THE CAPERCAILLIE. 229 



Writing in 1794, the Eev. John Grant says: "The last seen in 

 Scotland was in the woods of Strathglass about thirty-two years 

 ago;" but the bird must then have been but a rare straggler, as is 

 evident from a note by the minister of Kiltarlity, written about 

 the same period, in which he says: "The Caperkaily, or king 

 of the wood, said to be a species of wild turkey, was formerly a 

 native of this parish, and bred in the woods of Strathglass; one of 

 these birds was killed about fifty or sixty years ago in the church- 

 yard of Kiltarlity," an ominous haunt, indeed, for the last of his 

 race. Besides these notices, mention is made of the species in the 

 statistical account of Urquhart and Glemoriston, and other parishes 

 all records agreeing in the fact of the bird being extremely rare 

 between the years 1745 and 1760, when it apparently became 

 extinct. 



The following is a copy of a letter written in 1617 by the royal 

 sportsman, mentioned in the account of the preceding species, to 

 the Earl of Tullibardine, ancestor of the Duke of Athole : 



" James R, 



"Eight trustie and right well beloved cosen and 

 counsellor. We greet you well. Albeit our knowledge of your 

 dutiful affection to the good of our service and your countrie's 

 credite, doeth sufficientlie persuade us that you will earnestlie 

 endeavour yourself to express the same be all meanes in your 

 power; yet there being some things in that behalf requisite, which 

 seem, notwithstanding of so meane moment, as in that regaird both 

 you and others might neglect the same, if our love and care of that, 

 our native kingdom, made Us not the more to trie their nature and 

 necessity, and accordingly to give order for preparation of every- 

 thing that may in any sort import the honour and credite thereof. 



two specimens both females were killed in Galloway: one in the neighbour- 

 hood of Newton-Stewart, the other at Auchencairn, Kirkcudbrightshire. 



Again, writing from Dunipace, in Stirlingshire, Mr Harvie Brown says: 

 " You will, I think, be glad to hear that the Capercaillie may now be considered 

 as fairly established in this part of the country. Last year several birds bred 

 in Torwood, and are now seen not only by the keepers but also by the gentle- 

 men who shoot over the covers. They are also not unfrequently seen in the 

 adjoining cover of Daleswood, both males and females. They are not, of course, 

 as yet in any numbers, but three or four are often seen together. They have 

 doubtless spread in this direction from Tullieallan through Dunmore, where a 

 nest of eggs was found some years ago, though not hatched on account of an 

 accident." 



