CHAPTER XIV. 



EXTENSION IN KINCAKDINESHIKE. 



At present the only record I have of its occurrence in the 

 county is that of a hybrid, which was shot at Fetteresso on 

 26th October 1872 (' Scot Nat: 1873-74, vol. ii. p. 57 ; and 

 Mr. George Sim, in lit.) It is not easy to decide the source 

 of this hybrid, or whence came the Capercaillie which pro- 

 duced it. As far as I can learn at present, Stracathro is the 

 locality nearest to Kincardineshire where Capercaillies are 

 found (see Forfarshire, antea, p. 73). 



Since the above remarks under Kincardine and Aberdeen 

 were penned, I am glad to be able to record that birds have 

 occurred on Deeside, at the very spot where I anticipated they 

 would first make their appearance. 



In August 1878 three Capercaillies — one old hen and two 

 young — male and female — were shot in the pine woods on 

 Scoltie Hill, near Banchory, and not far from the junction of 

 the river Feugh — half of the waters of which come down the 

 wooded strath of Glen Dye — with the river Dee. Mr. Charles 

 Danford, who sends me the information, adds : " This is the 

 first time I have heard of them in this district ; " and I have 

 a negative return from the estates of Durris, lower down the 

 Dee, in wliich my correspondent — Mr. C. M'Hardy, forester 

 at Durris — states : " We have none of them in the north that 

 I am aware of. ... I am aware of their having been tried in 



