HISTORY OF THE SPECIES IN SCOTLAND. 17 



1617. In a letter written by King James VI. to the Earl 

 of Tullibardine, ancestor of the Duke of Athole, in 1617, 

 " Capercaillies " are mentioned. As the passage is interesting, 

 we give it in full : — " James, Eight trustie and right well- 

 beloved cosen and counsellor. We greet thee well. Albeit our 

 knowledge of your dutiful affection to the good of our service 

 and your countrie's credite doeth sufficientlie persuade us 

 that you will earnestlie endeavour yourself to express the 

 same be all means in your power; yet there being some 

 things in that behalf requisite, which seem notwithstanding 

 of so meane moment as in that regaird, both you and others 

 might neglect the same, if our love and care of that our native 

 kingdom made Us not the more to trie their nature and 

 necessity, and accordingly to give order for preparation of 

 every thing that may in any sort import the honour and 

 credite thereof. Which consideration, and the known com- 

 moditie yee have to provide, Capercallies and termigantis, have 

 moved us very earnestlie to request you to employ both your 

 oune paines and the travelles of your friendis for provision of 

 each kind of the saidis foules, to be now and then sent to us 

 be way of present, be means of our deputy-tresaurer ; and so 

 as the first sent thereof may meet us on the 19 th of April at 

 Durham, and the rest as we shall happen to meet and ran- 

 counter them in other places on our way from thence to 

 Berwick. The raritie of these foules will both make their 

 estimation the more pretious, and confirm the good opinion 

 conceaved of the good cheare to be had there. For which 

 respectis, not doubting but that yee will so much the more 

 earnestlie endeavour yourself to give us good satisfaction 

 anent the premises, as yee will do us acceptable service. We 

 bid you farewell.— At Whitehall the 14th Marche 1617." 

 (* Old Stat Acct of Scotland' xx. 473. See also under Parish 

 of Dowally, farther on, p. 25.) 



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