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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 2, Issue 37, 23 May 1850, Page 4

Deer.—the deer is the most acute animal we possess, and adopts the most sagacious plans for the preservation of its life. When it lies, satisfied that the wind will convey to it an intimation of the approach of its pursuer, it gazes in another direction, if there are any wild birds, such as curlews or ravens, in its vicinity, it keeps its eye intently fixed on tlieni —convinced that thoy will give it n timely alarm. It selects its cover willi the greatest caution, ,\ud invariably clioscs an eminence, from which it can have a view around. It recognises individuals, and permits the shepherds to approach it. The stags at Tornaprass will suffer a boy lo go within twenty yards of them ; but if I attempt to encroach upon them they are off at once. A poor man who carries'peats in a creel on his back, here, may go "eheek-for-jowl" with them; I put on his pannier the other day, and attempted to advance, and immediately they sprung away like antelopes. An eminent deer-stnlker told me the other day of a plan one of the keepers adopted to kill a very wary stag. This animal had been known for years, and occupied part of a plain from which it could perceive the smallest object at the distance of a mile. The keeper ciK a thick bush, which he carried before him as he crept, and commenced stalking at eight o'clock in the morning ; but so gradually did lie move forward that it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon before he stood in triumph with his foot on the breast of the untlered king. "I never felt so much for an inferior creature," said the gentleman, "as I (lid for this deer; when I came up it was panting life away, with its largo blue eyes firmly fixed on its slayer. You would have thought, sir, that it was accusing itself of simplicity in having been so easily betrayed."— The deer is an extremely elegant creature, with fine dappled sides, of a brown or buff colour ; its legs are long and slender, aud its speed is very greati Its powers of eight and smell are likewise remarkable, and it is equally suspicious as timid. The miles have a fine head of branching horns, with which, when set at bay, they frequently inflict severe and dangerous wounds. Their flesh, whic' l is called venison, is much esteemed, being considered a very great dainty. The deer is stalked and killed with rifle guns. Sometimes it is hunted'by large dogs called stag-hounds, which are followed by men on horseback : this is what was anciently called 'tho chase,' and was much followed by Kings and great men of former times.