MAMMALS. 



57 



memory of people now living — myself among others. It may prove 

 of some interest to those who work out the southern districts of 

 Scotland in continuation of this series, to trace the migrations of 

 this animal to the south of Tay. Such, if done carefully, can scarcely 

 fail to provide some elements of interest. 



Lepus cuniculus, Z. Rabbit. 



In the earliest printed book relating to the county of Angus, Kabbits 

 were stated to occur "in many places" {The County of Angus, by 

 Robert Edward, minister of Murroes, 1678 ; reprint of 1853, p. 21). 



In 1798 the old Statistical Account instances a Rabbit warren near 

 Dunkeld, in the parish of Dowally, which produced a yearly average 

 of 125 dozens of skins valued at 6d. each, while the bodies were 

 valued at 5d. per pair (vol. xx. p. 472) ; and the writer goes on to 

 say that, to prevent injuries to trees, branches were lopped off and 

 thrown down in the warrens. This had the desired effect ; and the 

 same holds good to this day — at least to some extent, but not likel}' 

 so much so as then, because Rabbits were not perhaps so well educated 

 then as they are now. 



Robertson in his Agriculture of Kincardineshire distinctly says : "I 

 have not seen any Wild Rabbits in this county" (p. 391), and this 

 remark is brought down to the date of publication, i.e. 1807. 



Don, in 1813, has it "rare in Angus . . . perhaps hardly a native '"' 



Going back however to Perthshire, we find that in the Agricultural 

 Survey additional localities are given of its occupation, as for instance 

 at Stormont (Farquharson's), Glendoig, Carse of Gowrie, and at Lord 

 Methven's estates near Perth. Also at Callander (Forth). We also 

 find that Rabbits were bred in considerable numbers by 1800 on the 

 extensive links and sandbanks along the shores of Fife, and on 

 several sandy tracts in more inland parts of the same county. 



In the New Statistical Account (1843) it is stated that "Rabbits 

 were introduced into the county of Kincardine about twenty years 

 ago." This would make the date of introduction about 1820 or 

 1823. Mr. Milne tells me : "By the year 1840 I observed them to 

 be quite common over a large district near Fordoun " ; and he goes 

 on to say: "I was well acquainted with the man, William Edward, 

 who brought them on from Laurencekirk and thence by machine to 

 Drumtochty, where they were given their liberty." Mr. Gemmel 

 (the proprietor of Drumtochty) told Mr. Milne that one of his 

 ancestors had first introduced Rabbits to that district, having brought 

 a pair by coach from London to Laurencekirk. They were liberated 



