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A TRIP TO PILAWIN


[Illustration: A FOREST SCENE.]




  A
  TRIP TO PILAWIN

  THE DEER-PARK OF
  COUNT JOSEPH POTOCKI IN VOLHYNIA
  RUSSIA

  BY
  R. LYDEKKER


  LONDON
  ROWLAND WARD, LIMITED
  “THE JUNGLE,” 167 PICCADILLY, W.
  1908

  _All rights reserved_




PREFACE


When founding the Pilawin preserve in 1901 my intention was limited
to the breeding of elk, which still have their native haunts not very
far away to the north, but have for many years ceased to inhabit these
forests. No one, to my knowledge, has hitherto attempted to naturalise
these splendid deer in enclosed parks; but the fact that Pilawin forms
a part of their original habitat induced me to try the experiment,
which has thus far proved an unqualified success. The first big game
introduced in Pilawin were thus elk; but soon after their introduction
I had the opportunity when in England of visiting the famous park of
the Duke of Bedford at Woburn, and the wonders there seen enlarged
my ideas with regard to Pilawin. Without any thought of rivalling
the marvels of Woburn, I accordingly decided to add to the Pilawin
park such of the deer of North America and Asia as appeared likely to
thrive in Russia. Consequently I lost no time in