46 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



around the castle ; the lids were lifted, and the birds found 

 their way out of their own accord. The actual rearing by- 

 hand was not so successful, but in 1841 favourable reports 

 were received of the successful hatching of eggs under grey 

 hens, principally in the woods of Drummond Hill. They 

 soon became firmly established, and about the year 1862 or 

 1863 the Marquis of Breadalbane estimated their numbers 

 on the estates at over 1000 birds, while the head gamekeeper, 

 James Guthrie, who tended the birds with the greatest 

 possible care, estimated them to reach over 2000. It is 

 greatly owing to the intelligent care bestowed upon them by 

 Mr. Lawrance Banvill and Mr. James Guthrie that this 

 perfect success had been attained. To Sir Thomas Powell 

 Buxton and to Mr. Lloyd thanks are in the first instance due, 

 but Messrs. Banvill and Guthrie, the Irish and Scotch 

 keepers, must not be forgotten for the active practical part 

 they took in the matter.^ 



About the same time that they were introduced at Tay- 

 mouth five hens and a cock were brought to Dunkeld House 

 for the then Duchess Dowager of Athole, but shortly after- 

 wards the cock bird killed himself, and the hens were sent 

 up to Taymouth.^ In 1843 a successful introduction was 

 effected in Arran from birds sent from Taymouth; supplemented 



^ Mr. Guthrie's ' ' only delight or pleasure was to look after the ' beasties 

 and birdies, puir things, ' for which he had a great affection ; but woe betide 

 the vermin. The affection and humanity was of a different kind for the ' dirty 

 vermin. ' I have seen him hang a wounded crow to die over a caged hen with 

 a brood of young pheasants, caressing the one, while to the other he was 

 absolutely cruel ; justifying the latter acts by the assertion that the one was 

 'vermin,' the others 'puir bonnie creaturs.' He came from Arbroath, when 

 quite young, to Tajrmouth, and I believe the shooting interest in Perthshire 

 owes his memory and zeal a debt, for he ' haated ' hawks, foxes, eagles, most 

 sincerely, and spent three nights a week for years on the hill." I am 

 indebted for the above 'memory' of an old friend, to one who knew him 

 intimately, and who accompanied him in many of his long tramps o'er heath 

 and hill and tangled knowe. 



^Another account says, "three birds in 1838." Yarrell — 'Brit. Birds.' 

 First Edition. 



