BLACK GROUSE. 205 



game there from Scotland, but this introduction is scarcely necessary 

 to explain their presence at Craswell, since they are to be found on 

 the Begwn Hill, (not ten miles distant as the Crow flies), and 

 other places in Radnorshire. Mr. Beavan of the Craswell Abbey 

 Farm, states, that in 1879, there was a cross-bred family on the 

 farm between a cock Pheasant and Grey-hen. In 1881, there was 

 a nest of Black-game in a field close to the foot of the Black 

 Mountains, and five young ones were reared. A Black-cock and 

 Grey-hen were shot that year, and the Black-cock was stuffed, and 

 is preserved at the Abbey Farm. In 1883, there was again a cross- 

 bred family on the farm, but this time between a Black-cock and 

 a hen Pheasant, and the young birds were reared. In 1884 there was 

 a nest of true Black-game in the parish of Craswell, though beyond 

 the Abbey Farm, and fourteen young birds were observed ; and in 

 October, a fine old Black-cock was shot there by Mr. Beavan. 



Wandering specimens of Black-game have been seen and 

 killed in many of the wooded districts of the county. About the 

 year 1840, a Black-cock was flushed from the undergrowth of 

 heather and bilberry in Mainswood on the Stoke Edith estate ; and 

 he, or another bird, was shortly afterwards killed at Much Cowarne. 

 In Morris's " British Birds," it is stated that a Grey-hen was killed on 

 Mr. J. H. Arkwright's estate, at Hampton Court, in March, 1850. 

 About 1874, a Grey-hen was disturbed from the woods at Stoke 

 Edith. 



The late Hon. Humphrey Devereux had seen and killed 

 Black-game on Bircher Common for several years in succession ; 

 and in the extensive wild districts on the northern side of the 

 county, as Shobdon, High Vinnalls, &c. — wandering birds are still 

 not unfrequently seen, as might be expected, since Black-game 

 exist both in Radnorshire and Shropshire. 



Black-game fly heavily, but they fly high and very fast, and 

 sometimes for considerable distances. With a little care and 

 protection. Black-game might become much more plentiful in 

 Herefordshire than they are now, for without either they maintain 

 their existence in the wild wastes of Cornwall. 



