256 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



and animal distribution and economy, in which the influence 

 of altitude in relation to climate plays an important part. 



These mountainous tracts still retain much of their 

 primitive wildness, mainly due, it must be said, to the fact 

 that it is beyond the power of man to effect any material 

 change in the barrenness imposed by their physical con- 

 ditions ; hence nature to a considerable extent holds sway 

 over vast areas in Northern Britain. In addition to the 

 seclusion, which is characteristic of these fastnesses, another 

 factor favours their animal life, namely, that the measures 

 which are necessary for the preservation of the Deer are 

 also conducive to the welfare of the other forms of the 

 fer<z natures of the 'forest. It is a matter for congratulation 

 that such retreats exist, now that so many once common 

 animals have become decidedly scarce or greatly restricted 

 in their range through the direct interference of man. To 

 these persecuted members of our fauna, Deer Forests may 

 be regarded in the light of nature reserves. It is not too 

 much to claim that we owe it to such preserves that the 

 Golden Eagle, the chief ornament of our avifauna, still sur- 

 vives to gladden the heart of nature-lovers. 



Such is a slight sketch of some of the attractions afforded 

 to zoologists by a Highland Deer Forest, with an indication 

 of the important part it plays in the conservation of a number 

 of the rarer and more interesting members of our native 

 fauna. 



The observations upon which the present contribution is 

 based were made in the Corrour Forest in West Inverness- 

 shire, where for several years past it has been my good fortune 

 to spend some delightful vacations, amid scenes which have 

 always held a special attraction for me. The data obtained 

 relate chiefly to mammals and birds, but the occurrences of 

 other forms of animal life are recorded when such are 

 associated with a high altitudinal range. 



The Corrour Forest is of great extent and lies amid 

 some of the wildest mountain country in Great Britain. 

 Its boundaries range from the north-eastern limit of Argyll 

 (the Blackwater) on the south to the River Spean on the 

 north; and from the Ciaran Water and Loch and River 



