MODE OF TAKING DEEK. 411 



estimated at an average of from sixteen to seventeen stone, 

 imperial, sinking the offal ; and they are frequently found 

 to weigh eighteen, nineteen, and even twenty-one stone, 

 having two or three inches of fat on the haunches. Their 

 heads likewise are large in proportion, heing of a much 

 more vigorous growth than those of the Atholl or the 

 Marr deer. One of the great advantages of the Black 

 Mount forest is, that it forms the summit level of that 

 part of the Pligblands, and that it has equally extensive 

 grounds on each side, both east and west ; so that from 

 whatever quarter the wind may blow, or from whatever 

 side the deer may be disturbed, they seldom leave its 

 bounds, but feed over either to the one side or the other. 

 The hills being extremely rocky and precipitous, and there 

 being only certain places by which the deer can pass from 

 one corrie to another, the mode of killing by driving them 

 is pretty certain. Stalking is very difficult in most parts 

 of the forest, owing to the very steep and rugged nature 

 of the ground. It may be mentioned, as a proof of this, 

 that some poachers who were pursuing deer in the forest 

 in the winter some years ago lost one of their companions, 

 who was killed by falling over a rock. 



This forest, like many others, has immemorially been 

 believed to possess its white hind ; to which, among other 

 evidence, the following extract refers, from the old family 

 manuscript at Taymouth, called the Black Book : 



" Upon the thettene day of February, anno 1622, the 

 king's majesty send John Skandebar, Englishman, with 

 other twa Englishmen in his company, to see ane quhyt 

 hynd that was in Corrichiba, upon the 22d day of Feb- 

 ruary, anno 1622." 



