The Scottish Naturalist. 291 



antiquaries to it, so that perhaps, some day, we may obtain a 

 correct reading of the hieroglyphics. An excellent representa- 

 tion of this obelisk is given in ' The Antiquities and Scenery of 

 the North of Scotland,' by Rev. Charles Cordiner, 1780, p. 65. 



Perhaps some Ross-shire antiquarian may be inclined to inves- 

 tigate this carefully, if it has not already been done. There 

 are a number of other animals depicted, as men and horses, a 

 bull, &c. 



Chap. iv. p. 20. — Former occurrence in Wales. 



My comment upon the passage referring to the Capercaillie 

 in Wales, immediately following the said passage, may mislead. 

 The fact of the Capercaillie being mentioned as " still an inhabi- 

 tant of Norway and Sweden," and also " of some parts of 

 Wales," is against my supposition that Red Grouse was meant, as 

 the latter species, as is well known, is not indigenous to the 

 Scandinavian peninsula. But, though formerly an inhabitant of 

 Wales, it is extremely improbable that the Capercaillie was " still 

 an inhabitant" in 1793 — the date of the translation. 



Chap. iv. p. 26. — Occurrence prior to Extinction (?) in Kinross. 



From a correspondence I have had with my friend Mr Chris- 

 topher Johnston, it would appear that a female Capercaillie was 

 shot in Kinross by Mr Young — a member of the Cleish family, 

 who was a keen sportsman — in the autumn of 1833. Mr Young 

 fancied he saw another of the same species, and went after it for 

 some days, but failed to secure it. Mr Johnston is assured that 

 there can be no doubt whatever as to the species, for there was 

 a great talk about it at the time in the district, and numbers 

 came to see it, including an old schoolmaster still alive, who, 

 Mr Johnston believes, has seen specimens since their reintro- 

 duction. The date is well fixed, because Mr Young, who was a 

 West India merchant, sailed for Demerara the following year, 

 and did not return. The bird was shown upon the dining-room 

 table for several days, for the inspection of all comers. It was 

 the size of a moderate-sized Turkey." 



This specimen I believe to have wandered from some of the 

 centres of attempted restoration previously mentioned, or to 

 have been an escaped bird. Being probably accompanied by 

 another makes the former hypothesis the more tenable. 



