MAMMALS. 



171 



In the east of Ross-shire it is extinct, as also in Fannich Forest : 

 the late forester, Maclennan, had never seen one there up to 1882. 

 In Strath Conon the Marten was very abundant, but that was 

 previous to 1860, since which time none have been seen ; the last 

 known was killed about that date. 



About 1860-2 a number of Martens were killed at Dundonnell 

 (West Ross) : they seem to survive longer in the western districts. 

 A female was killed at Loch Rosque in June 1892; we saw it in 

 Inverness, where it had been sent for preservation. 



In an article by Mr. Archibald Hepburn, in the Zoologist for 

 February 1848, entitled, "Notes on the Quadrupeds and Birds 

 of the Northern Districts of Inverness-shire," that gentleman says 

 that the Marten was not then uncommon, particularly in the 

 wooded wilds of the upper parts of Strath Glass. We need 

 hardly add that such is not the case now ; indeed, were it not 

 for the great increase and extent of deer-forests, Martens would 

 probably before this have become extinct. Rabbit-trapping, and 

 the ease with which the Martens are taken in baited traps, have 

 pretty nearly ended their existence. 



At Guisachan Martens are probably extinct, as none have been 

 seen there for two years, and not even a track (1892). Up to 1870, 

 five or six were trapped there annually, and one from Plodda, a 

 mile and a half from Guisachan House, and another from Knock- 

 fin, the former taken in December 1875, and the latter in January 

 1878, are now in the gun-room at Guisachan. Two more were 

 taken near there in April 1880. 



In the extreme east of the county they are extinct, and, as we 

 have just seen, are getting very rare even in the wilder glens. 

 Mr. A. Ross, keeper, Struy, says there are hardly any Martens 

 left there ; the last he got was in December 1892. 



Mr. J. Chisholm writes us from Foyers, March 7th, 1893 : — 

 * The Marten Cat is now very rare in this district. There was 

 one trapped at Knockie about sixteen years ago, and 1 trapped 

 another in Boleskine woods ten years ago, and two more were 

 trapped here last year — the last I have heard of in this district 

 for twenty years ; but forty years ago they were so common 

 here that one man, who is keeper here, and is still alive, took no 

 fewer than fifteen of them one winter in traps.' 



Ten years ago the Marten was not uncommon in Glenmore, 



