126 APPENDIX G 



District 7a and 7b. England, North-West and North. 



1906—6 Reports. 



Weather. — No special features, some snow and rain in May, otherwise a fair average 

 season. 



Heather. — Growth of young heather was fair, spring-burnt being the best ; the bloom 

 was poor and late, and the seed ripened badly. 



Stock. — At the beginning of the year there was a good healthy stock. The breeding 

 season was very unfavourable, both eggs and young being destroyed, yet only in a few 

 places was the stock on August 12th below the average on the bags affected ; there 

 was no " disease." At the end of the season the stock was up to a fair average and 

 healthy. 



Eemarks. — An uneventful year. The bad growth of heather may have a detrimental 

 effect upon the health of the stock in 1907. 



1907—11 Reports. 



Weather. — Normal at first, then wet and cold, especially in May and June ; but July was 

 warm and dry, August wet, September fine, and the autumn wet. 



Heather. — On the whole the growth was bad — best after autumn-burning. The bloom 

 was universally late and poor, and the seed ripened badly except in Wales. 



Stock. — At the beginning of the year the stocks were a good average and healthy, except 

 on one moor in Cumberland. The breeding season was universally bad. Eggs were destroyed 

 by frost and iloods, young birds lost in large numbers by drowning. A good deal of disease 

 was reported. The stock on August 12th was below the average, so were the bags. At 

 the end of the year a fair average stock was left. 



Eemarks. — Nothing calls for special attention. The bad heather year in 1906 does not 

 seem to have affected the stock seriously ; but the birds were not in really good condition. 



1908—11 Reports. 



Weather. — A wet and snowy winter was followed by frost and snow in April (6°, 7°, 

 and 17°), then finer; but heavy rain in June. A fine August and wet September were 

 followed by a fine, mild, open winter with some snow in December. 



Heather. — A good year for growth ; the bloom was good and early, and the seed 

 ripened well. 



Stock.— At the commencement of the year there was a fair average stock and quite 



