MAMMALS.
Meles taxus [Badger or Brock]. See [p. 102].
Sparingly met with in our wooded districts.
Mustela martes [Pine Marten].
Found chiefly in the higher parts of the county. One was observed, in 1848, to descend from a tree in the hills of Boyndie, and go into a rabbit’s hole. The hole was stopped up, and a spade was brought to dig the animal out. It had, however, escaped by another outlet from the burrow.
Mustela putorius [Polecat or Fumart].
See [page 116].
Mustela vulgaris [Weasel or Whitret].
More frequent than the polecat. Whilst the latter would seem to delight more in plantations and whins, the other would appear to think more of old dykes, grassy hillocks, and small cairns of stones. Both are very destructive, killing much more than they devour. See [p. 111].
Mustela erminea [Ermine or Stoat].
This species is often mistaken for the weasel. They are very similar during summer, their colours being then the same. In winter, however, the ermine changes to a pure white, excepting in a portion of the tail, which is always black. In this state they are all but universally called “White,” or rather “Fite Futrates.” The true weasel never changes.
Lutra vulgaris [Otter].
Often met with in suitable localities along the sea-shore, as well as by many of our streams and streamlets. See [p. 115].
Canis vulpes [Fox, Tod Lowric, or Reynard].
A well-known animal, especially in the country districts. See [pp. 109], [219].
Felis catis [Common Wild Cat].
The wild cat is now, perhaps, extinct with us, though at one time it was frequently found in the woods and rocky glens of the more alpine portions of the interior. One which I had the pleasure of seeing, and which was killed in Glen Avon, measured over four feet in length, and was well proportioned in every other respect. It was altogether a very formidable looking animal.
Talpa Europæa [Mole or Mowdiewort].
This harmless creature is often met with. It is very useful to agriculturists by turning up the fertile soil, yet they constantly wage war against it. Pure white varieties are sometimes met with.
Erinaceus Europæus [Hedgehog].
Even since I remember, “hedgey” was altogether unknown, or at least very seldom seen, in Banffshire. Now he is plentiful, and seems to be still on the increase. See [p. 102].
Vespertilio pipistrellus} [Bat or Backie].
Vespertilio Daubentonii }
These are both to be found here. The first is the most common. It appears that we have another species of bat here. It is larger than either of the other two. I have met with it in our woods.
Sciurus vulgaris [Squirrel].
It is only of late that this agile and tricky little quadruped has become domiciled in this county.
Myoxus avellanarius [Dormouse].
I am not quite sure whether we have this animal or not; I think I have taken it, but am not able to ascertain the fact with certainty.
Mus musculus [Common Mouse].
There is no doubt about this sly little domestic. Specimens of various colours—such as white, gray stripped with white, reddish, and yellow—sometimes occur. Musical individuals of the genus are not infrequent. See [p. 110].
Mus sylvaticus [Long-tailed or Wood Mouse].
Is to be found in almost every conceivable situation, except in towns.
Mus messorius [Harvest Mouse].
This sleek little thing, the smallest of British quadrupeds, is now well ascertained to be a native of Banffshire. I have myself taken it several times.
Mus rattus [Black Rat].
This, the native British rat, though at one time very abundant, is so no longer. It has been expelled or driven back, as the Celts have been by the Scandinavians, by the Norway rat. The black rat is seldom seen now. Pure white varieties have been found.
Mus decumanus [Norwegian Rat or Rottin].
Very plentiful, and bids fair, erelong, to extirpate his weaker relative, the Black Rat. See [p. 113].
Arvicola amphibia [Water Rat].
To be found on the banks of all our streams. It is sometimes turned up with the plough, at a considerable distance from the water. It is a curious circumstance that the water rats of England are mostly of a light brown colour, whilst those of Scotland are usually jet black.
Arvicola agrestis [Short-tailed Field Mouse].
Plentiful, and very destructive to young trees.
Arvicola pratensis [Meadow Mouse].
Like the last in appearance and habits. It is recognisable by its much longer tail.
Sorex araneus [Common Shrew].
Plentiful.
Sorex fodiens [Water Shrew].
Found along burnsides, and occasionally in ditches.
Sorex remifer [Black Water Shrew].
Not so frequently found as the last. The water shrew is very difficult to be taken. I never could manage to trap any of them. They baffled all my ingenuity. My only resource was the gun, and even with it I have often had enough to do. I have sat for from six to seven hours without moving, watching for an opportunity of shooting the water shrew, and been doomed to disappointment at last.
Lepus timidus [Common Hare or Maukins].
Very plentiful in the low grounds. See [pp. 106], [274].
Lepus variabilis [Blue or Alpine Hare].
This species is only to be met with in the hills and mountains, except when driven down by stress of weather. In very severe winters they occasionally descend in great numbers to the lower part of the county, at which time they are of a pure white.
Lepus cuniculus [Rabbit].
Very plentiful, in every conceivable spot, from the rocky shore, the sandbank, the quarry hole, the stony cairn, the old dyke, the garden, the orchard, and the open field, to the thickest woods. White, black, cream coloured, stripped, and pied varieties, occur. See [pp. 106], [275].
Cervus elaphus [Stag, Red or Highland Deer].
This, perhaps the fleetest, as he is the noblest of our wild animals, still holds his place in the county, though not now so numerous as he used to be.
Cervus capreolus [Roe Deer].
The roe seems to be more widely distributed than the red deer; and whilst the latter usually inhabits the more sequestered heath, grassy dells, and wooded glens of the higher lands, the other is mostly found in the plantations and copses of the lower levels. See [p. 106].
Phoca vitulina [Seal or Selch].
Stray individuals of this aquatic tribe pay us a visit now and then. They are common in Cromarty Firth.
Delphinus phocæna [Porpoise or Sea Hog].
This is another watery visitant, much more frequently seen than the seal.
Delphinus delphis [Striped Porpoise or Dolphin].
A specimen of this beautiful porpoise was taken here in 1853.
Delphinus tursio [Bottle-nosed Porpoise].
This species is said to have been taken here, though there are some doubts as to the fact.
Delphinus deductor [Pilot Whale].
Several of these have from time to time been met with. There are other species of whales which have been captured here. One, reported to have been a monster for size, is said to have been found amongst the rocks, so far back as about the beginning of last century, betwixt the Boyne and the point known as the King’s Head, but of what species is not accurately known. It is stated in the “Statistical Account of the Parish of Rathven,” which extends about ten miles along the coast west of Cullen, that the porpoise, the grampus, and the spermaceti whale, are frequently seen along the shore.