CH. X. DEER-FOREST. 145 



In this fine range the red-deer daily increase in 

 number ; so much so, that I have no doubt that, 

 unless they are systematically shot down, they will, 

 in the course of some few years, degenerate in size 

 and beauty from the ground being overstocked ; 

 for, although there is plenty of room in the sur- 

 rounding wild mountains for the deer to distribute 

 and disperse themselves, still so much do they 

 dislike being disturbed, and so determinedly do 

 they adhere to the forests where neither sheep nor 

 shepherds annoy them, that while these quiet places 

 are overstocked, the deer are almost wholly drained 

 out of all the surrounding mountains. I speak here 

 only comparatively, for of course red-deer are to be 

 found almost everywhere throughout the county ; 

 still, all the sheep-farms have far fewer deer on them 

 than they had before the forest was made, notwith- 

 standing that the number of these animals is prob- 

 ably greater, on the whole, than it was then. Cer- 

 tain slopes and hill-sides, even close to the main 

 road, are never without deer, and the passer-by 

 seldom travels many miles without seeing some of 

 these noble animals. They seem used to the sight 

 of people on the road (although so few do travel 

 by it) ; and on a carriage coming into sight the 

 stag scarcely stops- his feeding for a longer time 

 than is sufficient for him to take a good gaze at 



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