MAMMALS. 



161 



generally recognised and included by Edward, who speaks of it as 

 exceedingly shy and difficult to obtain, and he was never able to 

 trap any of them. Pitfalls in their runs appear to be the best way 

 to capture them. 



Order CARNIVORA. 

 Sub-order FISSIPEDIA. 

 Section ^LUROIDEA. 

 Family FELIDiE. 

 is catus, L. Wild Cat. 



Though now almost, if not quite, extinct in the east of Sutherland, 

 five-and-twenty years ago the Wild Cat ranged freely over all 

 the northern portions of the area, but since then it has rapidly 

 decreased. To enumerate all the occurrences, even during late 

 years, would be a long task, and of little practical use, as, 

 even yet, the creature exists in many, though widely scattered 

 places. Indeed, it is probable that, with the increased number 

 of deer-forests, the species may even be spreading, trapping, 

 naturally, not exercising such influence where deer are the 

 principal objects of preservation, as where grouse are concerned. 

 In several places the proprietors try to preserve them, though 

 they still get caught in the traps set for other wild animals. 



As the species is now so rare in the east of Sutherland, we 

 may here repeat that one was caught in a rabbit-snare at Kirkton, 

 near Golspie, by Mr. S. Sherlaw, in April 1888, the last we 

 know of as having been taken in that part of the country be- 

 longing to our present area (Annals of Scottish National History , 

 July 1892). 



At one time they inhabited the large cairn of Sletal 

 regularly, and our friend Mr. Houston of Kintradwell has had 

 many from that locality. They have become almost extinct there 

 since 1882, but on one occasion, in winter, the tracks of one or 

 of a pair were seen in their old haunts, and the animals were not 

 disturbed. For further particulars we would refer our readers 

 to a paper on * The Past and Present Distribution of the Karer 



