398 SI PPLEMENTAEY NOTES, BY SIH WM. JAEDINE. 



The Capercailzie. — Letter VI., page 27, note %. 



Since the date of the above referred- to note, the capercailzie, or wood- 

 grouse, has been I'e -introduced iuto the Highlands of Scotland, by the 

 exertions of the Earl of Fife, and more lately by Lord Breadalbane. A 

 few years since, they had increased considerably in the woods around 

 Taymouth, and had even strayed and bred in some adjoining properties. 



Several of the American partridges might be introduced, as well as tlie 

 little Virginian ortyx mentioned. They are a much more numerous 

 group than was supposed at the date of the note, no less than thirty-five 

 species being now described and figured in the beautiful monograph just 

 completed by Mr. Gould. Several are from northern climates, and 

 would in all probability succeed with us. 



Deer-stealing. — Letter VII., page 29, note. 



The following notice, bearing on this subject, appeared in a late 

 number of the " Times " newspaper : — 



" Official Announcements. — The Solicitors of the * Woods and 

 Forests ' have received instructions to give the necessary Parliamentary 

 notices preparatory to the introduction of a bill to extinguish the right 

 of the Crown to stock the New Forest in Hampshire with deer and 

 other wild beasts of the forest, and to empower Her Majesty to inclose 

 the sevei'al portions of the said forest." 



Marsh Plants. — Letter VIII., pa^/e 32. 



Mr. Bennet tells us that Bin's-pond is now " drained, and cattle graze 

 upon its bed." The plants, therefore, alluded to, and mentioned more 

 particularly in Letter LXXXIV. of present edition, or XLI. part 2, of 

 other editions, will not now be found. Increase of population, cultiva- 

 tion, modern improvements, Railways, Commons' Inclosure Acts, Drain- 

 age Acts, &c. &c., have made sad changes in the localities — extirpation 

 and introduction of both animal and vegetable life. White's letters are, 

 therefore, very valuable records of what did exist ; and the changes 

 which have taken place can now only be marked by one resident on the 

 spot ; but however interesting Mr. Bennet's remarks are on these points, 

 they can only be partial from the limited time he had to spai-e in the 

 locality, while preparing his edition for the press. In our own vicinity 

 we have seen these changes most marked, and surely pi'ogi'essing. The 

 habitat of many rai-e rauir or marsh plants exists only in recollection or 

 in manusci-ipt. Many birds frequenting unenclosed sub-alpine lands, 

 have gone to seek haunts less intruded on — (are White's stone-curlews 

 as abundant as formerly ?) — while from the increase of plantations, 

 a few which did not visit us thii'ty years since, are now frequent. 

 Cultivation is an enemy to various wild birds not included in the list of 

 game. In Dumfriesshire, associations have been formed for the destruc- 

 tion of rooks, and committees appointed to take charge of districts 

 There is another in Forfarshire, and fourteen thousand young crows* 



