1 84 The Red Deer, &c.^ in Glen Garry Forest. [Sess. 



when in a gully among birch and alder trees I heard a rust- 

 ling sound, as if some creature were approaching through the 

 brackens. I had just time to turn round, when to my 

 surprise a very large dog fox, in magnificent fur, came 

 trotting down a sheep - path and across the stream, within 

 four yards of me. I stood quite still, an interested spectator, 

 wondering if the fox would discover my presence. As soon 

 as it got over the stream it must have winded me, as it stood 

 still and cocked its ears, then took a step or two until it was 

 able to get a view of the lower glen and the hillside. It 

 was not in any way alarmed, but was suspicious. It stood 

 perfectly still, but did not think of looking up-stream. In 

 the stillness I seemed to hear my heart beating, and the 

 effort I had to put forth to keep from moving created a feel- 

 ing of suspense. The fox, having made its survey without 

 discovering me, was about to move off, when I thought my 

 turn had come, so I gave a loud shout. For a moment the 

 wild creature seemed electrified, then it looked in every direc- 

 tion but the right one. When at last it saw me so near, it 

 slunk up the bank along the sheep-path, and I rushed after it 

 to see it bounding along the hillside in full cry to some quiet 

 place less haunted by man. 



The Wild Cat {Felis catus, Linn.) is another creature found 

 in Glen Garry forest. Its favourite haunts are birch woods 

 high up the mountains among boulders or cairns of loose 

 stones. It is in such situations that it breeds, and when the 

 young are about, the old cats are dangerous and will attack 

 man. There is a well -authenticated story told of an old 

 farmer who lived at North Laggan. He was walking over the 

 moor high up on Ben Tee, when he observed a kitten running 

 about a cairn of stones. He managed to capture it, and, 

 carrying it with him, he walked down the mountain to where 

 he had left his horse. Having mounted, he was riding home 

 with the kitten in front of him, it making considerable noise. 

 All at once his attention was attracted to a sound in the 

 distance, and, looking round, he observed the mother wild 

 cat coming after him. He rode on as hard as he could, but 

 the mother cat soon got alongside and sprang on the horse. 

 The situation was now so serious that the farmer, to save 

 himself, had to throw the kitten on to the road, where its 



