to reach up into the jaw-bone. As the deer breathes through his mouth, these contrivances may be vents to add to respiration, and also to give more intense perception to the olfactory nerve-an addition not accorded to any other species. The food of the deer consists of grasses, mosses, and weeds. They also browse on the tender buds of almost all kinds of shrubs and trees; but deer will destroy, seemingly without discrimination, every thing that is to be found in a well-stocked garden. They are also passionately fond of "mast," which term includes the whole acorn family. In the seasons when the mast is abundant the deer, as well as all other wild animals consuming vegetable food, become very fat. In the northern parts of our continent the deer live for months, sometimes, on hemlock leaves, and so impregnated does their flesh become with the pungent odor that it is entirely worthless for food. At times these poor animals suffer immensely from starvation, and this is particularly the case when the snow is so deep that the creatures can not dig down to the surface of the earth and obtain some sustenance from the roots of grasses and herbs. In the year 1835 a gentleman, traveling in the vicinity of Lake George, came into a hemlock forest, which was full of different wild animals that had sought its protection against the unusual prevailing cold. Here, among other things, he discovered a "deer yard," in which were huddled together nearly a hundred and fifty deer, who stood with their heads all turned out from the centre, to anticipate any outside attack. The deer had, by constant trampling, made an inclosure in the snow with walls over four feet high. Inside of this they had remained until nearly famished, many being so weak that they could not stand. Sixty of the most vigorous were taken out without their making any serious resistance, and placed in a large barn, where they soon recovered upon a diet of excellent hay. In the vicinity there were several small yards. So long had these creatures lived upon the aromatic leaves of the hemlock that their flesh was as pungent as the leaves themselves. The favorite haunts of the deer are where they can find some matted thicket in which to hide, places they select with remarkable sagacity to secure seclusion. When their antlers are in velvet they then occasionally seek the sunny side of a hill, in the expressive language of the hunters, "to dry their horns." The deer is a great bather, and a luxurious one. He chooses a shallow place with a hard bottom, and first scraping away any pebbles or other rough projections that may be distributed under his feet, he lies down with the air of a creature that is about to be comfortable and known to herself, cause the young one to lie down in the thicket, and there remain until she returns. Nature has made these little creatures not only very strong and active, but has kindly mottled up its skin so that it is less distinguish would otherwise be. When very young they are red, with white spots on their sides like little stars; these spots disappear when they advance toward maturity, and entirely disappear when they assume their blue coat in the autumnal season. knows how to enjoy it. After resting a while, that the water may quietly soak through his thick coating of hair and cool his sensitive skin, he rolls from side to side, occasionally rising partially out of the water, and shaking himself as will a Newfoundland dog. These traits sug-able among surrounding natural objects than it gest habits common to the deer, north and south; but in the swamps of Louisiana and the neighboring States the deer, at nightfall, seek the protection of the water against the attack of the poisonous mosquito, and will for hours remain entirely buried under the surface, with nothing visible but his sharp nostril, over which is continually buzzing a cloud of rapacious insects, which, the moment they attempt their bloody work, are disappointed, by the sinking of the nostril under the water. At this game of attack and defense will deer and mosquito indulge all night. A gentleman of our acquaintance was on a hunt when a doe was shot (a most cruel murder!), and, perceiving that it was with fawn, he stooped down, and, with his knife, brought the tiny thing into the world. The little animal, thus "untimely ripped" from the body of its dead mother, ultimately gained its feet, and, to the surprise of all who witnessed it, followed the party home. We afterward saw the animal in the full pride of a majestic head of horns. It is not uncommon, in riding among the plantations of the South, to see a deer bound over the high Virginia fences into the road, when the hound puppies about the yard open at full cry and "give it a brush." The old dogs take no notice of these household pets, but seem to know them as well as any other prominent member of the family. The scent of the species is very powerful, while the sight, on the contrary, is quite imperfect. A chamois, when dashing down the mountains, will suddenly stop, as if struck by a thunder-bolt, some yards from the spot where recent human footprints are visible in the snow, and turning, scared, away, will rush in an op-stop and gaze upon your intrusive presence, and posite direction. The very taint in the air is then frisking its tail, gambol along in sight, recognized long after the hunter is passed. The and suddenly disappear behind some Cherokee common deer will often approach within a few hedge. You know this to be a domesticated yards of a human being without perceiving him; deer, not only from its sociability, but also from but directly a change of position brings the scent the little bell it wears upon its neck to protect upon the wind the animal will be off like a shot. it from the weapon of the hunter, who might In localities where they are not much hunted otherwise be deceived, when met with in rethey do not fly at the approach of man, but, mote parts of the plantation where it was domlike all game, crouch in the long grass or un-iciliated. These domesticated deer shed a beauderwood, endeavoring to conceal themselves, ty over the lawn, and afford infinite amusement lying with their heads erect, their ears pressed flat on their necks, their eyes keenly watching the movements of the intruder, ready, on the instant, to spring to their feet. The Indians sometimes disguise themselves in the entire skin of the deer, imitating, at the same time, its cries and gait, and in this way often destroy many, provided the keen scent of the animal, which can not be deceived, does not take the alarm. Of all animals known the deer is the most eas-ing often heard of the simile, "as wild as a fawn," ily domesticated-a fact which seems exceed- she was greatly surprised to witness how soon it ingly strange when we take its natural timidity became tamed. Wherever the lady went "Fan" and wildness into consideration. Persons who was sure to follow, showing all the familiarity can imitate the bleat of the fawn often bring and affection of a spaniel. On one occasion the the doe within gunshot, though it is certainly pet made her way to a shelf of the dresser, ena cruel thing to shoot the poor creature whose deavoring apparently to find a comfortable place maternal affections have thus overcome its fear. to lie down among the plates and dishes. Upon It is not an extraordinary thing for the hunter examination it became evident that it was the to be obliged to push the doe off with the muz-protecting projection of the shelf the animal was zle of his gun when he has accidentally captured its young. Upon seizing a fawn it will, for a few moments, struggle and bleat terribly; but when you set it down its contact with humanity seems to have changed its nature, for, like an affectionate spaniel, it will follow you home, and never requires farther domestication. When the doe goes out to feed she hides her fawn away, with maternal solicitude and consummate judgment. She will, by some power Mrs. Kenzie, in her "Early Day of the Northwest," relates that, as a token of gratitude from an Indian woman for some trivial favor bestowed, she received a fawn, which pleased her much by its soft blue eyes and dappled coat, and hav after, as it always sought the shade of a chair or something else approaching an "umbrageous bower." The hint, or rather the instinctive feeling of the animal, being understood, at the usual hour of the morning when the gentle creature took her nap, a large green parasol was opened and set on the matting in the corner of the room. Fan was then called, when she would come and instantly nestle under the "genial shade,” and fall asleep. There are three methods practiced by American hunters in killing deer, designated in general terms as "Fire-hunting," "Still-hunting," and "Driving." Fire-hunting is considered the least legitimate, and is seldom resorted to by the conscientious sportsman, except when game is very scarce, and consequently, from being much hunted, rendered too shy to approach in daylight. Two persons are necessary for successful fire-hunting, one to carry and attend to the torch, and one to bear the gun. The hunters are generally accompanied by a cur dog, one that is well trained and will not "open" on the trail. The dog has a little bell suspended to his neck, the tongue of which is stuffed around with cotton that it may emit no sound until the proper time for action. If the weather is favorable, it must be a still, misty, dark night after a rain, which renders the fallen leaves so moist that they will make no noise under the feet of the hunter. A person of much experience can generally distinguish between the eyes of a deer and those of other animals when "shined" by a torch; first, by their brilliancy; secondly, by their unusual size; and, thirdly, by their great distance apart compared with other animals. the damsel became the wife of this most famous of backwoodsmen. We knew a gentleman who indulged in this rather questionable amusement, who saw what he believed to be the glare of a deer's eyes, and fired. His astonishment can be faintly imag ined when he discovered by the yelp that followed that he had shot his "track dog" in the head, and at the instant when the animal was firmly held between the knees of a negro to keep him from too suddenly springing after any game that might be shot. Dr. H. J. Peck, of Louisiana-a most accomplished hunter and writer-speaks of a neighbor of his, who went on a fire-hunting excursion, and having discovered the eye of a deer, dismounted, and, with his companion, fastened their horses to a limb of a tree and advanced toward the deer. After walking some distance, and occasionally losing sight of the "eyes," they were finally "shined" and fired at, the result of which was, the killing of the gentleman's favorite saddle-horse. A colt's eyes approach the nearest in appearance, but they are dim. The deer also gazes at the light with great steadiness and intensity, while the bear and wolf are constantly moving theirs about, being of a more fretful and fiery disposition. The deer, fascinated as it was by the illumination, remains motionless, giving the hunter ample opportunity to approach within gunshot. If a hunter once loses the "eyes" after they have been "shined," he is satisfied that the creature is alarmed and is moving off, and he embraces the first favorable opportunity to fire. As a general thing, if the shot is at all successful, the victim falls, and is at once secured; but if mortally wounded, and yet possessed of strength enough to make an effort to escape, the "track-dog" is unloosed from the cord that has fastened him to his master, the cotton is removed from the tongue of the bell, and he follows in pursuit, the hunter for his course being entirely guided by the tinkling of the bell. If no dog is employed, and the deer runs off, the spot is carefully marked, and the "Still-hunting" resembles the English prachunter returns home and waits until daybreak tice of "stalking," and with many gentlemen to secure the reward of his midnight labor. It sportsmen is preferred to any other method. is related that Daniel Boone, while fire-hunting, To an individual who is fond of nature, and "shined" a pair of mild blue eyes which struck can find amusement in communing with the him as not belonging to the game he was seek- solitudes of the forest, still-hunting possesses ing to destroy. He lowered his rifle, and made manifold charms. farther examination, when, to his surprise, he discovered a young girl, who, with himself, was equally astonished at the adventure. Boone expressed the most eloquent gratitude that he had not fired his weapon, and waited upon the woodland nymph to her home hard by; in time A good still-hunter, says our friend, Harry Huntington, "of Trinity," must be thoroughly acquainted with the habits of the deer, know where he ranges, be able to tell his tracks from other cloven-footed beasts, and the time that has elapsed since they were first indented in STILL HUNTING. the soil. He must know which way the game in the locality walk when feeding, and the direction they take at nightfall-things which seem to be strangely dependent upon the moon. The abundance of acorns or mast is also to be considered; and, moreover, still-hunting is most practiced, by all familiar with this wood craft, when the buck is seeking the company of the doe. Then they are less than usually cautious, and an imitation of the female, even if clumsily done, will often attract their notice; while others again, utterly reckless, will come rushing toward the hunter, and, not unlike some more intelligent lovers, find, instead of a flirtation, a premature death. At this particular season the still-hunter is in his glory. The woods, if a favorable resort, seem to be alive, the deer are so active. Presently he notices coming toward him a doe, he lets the timid creature pass, knowing full well that a nobler haunch is following in the rear. Presently the vines and low hanging branches seem to shake as if agitated by a strong wind; two, three, perhaps four bucks are plunging on, almost side by side. It must be the work of a flashing thought only to decide which one is the finest, for they are going with almost lightning rapidity. This done, a slight whistle, or other unusual noise, is made; the intrusion arrests the bucks for an instant, and they stop to gaze: the delay is fatal, for the unerring weapon is brought to bear, and the far-reaching echoes of its report mingle confusedly with the sounds which come from the death-throes of a lordly monarch of the forest. A more difficult contest is exhibited when the still-hunter pursues his game in a less propitious season-at a time when the buck is comparatively unoccupied except by thoughts of self-preservation, and has no passions roused to betray him into imprudences. To approach a deer at these times requires patience which few possess; his suspicious nature must be conciliated by penances of almost suspended animation; the hunter must crawl upon his victim not only against the wind but he must move with the silence of the cloud's shadow: if the deer's attention is attracted, he must not be alarmed. At near ing, pushing it slowly before him. It is a common thing for still-hunters, when a deer is suddenly "bounced up," or when one happens to be passing, to bleat, imitating the noise of the fawn. This, as we have already observed, will always arrest the attention of the buck. When a deer is approached, and, in hunter's phraseology, "has got wind" of his enemy, even if only an imperfect view is obtained, the hunter instantly fires; for on such occasions the deer makes a few bounds into some open space, in order to satisfy his curiosity, and then instantly disappears. The Indians excel in this method of hunting, being by nature remarkably patient and full of caution. In their preparations they wisely adopt colors for their dress that harmonize with the barks of the trees and decayed logs with which they are surrounded; and thus, with their bronzed faces, they are almost invisible while stealing through the thickets and lairs. An old woodsman of our acquaintance, who had been, without success, still-hunting through a long day, from fatigue sat down on the banks of a small stream to rest himself. While thus negatively employed he was surprised at the sight of a number of deer at a distance entirely beyond the reach of his rifle, he being at the same time so situated that he could not approach them without being seen. Abandoning the idea of securing "their venison," he became interested in their playful gambols. Presently two lordly bucks commenced a joust, when, most unexpectedly, a third appeared-a young "spike," which, as if fired with revenge, made one plunge at the side of his now occupied antagonist, and drove his sharp horns into the quivering flesh, where they cut their way as if sharpened knives. The wounded, stricken deer staggered, and fell dead on the green turf. The woodsman leisurely proceeded to the scene of the foray, secured the game thus unexpectedly placed in his possession, and, with a heavy load upon his back, but a light heart, proceeded homeward. Such good fortune sometimes When a deer is reposing, satisfied that the overtakes other individuals when they least exwind will convey the approach of an enemy in pect it. A gentleman, riding along a well-beatthat quarter, it gazes intently in the opposite en road in Southern Mississippi, was arrested direction. If there are any birds in the vicin- by the sight of two large bucks furiously enity it watches them, knowing that they will gaged in a fierce trial of strength. Finding give the alarm if any aggressor is near. It not that the animals did not heed his presence, he only selects its cover with the greatest caution, dismounted from his horse, and, without diffibut, if possible, it chooses commanding ground. culty, killed them with his knife. Tying their The difficulty attending the pursuit of the still- hind legs together, he with great labor hung hunter can, therefore, be appreciated. An emi- them over the back of his patient steed, and nent English deer-stalker was often balked by thus enriched he proceeded on his journey. a wary stag, which had for years occupied a part of the plain from which it could perceive the smallest object at the distance of a mile. The man, determined to succeed, finally conceived the idea of approaching his victim behind a clump of bushes. Having prepared his screen he started at eight o'clock in the morn Killing deer by "driving" furnishes more excitement than either method already described. In "driving," the cheerful clamor of the horn, the thrilling cry of the hounds, and the inspiring sympathy of the well-trained steed, make the pleasure, at times, as perfect as it is possible for the hunter to enjoy. To be |