THE DEER FORESTS OP SCOTLAND. 99 



situations like the red deer. In size it is not to be compared 

 to its larger congener, being only twenty-four inches in 

 height. This little deer is seldom stalked, however, being 

 easily driven towards the spot where the shooters are posted. 

 Buck-shot are more frequently used than the bullet; but in 

 many cases the rifle is preferred. 



The FALLOW DEER (Daina vulgaris) is only known in Great 

 Britain as a denizen of our parks, where the individuals in- 

 tended for the table are killed by the keeper with his rifle; 

 but this can scarcely be considered sport, and it therefore will 

 not be alluded to as such. 



THE DEER-FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



The following is a short summary of the deer-forests of 

 Scotland according to Mr. Scrope, who is the chief authority 

 in this matter : 



First, those of Sutherland, the chief of which are the 

 Dirrie-Chatt and Dirrie-Moss; the former being fifty miles 

 long by an average of twenty miles wide, and the latter being 

 about thirty miles by twenty. But, besides these, three 

 smaller and detached forests are comprehended within this 

 district viz., the Parph, the Clibreck, and the Dirrie- 

 Meanach. It is supposed that about 1500 red deer are at 

 large in Sutherland. 



Secondly, those comprised within Ross-shire are the Forests 

 of Applecross and Gairloch, most of which are only adapted 

 for the red deer, and are too wild and rugged even for sheep. 

 Bain ago wn Forest is partly devoted to sheep, but red deer 

 also are found here, and in Loch Broom, Castle-Leod, Novar, 

 and Tulloch. The estate of Foulis is peculiarly adapted for 

 the red deer, but is now too much frequented by the shep- 

 herd. Coigach, the property of Mr. Hay Mackenzie, is strictly 

 preserved ; and, in addition, the islands of Harris and Lewis 

 are sure haunts of this noble specimen of the deer kind. At 

 Coul, the property of Sir George Stuart Mackenzie, the red 

 deer are very numerous, though it is only of late years that 

 they have become so. Applecross is a celebrated forest, and 

 contains large numbers of deer within its secure and sheltered 

 corries and on its hill sides. 



H2 



