208 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
possible to describe their “ ways ” generally, but 
to be correct, every species requires a separate 
description. The red - deer (Cervus elaphus) is 
the same throughout Europe, Asia, and America, 
differing only in size and denomination. It is 
hunted in various ways. 
Anderson described a hunt in Siberia with 
a large species of eagle, which actually killed 
the deer before those who were mounted on 
horseback could reach the spot. He was himself 
present, and his explanation of the incident was 
clear and graphic: the eagle tore out the liver, 
after having coursed and struck the stag upon 
the open plain. 
In Scotland it would destroy sport if the 
red - deer were hunted with hounds, as they 
would be driven en masse beyond the limits of 
the forest. If deer are in herds, they should 
never be hunted. A solitary stag that has 
harboured in some particular spot, and has 
been carefully marked down, might be turned 
out and coursed with deerhounds, but even 
then the forest might be disturbed if the 
course were long. There can be no doubt 
that a deer-forest should be kept as quiet as the 
grave. 
There are agitators in England who disturb the 
minds of unthinking men, almost as much as 
yelping curs would scare the deer in a well-secluded 
sanctuary. It is the prevalent fashion, among these 
egotistical people, to describe to an ignorant 
