PREFACE 
Deer-stalkers hardly ever read a book on stalking, yet there is scarcely one 
who is not pleased to look at pictures of his favourite form of the chase 
and follow the adventures of a brother - sportsman. In order to avoid 
criticism it is usual to address one’s work to the veriest tyro , but that 
individual is now nearly extinct, and only to be found in the columns of 
the sporting papers where he writes about the deterioration of Scottish 
antlers. I therefore boldly address my work to experienced sportsmen 
and naturalists, though personally aware of its shortcomings. The genuine 
expert is ever the most kind in his criticism, well knowing the many 
difficulties which have to be overcome in representing the wild life as it 
really is. 
Not a single word that is new has been written about stalking since 
Mr. Grimble published his excellent work on the subject seven or eight 
years ago, though many have been over the same old threshed - out 
ground. At the same time, it has always struck me that there never 
has been a good standard work on British animals embracing the subject 
from every point of view. In the hope, therefore, of supplying a 
complete life - history of our three most interesting mammals have I 
undertaken this work, with special attention to the roe, an animal that 
has never received proper consideration at the hands of either sportsman 
or naturalist. 
The series of the best British deer heads has involved much labour 
and travelling ; for, with one or two exceptions, I have personally seen 
and measured all the heads that are figured or mentioned in the work ; 
so that I may claim that such a collection is here brought together 
