FLUCTUATIONS IN A RED GROUSE POPULATION 117 



this may be gained only by the abstraction of individuals from the less 

 favourable habitats and their ultimate underpopulation. 



R. M. Laws: An analogy is possible here with the Elephant Seals 

 {Mirounga leonina) on South Georgia. Here adult males are harvested from 

 the beaches. As bulls are removed there is a compensating influx of others to 

 take their place, these coming from the fourth of the large subdivisions of 

 the island, which was formerly a sanctuary and has the largest population. 



A. Luxmoore: Was the level of grouse stock at which the area was 

 saturated controlled by the amount of available food, or some similar 

 condition capable of controlled management? 



D. Jenkins: This is not known at present. 



