282 



BIRDS. 



Blackgame Col. Drummond Hay believed to have become scarcer 

 — whilst speaking of their former greater abundance — on account 

 of many drainage operations and improvements on land; and he 

 generally agrees with my formerly expressed opinions — in my booklet 

 on the Capercaillie — that decrease was not so much, if at all, due to 

 the increase of the Capercaillie, because the said decrease is equally 

 observable where Capercaillie are abundant and where there are no 

 Capercaillies at all. 



In the north-east Mr. Milne speaks of Blackgame as common, but 

 not so abundant as Grouse. 



In the south-west Godfrey does not seem to have met with many 

 at Lochearnhead ; but then his opportunities were principally con- 

 fined to the time of their nesting, when they are comparatively 

 rarely seen. I have seen a good many there in the shooting season. 

 Again, Mr. Godfrey did not see many about the head of Loch 

 Rannoch in summer, though he did find some near Loch Eigheach. 

 I have seen quite a number when shooting along the lochside, and 

 driving the covers at Crosscraig in 1874. A fine drive for these 

 birds was among the alder thickets and clumps of alders and willows 

 along the loch margin. 



As to general decrease in Scotland, I imagine it is more of local 

 than general significance, and depends a good deal upon the treatment 

 they and their haunts receive. 



I have lately been informed also that Blackgame have reached 

 the introduced heather, which was planted among the sandhills of 

 Tents Muir preparatory to the introduction of Grouse there by John 

 Fowlis {vide ante). Mr. Berry tells me "five at least were haunting 

 this ground in the season of 1904-5, and they had appeared either 

 one or two years before," and I am further informed that a nest and 

 eggs were found for the first time in 1906. 



Tetrao urogallus, L. Capercaillie. 



Old Gaelic, Capul coille (see Essay, title infra)} Formerly a native. 

 Became extinct. Was reintroduced. Became abundant, resident, 

 and breeds. Universal over the whole area where suitable haunts 

 are to be found. Has dispersed from all original centres of 

 restoration. 



1 The Capercaillie in Scotland : loith some Account of its Extension of Range since its 

 Restoration at Taymouth in 1837. 



I may be pardoned, I hope, if, for the interest of local readers, I draw attention to 

 a, review of this booklet in the Dundee Advertiser of 17th August 1879. 



