CHAPTER XXL 



ON THE INCKEASE OF CAPERCAILLIES. 



My circular contained several queries, specially bearing upon 

 tliis part of the subject {vide circular, p. 54, queries 9th to 

 13th). From the answers received, I have put together the 

 following statistics, as they may be useful for future com- 

 parisons. 



Perhaps the districts where the Capercaillie is most 

 abundant at present are as follows : — The Tay Valley from 

 Taymouth to Perth, and the districts between Perth, Crielf, 

 and Comrie, in Perthshire ; Strathmore, in Forfarshire ; Tulli- 

 allan, in south of Perthshire ; Saucliie, in Stirlingshire ; and 

 Arran. 



The greatest number I have heard of killed in one day 

 was 36 at Ladyivell plantation, Pitnacree, near Dunkeld, in 

 1865. This is part of the Athole estates, upon which are at 

 least 10,000 acres of suitable woods. At Bamff, in the east 

 of Perthshire, 25 were shot one day in 1877 — area 2000 

 acres. At Dunkeld 23 were shot one day (vide ' Game-Book' 

 belonging to Mr. Small of Dir-na-Nean). At Fowhs Wester 

 12 were shot one day in October 1859 ; here the woods are 

 extensive, as they join with Abercairney, Gorthy, Tulchan, 

 and neighbouring properties. At Methven 14 were shot one 

 day — 300 acres. In Keillor wood, Methven, as I am informed 

 by Mr. D. Brown, he once saw 17 cocks killed in one day. 



