H e a d s o f S t a g s k e p t u n d e r S e m i f e r a l C o n d i t i o n s .
In this category we may class Deer which, although enclosed, have a wide
range over moors, woods, or grassy uplands, where they live in a half wild state,
and grow antlers somewhat similar to those of wild Stags, but with the strength
of beam and length of inferior park Deer. This class will embrace the Stags of
Colebrooke (Ireland), Castle Wellan (Ireland), Drummond Castle (Scotland), and
the Isle of Arran. I have included Arran in this list because the Deer now found
there are the direct descendants of recently introduced English park Deer. Perhaps
the wood Stags of Beaufort and Drummond Hill (Taymouth) ought to be included.
Sir Douglas Brooke writes to me: ‘ As a rule the semiferal Stags are at their
best from ten to eleven years, though they may carry the largest number of tines
at nine years of age. A Stag that was “ master ” from one to twelve years old died
at the age of thirteen. His horns were as follows: ist pair (as usual); 2nd
pair, i i points; 3rd pair, 12 points; 4th pair, 12 points; 5th pair, 13 points,
weight 7 lb. 4 o z .; 6th pair, 14 points, weight 9 lb .; 7th pair, 14 points, weight
9 f lb.; 8th pair, 15 points, weight 10* lb.; 9th pair, 14 points, weight 11 lb.;
10th pair, 15 points, weight lb.; n th pair, 14 points, weight n f lb.;
12th pair, 15 points, weight I2| lb.
The series of horns grown by a Stag kept under semiferal conditions at Blair
Atholl are similar to the Colebrooke heads, so that I need give no further description
of them.
outside
Circum-
of beam
Winsididthe Spread Points Weight Locality < W r
4 2* - H | 6 + 6 22 St. 7 lb. Colebrooke Sir D. Brooke.
42 1 — 40 — 7 + 7 28 st. 6 lb. Arran Duke o f Hamilton.
41 6 23 — 19 23 st. 3 lb. Colebrooke Sir D. Brooke.
40 5* 8+8 25 s t 5 lb. Colebrooke Sir D. Brooke.
39i 5 i 26| — 7 + 7 26 st. 11 lb. Colebrooke Sir D. Brooke.
36 5* 25 ■ 33 7 + 7 — Drummond Castle Earl o f Ancaster.
3 4* 5* 32 6+ 6 — Drummond Castle Earl o f Ancaster.
1 The heaviest Stag ever killed in Anan, and shot by H. Padwick in September 1872. Length of brow point
22 inches. * ’