CH. X. DEER FOREST. 145 



In this fine range the red-deer daily increase in 

 number ; so much so, that I have no doubt that, 

 unless they are systematically shot down, they will, 

 in the course of some few years, degenerate in size 

 and beauty from the ground being overstocked; 

 for, although there is plenty of room in the sur- 

 rounding wild mountains for the deer to distribute 

 and disperse themselves, still so much do they 

 dislike being disturbed, and so determinedly do 

 they adhere to the forests where neither sheep nor 

 shepherds annoy them, that while these quiet places 

 are overstocked, the deer are almost wholly drained 

 out of all the surrounding mountains. I speak here 

 only comparatively, for of course red-deer are to be 

 found almost everywhere throughout the county ; still 

 all the sheep-farms have far fewer deer on them than 

 they had before the forest was made, notwithstanding 

 that the number of these animals is probably greater 

 on the whole than it was then. Certain slopes and 

 hill-sides even close to the main road are never 

 without deer, and the passer by seldom travels many 

 miles without seeing some of these noble animals. 

 They seem used to the sight of people on the road 

 (although so few do travel by it) ; and on a carriage 

 coming into sight the stag scarcely stops his feeding 

 for a longer time than is sufficient for him to take 

 a good gaze at his natural enemy, when he again 



VOL. I. H 



