290 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



an average and quite healthy. Except in the North Tyne district, 

 the bags were up to the average, and at the end of the year the stock 

 was a good average and universally healthy. 



Remarks. Rather a cold, wet season and a very bad heather 

 year ; the breeding season was unusually bad, yet once more 

 the young birds did well, except where the parent birds were 

 unhealthy. 1908 will probably be a bad year. 



190812 Reports. 



Weather. Average winter weather for the first three months with 

 snow and frost in April, a normal summer and a fine mild winter. 



Heather. A very good year for growth ; damage by frost reported 

 in one case only. The bloom was good and early except in Wensley- 

 dale, and the seed ripened well except on the high ground. 



Stock. At the beginning of the year the stock was rather above 

 the average and healthy ; except in the North Tyne district where 

 " disease " reappeared early in the year. The breeding season was 

 unfavourable, snow and frost destroyed many eggs but not many 

 chicks ; there were many second (or late) broods. On the whole the 

 birds were fairly healthy, though on some moors they were reported 

 to be in poor condition, and a few were found dead. The reports of 

 the stock on August 12th were very variable, as also were the bags, 

 and neither of these can be summarised. At the end of the year 

 there was a good average stock, and the birds were quite healthy. 



Remarks. The year was unexpectedly healthy considering 

 the unfavourable wintering conditions. 



As might be expected after the good heather year in 1908, 

 the stock in 1909 was exceptionally healthy. 



DISTRICT 7 A AND 7s. ENGLAND, NORTH-WEST AND NORTH 



19066 Reports. 



Weather. No special features, some snow and rain in May, other- 

 wise a fair average season. 



Heather. Growth of young heather was fair, spring-burnt being 

 the best ; the bloom was poor and late, and the seed ripened badly. 



Stock. At the beginning of the year there was a good healthy stock. 

 The breeding season was very unfavourable, both eggs and young 

 being destroyed, yet only in a few places was the stock on August 12th 



