1 84 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



it ; but, where so many are crowded into a narrow 

 space, he is not unlikely to include a hind as well. 

 And what of the indifferent shots, who, through 

 excitement and want of skill, fire wildly ? Useless 

 slaughter is too often the result. 



Many excellent men, whose devotion to sport 

 cannot for a moment be questioned, have something 

 to say in favour of this; but it is always of the 

 nature of an apology, and lays itself open to the 

 criticism, "Methinks the lady doth protest too 

 much." 



The deterioration of the game has kept pace 

 with that of sport. Even in the early years of 

 the present century, still more so further back, 

 deer wandered at large. This led to a free mixing 

 of the herds over considerable distances, and to 

 that frequent crossing needful to vigorous vitality. 

 Moreover, besides having free access to the sheep 

 grazing, they descended from the snow -covered 

 slopes, or emerged from the glens, to feed in the 

 Lowlands, if, indeed, some of them did not remain 

 there altogether. This prevented the periodical 

 starvation, which may now be regarded as a feature 

 of their winter life. 



But, when the Highlands became the world's 

 sporting-ground, it was discovered that they had 



