456 



THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



(1st) That there are certain natural limitations, directly connected with the 

 growth and density of the heather crop, which local conditions of 

 climate, soil, etc., enforce in each district. 



(2nd) That while close attention may modify these natural limitations, 

 even the greatest care cannot wholly eliminate them. 



(3rd) That given efficient keepering and supervision, and the control both 

 of sheep stock and shooting, the majority of what are considered 

 third - rate moors might in time be raised to the average of 

 the best of the similarly situated moors in the same district. 



(4th) That in any locality, owing to the slow rate at which old rank 

 heather can be converted into good feeding, the progress of a 

 moor from bad to good is necessarily slow. 



From the consideration of these generalisations we may now turn to the 

 Individual study of the following records of bags from individual moors which 

 moors. have been selected as typical of each main tract or district. 



No figures relating to the breeding stocks on these moors are available; but 

 judging from the bags the following deductions may be made : — 



No. 1 Moor. — Three hundred to four hundred pair of birds appears to be 

 the limit of stock the ground would carry in March. It will be noted that 

 every time the bag exceeds one thousand brace disaster follows. 



