232 CREATURES OF PREY 



Before the days of sheep-farming on a large scale 

 there was no inducement to destroy predatory beasts 

 and birds those animals which the gamekeeper classes 

 as vermin. It is true that the right qualification for 

 the title of sportsman was held in the Highlands of 

 old to consist in having killed a royal stag, an eagle, 

 an otter, and a salmon ; but no systematic trapping or 

 shooting went on except for the larder. Inasmuch, 

 however, as foxes, wild cats, eagles, and ravens have a 

 distinct partiality for tender lamb, it became part of 

 the duty of shepherds to wage relentless war against 

 these interesting animals. Then came the grouse pre- 

 server, whose keepers extended the list of proscription 

 to include every creature of which the habits were open 

 to the slightest suspicion. The trap, especially the 

 cruel pole-trap, and gun were set to work on a scheme 

 of extermination. In his interesting little sketch of 

 Glengarry lately published, Mr. Edward Ellice gives the 

 following list of 'vermin' trapped in the first-named 

 glen between 1837 and 1840 : 



*11 Foxes. *27 White-tailed eagles, 



*198 Wild cats. 18 Ospreys. 



*78 House cats (going wild). *98 Blue hawks (sparrow- 



*246 Martens. hawks). 



*106 Polecats. *7 Orange-legged falcons 



*301 Stoats and weasels. (? peregrines). 



67 Badgers *11 Hobbies. 



*48 Otters. *275 Kites. 



*15 Golden eagles. *5 Marsh harriers. 



