APPENDIX. 327 



essay on "The Squirrel in Scotland," as in that essay the subject, we 

 believe, is pretty well thrashed out. 



"The Squirrel reappeared in the county of Sutherland in 1859 at 

 Clashmore, on the authority of Mr. Thos. Mackenzie (vide Proc. Nat. 

 Hist. Soc. Glasg., vol. iii. p. 229 ; also Scottish Naturalist, vol. i. p. 82), 

 and he believes that the first Squirrels entered the county across 

 Bonar Bridge. It was not, however, until after the railway bridge was 

 built at Invershin, in 1869, that Squirrels became plentiful in the east 

 of Sutherland." Since then they have increased largely, and are now 

 firmly established again in the east of the county. From Dunrobin 

 we have the following returns of Squirrels killed between 1873 and 

 1880, which admirably shows the rapidity with which the species 

 increases. In 1873, 2 were killed ; in 1875, 75 ; in 1876, 47 ; in 1877, 12 ; 

 in 1878, 284 ; in 1879, 332 ; in 1880, 190 ; total in seven years, 942. 



Wood Mouse MILS sylvaticus L. 



We have only once observed this species in a birch-wood on the side of 

 Loch Shin, but Selby mentions it as common as long ago as 1834, and 

 it is common in the east of the county. 



House Mouse Mus musculus L. 

 Common. 



Brown Eat Mus decumanus (Pallas). 



Abundant, but for the most part confined to the coast districts, though 

 occasionally found at some inland localities ; abundant on many islands 

 off the coast, but quite absent from others. Handa is infested with 

 them, and there is evidence also of their presence on the Badcall 

 Islands. "We found no trace of them on Bulgie Island, nor on Garbh 

 Island. 



Black Rat M. rattus L. 



The only occurrence we are able to record is of a single specimen shot 

 two miles west of Golspie in 1879, about a mile from the nearest 

 houses, which would therefore be the seaport of the Ferry. Unfor- 

 tunately, it was too far gone for preservation for the Museum. We 

 liave innumerable records of varying value of the Black Rat from 

 oiany parts of Scotland, the above being the only one from Sutherland. 

 As the black water-vole is very common, it can hardly have been con- 

 :bunded in this case, as the reporter is a particularly intelligent man. 



Wa;er Vole Arvicola amphibius L. 



Abundant both on the rapid clear limestone rivers of Assynt and the 

 more sluggish streams. The black variety is, in our opinion, more 

 abundant than the brown in the west, and is at least equally common 

 in the east, where it haunts every burn, except those that are too 

 rocky. This interesting species appears to thrive well amongst the 

 rocky limestone formation, finding ready shelter in the innumerable 

 cracks and passages through the rock, but we have not met with it in 

 the very rocky burns of other formations. Mr. Ben. N. Peach ob- 

 served it commonly in Durness the black variety, which is also found 

 in Caithness. They are common also in Strath Shinary, through which 

 the river Shinary flows into Loch Sandwood. The common Vole is 

 easily tamed, and makes a cleanly and interesting pet. 



Common Field Vole Arvicola agrestis L. 



Common. We have seen it often in the limestone district, and occa- 

 sionally in the caverns of the limestone rock, where we once came 

 across a large store of food, which must have lasted past the winter 

 months. The owner -scuttled out from its midst near the back of the 

 largest cave, narrowly escaping capture. Also common in the east of 



