STAG, 
205 
generally known to harbour, is to make choice of a 
proper stag to pursue. His ambition is to unhar-^ 
hour the largest and the boldest of the whole herd ; 
apd for this purpose he examines the track, if there 
be any, which if he finds long and large, he con- 
cludes that it must have belonged to a stag, and 
not a hind, the print of whose foot is rounder. 
Those marks also which he leaves on trees, by the 
rubbing of his horns, show his size, and point him 
out as the proper object of pursuit. Now to seek 
out a stag in his haunt, it is to be observed, that he 
changes his manner of feeding every month. From 
the conclusion of ruttingtime, which is November, 
he feeds in heaths and b too my places. In Decem- 
ber they herd together, and withdraw into the^ 
strength of the forests, to shelter themselves from 
the severe weather, feeding on holm, elder trees, 
and brambles. The three following months they 
leave herding, but keep four or five in a company, 
and venture out to the corners of the forest, where 
they feed on winter pasture, sometimes making their 
incursions into the neighbouring corn-fields, to feed 
upon the tender shoots, just as they peep above 
ground. In April and May they rest in thickets 
and shady places, and seldom venture forth, unless 
rouzed by approaching danger. In September and 
October their annual ardour returns ; and then 
they leave the thickets, boldly facing every danger, 
without any certain place for food or harbour. 
When, by a knowledge of these circumstances, the 
hunter has found out the residence, and the quality 
of his game, his next care is to uncouple and cast off 
his hounds in the pursuit : these no sooner perceive 
the timorous animal that flies before them, but they 
altogether open in full cry, pursuing rather by the 
scent than the view, encouraging each other to 
continue the chace, and tracing the flying animal 
yrith the most amazing sagacity , The hunters also 
