APPENDIX. 329 



horns deeply cupped, and of great spread and thickness of beam. The 

 Duke of Westminster at the present time is striving to improve the 

 heads in the Reay Forest, and with singular and rare sportsmanship 

 forbids the killing of the finer adult stags. A decided difference has 

 already made itself manifest in the improvement of both body and 

 antlers. No doubt these grand heads were commoner in the days when 

 Sutherland was covered with oak and pine timber, remains of which 

 are still visible in the peat mosses. But when it is believed that there 

 is not at present a tree in Sutherland which numbers 100 years in age, 

 we must go a long way back to localise them in time. 



What the Duke of Westminster is doing to improve the stags in the 

 west, the Duke of Sutherland is doing in the east, and, except one or 

 two killed by himself or Lord Stafford, no good heads are allowed to 

 be shot in Dunrobin, under a fine of £1 to the stalker who allows such 

 to be done. At the present time Deer are spread throughout the whole 

 county, from the north-east corner of the parish of Reay to the woods 

 of Dornoch. It is worthy of reference here, what has been related of 

 the great emigration of Deer out of the Reay country after the first 

 "head" of sheep had been there introduced (v. Lays of the Deer Forest, 

 vol. ii. p. 146). 



Koe-deer — Caprcolus caprea (Gray). 

 Common in all suitable localities, and increasing in number since plant- 

 ing became more general. The late severe winters put a check, how- 

 ever, on the increase, but they seem again to have in great measure 

 recovered. Even in the isolated birch-woods of the interior of the 

 county Roe are found, but they rarely increase, even when not killed, 

 in such situations. 



Fallow-deer — Ccrvus dama L. 

 Sheriff Mackenzie informs us that this species has, "for many years back, 

 frequented the woods about Dornoch in a semi-wild state." Fallow- 

 deer were introduced at Rosehall in the winter of 1S76 or spring of 

 1877. Buckley was there at the time, and saw them turned out at 

 midnight. 



REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. 



Common Lizard — Zootica vivipara (Jacquin). 



"Not uncommon, especially on the moors between Aultnagealgach and 

 Loch Urigill" (Alston and Harvie-Brown). Common almost everywhere 

 in the east of the county. 



Slow "Worm — Anguis fragilis L. 



Not uncommon in the west of the county, especially about Scourie and 

 Edderachyllis. Often seen on the dry dusty roads in summer. Occurs 

 frequently in Strath Brora. 



Adder or Viper — Pelias vents (Linn.) 



Abundant in most suitable localities ; and more abundant, perhaps, than 

 suspected, owing to its somewhat retiring habits. Common north to 

 Cape Wrath, but rare in the limestone districts of Durness and Assynt. 

 We certainly, in seventeen years' experience of Assynt, do not remem- 

 ber seeing more than two or three on the banks of the Inver and 

 Kirkaig. Said to be abundant on Coul More and Coul Beg, and very 

 abundant in a certain birch -wood on the banks of Loch Shin. Ex- 

 tremely abundant all through the east and centre of the county. 



