MAMMALS. 



179 



age strength of numbers so persistently, while it ranges far and 

 near on its periodical migrations after its various seasonable feed- 

 ing, that we see little need to enter into very minute particulars 

 of its distribution. All authors agree as to its abundance and 

 general dispersion along all the great waterways of Moray, its 

 habits, however, not permitting every one to observe it. 



That it is rarer now than formerly may as a fact, perhaps, be 

 accepted. Still, its numbers are not diminishing in such rapid 

 ratio as others of our fera naturce. Mr. R. Thomson of Ferness 

 says it is still to be met with along the whole course of the Find- 

 horn, and adds: — 'As we write (MS. already quoted) a fine female 

 has been caught in a trap at Glenferness (11th April 1892). 

 ' Jacob's Banks ' are the headquarters of the Otter in the parish of 

 Ardclach,' and again on 25th April, another was trapped in the 

 same place, close to Glenferness Gardens, by the gamekeepers. 



Captain Dunbar-Brander of Pitgaveny, however, considers it 

 much rarer than formerly upon the Lossie. He says : — ' Whereas 

 formerly their prints could be seen any day, now it is only 

 about once in a season these are seen ' (Elgin and Kaii-n ExpresSj 

 22/vii/93). About 3 p.m. on the 20th April 1895, Harvie-Brown, 

 when fishing the ' Mid-Heron ' pool of Laithers Water of Deveron, 

 saw an otter plunge in on the opposite side. The keeper on 

 Netherdale, next day, found his marks close to the place. The 

 Duke of Fife's cruive-dyke at Duff House having been carried 

 away by the heavy winter's ice on the river, an unusually early 

 run of salmon took place, and no doubt Mr. Otter followed closely 

 after. 



Meles taxus, Schreb. Badger. 



Even as late as thirty years ago the Badger was widely diaiiitiuied 

 throughout the northern portions of our area, but lias been gradu- 

 ally disappearing since then. In the ' sixties ' specimens were sent 

 to Macleay from various parts of our area, but very few of late years. 

 The following are some of the entries in his book : — Corriemony, 

 Jan. 1861. Parkhill (E. Boss), Dec. 1863. Cantray, 1864 

 (S. Division). Alness, March 1865, and another in 1860. Cliiny. 

 Dec. 1877 (S. Division). 



We have no later records from Sutherland than K^7'J, wlan 



