9G THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



Strath Don, where I li\ed previous to coming here, but the 

 attempt failed." 



I am particular in my record of this occurrence, because I 

 am inclined to look upon it as the commencement of a new 

 era in the liistory of the Capercaillie in Scotland, their future 

 line of advance, probably rushing up the gi'eat wooded valley 

 of the Dee as far as the pine woods reach — i.e. almost to the 

 base of the Ben Muich-Dhu, and thence — if we pursue them 

 farther — surmounting the confines of the valley, northvjarcl 

 into Strath Don and the north of Aberdeen, into Banff and 

 Inverness. I could even now point out the probable avenues 

 of advance out of Aberdeenshire, but it would be, perhaps, pre- 

 mature to do so until we see with what success they poj)ulate 

 the Dee valley. 



I am particular in recording this occurrence for another 

 reason also. I have failed to obtain evidence of the presence 

 of the bird in any other localities in the county besides those 

 mentioned, and I have received several negative returns, along 

 with the general statement in most cases, that it appears to be 

 almost unknown in the county. This is cm-ious, seeing that, 

 since the year 1865, they have been present at Stracathro, just 

 on the borders of Forfar and Kincardine. Thus, a distance of 

 some 18 or 20 miles as the crow flies, has l)een bridged over 

 (although at intermediate localities there is abundance of forest 

 growth to act as stepx^^ng -stones), and a watershed has been 

 crossed. This finds a parallel in the overflow from Glen 

 Dochart into Argyleshire {q. v.), l»ut it is diflicult to say which 

 instance is the more remarkable. 



In August or September 1878, one bird was shot near 

 Inchmarlo House, the only one ever seen there. The woods 

 are continuous and extensive between Bancliory and Inch- 

 marlo, and the wliole parisli of Banchory Ternan is almost 

 entirely covered with ]»ine woods, in every way suitable to 

 the successful restoration of the liirds to Deeside. 



