CHAPTER XXI 



STOCK 



By Lord Lovat 



The subject of Grouse stock management is a difficult one on which to 



generalise, owing to the varying conditions which affect the C4rouse in 



different parts of the country. The question is, however, of so 



The man- . , . . , , 



aRenient of much importance that it is necessary to attempt to lay down certain 

 rules that are generally applicable, and at the same time to note 

 the exceptional cases to which these rules do not apply. 



The first question which naturally presents itself is, AVhat is the ideal stock 

 which good Grouse ground should be capable of carrying ? — in other words — how 

 The ideal ™any birds can be supported upon a given area of good heather? 

 stock. Simple though this problem appears, a little consideration will show 



that no solution can l)e put forward applicable to all moors. It must be 

 remembered that the number of birds varies with the locality, the heather, the 

 climatic conditions, and migration. Also that even on any given moor the 

 number is not constant, but alternates in succession with the autumn, winter, 

 and spring seasons. 



Before entering into the conditions which govern and limit the number 

 of birds, and before describing the measures which are recommended to keep 

 the stock on a moor inside the margin of safety, it will be necessary to 

 define the position more accurately by stating — 



(1) Exactly what we mean by the word " stock." 



(2) Certain statistics, from which broad general laws can be deduced, 



applicable to specific areas of moorland. 



(3) Certain facts and figures gleaned from the records of individual moors. 

 The term " stock " of a moor is used indiscriminately to mean both 



the number of birds on a moor in summer when the coveys are 

 of term uubroken, and the number of breeding birds which eke out a 



"stock." 



precarious living in the late winter and early spring months. 



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