MAMMALS. 



181 



and north of the Caledonian Canal, it is still abundant about Fort 

 Augustus. [In Badenoch, Badgers are counted rare, but are still 

 present in Ardverikie and Ben Alder deer-forest ; and an informant 

 told a correspondent of ours that two years ago he counted no less 

 than thirteen Badgers sunning themselves in a choice spot not far 

 from Ardverikie Lodge. They are carefully preserved there — as 

 indeed are all the native wild animals — by the proprietor, Sir 

 John Ramsden, Bart. — Argyll and Tay.] 



Mr. T. Macpherson-Grant writes as follows: — 'Badgers were 

 numerous at Ballindalloch a few years ago, and then became, for a 

 while, almost extinct, owing to the perseverance of the present 

 gamekeeper in destroying them. This year, however, they again 

 returned, and eight or nine were trapped during the spring. It 

 seems to be now almost conclusively ascertained that these animals 

 prey upon poultry (and probably upon game also), though the just- 

 ness of the accusation was at one time doubted ' (in lit. November 

 • 1844). 



The Badger does not appear to have been of very general 

 distribution in the valley of the Deveron even at the date of the 

 O.S.A., but it is noted as occui'ring in Kirkmichael parish over the 

 watershed, and in Mortlach parish, which is situated partly in 

 Deveron valley, and partly in Spey. 



In 1884 Rev. Dr. Gordon speaks of it as 'occasionally trapped 

 in the woods by gamekeepers and others. Its nocturnal habits and 

 sequestered retreats prevent any satisfactory estimate of its num- 

 bers in this part of Scotland.' 



When a boy. Captain Dunbar-Brander knew of four Badgers' 

 'earths' within four miles of Pitgaveny, which always held 

 Badgers, and, says Captain Dunbar-Brander, ' we often used to try 

 our terriers at them. They are gone.' 



It is quite likely that there is truth in the remark which has 

 been made, that the great floods of IS 29 destroyed great numbers of 

 these animals, which frequented the lower reaches of the rivers. 

 (Vide Lays of the Deer Forest, ii. p. 268.) 



Between 1864 and 1869, three Badgers were killed on Kothie- 

 may estate, and none have been met with there since, as we are 

 assured by the keeper, Mr. W. A. Brown, before named. 



' The last Badger in the parish of Ardclach was caught by Mr. 

 Linton, gardener, Glenferness, and kept alive for three months till 



