1886-87.] Grouse Disease. 85 



niitted as the cause of those internal and diseased conditions 

 of the groiTse, but any evidence we have in support of these 

 theories is absohitely nil. 



The first of these supposed causes of the grouse disease, that 

 of eating frosted heather, is so prominently and plausibly urged 

 that it calls for a passing notice. It is argued by those who 

 advocate this theory that on those moors where burning is not 

 practised the heather becomes old and " fushionless, " and when 

 subjected to the frost, lacks nutriment, and is thus responsible 

 for lowering the vitality of the birds. This theory is invested 

 with a reasonableness which doubtless accounts for its being by 

 many readily accepted ; but a close examination of facts and 

 conditions disposes of it in common with the others I have 

 referred to. Some years ago I found the disease exceptionally 

 fatal in Tweedsmuir, where rank old heather was very rare, and 

 where young fresh heather was abundant. This in itself was 

 sufficient to shake my faith in the frosted heather theory. The 

 accuracy of my convictions has very recently received confirma- 

 tion. A few days ago I made a tour of investigation along the 

 base of the Pentlands. Last year I knew the grouse to be 

 very plentiful, more especially along that watershed where the 

 river Lyue takes its rise. I know few moors that have been 

 more extensively burned, and where young fresh heather is 

 more abundant. "What, then, are the facts amid such condi- 

 tions ? There are few places where the disease has been more 

 general, and more fatal in its consequences. Diseased birds 

 were found in incredible numbers dead by the water-courses, 

 one shepherd having observed that during his lifetime he had 

 seen many visitations of the grouse disease, but in no case did 

 he ever see anything approaching to it for malignity than dur- 

 ing the present season. On asking him if the disease still con- 

 tinued, he replied that during the last week or two it appeared 

 to have ceased, but it was only after the birds had disappeared ! 

 Another shepherd in the same district informed me that 

 although on the moors daily, he had only seen one young bird 

 during the entire season. It would be difficult to find a more 

 conclusive reply to the advocates of the "frosted heather" 

 theory than is here presented. 



Had time permitted, I would have referred somewhat in 

 detail to those other theories mentioned, although less reason- 



