RECORDS OF STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. By Hon. John Fortescue.

1877 1st edition. 8vo (148 x 212mm). Ppxii,287. Illustrated with b/w plates by Edgar Giberne, folding map. Green cloth, gilt stag and titles to upper board, spine titled in gilt with gilt antlers motif.

"The source from whence the material for this present volume is mainly drawn in the record of the sport kept from day to day by the late Mr. M.F. Bisset, Master of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds from 1855 to 1881. On his decease this journal came, by bequest, to Lord Ebrington, the present master; and, in deference to the wish of many old staghunters that some portion of it should be made public, it was then suggested that extracts from it should subjoined to a new edition of Dr. C.P. Collyn's once well-known book, 'The Chase of the Wild Red Deer.' This, however, was found to be impracticable, and Dr. Collyn's book being now somewhat rare, it was thought best that the ground gone over by him should be traversed anew, and that extracts from Mr. Bisset's record should be added, according to precedent, in the form of an Appendix. The task of carrying this decision into effect devolved upon the present writer, by no means from any claims of his superior authority on the subject, but because lack of leisure in some cases and the private nature of the journal in others forbade its entrustment to men more competent than himself. The thirteen large and closely written books of the journal have accordingly been sifted, other records both in print and in manuscript examined, oral information gathered and duly noted; and the whole, together with a small modicum of personal experience and observation, wrought up into the present volume." Chapters include:- The domain of the red deer; The forest of Exmoor; The old times; The new times, 1825-1861; The new times, 1861-1871; The new times, 1871-1881; The new times, 1881-1885; Stag, hind, and calf; Harbouring and tufting; The chase of the stag; The chase of the hind. Appendices include:- Record of the most notable chases from 1855-1885; A tabulated history of the North Devon and Devon and Somerset Staghounds; A list of the ear-marked stags killed between 1855 and 1885.