

 time, selecting particularly certain hours, which are thought to be most 

 favourable. It is said that during the seasons when the pastures are green, 

 this animal rises from his lair, precisely at the rising of the moon, whether 

 in the day or night ; and I suppose the fact to be so, because such is the 

 testimony of experienced hunters. If it be true, it is certainly a curious 

 display of animal instinct. This hour therefore is always kept in view by 

 the hunter, as he rides slowly through the fbrest, with his rifle on his 

 shoulder, while his keen eye penetrates the surrounding shades. On 

 beholding a deer the hunter slides from his horse, and while the deer is 

 observing the latter, creeps upon him, keeping the largest trees between 

 himself and the object of pursuit, until he gets near enough to fire. An 

 expert woodsman seldom fails to hit his game. It is extremely dangerous 

 to approach a wounded deer. Timid and harmless as this animal is at other 

 times, he no sooner finds himself deprived of the power of flight than he 



