1909-1910-] The Red Deer, &c., in Glen Garry Forest. 183 



approximately keep pace with the other deer, considering their 

 swiftness ? How could it bend forward with steadiness to 

 nibble the grass and herbage it lives upon ? These are 

 questions more easily asked than answered. But when one 

 had seen the roughness of much of the ground where it was 

 shot, and where presumably it lived, the fact that it managed 

 to exist created marvel. 



In a paper read to this Society on 20th November 1885, 

 and which appears in the 'Transactions,' vol. i. pp. 278-286, 

 I dealt with the habits of the Ked Deer at considerable length 

 I referred, to the antlers of this deer, and the habit they have 

 of casting them each spring and then eating them. Generally 

 not a vestige of the cast antlers is left, and that is why cast 

 antlers are so seldom found in the forests. Sometimes the 

 stags are disturbed when at their repast, and at other times 

 cast their antlers in situations where they cannot remain to 

 finish their curious meal. On these occasions, which are rare, 

 sometimes a portion of an antler remains, showing signs of 

 gnawing. [To illustrate this, several specimens were shown.] 

 One specimen was got in September last by my daughter 

 on the sea-shore at Ben Hiant Forest, Ardnamurchan. It 

 had evidently been cast off while the stag was on the beach 

 below high-water mark, and the advancing tide had compelled 

 the animal to leave the savoury morsel. Another specimen is 

 from Glen Garry deer forest, and was found near the shore 

 of Loch Lochy, beside a path frequented by pedestrians. I 

 might say much more about the red deer, but would refer 

 you to the paper I have already mentioned for further 

 information. 



The Eoe Deer {Ca^reolus caprea, Gray) is also found 

 in a number of places in and near the Big Glen, where 

 there is wood, but it is not very numerous about Loch 

 Lochy. 



The Fox {Canis vulpes, Linn.) is found in larger numbers 

 than some of the farmers like, and it is destroyed when oppor- 

 tunity occurs. It is, however, comparatively safe in the 

 fastnesses of the forest and in the holes among masses of 

 fallen rock. It is seldom seen at close quarters, but I had 

 one opportunity which I will relate. I was botanising up the 

 bed of a small burn, and was some distance up the mountain. 



