24 THE WILD CAT OF EUROPE. 



the last 50 years. The last traditional Wild Cat in 

 the museum at Dumfries proved on close inspection to 

 be an unusually finely stuffed example of the common 

 Tabby. The last Wild Cat killed in Dumbartonshire 

 was in 1857, in Stirlingshire in 1842. In Perthshire, 

 where formerly it was abundant, a correspondent 

 informs Harvie-Brown that an example of the Wild 

 Cat has not been seen for the last twenty years, and 

 adds that many so-called Wild Cats have been proved 

 to be, on close examination. Domestic Cats which had 

 taken to the woods. 



In Forfarshire and Kincardineshire there is no 

 record since 1850. In Aberdeenshire the last reported 

 was in 1877, and in Banff, Elgin, and Nairn no 

 record for the last fifty years. In some parts of 

 Inverness-shire, Haevje-Beown states that it is still 

 found about Arisaig and Moidart on the west coast, 

 and in Lochaber and on Ben Alder further inland. 



In Argyleshire a Wild Cat was killed in 1879, near 

 Strontian House, Sunart, and one was taken alive 

 at Eanachan, in Camusain Wood, on the north side 

 of Loch Sunart. A correspondent stated to Harvie- 

 Brown that in 1875 "the lady of a neighbouring 

 proprietor applied to me for assistance in procuring 

 from fifteen to twenty Wild Cat skins for a lining to 

 a gentleman's ' dreadnought ' or ulster. In a few 

 weeks, by purchase or otherwise, the requisite number 

 was obtained. Most were, no doubt, killed between 

 1872 and 1875, and were procured from the districts of 

 Arisaig, Moidart, Ardnamurchan, Sunart, Ardgour, 

 and Morvern." 



This has since been proved to be quite incorrect. 

 They were the skins of Crofters' cats, common house 

 tabbies, all very fine and large, and it is more than 



