THE ELK IN NORWAY. 151 



of which is, as far as elk are concerned, to raise the 

 penalty for shooting these animals at unlawful periods 

 so considerably as to render it less easy for the poacher 

 to escape with a mulct, which evidently did not meet 

 the requirements of the case. 



Every true sportsman will, I think, feel interested in 

 this matter, and will be glad to hear that these noble 

 and majestic animals, the pride of Norway's forests, as 

 the reindeer are the ornament of her mountain wilds, 

 will be better protected against the attacks of the 

 poacher. 



It has often occurred to me whether it might not be 

 possible to introduce these animals into the extensive 

 deer forests in many parts of Scotland. If the climate 

 would suit them and there is not such a wonderful 

 difference after all there can be little doubt, I think, 

 that they would thrive, especially when it is borne in 

 mind that the absence, of their great enemy, the wolf, 

 would tell not a little in their favour. At all events, 

 would it not be worth the trial ? I do not apprehend 

 it would be a matter of great difficulty to procure a few 

 calves, and if once got, the passage from Norway is 

 a trifling consideration. It has long been my wish to 

 see both the elk, the reindeer, and the hjerpe (Tetrao 

 bonasia} introduced into Scotland ; and, at the risk of 

 being considered presumptuous, I cannot but think it 

 might answer. With reindeer it would probably be 



