70 Cvaigiuillar and its Environs. 



least like it." It was remarked that the vermin did 

 not live on the lea grasses, or dry hillsides ; the grassy 

 bogs and white bent w^ere the places where they 

 abounded most. Wherever the ground was what 

 the shepherds speak of as " not bare," there 

 they swarmed in greatest numbers. "They nibble 

 and gnaw the long grass close to the ground, and the 

 land is rendered altogether valueless for winter and 

 spring feeding." Speaking of Eskdalemuir, another 

 correspondent says: "The bog land on some of the 

 farms is nearly ruined. Only a few sprat stalks stand 

 here and there, but all the grass in the bottom, on 

 which the sheep depend for winter food, is destroyed. 

 Hundreds of acres of the best pasture land on 

 many farms have thus for the present been totally 

 destroyed, and whole hill-sides wear a blasted and 

 desolate aspect, the ground being perfectly riddled 

 by their holes and runs." 



It is an interesting fact, but one which all Well- 

 informed naturalists will readily anticipate, that owls 

 and kestrels increased greatly all over the infested 

 region. One informant mentions that in his locality 



