GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER'S RESUSCITATION 213 



records is found east of Perthshire ; and so far as I have 

 ascertained from several correspondents who are capable 

 observers, summer records are almost, if not quite absent, 

 until, in 1904, one pair of birds was reported to have re- 

 mained all summer in Drumtochty Glen, near Auchenblae, 

 which lies right up to the eastern spurs of the Grampians. 



It will be perhaps remembered that I ventured to prophesy 

 that Capercaillie would reach into Dee — through the low 

 passes across this eastern spur or ridge, and descend by 

 Glen Dye valley, and so down the Feugh Water to 

 Banchory, Dee, — which they eventually did. It is reason- 

 able here again to predict that the Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 

 when they do penetrate farther north — if they do — will 

 follow the self-same route. 



But, when we consider the absolute absence, or great 

 scarcity of summer records, as yet, through Forfarshire, and 

 also find a solitary pair right away up in the north-east 

 corner of Kincardine, this gives us pause. 



The question appears to arise — Will these birds eventually 

 push up and across into Dee ; or will Dee be populated by 

 an independent influx from oversea ; or will there be a double 

 influence exerted in such population of the old haunts in 

 Dee and in MORAY ? It will be interesting to watch for 

 what may happen. 



Or again — Will these birds finally face the open moors 

 across the lower watershed at Drumouchter and Dahvhinnie, 

 and so go down the Truim Water to Spey, after the areas 

 south of the Grampians become congested, and all the avail- 

 able wooded and suitable areas be taken up as far as the 

 older timber growth reaches — or say to Blair Athole, and 

 perhaps to Struan ? Many new plantations are springing 

 up along the route of the Highland Railway, but it will 

 be long before these are of an age suitable to the bird's 

 requirements. Another (unlikely) pass is up Glen Tilt to 

 Dee. 



There is much ground also to fill up both along the 

 Tummel and Garry, and the Tay and Loch Tay, Glen 

 Lyon and Taymouth, etc. whether the main advance be via 

 the junction of Tay and Tummel at Ballinluig, or (which 

 may participate also) via the Pass of Leny from Callander, 



