! 3 o 
British Deer and their Horns 
all the trophies dating from within the last fifty years. The average of Blair heads is very 
good, and remarkably so as no introductions have taken place there. One marked feature 
of the heads, in contrast to more northern heads, is the constancy of the <c bay ” tines, which 
are nearly always well developed. In the ball-room are the pick of the heads, amongst 
SHOT BY COLONEL HOLMES IN BRAEMORE FOREST, ROSS-SHIRE, 1 868 
la possession of Sir John Fowler. A head of remarkable shape. 
which are many grand examples of what Highland heads should really be ; but I doubt if 
there is one superior to the example figured (see p. 127). 
3. Braemore, Sir John Fowler’s beautiful home in Ross-shire, boasts, among a fair 
collection, a head which is probably better known than any other in the North. It is that 
of a stag which was famous at one time in the district for having been so frequently stalked 
in vain, till he eventually fell to the rifle of Colonel Holmes, Sir John’s brother-in-law. 
Its symmetry is almost ideal, its beam good, and span (though I have not the measurements) 
quite exceptional. In one feature alone does it slightly fall away—the brows not being 
particularly good and the <c bays ” being weak. There is little doubt that this grand stag 
had just passed its prime (see above). 
