INTEODUCTION. Xlll 



but I cannot neglect to record my special thanks to a few 

 who have apparently spared no trouble in assisting to gather 

 materials, often from comparatively large areas, thus saving 

 me an infinitude of time and labour, and a vast amount of 

 personal investigation. I am also indebted to many others 

 for assistance in the searches through old books in tracing the 

 early history of the species in Scotland, and to several Gaelic 

 scholars for assistance as regards the origin and etymology of 

 the word " Capercaillie." 



To Sir Eobert Menzies, Bart., I am obliged for some 

 interesting notes of the earlier movements of the birds at 

 Tay mouth, and for other information. Colonel Drummond 

 Hay of Seggieden ; Sir Thomas Moncrieffe, Bart. ; C. T. 

 C. Grant, Esq. of Kilgraston ; Dr. Macintosh of Murthly ; 

 Mr. E. Baton of Berth; and Mr. R Anderson, Dunkeld, 

 have greatly assisted me in their various districts. James 

 Haldane, Esq. of Cloanden, A, Burn -Murdoch, Esq., and 

 J. Buchanan Hamilton, Esq. of Leny, have also collected 

 materials for me between Berth and Callander. J. J. Dal- 

 gleish, Esq. of West Grange, has assisted me in the south of 

 Berthshire; James Stirling, Esq. of Garden, and others, in 

 the south-west; Mr. Dayton of Lochearnhead Hotel, and 

 David Carnegie, Esq. of Stronvar, in the west and in Glen 

 Dochart. My friend, W. Horn, Esq., has collected statistics 

 from various parts of the Tay Valley, and also from other 

 counties. Besides the above there are many others, repre- 

 senting over 150 estates in Berthshire alone, from whom I 

 have received returned and filled circulars. To all I desire 

 to express my best thanks. 



In Forfarshire I am indebted to various correspondents. 

 Especially I should mention W. Scott-Elliott, Esq. of Bother- 



