MOOR MANAGEMENT 339 



In 1910 the experiment was tried of introducing an artificial 

 water-supply to the drier parts of the ground by means of dew 

 pans. The results appear to have fully justified expectations ; 

 in one case it was observed that five coveys were hatched in 

 the immediate vicinity of a dew pan, where there were no young 

 birds before. The results are conclusive so far as they go, 

 but the experiment has not been continued long enough to admit 

 of absolute certainty. 



The years 1907-1908-1909 yielded an average bag of 1,114 

 brace, as compared with an average bag of the years 1897-1898- 

 1899, of only 241 brace, showing an increase of 873 brace. 

 In 1910 the bag was upwards of 1864 brace. No disease has 

 occurred since this improvement began. 



From the evidence available it would appear that the whole 

 of the birds are bred on the moor, and the suggestion that so 

 large a bag can only be obtained by the immigration of birds 

 from neighbouring moors is not supported by the facts. The 

 progress of the stock is carefully watched from the date of 

 hatching to the commencement of the shooting season, and it 

 is always found that the total bag corresponds to the prospects 

 at the nesting season ; there are no berries on the ground to 

 attract neighbouring birds, and the first day's driving always 

 takes place before any of the surrounding moors are driven. 



Towards the end of the year there is often an immigration 

 of birds from other moors ; but these visitors, arrive after shoot- 

 ing has ceased for the season, with the exception of the game- 

 keeper's annual crusade against old cocks. 



The whole stock has been known to leave the moor in 

 time of heavy snow, and to remain away till the snow has 

 disappeared ; but such migrations have not been found to 

 affect the number of birds on the ground at the next nesting 

 season. 



The owner of the moor has drawn the following deductions 

 from the foregoing facts : 



(1) That it is possible, by improving the heather, to raise 

 the permanent stock of Grouse that a moor can carry 



