DEERMOUSE, or JUMPING MOUSE (meriones), a genus of American rodent quadrupeds allied to mice and to jerboas, and differing from the gerbils of the warm parts of the old world only in the greater length of their hind-legs, the nakedness of the tail, and the existence of a very small tooth in front of the molars of the upper jaw. The D. or jumping mouse of Canada (M. Cunadensie), common in that country, and often seen in summer and autumn, is a beautiful little creature, of the size of a mouse, with a very long tail, and very long slender hind-legs. It is capable of taking leaps of four or five yards. It burrows, and passes the winter in a state of leth argy.—Another species, the Labrador jumping •mouse (Al. Labradorieue), inhabits the still more northerly parts of North America.
is the art of following the red deer by cautious maneuvering, for the purpose of shooting it with the rifle; and as practiced in the Highlands of Scot land, is perhaps unequaled as a sport in fatigue as well as in excitement. The exten sive tracts of hill-land over which deer roam, and on which they are stalked, are termed "deer-forests," few of which, however, notwithstanding the appellation, boast of a single tree; and where these " forests " belong to noblemen and others peculiarly addicted to the sport, deer are strictly preserved, to the almost total exclusion of sheep and cattle. This sport is more highly esteemed, and greater sums are paid for it by its devotees, than for any other in Scotland. This arises chiefly from two causes: 1st, from the intense excite ment occasioned in the pursuit of the red deer; and 2d, from the comparative scarceness of good forests. Deer-stalking demands many expensive accessories, among which may be to pursue and bring to bay wounded game; one or more guides to accompany the stalker; and hill-men to drive the deer, when that method of obtaining shots is determined upon, etc. However excellent a marksman the deer-stalker may be, and though he may be tolerably conversant with the general " lie" and bearings of the ground, lie is almost always accompanied by an experienced guide, upon whose cool judgment, keen eye, and thorough knowledge of every knoll and rock of the " forest," depends greatly his chance of obtaining a shot. A dress resembling in color as nearly as possible that of the ground to be gone over; a rifle of first-rate make, and previously practiced with at various distances; a deer-hound or more, that watch constantly in perfect silence for the slightest look or sign from their master; a robust constitution, to stand the fatigue of walking, crouching (sometimes in water), crawling, and advancing on the back, feet first, are some of the requisites the deer-stalker must possess. And when we add to these the most unflinching perseverance and untiring patience, we have not said all, for unless he is gifted by nature or experienced with neve to take instant and careful advantage of the rare opportunities a day's stalk may offer, his previous care and toil must go for nothing. The deer-stalker should always be provided with a good telescope. The season for killing red deer begins on the 20th of Oct., and closes on the 9th of June. This sport depends more upon the vicissitudes of wind and weather than perhaps any other. Deer are gifted with very keen scent, a fact of which the stalker is well aware, and for which he must allow by advancing upon his game up the wind. They are also far-sighted, and exceedingly prone to take alarm at the slightest sound, faculties which warn the stalker never to let himself or his attendant be seen, and to observe the strictest silence. Deer, if disturbed, for the most part look for the cause as proceeding from the low grounds, and rarely from above; this peculiarity is duly taken advantage of by the sportsman, who accordingly advances upon his game, wind per mitting (frequently by the most circuitous and precipitous paths), down hill. Whca thus approaching deer that are feeding in the valley below, the utmost caution is requi site, both as regards speed and the mode of progression. The stalker must advance inch by inch on his back, by resting himself on his elbows, and drawing himself forward by his heels; he must observe every motion of the deer, stopping when they stop feeding, and retaining his position, irksome though it be, till his game recommence pasturing; lie must never, even for an instant, display the slightest unusual motion during his toil some and stealthy advance, and must submit implicitly to every signal and whisper from his guide. During protracted stalks, especially when the nature of the ground
between man and deer is free from sheltering knolls, the stalker's patience is tried to the utmost by his having to pause so frequently in his progress; the stalk, however, is usually directed not so much directly towards the deer, as for some intervening knoll or rock where a little relaxation of limb and breathing-time may be obtained ere tiring. Thus, if fortunate in properly winding the deer, and if the stalk has been successfully accomplished, the herd may he reached within 50 or 100 yards. The game may possibly consist of either a single stag, or some hinds and one or two stags; the finest of the latter is usually the aim of the true stalker, and the most deadly spot to aim at is behind the shoulder. If mortally hit, the animal frequently bounds away for twenty or more yards, and then falls dead; if not mortally struck, it will sometimes fall at the shot, and spring up again, and follow the retreating herd. It is then the deer-hound is slipped. When a deer is killed, and cannot be immediately conveyed home, the attendant instantly disembowels it, that the venison may not be tainted. This operation is termed gralioch ing. The best stag in the herd is that which is the fattest., and has the finest antlers. See DEER. When there arc more than one sportsman, or where the peculiarities of the ground are such as to render the task of stalking unusually difficult, hill-men are em ployed to drive the deer towards certain passes, behind which the shooters are previously concealed. On such occasions, the excitement produced by the gradually approaching and unsuspecting herd, mingled with the grandeur of the whole scene, as they at length rush through the fatal pass, is enough to try the nerves even of the most experienced stalkers. The Black Mount, belonging to the earl of Breadalbane, and the Forest of Athole, belonging to the duke of Athole, are the finest deer-forests in Scotland. The best work we knowof on the subject of deer-stalking is Scrope's treatise, published in 1838; 3d edit. 1847.
By 24 and 25 Viet. c. 96. s. 13, it is enacted that any person who shall unlawfully hunt, snare, or carry away, kill or wound any deer kept in the inclosed part of a park, chase, or other inclosure, shall be guilty of felony, and shall be liable to two years' imprisonment, and hard labor. If the deer be in the uninclosed portion of the park, the punishment is a fine not exceeding £50, which the justice may modify as he shall see tit. The second offense, in every case, is to be considered felony. Sus pected persons found in possession of venison, or of the head or skin of a deer, or of snares or engines for taking deer, who shall not be able to satisfy the justice that they came lawfully by the venison, or had a lawful occasion for the snare, may be fined a sum not exceeding £20. A like penalty is imposed (s. 15) for setting engines for taking deer, and pulling down park-fences. By s. 16, deer-keepers and their assistants may seize the guns, snares, dogs, etc., of offenders who do not deliver them up on demand, and resist. mice on their part is declared to be felony. In Scotland, the offense of breaking into a deer-park and shooting deer is punishable as theft. Shooting a stray deer without the owner's consent, is punishable by fine. Though not entitled tokill deer trespassing on his property, the proprietor may drive them off (Stair, ii. 3. 68; Ersk. ii. 6, 14); and one of two co-proprietors may drive off deer against the will of another (Irvine, Game-laws, p. 13). There is a reference to deer in the present acts which regulate the duty on game licenses, and persons shooting them are always liable to the penalties imposed by these statutes. Hunting them with hounds is, however, excepted (see Paterson 's Game-laws, p. 130).