XXII 
THE DEER 
201 
relative difference between the wapiti and the 
German stags as between the latter and those 
of Scotland. 
Many years ago, through the kindness of the 
late Duke of Athole, I had an intimate experi¬ 
ence of the Athole forest, which at that time was 
much overstocked with deer. The consequence 
was that they lacked size, and it was rare to 
kill a hart in condition, above 15 stone; 16 
was considered much above the average, and 
very few of that weight were killed during the 
season. The horns were small in due proportion. 
The deer were so numerous in those days that 
the ground was foul from their great numbers, 
and I have seen upwards of a thousand together 
in one drive upon the hillside above Glen Tilt. 
At one time Her Majesty and the late Prince 
Consort were staying at Blair Castle, and the 
wind being favourable, several thousand deer 
were driven successfully to the desired spot, upon 
the hill - face opposite Ben - y - Gloe. Such an 
assemblage of wild animals could not have been 
seen in any other part of Scotland, but during 
winter the food for so vast a number was 
insufficient, and the deer upon that forest have 
dwindled through overstocking. 
At Dunrobin, much farther north, the deer are 
larger, especially those which occupy the woods 
at the foot of the hills. Twenty years ago, when, 
a guest of his Grace the Duke of Sutherland, 
enjoying some deer-stalking upon the hills, I was 
