120 APPENDIX G 



were seen, the inference being that these liirds might have mated and bred had the 

 weather conditions been more favourable. Against this theory we have the experience 

 of 1906 and 1907, where it was conclusively shown that a healthy stock of birds can 

 breed prolifically even under the most unfavourable weather conditions. And so we 

 are forced to adopt the view that the solution of the problem must have something 

 to do with the condition of the parent stock rather than with the weather. We know 

 that the stock has wintered badly, we know that many birds are pining and sickly, 

 and we also know from anatomical investigation that a bird when attacked by Strongy- 

 losis often becomes incapable of breeding owing to the non-development of the reproductive 

 organs.' One point of exceptional interest is the mysterious disappearance of chicks 

 in a season which appeared to be ideal for the growth and development of young birds. 

 This phenomenon seems to have puzzled many of the reporters. Some ascribe the loss 

 of chicks to drought, others blame migration, but for the reasons given in another 

 part of this book neither of these solutions appears to be the correct one.- The view 

 already expressed that the mortality may be due to Coceidiosis ^ is suggested as a more 

 probable explanation, and is supported by the fact that wai-m, dry weather appears 

 to be favourable to the development of this parasite.* Until more evidence is obtained 

 on the subject, however, the question cannot be regarded as settled. 



If we again refer to the map for 1909, we find that the fine heather year in 1908 

 has had the effect of entirely restoring the health of the birds. Only two isolated cases 

 of mortality were reported throughout the whole of this extensive district.* 



District 1. Scotland East (Southern Half). 



1906—6 Reports. 



Weather. — A normal year, except for much snow in May ; a very wet August and 

 October, and more snow in December. 



Heather. — Young heather grew well, especially after autumn-burning ; some damage by 

 frost in the Lammermoors and Peebles. The bloom was variable, but the seed ripened well. 



Stock. — The year began with a healthy stock, above the average in numbers. The 

 breeding season was bad, many eggs and young birds being destroyed by snow, frost, 

 and rain. Mortality was reported in the spring from several districts, more especially 

 Peebles and Selkirk.^ The stock on August 12th was below the average, but quite 

 healthy. The bags were below the average, and the stock left was about an average 

 and quite healthy. 



Remarks. — Here for the first time we find the stock seriously affected by the bad 

 weather in the breeding season, for the "disease" does not seem to have been suffi- 

 ciently severe to account for the great shortage of young birds, though it may have 



' Vide vol. i. cliap. v. p. 127. " Vide vol. i. cliap. ii. pp. 15, 16. ' Ibid. p. 16. 



* Vide vol. i. chap. xi. p. 264. ' Vide map, 1909, Appendix I. " Vide map, 190C, Appendix I. 



