CHAPTER VII. 



PERTHSHIRE. 



PERTHSHIRE continues to be the head-quarters of the species, 

 and is not likely to lose its position in this respect for a long 

 time to come, although Forfarshire is pressing hard to emu- 

 late it. 



All the minute statistics I have been able to gather I 

 have thought worthy of record, because there is no saying 

 what changes of circumstance may affect the future census of 

 the Capercaillie population, or what difficulties may arise at 

 a later date, if the statistics of its earlier history since its 

 restoration come to be desired. 



I will now proceed to arrange, as best I can, the statistics, 

 starting from Taymouth as THE CENTRE, and following the birds 

 as they advance outward in steady " waves of distribution" 



1837 and 1838. Date of Eestoration at Taymouth, marked 

 O on map. 



1840. Eeached the neighbourhood of Dunkeld, one having 

 been seen at Craig-y-barns (15 miles from Q ), and a female 

 at Langridge wood, near Scone (23 miles from Q ). Now 

 1877-78 resident, and again increasing, though a decrease 

 took place on the Athole estates for some years preserved. 

 This is part of a district on the Athole estates, stated roundly 

 as containing 10,000 acres of suitable woods. 



1841. The Capercaillie at this time had become fully 



