2 
CAPERCAILLIE. 
on the hill-sides, which afforded the birds both food and cover. Of late years much of this wood has 
been cut dovvn, and it now seems that the Capercaillie, though still abundant, has much decreased 
ill numbers. Mr. Roderick Anderson, of Dunkeld, is of opinion that at the present time there are not 
half the birds on the Athol estates that there were twenty years ago. There is an entry in Mr. Harvie- 
Brown’s book on the Capercaillie, stating that in 1841 this species became established at Logierait, 
fourteen miles from Taymouth, in Perthshire: this is the only locality in which I have as yet had an 
opportunity of meeting with the Capercaillie, and at the time of my visit in the spring of 1878 there 
must have been some hundreds still remaining in the immediate neighbourhood. 
The following extract from ‘ The Capercaillie in Scotland ’ will sliow the numbers that have been 
bagged in the Highlands in one day since the restoration of the species : — “ The greatest number I have 
heard of killed in one day was 36 at Ladywell plantation, Pitnacree, near Dunkeld, in 1865. This is 
part of the Athol estates, upon Avhich are at least 10,000 acres of suitable woods. At Banff, in the east of 
Perthshire, 25 were shot in one day in 1877 — area 2000 acres. At Dunkeld 23 were shot in one day.” 
A few charges have been brought against this species for persecuting Blackgame, but the accusations 
do not seem to be backed up by any evidence worth recording. Mr. Harvie-Brown, however, says 
that he has many statements from correspondents bearing out the truth of the assertion. I give one 
extract from page 120 of his work : — “ The same correspondent adds that they drive away Blackgame 
‘ by driving off the old birds and killing the young ’ ; and he states that he has seen battles between the 
species in ‘ ducking-season.’ He also saw a Capercaillie and a Greyhen with their broods coming in 
contact, when a terrible battle ensued. ‘The Capercaillie succeeded in driving away the Greyhen, and 
then killed the most of her brood.’ ” 
Under the headin" of “ Damage to Eorests ” in Mr. Ilarvie-Brown’s book I discovered that some 
grave charges are brought against the Capercaillie ; and as these assertions indicate that there was some 
reason for the question I asked at the end of the second paragraph on the preceding page, it will not 
be out of place to give a few extracts. 
“ Extensive damage done by Capercaillies to woods and forests is another sad thorn in many 
proprietors’ sides. To hear some speak of the awful destruction going on might almost lead one to 
suppose that in bygone days the evil deeds of the species brought its own punishment ; that, in fact, the 
Capercaillie exterminated the forest-growth over large areas of Scotland and that this extermination 
exterminated them in turn. In many parts of the area at present inhabited by the birds, on this account 
alone, they are shot down upon all occasions, in the endeavour to reduce their numbers ; or, at all events, 
no encouragement is given them to increase. Twenty years ago, when Capercaillies appeared on an 
estate, the greatest care was taken to foster them. Now, it is usually different; and, where at all 
plentiful, they are shot, both sexes indiscriminately ; and in some places, as we have seen in a former 
section, very heavy bags are often made. I have, however, sufficient faith in the robust character of 
the species to prevent my becoming anxious, lest a second extermination should ever take place, if fair 
means only be used to keep its numbers in check. 
“ I have in this connection endeavoured to collect independent testimony from the best sources as 
to the nature and amount of damage done. Mr. Malcolm Dunn (who has specially studied, and who 
read a paper on the subject before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh: see ‘ZooL’ 1875, p. 4338) writes 
to me as follows : — ‘ In reference to the damage done to plantations by both Capercaillie and Blackgame, 
the proof is too strong to admit of the slightest douht. IVhere either exist in large numhers, in, or in 
the neighbourhood of, young plantations of larch and Scotch fir, they do a vast amount of injury to 
the young trees, by eating the young buds, leaves, and shoots of the trees : and, in the case of the Scotch 
fir especially, at a season of the year when there are no insects of any kind upon them — I here refer to 
