the term itself is in use amongst the Scotch deerstalkers in the
neighbourhood of Loch Lomond.

"Ox-deer, or 'heaviers,' as the foresters call them (most
likely a corruption from the French 'hiver'), are wilder than
either hart or hind. They often take post upon a height, that
gives a look-out all round, which makes them very difficult
to stalk. Although not so good when December is past, still
they are in season all the winter; hence their French
designation."--_Colquhoun's Rocks and Rivers_, p. 137.
(London, 8vo. 1849.)

C.I.R.


_Havior_.--Without offering an opinion as to the relative probability
of the etymology of this word, offered by your various correspondents
(No. 17. p. 269.), I think it right that the use of the word in
Scotland should not be overlooked.

In Jamieson's admirable _Dictionary_, the following varieties of
spelling and meaning (all evidently of the same word) occur:--

"_Aver_ or _Aiver_, a horse used for labour; commonly an old
horse; as in Burns--

"'Yet aft a ragged cowte's been kenn'd To mak a noble
_aiver_.'

"'This man wyl not obey.... Nochtheles I sall gar hym draw lik