NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 311 



" Caithness-shire. — The reports from the moors in this county 

 are somewhat conflicting, but there is no doubt that disease pre- 

 vails to a considerable extent upon some of the most extensive 

 shootings. The disease appears to be continecl almost exclusively 

 to the old birds, as many coveys of young ones maybe seen without 

 parents. What is considered a somewhat extraordinary circum- 

 stance by keepers is the fact that in some cases there were full 

 nests as early as the 17th April, and that second broods were 

 hatched, so that the earlier birds and coveys of young cheepers can 

 be seen with the same pair of old ones. The disease appears to be 

 confined to the inland moors, those nearest the sea being reported 

 in excellent order; and it may be added that all the shootings 

 north of a straight line from Wick to Thurso have this year, as 

 hitherto, without exception, escaped the disease. Unless things 

 get worse than appears at present there will be fair sport through- 

 out the county; but on some moors where very heavy bags were 

 made last year sportsmen must be contented with smaller returns. 



" Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. — Passing from the ex- 

 treme north to the extreme south, it is somewhat remarkable to 

 find that the counties of Wigtown and Kirkcudbright differ, like 

 Caithness, from the greater part of the country. In these counties 

 appearances are, indeed, even worse than in the north, for owing, 

 it is thought, to the severe frosts of May, the breeding season was 

 very much interfered with, and coveys do not average more than 

 six, including the old birds, while on some moors the broods are 

 so weak that it is not intended to lift guns till the 20th. If the 

 weather prove favourable, the Twelfth this year wiH, to all appear- 

 ance, be one of the most successful enjoyed by sportsmen for a 

 good many years. Black, game have done equally well, and a fort- 

 night ago coveys were seen in as forward a condition as on the 

 opening day last year. The weather during the spring and sum- 

 mer was very favourable for the nesting, hatching, and rearing of 

 the young broods of Grouse, and the coveys are large. 



" Dumfriesshire. — Seldom have sportsman had such a prospect 

 of good sport on the Twelfth as they have this season. 



" Fifeshire. — Last autumn, in consequence of the unpropitious 

 character of the season and the scarcity of birds, sportsmen left off 

 shooting on the moors much earlier than is usually the case, and 

 now the sparing of the game has shown most favourable results. 

 The present season has been one of the best on record. 



