284 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



If we again refer to the map for 1909, we find that the fine 

 heather year in 1908 has had the effect of entirely restoring the 

 health of the birds. Only two isolated cases of mortality 

 were reported throughout the whole of this extensive district. 1 



DISTRICT 1. SCOTLAND EAST (SOUTHERN HALF). 

 19066 Reports. 



Weather. A normal year, except for much snow in May ; a very 

 wet August and October, and more snow in December. 



Heather. Young heather grew well, especially after autumn- 

 burning ; some damage by frost in the Lammermoors and Peebles. 

 The bloom was variable, but the seed ripened well. 



Stock. The year began with a healthy stock, above the average in 

 numbers. The breeding season was bad, many eggs and young birds 

 being destroyed by snow, frost, and rain. Mortality was reported in 

 the spring from several districts, more especially Peebles and Selkirk. 2 

 The stock on August 12th was below the average, but quite healthy. 

 The bags were below the average, and the stock left was about an 

 average and quite healthy. 



Remarks. Here for the first time we find the stock seriously 

 affected by the bad weather in the breeding season, for the 

 " disease " does not seem to have been sufficiently severe to 

 account for the great shortage of young birds, though it may have 

 contributed. The nesting season is described as the worst for 

 years, nearly all the early broods were destroyed in some places, 

 and everywhere there were many second broods. These second 

 broods and late hatchings will probably affect the health of 

 the stock in 1907, for late birds have not the same stamina, ns 

 early ones, and the heather crop is only moderate. 



190710 Reports. 



Weather. Variable in the early months. The breeding season was 

 rather cold and wet. A wet August was followed by a dry September, 

 and the winter was open. 



Heather. The spring growth was poor, but grew best after autumn - 

 burning ; the bloom was late and poor, and the seed ripened badly 

 a bad heather year. 



Vide map, 1909. 2 y^ e mapj 1906. 



