Stag-Hunting on Exmoor. By the Hon. J. Fortescno. (Chapman and
Hall.)—Mr. M. F. Bisset was Master of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds for more than a quarter of a century (he resigned the post in 1881). Daring that period he kept a record of sport. To extracts from this journal, Mr. Fortescue has added in this volume two chapters on the natural history of the red-deer, especially as regarded from the sportsman's point of view, and two more dealing directly with " The Chase of the Stag " and " The Chase of the Hind" respectively. Various related facts are given in the appendices. The present writer does not profess to have any acquaintance with the subject ; perhaps his testimony that he has found much pleasure in reading this volume will on this account be the more valuable. It is unquestionably written with considerable skill and taste. Wo must own, indeed, to being particularly interested in the touching account of the affectionate care which the hinds take of their young. Mr. Forteecue, indeed, gives it with a manifest interest, an interest which is not inconsistent with the sportsman's instinct, or anyhow can exist along with it. The conflict between the two feelings is well put on pp. 186-87. We judge, from what Mr. Forleecue tolls us, that the longevity of the stag is a fable.
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