290 



Mr. Selby on the Quadrupeds and Birds 



birds, such as the Golden and Cinerous Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, &c. ; and 

 accordingly we find these powerful species still pretty numerous, though 

 every device is resorted to for their destruction, on account of the havock 

 they commit upon the flocks. The same may be said of the Fox, the Mar- 

 ten, and wild Cat, which find protection in the numerous fastnesses of the 

 rocks, and in the caves which abound in the limestone districts. The fol- 

 lowing list, copied from a document furnished by Mr. Baigrie, of the Foxes, 

 Martens, Cats, Eagles, Ravens, &c, destroyed in the county within the last 

 three years, will afford some idea of their numerous distribution, and the 

 amount of premiums paid, the liberal inducement held out for their des- 

 truction. 



List of Vermin destroyed, and Premiums paid for the same, on the Duchess- Countess of 



Sutherland 's Estates in the County of Sutherland, from March 1831, to March 1334. 



75 Old bitch Foxes, 



49 Young do. do. 



73 Old dog do. 



46 Young do. do. 

 901 Wild Cats, Martens, and Foumarts, 



418 Weasles, 



263 Otters 



171 Full-grown Eagles, ... 



53 Young do., and Eagles' eggs, 

 936 Ravens, 



1055 Hawks, 



1739 Carrion Crows* and Magpies, 

 548 King-Fishers, f 



6323 



@ 42*. .. 



£149 2 







@ 20s. .. 



49 







@ 15s. 



54 15 







@ 7s. 6d. .. 



17 5 







@ 2s. 6d. .. 



112 12 



c 



@ Is. 



20 18 







@ 5s. 



65 15 







@ 21s. 



179 11 







@ 10s. .. 



26 10 







@ 2s. 



93 12 







@ Is. 



52 15 







@ 6d. 



43 9 



6 



@ 6d. 



13 14 









£878 19 







Under such a system, which is now supported by the lessees of the es- 

 tate, it is not improbable but that, in a very few years, some of the species 

 of the raptorial birds and carnivorous quadrupeds may become extinct. On 

 this account, therefore, and as evidence of what existed up to a certain pe- 

 riod, I am induced to forward these lists to the Society, being aware that 

 in other respects they can possess but little interest to the generality of its 



members. 



* All of the species Corvus cornix, Hooded Crow. 



f The Dipper is so called throughout Sutherland and other parts of the Highlands. The 

 Alcedo ispida is rarely seen. 



