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116 • S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S drew himself back to cover. It seemed impossible that any ears a hundred yards away could have detected his movement, but I saw the big bird draw himself up as if he were being stretched into a string, just as a turkey does when alarmed. The next instant—before I could press the trigger— he was whizzing like a bullet over the crest of the mountain. Poor Max was full of vain sorrow at his blunder. It was a bit hard, to be sure, not to get the auerhahn after such a stalk, and of course I felt dead-sure of him with my next shot. What hunter ever missed twice and lost his third chance without the same sweet consciousness? Nevertheless, the hunt was the most delightful that I ever had in the country of rules and red tape—so much to see and learn, so much more sport than potting a dozen reh-deer from a chair as they came to feed in the open glades. All the other auerhahn hunters came back empty- handed. Only one had heard a bird calling, but had alarmed him before getting within range. A lthough I have now seen and heard and shot at the auerhahn, I have small idea what the auerhahn is like, and the lack is the more vexatious because I cannot find anybody who will tell me clearly what I have missed. Next season, when the auerhahn falls in love again, I shall set myself a more difficult task than shooting him. I will try to stalk him without a gun (and without a keeper), and to watch him till he stops calling and his mate comes, whom nobody ever sees. Then, I will follow them into the glade, where I am sure he will strut and spread his tail and make himself big with vain pride, just as our own wild turkey does before the mate who has come to his calling. And that will be good hunting, for no human eyes have ever yet seen it. "Donnerwetter!" said the Baron when I told him of my intention. "When you do that I shall send you to catch the elfins that dance in that same glade in the moonlight. You may be right, though, about the courting. Anyway, you shall have your invitation when the spring comes." n Editor's Note: "After the Auerhahn" was first published in a 1911 issue of Outing magazine. Balzender auerHaHn by Moritz Müller