74 THE CAPEKCAILLIE. 



Perth march, they also arrived in 1865 ; and this illustrates 

 remarkably well, amongst many other statistics, the preference 

 for following valleys, and their objection to crossing moun- 

 tains, Dalnaglar being only 25 miles from Q in a straight 

 line. 



1866. Arrived about this date, or a year or two earlier, at 

 Auchterhouse, a locality considerably nearer to the Sidlaw 

 hills than Tealing or Fotheringham. My local topographical 

 knowledge of this part of the country is not sufficient to allow 

 me to offer a reason for this apparent discrepancy, unless it 

 be found in the fact of the then age of the timber on the 

 different estates, which was ready for cutting in 1877 on 

 Auchterhouse. A large quantity was cut in 1877, and a con- 

 sequent decrease in the numbers of Capercaillies is looked for. 

 If all old wood about 1866, and Tealing had younger wood, 

 the birds might pass over to the latter. 



Became established at Easter Ogle, where it is said to have 

 appeared as early as 1860, and is now common, as many as 

 20 to 24 having been shot in a day, although the acreage of 

 wood is only from 100 to 150 on Easter Ogle and Deuchar, 

 principally pine and larch. They are preserved, but are not 

 now increasing. 



1868. Became established at Fearn, where they are not 

 numerous, the acreage being small (see 1865). 



Arrived about 1868 at Glen Ogle, or possibly a little 

 earlier, where they are not now increasing. Mr. James Eobbie, 

 head-keeper, has observed their tendency to migrate. 



Arrived at Panmure (45 miles from Q ), where, however, 

 it is still only occasional, or where one or two may be seen in 

 a day. Came from Fotheringham. 



' 1870. First appeared a male at Balnamoon, in the Stra- 

 cathro district, north-east of the county. Now resident ; pre- 

 served, and increasing in a fir wood of 300 acres (50 miles 

 from O ) Occur also on Hunthill, Careston, Glen Ogle, etc. 



