72 THE CAPERCAILLTE. 



the birds at once.] I>lack game are now decreasing, " but not 

 on account of Capercaillies." 



1859. A male bird was shot on the 5th January 1859 in the 

 united covers on the four estates of Aucharroch, Ascreavie, 

 Kinchinc, and Airlic, on wliicli the wood is about two miles 

 long by tliree-(iuarter mde wide, and consists of spruce, pine, 

 and larch. "The bii'ds shift, accordingly, as they are dis- 

 turbed." Probably arrived here from Bamff by Alyth, in 

 l*erthshire. " Hens are most numerous." Auct. Mr. Thomas 

 riiillips, twenty years gamekeeper at Ascreavie (32 miles to 

 34 mdes from Q ). 



1860. I have one record of the bird in Forfarshire as early 

 as 18G0, but this must have been a thorouglily strayed bird, 

 to reach as far as Easter Ogle (43 miles from O )> i^^ Glen Esk. 



A probable establishment took place at Airlie and 

 Ascreavie, as establishment is found to take place usually 

 immediately after tlic arrival of the male bird (see 1856 and 

 1859). 



1862. The birds do not appear to have become established 

 in south of Forfarshire before 1802, when they arrived and 

 became resident at Fotheringham and Tealing (the properties 

 of W. Scott Elliott, Esq.) The direction of their advance 

 was probably from tlie N.E. spurs of tlie low-wooded range of 

 tlie Sidlaw liills, and from tlie flatter country lying between 

 these hills and the rivers Tay and Isla, as we find dates of 

 arrival and establishment in the adjoining parts of Perthshire, 

 as well as suitable country favouring this line. Fotheringham 

 and Tealing iuv. rcsjx'ctively 38 iniles and 39 miles frnni 

 Taymouth O ; 'i"*^ there are alxnit 2500 acres ol' suilabh; 

 wofxl u])on the two estates. 



The same year an impulse was given by a successful 

 inlnjduction at Cortadiy by birds, where of late !<') have 

 been seen in a day, and 8 shot. Not preserved. Increasing. 

 Black game decreasing. 



