io6 British Deer and their Horns 
though no doubt numerous, are seldom brought to light. I have seen good specimens in 
Brawl Castle, Caithness (before the collection was dispersed), found in the sands on the 
north-west coast. In Methven Castle there are two somewhat broken heads of great size 
and thickness, the top branches being thicker than any English specimens I have seen. They 
were found recently in Methven Moss, near Perth. A head, of which I have a sketch, was 
lately found at Kinloch-Moidart, with a span between the cups of 47^ inches. It is very 
curious to notice the difference in the form and type of these ancient Scotch antlers and those 
of the present day. They are as a rule immensely thick, palmated towards the top, and not 
of good span, though there are exceptions. This form of horn-growth goes far to show that 
at the time when these great deer lived, Scotland must have been one great forest of trees. 
In the Irish heads recovered from the peat bogs we see the finest type of horn-growth 
thrown out by any red deer, past or present, in our islands. They are seldom great heads, 
but their symmetry is undeniable. The brows, bays, and trays are always perfectly formed 
and beautifully curved. The tops, though sometimes throwing out as many as 7 or 8 points 
on each crown, are remarkable for their elegance and the absence of clumsy palmation. These 
fine heads are common, and good specimens are to be seen in nearly every collection in this 
country, public or private. 
HEAD OF THE GREAT WARNHAM STAG, BORN l88o, SHOT I 894, SHOWING SERIES OF DROPPED ANTLERS 
1888, 29 points. 1892, 47 points. i8 8 9 , 34 points. 
1890, 34 points. !8 94, 45 points. ,891, 37 points. 
1893, 45 points. 
The numbers beneath the horns denote their weight in pounds. 1893 Measurements—length, 34 in. ; span (about) 48 in. ; beam, 6^ in.; 
19 in. across the cup. 
