4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



1882. 'On the Variability of the Plumage exhibited by the Reel 



Grouse' ("P.Z.S." yth Jan. 1882). 

 1888. 'A few Notes on the Migratory Habits of the Red Grouse' 



(Inverness Field Club, 22nd May 1892). 

 1892. 'Contribution to the Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland and 



Caithness' ("Annals of Scot. Nat. Hist." July 1892). 



And many minor notes and contributions to the " Proc. Glasg. Nat. 

 Hist. Soc." and "Annals Scot. Nat. Hist." etc. 



THE RED DEER OF NORTH UIST. 



By ANDREW M'ELFRISH. 



THERE are about three hundred deer in North Uist. The 

 North Uist deer are particularly good. I believe they com- 

 pare favourably with, if they do not surpass, the deer of most 

 Scotch forests. They are all big, heavy animals, and the 

 stags carry very fine heads. The proportion of " Royals " 

 and fine heads is, I believe, worthy of note. A few years 

 ago I counted five " Royals " in one day. Within the last 

 fifteen years two endeavours were made to introduce fresh 

 blood by the deceased proprietor, the late Sir John Campbell 

 Orde, Bart, first by the introduction of a very large stag 

 from one of the south country parks but this animal, which 

 was very tame and grazed among the cattle on the west side 

 of the island, was wantonly shot by one of the natives and 

 afterwards by the introduction of a number of calves from 

 forests in the north. These calves were brought across, 

 reared on cows' milk, and when sufficiently grown, having 

 been lug-marked, were turned out into the forest. Afterwards 

 I repeatedly saw them trotting about by themselves. They 

 appeared to keep pretty much by themselves. I have not 

 heard of any of them being killed. 



Our present proprietor, Sir Arthur Campbell Orde, has 

 adopted means for the regular infusion of fresh blood, and it 

 is to be hoped he will succeed. He has purchased an Irish 

 stag and several hinds. These he is keeping in a park 

 within the policies at Kilmory, his seat in Argyllshire, and I 



