292 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
year. In this way I should estimate that from twelve to twenty ‘“ Marts” 
are killed annually in this neighbourhood; but, owing to the inaccessible 
spots in which their strongholds are situated, there does not seem to be 
much fear of their being exterminated just at present. The species is also 
common in North Wales.—W. Artnur Duryrorp (Barrow-in- Furness). 
Marren-cat tn Scornanp.— With regard fo the distribution of the 
Marten-cat in Great Britain, I cannot say anything as to its haunts in 
England, but from what I have seen and heard in Scotland I believe it to be 
more numerous than is generally supposed. From my own experience I know 
that, were I to live much in certain parts of the Highlands, I should soon 
cease to regard either the Marten-cat or Wild Cat as a prize. The latter is, 
of course, much more numerous than the former, and an occasional visit to 
the shop of Mr. McLeay, of Inverness (the well-known animal preserver), will 
soon convince one that it is positively common. Referring to the notes of my 
last trip to Inverness-shire and Ross-shire in 1871], I saw at the house of the 
keeper at Eilean-reach, near Glenelg, the skins of two Wild Cats and one 
Marten-cat, in addition to other “vermin.” They had, of course, been killed 
upon the “shootings ” of Eilean-reach. At Loch Hourn-head, not far from the 
above, I saw at the house of the head keeper, Angus Gillies, three Marten- 
cats’ skins, also killed on his ground. During my stay at Shiel House, at the 
head of Loch Duich, I was assured that a former keeper (McDonald), whom 
I know, had trapped several Marten-cats in a wooded gully close to the Inn. 
at Shiel House. The date of these captures I do not know: it must be 
many years ago. All the localities I have named are close to each other, 
and I believe that if wanted and looked after, many Marten-cats would still 
be found in that part of Inverness-shire which | visited in 1871. It is true 
we seldom see the Marten-cat in the shops of our bird and animal preservers 
in Scotland (Mr. McLeay’s perhaps excepted). ‘The reason is that when 
trapped it is soon flayed for the value of the skin, and never seen, possibly, 
by any one who would think it worth while to record its capture —EpwarD 
Hareairr (10, Alexander Square, Brompton, 5.W.). 
Marren-cat IN ScorLanD AND IRELAND.—When in Sutherland, in May, 
1876, one of the keepers in Reay Forest told me he had, I think, fifteen 
Marten skins awaiting the visit of the furrier’s traveller. Lord Kenmare’s 
keeper at Killarney, last April, spoke of trapping them in that district as 
no uncommon thing, and mentioned 7s. 6d. as the usual price he got for his 
skins; in Sutherland I was told either 15s. or 20s. was the figure. In: 
neither place did I see animals or skins. Wild Cats and Otters are 
frequently trapped in Reay.—H. M. Wa. is (Reading). 
Brack Variety oF THE Brown Rir.—An adult female and two young 
of this variety of the Brown Rat, Mus decumanus, were taken early in May 
near Rottingdean, in this county. The fur is softer and the colour of a 
bluer black than that of the true Black Rat, Mus rattus; and it is also 
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