THE RARER ANIMALS OF SCOTLAND. 171 
alone in Assynt one trapper’s return shows somewhat interesting 
material. I reproduce that part of the list which relates to 
three species,—the Wild Cat, Marten, and Polecat,—all killed 
by one keeper unaided. These returns show the comparative 
numbers, productiveness, power of concealment, and to some 
extent “survival of the fittest in the struggle for existence,” against 
the means used directly by man for their extermination. The 
table shows the abundance of the Wild Cat and Marten prior to 
1874, and their scarcity and sudden decrease thereafter up to 
1880; whereas the Polecat, though less abundant, was better 
concealed, or being confined to the coast-lines for the most part, 
more easily escaped, and continued not uncommon even down 
to 1879 :— 
TABLE showing comparative numbers of three species of indigenous 
Carnivora killed on one Shooting by an experienced Trapper in the 
twelve years ending 1880. 
Wild Cat. Marten. Polecat. Wild Cat. Marten.  Polecat, 
1 oe ne 8 ls BO om - it 
o570... . 6 5 TET G sy er - 4 
1871 4 3 "ALS 7 Orage - 2 
1872 3 2 bo i ct | = A 
1873 it 3 = || ise yes a= - 1 
1874 2 1 = 
ce) Es) i ef - 
In the east of the county, on Dunrobin, four Polecats were 
killed in 1873, and no more are recorded until 1879, when one 
was obtained. Mr. C. Frazer believes that about thirty Polecats 
have been killed in the Reay Forest during the past ten years, but 
he has kept no lists; nor does it appear that any of the foresters 
and keepers in the Reay country kept any. They sent all their 
““vermin” direct to the factors. 
be taken off their heads and put upon the Hooded Crows, and he has since 
forbidden the killing of the former birds. They are no longer killed in 
Assynt, nor do I find any notice of them in any of my other returns of 
vermin killed. At one time the slaughter of the innocents was general. 
