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British Deer and their Horns 
measurement of 4-^ inches. The heads of bucks south of Blair-Athole will be found to be 
somewhat longer than those of the North country, but they are generally placed closer 
together, and are not of such good shape. Southern Scotch roe too frequently have horns 
of unequal size. The very best Scotch heads are generally about 9-^ inches, and it is rare 
to find one that exceeds this measurement and is of good shape and strong throughout. 
One would expect to find that the Dorsetshire roe were superior in head to the Scotch 
ones, but such is not the case ; their average is much the same, and I have never seen 
a first-rate head from there. The best I know of is one in velvet, owned by Mr. J. E. 
THREE BEST HEADS 
Sir Henry Gore Booth’s collection, Lissadell, Sligo, Ireland. 
Harting ; it was accidentally killed when that gentleman was catching the roe for Epping 
Forest, length 9^ inches, and it is what one would call a good head and no more. 
In Milton Abbey, near Temple Combe, are said to be some good examples. The 
Hon. Gerald Lascelles kindly sends me the measurements of a really good New Forest 
roe, which compares well with the best Scotch : length, 9^ ; extreme width, 7} inches 
(this is extraordinary) ; circumference of beam above burr, 3^ inches ; length of brow, 
3 inches. The soil in the New Forest is poor, but there is good feeding for roe, and 
immense quantities of holly, on which all deer like to browse in winter. 
Without doubt the most remarkable roe heads grown in the British Islands within 
historic times are those now frequenting the Lissadell woods in the county of Sligo, Ireland. 
Though only a recent introduction to these parts, the condition of the soil, 1 climate, and 
1 Lissadell is on a limestone formation. 
