100 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



survival of a single bird for upwards of two years, would 

 point to the general suitableness of the locality, and to the 

 prospect of a renewed attempt being attended with better 

 success. The great mortality which occurred immediately 

 after hatching was owing, I fear, to the eggs having been set 

 under such an ignorant foster mother as the common barn- 

 door hen, and I would suggest that, as a remedy, the experi- 

 ment might be tried of placing three or four eggs in the nest 

 of the wild grey hen, to which species the Capercailzie is so 

 closely allied, and leaving her to bring up the young birds. 

 From what I can learn, there is no antipathy between the two 

 species." Mr. Mackenzie further informs me that there are 

 some 1800 acres of suitable wood, principally fir, upon the 

 Skibo and Ospisdale estates. 



Of its former occurrence in this county I have already 

 spoken (vide pp. 19, 29). 



