APPENDIX G 125 



1907—15 Reports. 



Weather. — At tirst normal with a fine March, cold and wet in April and May, better ia 

 June and July, August wet, September fine, thereafter inclined to wet. 



Hratltcr. — The growth was universally bad, much damage being caused by frost, especially 

 to old heather. The bloom was late and poor, and the seed ripened very badly. 



Stoclc. — The reports vary, but on the whole the stocks at the beginning seem to have been 

 rather over tl\e average, and healthy except in the North Tyne district. The nesting season 

 was bad, and tlie hatching season very bad, owing to frost, hail, wet, and cold ; there were a 

 good many second broods. "Disease" was reported from nine districts, and twenty-two 

 specimens were sent up for examination ; but the outbreak was only severe in the North 

 Tyne area, and the district as a whole was healthy. The stock on August 12th was exactly 

 an average and quite healthy. Except in the North Tyne district, the bags were up to the- 

 average, and at the end of the year the stock was a good average and universally healthy. 



Eemarlis. — Eather a cold, wet season and a very bad heather year ; the breeding season, 

 was unusually bad, yet once more the young birds did well, except where the parent birds 

 were unhealthy. 1908 will probably be a bad year. 



1908—12 Reports. 



Weather. — Average winter weather for the first three months with snow and frost in April, 

 a normal summer and a fine mild winter. 



Heather. — A very good year for growth ; damage by frost reported in one case only. The 

 bloom was good and early except in Weusleydale, and the seed ripened well except on the 

 high ground. 



Stork. — At the beginning of the year the stock was rather above the average and healthy ; 

 except in the North Tyne district where " disease " reappeared early in the year. Tlie breeding 

 season was unfavourable, snow and frost destroyed many eggs but not many chicks ; there 

 were many second (or late) broods. On the whole the birds were fairly healthy, though 

 on some moors they were reported to be in poor condition, and a few were found dead. The 

 reports of the stock on August 12th were very variable, as also were the bags, and neither 

 of these can be summarised. At the end of the year there was a good average stock, 

 and the birds were quite healthy. 



Remarks. — The year was unexpectedly healthy considering the unfavourable wintering 

 conditions. 



As might be expected after the good heather year in 1908, the stock in 1909 was- 

 exceptionally healthy. 



