CHAPTER IV. 



HISTORY OF THE SPECIES IN SCOTLAND PRIOR TO EXTINCTION ; 

 AND CAUSES OF EXTINCTION. 



OF the occurrence of the Capercaillie in earlier historic times, 

 and prior to the extinction of the species in Scotland, there 

 is not much to relate which has not before been quoted by 

 authors ; but it may be desirable to place on record in a 

 connected and, as far as possible, a chronological form, 

 the more important notices. 



1526. Hector Boetius first makes mention of the species 

 ('Hist. Scotorum. Scot. Regn. Descript.', fol. xii. 47 ; and Bellen- 

 den's Translation, 1553). 1 To preserve the continuity of 

 our account, I give it here in full. (It has been quoted 

 before often. See MacGillivray ; 'Hist, of Brit. Birds!) 



" Avium raptu viventium. Aquilse sunt, Falcones, Acci- 

 pitres, et id genus alise. Cseterum Aquatilium tarn varius 

 ingensque est numerus, ut pro miraculo notari haud ridiculum 

 est. Sed medii inter eas qusedam generis praeter csetera re- 

 periuntur aliis regionibus incognita. Unum magnitudine 

 corvum paulo superans Auercalze, i. silvestris equi apelati, 

 solius pinus arboris extremis flagellis victitantes." He then 

 treats of Eed Grouse and Black Game, with scarcely so much 



1 A later edition is ' ' Scotorum Historise a prima gentis origine cum aliarum 

 et rerum et gentium illustratione non vulgari, Libri xix. Accessit huic edi- 

 tione continuatio, per Joannem Ferrerium. Fol., Paris, 1574." 



