( A PERCAILLIE.
TETRAO UROGALLUS.
TUB few remarks I give concerning the last survivors or our native Capercnillie* and the introductinn of
foreigners rrnm \oru.aj ami Sweden, witli the reports as to how they flourished in their new quarters,
are taken from 'The Capercaillie in Scotlaud,' a work lately written by Mr. J. A. Uame.Brown, which
contains an immense amount of valuable information concerning this species.
The final extinction of the original stock of this siiecies may lie considered to have taken place aluut
the year 1700. There have been, however, several other records of a considerably later date that are
supposed to be properly authenticated. While engaged in making observations In the. Highlands, in
Strath Glass and the adjoining glens in Iuverness-shire, a few years back, I found the keepers asserted
that Ibis district had beeu the last stronghold of the native breed of the Capercaillie". The. cause of
their disappearance is somewhat strange when all things are considered; immense lir-woods cover the
slopes of most of the rugged bills in this locality, which appears in every respect suitable to supply all
their requirements as to food and shelter, and render tlieni almost entirely free from persecution. Possibly
the birds could not procure their proper food among these stupendous pines, as [ remarked in the woods
ou Logierait Hill, in Perthshire, that they appeared to prefer the young Scoteh-llr trees, of about eight
or ten feet in height, ulf which they nibbled the topmost shoots and put an end to all chance of further
growth. There is one question res|ieeting this specie* to he considered which may not strike those who
have not thoroughly examined their haunls. Did the birds in former days consume or destroy all the
young sprouting shoots of the small-growing trees on which they fed and Iheu perish from want of
sustenance, or were the owners of the forests exasperated on detecting the tops of their young lir trees
that were progressing favourably toru to pieces and ruined, and then attempted to mend matters by
making a general clearance of the depredators P
As to the restoration of the Uapereaillie in this country it is stated that lietween 1S37 and 1-30
numbers were brought from Sweden ami turned out about Tayiuoutb and n few near Dunkehl. In 1888 the
birds in the woods on the Taymouth estate were estimated to be nearly two thousand in number j they
increased rapidly all along the valley of the Toy as far as Dunkehl, where the nature of the country
was most suitable to their habit-—the proprietors on whose estates they had been turned out (the Duke
of Alhol and Lord Hreadalhane) having had immense quantities of larch, Scotch llr, anil spruce planted
* Snee* riling Ibc alwve, I tumid 1u> ihr Ivl popr in 'The I'ujM-rcillu' in •MTTWT' and fuund I lie f<,tl»u inp in I ho Apptn.Iii | R|ft I'.-UT,
lard Uintl fitter at BerniK. inform mi' tlrnt 'one of the old IUUTC breed of (HFNSM no. trapped .t Slruj (?>, about 5» or 60 yean ago-
Noiu.hnTo btiin MM sinco I tint till*'.' l"hi» dale would bo jd.md at from 18111 to ISi1>. 1 wrulu for further purlieolara mid mure ciu,l d.iUs,
liul MM Ml M M any «f to the Ms "f K"ii>£ I" pi™.™ Thi. « w lo corroborate loo of the *M)M1 u rtlausl lo nrwlf.
ltr. lMll> llHI ..[•:»•!:> doubtful i- lo the IWMMK of Stray, wnich. h »il«.ili-.l Mi to Eicliku QMM, at the onli.inco to Slralh OfcM,
in Iuvenicso-nhiri', ill the YU'llllll of Htiii'h I M.Hi' • i (I •.- :i . ••ll.tli'l .mil .il... 1» en in ciuiiuiiii. .il. .ii nil!, -I VI-I.U I 1 111.' i..