72 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



the birds at once.] Black game are now decreasing, " but not 

 on account of Capercaillies." 



1859. A male bird was sliot on the 5tli January 1859 in the 

 united covers on the four estates of Aucharroch, Ascreavie, 

 Kinchine, and Airlie, on which the wood is about two miles 

 long by three-quarter mile wide, and consists of spruce, pine, 

 and larch. "The birds shift, accordingly, as they are dis- 

 turbed." Probably arrived here from Bamff by Alyth, in 

 Perthshire. " Hens are most numerous." AucL Mr. Thomas 

 Phillips, twenty years gamekeeper at Ascreavie (32 miles to 

 34 miles from O ). 



1860. I have one record of the bird in Forfarshire as early 

 as 1860, but this must have been a thoroughly strayed bird, 

 to reach as far as Easter Ogle (43 miles from © ), in Glen Esk. 



A probable establishment took place at Airlie and 

 Ascreavie, as establishment is found to take place usually 

 immediately after the arrival of the male bird (see 1856 and 

 1859), 



1862. The birds do not appear to have become established 

 in south of Forfarsliire before 1862, when they arrived and 

 became resident at Fotheringham and Tealing (the properties 

 of W. Scott Elliott, Esq.) The direction of their advance 

 was probably from the N.E. spurs of the low-wooded range of 

 the Sidlaw liills, and from the flatter country lying between 

 these hills and the rivers Tay and Is] a, as we find dates of 

 nrrival and establishment in the adjoining parts of Perthshire, 

 as well as suitable country favouring tliis line. Fotheringham 

 and Tealing are respectively 38 miles and 39 miles from 

 Tay mouth O ; and there are about 2500 acres of suitable 

 wood upon the two estates. 



The same year an impulse was given by a successful 

 introduction at Cortachy by birds, where of late 16 liave 

 been seen in a day, and 8 shot. Not preserved. Increasing. 

 Black <iame decreasing. 



