54 DEER. Class I. 



warrant of Edward III. ordering sixty deer to 

 be killed for that purpose. 



The stag and buck agree in their nature; but 

 the latter being more tender is easier tamed, 

 and made familiar. They scarcely ever herd 

 together. The stag is become less common, 

 than it was formerly; its excessive vitious- 

 ness during the rutting season, and the badness 

 of its flesh, induce most people to part with the 

 species. Stags are still found wild in the high- 

 lands of Scotland, in herds of four or five hun- 

 dred together, ranging at fall liberty over the 

 vast hills of the north. Some grow to a great 

 size : when I was at Invercaidd Mr. Farquhar- 

 son assured me that he knew an instance of 

 one that weighed eighteen stone Scots, or three 

 hundred and fourteen pounds, exclusive of the 

 entrails, head and skin. Formerly the great 

 highland chieftains used to hunt with the mag- 

 nificence of an eastern monarch, assembling 

 four or five thousand of their clan, who drove 

 the deer into the toils, or to the station their 

 lairds had placed themselves in; but as this 

 pretence was frequently used by them to collect 

 their vassals for rebellious purposes, an act was 

 passed prohibiting any assemblies of this nature. 

 Stags are likewise met with on the moors that 



