[ PRIVATE.] 



SOME ACCOUNT OF 



JURA RED DEER. 



Jura Deer are not artificially fed during the winter, it would be 

 very useful to them, but we do not see how to manage the dis- 

 tribution of food. 



The death rate of Deer probably is higher here than on the 

 mainland Forests Ross-shire for example but no comparison 

 can be made on equal terms because few old stags exist in Ross- 

 shire, and hinds are freely shot down there. Statistics of mortality 

 stand in great need of collection and examination over different 

 districts. 



Regarding the longevity of wild red-deer in Scotland, the facts Age of 

 related below are instructive. otags. 



The late Mr. R. D. Campbell, of Jura, fired at and missed a 

 well known stag at Torranbuie. This is a place with many 

 clumps of trees and bushes making brakes and hiding places ; 

 the feeding is good. Twelve years later Mr. Campbell shot this 

 stag, and neither he nor the keeper observed any difference in the 

 head or body of the stag at the end of this period of 12 years ; 

 he had a fine head. Taking credit for his favoured residence he 

 could not have been less than 7 years old when first shot at, 

 consequently he was at least 19 when killed, and in full vigour. 



I have a large, strong, and rough head, from a marked stag, A Head 

 shot on Tarbert sheep ground, one ear was cut off close to the 

 head by Mr. D. Fletcher. The stag was 16 years old when 

 killed. He had lost one tooth and was rather lean. Not rarely 

 old stags are found without any front teeth, it is common to find 

 them with part of their teeth missing. I never saw a stag with 

 missing teeth in high condition. I have a fine 14 point head A Toothless 

 from a stag which had no front teeth ; he was in good feeding I4 P omter - 

 ground, and had about half-an-inch of haunch fat, 



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