The book Arran; - Cook Clan

190 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
be found, so report ran, among the recesses of the mountains.
Roes and wild boars were wholly extinct. The wild goats
had shrunk to a handful. On the other hand, ' black-cock
and grouse swarm in unbounded profusion.'
^ Pennant had
noted the presence of the partridge in his day, ' a proof of
the advancement of agriculture.' Headrick commits himself
only to a few ' at the south end.' Apparently the
birds of prey, eagles and hawks, had helped to account for
the disappearance of game, but the premiums given by
the estate for their destruction had nearly secured their
extirpation.
Some details of expenditure drawn from BurreVs Journal
may here be inserted. An account of the farms and tenants
in 1766 and 1773 will be found in Appendix B, p. 357.
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS, 1773
/. Expense of boring for Coal
Accompt His Grace the Duke of Hamilton to Richard Hamilton,
George Cowie, David Adamson and John Arbuckle for making a
tryal of the Coal at the Cock of Arran and Boaring 19 Fathoms
5 inches on the Shore of Wester Clauchlands.
To Rents and Hamilton's Horse hyre from
Boness to Saltcoats ....
horse......
To Expence of Tolls and 3 Nights keeping
the
To Richard Hamilton a week at Saltcoats
@ 12s
George Cowie do. do. @ 9s.
David Adamson do. do. @ do.
John Arbuckle do. do. @ 12s.
£