172 



BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



of grouse which annually occurs in that month, our stock 

 shortly rose to a normal level, and continued so during 

 the rest of the season. 



As the subject of "vermin" has been alluded to as a 

 factor in the production of disease, the following statistics, 

 showing roughly the results of their depredations on 

 moorland game, together with the benefits that accrue by 

 their reduction, may appropriately be inserted here. The 

 figures show the game killed on the same ground during 

 two equal periods — (i) without trapping at all, and (2) 

 with regular trapping all the year round : — 



In the year 1903, we had a severe epidemic of disease 

 of the normal character, which calls for no special remark 

 so far as grouse are concerned. But on that occasion, 

 the blackgame were also affected, and large numbers 

 of these birds perished (as well as grouse) between the 

 months of April and August, at which latter date the 

 disease seemed to have run its course. This was the only 

 occasion on which I have known the disease extend to 

 blackgame. 



To summarise the conclusions : — Grouse-disease is 

 unquestionably the price we have to pay for maintaining 

 the stock of moor-game at a much higher level than 

 nature ever intended. But, on the whole, we are 

 undoubtedly the gainers, for we enjoy perhaps five or 



