108 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



ing only a few pairs, sometimes permanently, but often only 

 for a few years consecutively; 1 and the larger woods and 

 continuous forests holding more in proportion according to 

 their areas, as many as 36, 25, 23, etc., having been shot in 

 one day by shooting-parties upon certain estates in Perthshire. 



But in districts inhabited by them, where forests, once 

 extensive, have been reduced in size, or entirely cut down 

 and replaced by sheep-grazing on the cleared ground, a reduc- 

 tion in numbers or entire disappearance naturally takes place. 



Change of residence or local migrations, such as are men- 

 tioned by several writers e.g. Lloyd, Collett, etc. I have 

 myself observed also in Scotland, and many of my corre- 

 spondents draw my attention to the fact in their letters. The 

 birds often entirely quit one part of a forest or extensive 

 wood for another, and this migration usually takes place from 

 an older to a younger growth i.e., to a growth which is of 

 that age which is suitable to their requirements of feeding 

 and shelter combined. There is also a decided preference 

 shown by the birds for forest slopes facing the south, or at all 

 events for those lying well to the sun, as I think can be traced 

 by the general distribution of the birds at the present time. 

 I find that in various localities they appear to thrive better 

 and to increase more rapidly where they inhabit situations 

 having a southerly exposure ; other amenities, such as the 

 necessary amount of cover and absence of disturbing influ- 

 ences, being of course taken into consideration. The above- 



1 Thus, at Aberathven wood, on the south side of the Earn valley, or 

 right bank of the river, a pair of Capercaillies bred regularly for four or five 

 years, but, along with their young, always left after the latter could fly. 

 Since about 1869 they have not returned to this locality a wood of about 

 40-50 acres in extent. I could give many other instances of their breeding 

 sporadically in this way, and also of their breeding regularly, but always 

 leaving with their young for larger covers afterwards. This is regularly the 

 case at Ochtertyre, Crieff district, where, I am informed by Sir Patrick Keith 

 Murray, Bart., " nests are found all over the woods and copses, miles from 

 the winter resort of the birds. " 



