286 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



was favourable except for losses from frost in April, and on the Pent- 

 lands from snow which covered the nests for ten days. 1 Everywhere 

 there were a number of unhatched eggs left in the nests, and broods 

 were small. A certain number of isolated cases of " disease " were 

 reported, but it was nowhere serious except on the Midlothian moor 

 referred to where early mortality was reported. 2 On August 12th 

 there was a fair stock of healthy birds, the bags were a little below the 

 average, and an average healthy stock was left. 



Remarks. The only unusual event was on the Midlothian 

 moor when mortality was reported at a much earlier date than 

 is usually the case. The fact that many eggs were left unhatched 

 in the nests may have been due to damage by frost, or because 

 their fertility was impaired owing to the parent birds being in 

 indifferent health and condition after bad wintering. 



The good heather year in 1908 resulted as before in an im- 

 provement in the health of the stock in 1909, though this 

 improvement was not so marked as in some of the other districts. 3 



DISTRICT 6. SCOTLAND, WEST. 



190632 Reports. 



Weather. The reports vary considerably in different parts of the 

 country ; the early part of the year appears to have been rather wet ; 

 the breeding season was good in Argyllshire, but, further south, May 

 was wet. August was hot, September fine. The end of the year was 

 wet and stormy, with snow at Christmas. 



Heather. The reports were contradictory ; on the whole a normal 

 year for growth, bloom, and seed. The reports as to the effect of frost 

 vary greatly. 



8tock. The year began with a good average stock of healthy birds. 

 The breeding season in Argyllshire was good, with some flooding in 

 May. Elsewhere it was a bad breeding season, eggs were frosted, 

 birds drowned, and there were a good many second broods. A few 

 cases of mortality were reported, but there were no serious outbreaks. 1 

 The stock on August 12th was a good average, counting second broods, 

 and quite healthy ; in some places the stocks were exceptionally good. 

 The bags ranged from a good average to exceptionally good, and the 

 stocks left were above the average and healthy. 



1 Vide chap. i. p. 10. - Vide map, 1908. 



a Vide map, 1909. * Vide map, 1906. 



