CHAPTER VIII. 



EXTENSION IN FORFARSHIRE. 



This county ranks next to Perthshire in its Capercaillie 

 population, and, notwithstanding that the proprietors look 

 upon the Capercaillie as rather a mischievous bird, it has 

 succeeded in gaining good foot-hold. They are not, however, 

 preserved in Forfar to the same extent as in Perthshire, and 

 on several estates they are killed at all opportunities. I still 

 require, I believe, further data from the northern parts of 

 Forfar, especially Glens Clova, Prosen, Upper Isla, and North 

 Esk.^ Avenues of advance into Aberdeensliire may occur in 

 Glens Clova and North Esk, but on this head I will speak later. 

 1856. The earliest appearance of the birds in Forfarshire 

 appears to have been in 1856. Arrived at Lindertis, near 

 Kirriemuir (about 35 miles from O ). Ptesident. In 1868 

 six brace were shot one day. There are 800 acres of Scots 

 fir and blaeberry. " The cover in which we mostly find 

 them is about 45 years of age." They do not increase here, 

 being too much disturbed ; and being close to some of Lord 

 Airlie's large wooded liills, the birds go there, where they are 

 not disturbed. " There are about the same number as on 

 arrival." [This points to an emigration of a large body of 



1 The farthest north they go in Forfarshire is to Shelgreen and Benscreavie 

 woods, about ten miles north of Kirriemuir. At Glenhead, twelve miles north 

 of Alyth, they have also appeared, but orders have been given to shoot them 

 down " on account of their destructiveness to black game." 



