222 THE DEER FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



deer belonging to the three grounds is somewhere 

 between 1,800 and 2,000 head, while up to the 

 present only two stags have been killed weighing 

 over 20 stone. One was got by Count Szapary 

 of 21 stone 6 lbs., and the other, with only six points, 

 scaled a stone heavier. In an enclosed portion of 

 the Chuillim wood Mr. Bignold has a nice herd of 

 wild Japanese deer, the produce of some beasts given 

 him by Lord Powerscourt some ten years ago. They 

 are somewhat smaller than fallow deer, and are 

 remarkably savage to strangers of their own species, 

 for on two fresh stags being introduced to the 

 herd, they were both promptly killed. At present 

 these deer have not been turned wild on to the 

 hills, but as they are very fleet of foot, quick of 

 eye, and possess the most sensitive of noses, they 

 should make exciting and difficult stalking whenever 

 that time comes. With this herd there was also at 

 one time a pair of Axis deer, imported by Mr. Bignold 

 from the Himalayas, but the experiment did not turn 

 out satisfactory, as the stag invariably killed his 



