NOTES ON GROUSE-DISEASE 1G0 



Clause No. 3 above, as drawn, may appear to con- 

 flict with my own conclusions, but I have certainly not 

 stated the contrary. 



Grouse-disease, so far as it has come under my obser- 

 vation, is referable to two distinct types. One, the most 

 common, is the lingering form, slow in operation, which 

 gradually reduces its victims to mere skeletons, when they 

 die of emaciation. The symptoms of the malady in this 

 form are, first in the grouse affected seeking lower ground, 

 especially along burnsides and wet spots, often right 

 down into the valleys where sound birds are never seen ; 

 and, secondly, in the change of plumage, which loses its 

 glossy sheen and fades to a dull, dingy hue, most unhealthy- 

 looking to a practised eye. The legs and feet at the same 

 time lose the feathery "stockings," becoming bare and 

 naked. 



It should, however, here be expressly added that this 

 symptom, though easy enough to diagnose during late 

 autumn and winter, may induce deception in August ; for, 

 at that season, owing to the moult, both the plumage 

 and the "stockings" of grouse (and all other birds) are 

 worn, washed out, and threadbare. 



The other type of disease is subtle, instant in opera- 

 tion, and less easy to foresee. Its approach is not per- 

 ceptible, for it comes as a thief in the night. In 1884 we 

 had, in Northumberland, an irruption of this sudden form 

 of disease, of which the following were the salient features. 

 We had heard during the spring intermittent reports of 

 the appearance of disease in various quarters and particu- 

 larly on certain specified moors. After the abundant 

 season of 1883, grouse-shooters were nervously appre- 

 hensive of what might occur ; but, up to the middle of 

 June, their fears were certainly baseless, and (at least on 



