174 PROBABLE NUMBER OF DEER. 



All this vast tract is reserved exclusively for deer, with 

 a slight exception as to Glen Tilt, where sheep are occa- 

 sionally permitted to pasture. In 1786, the sheep were 

 removed from the north side of Glen Tilt, and from the 

 south, or Ben-y-gloe side, about ten years afterwards. In 

 the year 1776, when Mr. John Crerar went to Blair, the 

 number of deer in all the forest did not probably exceed a 

 hundred ; though some small herds have wandered in it 

 from time immemorial. The great increase took place in 

 the year above-mentioned, when Forest Lodge was built, 

 the sheep and cattle were removed, and the hills were thus 

 kept free from disturbance. Favoured and protected as 

 they now were, the increase became very rapid; so that 

 of late years their numbers were computed at about seven 

 thousand ; but I always thought this an exaggerated 

 statement ; for I once saw on the same day all the deer 

 driven down from the east, and a second drive also from 

 Glen Crinie; I then fell back north before the deer had 

 crossed Glen Tilt, and came to Blair by the western cast 

 and the lower grounds ; so that, with the exception of 

 such as happened to be on Ben-y-gioe, I must have then 

 seen almost all that the forest comprehended, as the wind 

 was full south ; making all allowances, I should estimate 

 the number at between five and six thousand. On this 

 day I killed seven fine harts. The hinds are of course far 

 more numerous than the harts, as none but yeld hinds are 

 killed except by accident. It must be allowed, however, 

 that these accidents happen pretty often, and indeed, in 

 almost every deer-drive ; for young sportsmen will fire at 

 all hazards when they have rifles in their hands ay, and 

 old ones too, sometimes. 



