296 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



supply depends on (a) good spring growth ; (b) good 

 summer bloom ; (c) good autumn seed in the preceding 

 year. The first-named item is probably the most 

 essential, and the second is probably only a result of 

 the first, but as it is more easily noticed it forms the 

 best guide to the prospects of the following year. 

 A good year for corn crops is usually a good year for 

 heather. 



(2) The health of the parent birds is of far greater impor- 



tance than the weather in the breeding season. 



(3) It is believed that the best weather conditions in the 



breeding season are an early spring and an absence of 

 all climatic extremes. Mere cold probably does little 

 harm, and rain or snow in moderation may be dis- 

 regarded. The important matter is that the stock 

 should pair early and proceed with their nesting with- 

 out interruption. The value of early hatchings is 

 referred to elsewhere. 1 



(4) From the reports it would appear that fine, dry, warm 



weather from May to July is associated with the best 

 growth of leaf and bloom, and early bloom is followed 

 by well-ripened seed, unless the autumn is unusually 

 wet. Occasionally late bloom may result in a well- 

 ripened crop of seed if the autumn is fine and warm. 

 It would appear from the Reports for 1908 that a 

 hard frost in April is not injurious to growth, but 

 probably frost in May would retard it seriously. 



(5) Once the chicks are hatched they will survive all ordinary 



weather conditions ; but excessive wet soon after 

 hatching means great danger from drowning. A very 

 hot, dry summer has frequently been associated with 

 a disappearance of the young stock, probably caused by 

 Coccidiosis. The rapid growth and development of 

 chicks probably depends entirely on a good food supply, 

 i.e., a good spring growth of heather. 



1 Vide pp. 434 et seq. 



