MOOR MANAGEMENT 389 



birds, and the first day's driving always takes place before any of the surround- 

 ing moors are driven. 



Towards the end of the season there is often an immigration of birds from 

 other moors ; but these visitors arrive after shooting has ceased for the season, 

 with the exception of the gamekeeper'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 without fear of disease 

 developing locally, i.e., among the home stock of Grouse. 



(2) That drainage is very beneficial. 



(3) That an abundant supply of good grit is essential. 



(4) That Grouse driving is largely responsible for the increase. 



(5) That the limit has not necessarily been reached. 



(6) That the introduction of an artificial supply of water may be beneficial in 



a dry season or on the drier parts of the moor. 



Cawdor Moor. 



A very fine moor not yet fully developed or arrived at its full carrying 

 power, with good young heather. The following points in the record should 

 be noted : 



(1) The improvement in each decade. 



(2) A slight set-back in 1890 to 1900, probably due to the moor being 



less well cared for during that period. 



(3) The period 1900 to 1910 shows a marked advance, owing to regular 



driving and improved methods of management. 



(4) The time required for the moor to recover from the effect of the 



1907 epidemic was one year; on all previous occasions it took 



upwards of four years to get back to the average yield. 



This moor is in the centre of a Grouse-bearing district, and will probably 



always be liable to disease from overcrowding by birds from higher and less 



well - burnt moors in late winter and early spring. This danger will remain 



