170 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
one Polecat was seen near Lake Errochd Lodge, in 1878. None 
have been seen in Abernethy and Glenmore for twenty years; in 
1860 the last was trapped there. The last obtained on the Bellerich 
Estate (Mr. C. J. B. MacPherson’s) was about seven years ago 
(say 1873), and the last I have recorded on Glenshero Estate, 
parish of Laggan, was on October 8th, 1867. 
Sutherland. — Mr. T. E. Buckley writes to me as follows 
regarding this species in the east of the county :—“ Polecats used 
to be very common at one time; but before I came to Sutherland 
rabbits had increased very much on the coast, and that seems to 
have attracted all the Polecats around, for although I never got 
but two skins, and I only heard of two more being got on the 
Brora shootings, on the next shootings, where rabbits abounded, 
a very large number were got, especially in one year. After that 
not one was got, just as if they were all exterminated. ‘The last 
I got was a small one caught near the house in 1879.” This 
congregating of Polecats occurs along the east coast wherever 
rabbits are plentiful, and on the west coast also, even where there 
are few or no rabbits. Thus in Stoir peninsula and the extreme 
western part of Assynt, Polecats are still not infrequent along- 
shore, but at more inland localities have long been scarce. 
Examining several lists of vermin killed in Sutherland, which 
I have before alluded to, I find that in Assynt and part of 
Durness, two Polecats were killed in 1870, three in 1871, two in 
1872, one in 1873, one in 1874, and one in 1875. All of these 
were in Assynt and none in Durness. I doubt, however, whether 
this indicates a scarcity in Durness, but rather the superior skill 
of the Assynt trapper, though after all but little skill is required. 
A list of vermin killed on Glendhu shows an increase of late 
years of those killed between 1866 and 1880, ‘This is partly 
owing perhaps to protection afforded in the wilder parts of the ad- 
joining deer-forest and in the Reay country, and to Glendhu being 
now more preserved and more regularly trapped. In 1868, two; 
in 1872, eight; in 1873, up to May, four; in 1879, from June, 
two; up to May, 1880, two. A corresponding increase in all 
vermin killed, however, points to a different system being followed. 
In the Reay country itself between 1873 and six months of 1879, 
included, no less than twenty were killed.* On one shooting 
* In this list ‘of vermin killed, no less than 368 Water Ouzels are 
included; but I have suggested to Mr. McIvor that the blood-money should 
