STOCK 417 



proportion is about one pair to 8 or 10 acres, except on the 

 west coast, where the normal winter stock is often only one 

 pair to 20, 30, or 40 acres. This generalisation can only be 

 regarded as true of the aggregate, and not of individual moors, 

 and it must be borne in mind that the bags obtained will show 

 a much higher ratio. In a normal season the bag will usually 

 be about double the numbers of the winter stock, and in a 

 very good year it may be possible to kill as many as five birds 

 for every nesting pair. 



The similarity of results obtained by a comparison of bags 

 on great stretches of moorland enables several important 

 deductions to be made. 



(1st) That there are certain natural limitations, directly 

 connected with the growth and density of the heather 

 crop, which local conditions of climate, soil, etc., 

 enforce in each district. 



(2nd) That while close attention may modify these natural 

 limitations, even the greatest care cannot wholly 

 eliminate them. 



(3rd) That given efficient keepering and supervision, and the 

 control both of sheep stock and shooting, the majority 

 of what are considered third-rate moors might in 

 time be raised to the average of the best of the simi- 

 larly situated moors in the same district. 

 (4th) That in any locality, owing to the slow rate at which 

 old rank heather can be converted into good feeding, 

 the progress of a moor from bad to good is necessarily 

 slow. 



From the consideration of these generalisations we may now individual 

 turn to the study of the following records of bags from individual moors - 

 moors which have been selected as typical of each main tract 

 or district. 



[TABLE 



