THE FOREST OF MAR. 153 



respectable farmers keep a good hunter, and when the 

 hounds come within reach, thoroughly enjoy the sport. 

 The liigher classes in this country are certainly entitled 

 to indulge in these manly amusements, which afford 

 vigour to the mind and robust health to the body, and 

 in this respect makes a marked distinction between the 

 same classes of other European nations." 



The Forest of Mar, though much less extensive than 

 many others, is averaged at fifteen miles in length and 

 nine in breadth; but here, instead of the deer being 

 destroyed for sheep-walks, the Earl of Fife preserved 

 strictly the grouse and black game. He also introduced 

 from Norway the capercailzie or cock of the wood, 

 which increased to a small number, but when the forest 

 was let these noble birds soon disappeared. The wild 

 boar was also turned out in this forest, but the want of 

 acorns was so severely felt by these animals that they 

 likewise one after another also died. In wild and un- 

 cultivated countries like these, the wild boar could cer- 

 tainly do little damage, and if by care and attention 

 and artificial feeding for some time the forest could be 

 stocked with wild boar, a battue for shooting them 

 would add greatly to the excitement of the sportsman, 

 although not always unattended with danger. For when 

 the wild boar is wounded he becomes exceedingly fierce 

 and savage, and vnll then rush on man and dogs.* 



The purest specimens of the deer-hound now to be 

 met with are supposed to be those belonging to Captain 

 M'Xeil of Colonsay. 



\Mien I was about sixteen years old (then a subaltern 



* "When I -was in the then Electorate of Hanover, a gamekeeper in 

 the neighbourhood lost his life in a battue from the attack of a wounded 

 ■wild boar. He had his thigh ripped open, and before medical advice 

 could be procured he bled to death. 

 YOL. II. M 



