96 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



Stratli Don, where I lived previous to coming here, hut the 

 attempt failed." 



I am particular in my record of this occurrence, because I 

 am inclined to look upon it as the commencement of a new- 

 era in the history of the Capercaillie in Scotland, their future 

 line of advance, probably rushing up the great wooded valley 

 of the Dee as far as the pme woods reach — i.e. almost to the 

 base of the Ben Muich-Dhu, and thence — if we pursue them 

 farther — surmounting the confines of the valley, northivard 

 into Strath Don and the north of Aberdeen, into Banff and 

 Inverness. I could even now point out the probable avenues 

 of advance out of Aberdeenshire, but it would be, perhaps, pre- 

 mature to do so until we see with what success they populate 

 the Dee valley. 



I am particular in recording this occurrence for another 

 reason also. I have failed to obtain evidence of the presence 

 of the bird in any other localities in the county besides those 

 mentioned, and I have received several negative returns, along 

 with the general statement in most cases, that it appears to be 

 almost unknown in the county. This is curious, seeing that, 

 since the year 1865, they have been present at Stracathro, just 

 on the borders of Forfar and Kincardine. Thus, a distance of 

 some 18 or 20 miles as the crow flies, has been bridged over 

 (although at intermediate localities there is abundance of forest 

 growth to act as stepping-stones), and a watershed has been 

 crossed. This finds a parallel in the overflow from Glen 

 Dochart into Argyleshire {q. v.), but it is difficult to say which 

 instance is the more remarkable. 



In August or September 1878, one bird was shot near 

 Inchmarlo House, the only one ever seen there. The woods 

 are continuous and extensive between Banchory and Inch- 

 marlo, and the whole parish of Banchory Ternan is almost 

 entirely covered with pine woods, in every way suitable to 

 the successful restoration of the birds to Deeside. 



