common inhabitant of the Highland districts of Great Britain, but disappeared. Those now found were reared from importations, notably at Taymouth, where they are numerous. Their restoration in Ireland utterly failed, probably owing to the demolition of the old woods. They are exceedingly abundant in Norway and Sweden, and are imported to this country by game-dealers, although the flesh is not considered particularly good eating. Its eggs, however, are very delicate and highly recommended to invalids. It lays eight or ten on a rough nest, composed of twigs of the brushwood it inhabits, and

of coarse grass and moss. It feeds on vegetable substances, on the young shoots of fir, juniper, cranberry, and other trees, shrubs, and plants. It remains in the great forests of Norway and Sweden all the year round, and packs in winter in hundreds. When thus together they are easily shot by the hunter, who is never a fair sportsman, for after dark he slaughters the poor birds by torch-light as they gaze in amazement at the blazing fire. Its favourite haunt in Scotland is the thick wood-the depth of the forest of pine, beech, oak, and birch. We rejoice that it is again the pride of the northern forest.

Capercailzie is increasing in Perthshire and neighbouring counties, and spreading wherever Alpine woods prevail. On the 25th of last October Mr. Renton and two friends bagged nineteen magnificent specimens of this noble bird. In connection with the

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day's sport a very interesting case, involving the question as to whether capercailzie is included in the list of birds known as game, was tried at Perth on the 10th of November last, before Sheriff Barclay. As reported by the "Perthshire Advertiser," John Thomson, innkeeper, was charged, at the instance of the Board of Inland Revenue, with having used a gun for the purpose of killing game, at Knockintober on September 23rd last, without having a game licence. He pleaded not guilty. John Stewart, gamekeeper, Kinnaird, stated that on the day in question he was out with a shooting-party. There were six guns altogether, and Mr. Thomson was one of the party. In the forenoon they shot in the Killiehangie capercailzie wood. Capercailzie were shot that day, but witness could not say whether Mr. Thomson, who

had a gun, shot any of them. While at Knockintober,

on the way home, a covey of partridges arose, and alighting in a turnip-field, eight of them were shot. Witness did not see Mr. Thomson fire, and did not know if he did fire. Mr. Thomson was invited personally by Mr. Renton, the shooting tenant, to join the party that day. The sheriff, on asking who informed against Thomson, was informed that it was John Campbell, ground officer to the Duke of Athole, his reason for doing so being that he had some spite against Mr. Thomson. Three gentlemen who were expected to join the shooting-party were unable to attend, and rather than send the beaters home it was

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INTERESTING CASE RELATIVE TO

suggested to Mr. Renton that he should ask Mr. Thomson to join them, as he was a good shot. After Mr. Renton invited Mr. Thomson he heard the latter saying that he had a gun licence. Witness was not aware that capercailzie were game. He had been a keeper for upwards of thirty years, and had never heard them spoken of or treated as game. James Stewart, gamekeeper, Kinnaird, and Robert Hankinson, gamekeeper, Ballechin, corroborated. Both these witnesses agreed in stating that Mr. Thomson was out of gunshot distance when the partridges were killed. Mr. Manson, supervisor, Aberfeldy, in the course of his examination, stated that he was informed by John Campbell, ground officer to the Duke of Athole, that Mr. Thomson was in the habit of shooting game, although he had no game licence. Witness investigated this report, and was able to identify Mr. Thomson as having been out on the day in question. Mr. Thomson took out a game licence on September 26th, after the case had been reported. The solicitor who acted for the prosecutors maintained that capercailzie were included as game under the Act 1621, cap. 34. For the defence it was urged there was not a particle of evidence to show that he had used his gun for the purpose of killing game. The sheriff said that the case was a peculiar one, that he would take it into consideration, and give judgment next week.

We would observe that capercailzie are not men