WILD LIFE IN A WEST HIGHLAND DEER FOREST 283 



numbers in the Forest must be very considerable. In summer and 

 during the stalking season they are practically confined to the 

 alpine zone, that is the area over 2000 feet; but in some of the 

 most remote and secluded parts of the Forest, they are to be 

 found at these seasons as low as 1000 feet. Their range in winter 

 depends on the amount of snow, and is usually not above 2000 feet. 

 Six Western European races of Red Deer are recognised by the 

 latest authorities ! The Scottish Red Deer is considered to be 

 distinct from Cervus elephus atlanticus, its Norwegian cousin and 

 nearest relative, inasmuch as "there appears to be an appreciable 

 difference in colour between the two races" not a very convincing 

 statement on which to found a distinctive race. 



Roe-Deer, Capreolus capreolus. 

 British Race, C. capreolus thotti. 



The Roe frequents the wooded glens on Loch Treig side, and 

 a few inhabit the birch wood on Loch Ossian side up to 1700 

 feet, where they remain throughout the winter, however severe the 

 weather may be. The British Roe only differs from the typical 

 Continental form in being generally darker in colour, especially on 

 the face, which is darker than the body. 



BIRDS. 



Raven, Corvus corax. 



Several pairs are natives of the Forest, and remain there 

 throughout the winter, but as they are not numerous at that 

 season, the young of the year must leave. The sites of their nests 

 vary in altitude from 1300 to 2000 feet. One of these is absolutely 

 unapproachable, being situated some distance back in a singular 

 slit-like cave in the face of a cliff. On the 1st of October 191 7 

 Mr Ferguson saw about 150 old and young about Loch Ossian, 

 where they remained for about a week, feeding on the gralloch of 

 deer. 



Grey Crow, Corvus comix. 



Fairly common and resident. Its nesting sites are on rocky 

 faces, also in trees both in the birch wood and on islands in lochs. 

 In these situations its nesting haunts range from 1300 to 2000 feet. 

 A few pairs remain the winter. 



Starling, St urn us vulgaris. 

 This familiar and widely distributed pastoral bird is only to be 



