126 THE CAPERCAILLIE. 



bers one year in a place where they are totally absent the 

 next." Dr. Meves writes in similar terms from Sweden. 



Besides, increased population and wealth, producing a 

 steadily increasing swarm of sportsmen year by year, together 

 with the general use of the rapidly-loaded breechloader has 

 this nothing to do with the decrease of black game ? I have 

 many communications from parties well able to judge, that 

 this is a factor, and a not unimportant one. Combine this with 

 the above planting, and draining, and land improvement, and 

 say : Is it not more extraordinary that black game are still 

 numerous, than that they have decreased in number during 

 we will say the last thirty years ? 



I could bring forward much more evidence of a similar 

 nature, clearing the Capercaillies from blame, but I think it 

 needless further to enlarge upon this part of the subject. I 

 will merely add in the words of an American naturalist 

 (Prof. T. Gill, in ' The Nation' July 19, 18*77, p. 44) : " Birds 

 are a highly specialised group, very liable to modifications, 

 resulting from environing causes, and ever susceptible to the 

 changes of condition that may supervene;" and record my 

 conviction that the increase of Capercaillies is probably the 

 very least important factor in the decrease of the black game, 

 if, indeed, it is one at all. Further, I believe that too often 

 too much importance is attached to casual and superficial 

 remarks expressed by those who do not look beneath the 

 surface of first impressions. Error or exaggeration in con- 

 sequence gains credence, and becomes, in the minds of many, 

 even as established facts. 



