A few preliminary listening tips are in order: 1. Sit for a spell. Contrary to popular belief, there's no need to wear camouflage or to hide, at least as far as the unicorn is concerned. (If, however, you feel more comfortable wearing camouflage or hiding, you may do so without ill effect.) If you are still, relaxed, and "at one with nature," the typical unicorn won't be frightened. Find a comfortable place, such as under a tree, and allow yourself to "tune in" to the environment. After a few minutes, you'll notice a marked refinement in your hearing -- you'll pick up on subtle auditory changes. 2. Since the human field of vision is less than 180°, there are great odds that a unicorn will approach from one of your many blind spots. Close your eyes and practice being aware of sounds coming from different directions, especially from behind you. One of the advantages of hearing over sight is that our ears offer a 360° scope. 3. Birdsong will likely be prominent in the soundscape, so practice listening beyond it to more subtle noises. Undue attention to birds when listening for unicorns is the sensory equivalent of overindulging in hors d'oeuvres and thereby spoiling one's appetite for dinner. 4. Experiment with listening at different times of day, as unicorns can have unpredictable schedules. Sunset and midnight are recommended listening times. So is the break of dawn: