V. 2 



ANIMALS INTRODUCED FOR THE SAKE 

 OF SPORT 



A FAMILIAR tradition regards sport as one of the chief 

 ends of the Briton's existence. It is not surprising therefore 

 to find that attempts have been made to establish many 

 creatures in order that their subsequent pursuit may afford 

 the primitive pleasures of the chase. 



In most parts of Scotland the sly Fox is destroyed by 

 fair means or foul, for too well is it known that 



There's a tod aye "blinkin' when the nicht comes doon. 



But in several districts of South Britain, Foxes and Badgers 

 also, are actually imported from the Continent and from 

 Scotland, and are set free to establish themselves in the 

 hope that the hunt may benefit thereby. 



The large Red Deer of Germany have been imported and 

 released in western Ross-shire to mend the breed of their 

 degenerate Scottish relatives, but it is doubtful if their in- 

 fluence will long survive those harder conditions of life, which 

 have adversely affected the size and quality of the Scottish 

 race. 



THE PHEASANT 



Birds, however, supply the most striking examples of the 

 influence on our fauna of sporting introductions. Take the 

 Common Pheasant. It has long since spread over the whole 

 countryside; its long tail may be seen gliding through 

 almost any covert, and its harsh crow is familiar to every 

 dweller in the country. It is a great insect destroyer, yet it 

 has turned to the crops of field and garden, and in some 

 places has caused such destruction that it has been threatened 

 with capital punishment by the law, for permission has been 

 given to tenants to shoot at sight game damaging their 

 crops. 



