90 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



The only one ever heard of actually within the confines of 

 the county, was flushed at Kearnine (?) Wood, at the higher 

 end of Loch Lomond as Mr. John Colquhoun informs me 

 but he adds that he is rather sceptical about it. Mr. John 

 Colquhoun offered to introduce them on Eossdhu estate, but 

 his brother the late Sir James Colquhoun, Bart. did not 

 wish to encourage them, as he considered that they give little 

 sport, and are overbearing to all other game within their reach. 

 If this record is correct and I must say I see no reason why 

 it should not the bird probably found its way from that 

 point on the west slope of Ben Laoigh, whence they found 

 their way also into Argyleshire, at Ardkinglass (q. v.) Either 

 route is open to pioneer birds from the said shoulder of Ben 

 Laoigh, though that towards Glen Fyne to Ardkinglass, may, 

 prove and apparently has proved the more enticing of 

 the two, as will be seen under Argyleshire. 



AKGYLESHIRE. 



Of its former occurrence in the county we have the some- 

 what vague record in the ' New Statistical Account ' of Ard- 

 chattan, where it is said, " Nor have we reason to doubt that 

 the stately Capercaillie once rejoiced amongst the fir woods of 

 Glen Etive (op. cit. p. 481). 



Besides the above, we have indications of its having lin- 

 gered in this part of Scotland perhaps as long as anywhere else, 

 as we find the name in the form of Capull-coille l in old 

 Gaelic songs (see Part II. antea, pp. 3, 27). 



Eggs were sent to the Black Mount, by Mr. James Guthrie, 

 at Lord Breadalbane's request, but none were hatched out. I 

 am informed, however, that a bird was seen there about 1867 

 or 1868. 



1 This is the name handed down, and still used in Lochaber and adjoining 

 parts of Argyleshire, districts which with Badenoch, Atholl, Breadalbane, 

 and Upper Braemar have retained in greatest purity the Gaelic topography 

 of Scotland, as we are informed by Eobertson in his work before quoted. 



