LOCAL CONDITIONS AND HEALTH OF GROUSE 291 



below the average on the bags affected; there was no " disease." 

 At the end of the season the stock was up to a fair average and 

 healthy. 



Remarks. An uneventful year. The bad growth of heather 

 may have a detrimental effect upon the health of the stock 

 in 1907. 



190711 Reports. 



Weather. Normal at first, then wet and cold, especially hi May and 

 June ; but July was warm and dry, August wet, September fine, 

 and the autumn wet. 



Heather. On the whole the growth was bad best after autumn- 

 burning. The bloom was universally late and poor, and the seed 

 ripened badly except in Wales. 



Stock. At the beginning of the year the stocks were a good average 

 and healthy, except on one moor in Cumberland. The breeding season 

 was universally bad. Eggs were destroyed by frost and floods, young 

 birds lost in large numbers by drowning. A good deal of disease was 

 reported. The stock on August 12th was below the average, so 

 were the bags. At the end of the year a fair average stock was 

 left. 



Remarks. Nothing calls for special attention. The bad 

 heather year in 1906 does not seem to have affected the stock 

 seriously ; but the birds were not in really good condition. 



190811 Reports. 



Weather. A wet and snowy whiter was followed by frost and snow 

 in April (6, 7, and 17), then finer ; but heavy rain in June. A fine 

 August and wet September were followed by a fine, mild, open winter 

 with some snow in December. 



Heather. A good year for growth ; the bloom was good and early, 

 and the seed ripened well. 



Stock. At the commencement of the year there was a fair average 

 stock and quite healthy, except in one moor in Lancashire, where the 

 stock was small and the birds were dying in large numbers. In the 

 breeding season there was an outbreak of mortality in one or two 

 places ; it was chiefly cocks that died, and when this occurred the 

 eggs were unfertile. Frost and snow destroyed many nests, and there 

 were many second broods. The reports on August 12th were con- 

 flicting. At the end of the year there was a fair stock and quite 

 healthy. 



