44 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



its place over a large area. One was caught in the Peasedean 

 last winter (1880-81), and fortunately escaped. Its diminution 

 here has been entirely owing to rabbit-catching, and the prices 

 obtained for Badgers for the purposes of baiting. Now that 

 rabbit-catching is likely to pass into the farmers' hands the old 

 animals may regain a footing at least in wild places, as the Pease- 

 dean and by the sea-coast." 



Peebleshire. — Not extinct, but are much scarcer than in some 

 of the neighbouring counties. In 1878 Mr. A. Wood got one 

 alive opposite the foot of Manor Water on Edstone farm, and five 

 years ago (say 1875) one was obtained on the Eshiels Hope. 

 A pair killed in 1859 are in the possession of Mr. James Anderson, 

 Chambers Nest, Peebles ; they were got at Portmore, Eddleston. 

 At Stobs Castle Mr. Alexander Taylor has only killed one in 

 thirty-eight years, and none have been seen during thirty-one 

 years on Traqueer by the keeper there. On Dry Grange estate, 

 near Melrose, Mr. Clark killed four old ones and two young half- 

 grown about fifteen or sixteen years ago (say 1867). They are 

 probably extinct on that estate now. On Moffat Water one was 

 seen three years ago (1878), and one was trapped at Dumcrieff, one 

 mile from Moffat, no doubt the same. One was seen near the head 

 waters of Etterick, not later than nine or ten years ago (say 1870). 

 As already noticed, Mr. Cox, at Culzean, Ayrshire, obtained five 

 from Peebleshire about six years ago, and put them upon Ailsa 

 Craig, where they have since thriven and bred. 



Ayrshire. — At Culzean they are reported as having been 

 extinct for twenty years, or since I860 or thereabouts. Two tame 

 ones were brought from the Strathblane Hills in Stirlingshire over 

 seven years ago (say 1873), and placed in Culzean kennels. About 

 eight years ago (say 1872) one was trapped near Kilkerran kennels, 

 which must have been a stray one or an escape, as none have 

 been seen since. I lack other data from Ayrshire, but I believe 

 it to be scarce over all the county, unless perhaps in the extreme 

 south, where it is most likely to linger longest. 



Dumfriesshire, Galloway, The Stewartry. — At one time, as, 

 Dr. Grierson, of Thornhill, informs me, Badgers must have 

 frequented various places in the district. The last killed was 

 taken at Clachrie Burn, parish of Closeburn, about twenty-five 

 years ago (say 1857), which is now in Dr. Grierson's Museum. 

 Another taken about the same time in Galloway is also in the 



