APPENDIX G 121 



contributed. The nesting season is described as the worst for years, nearly all the 

 early broods were destroyed in some places, and everywhere there were many second 

 broods. These second broods and late hatchings will probably affect the health of 

 the stock in 1907, for late birds have not the same stamina as early ones, and the 

 heather crop is only moderate. 



190710 Reports. 



Weather. Variable in the early months. The breeding season was rather cold and 

 wet. A wet August was followed by a dry September, and the winter was open. 



Heather. The spring growth was poor, but grew best after autumn - burning ; the 

 bloom was late and poor, and the seed ripened badly a bad heather year. 



Stock. A good healthy stock at the beginning of the year. The breeding season 

 was unfavourable owing to cold and wet ; but the losses do not appear to have been 

 serious. There was a good deal of sickness throughout the district 1 with a remarkable 

 three weeks' outbreak on the Lammermoors in April, which swept off 10 per cent, of 

 the birds, nearly all cocks. The attack passed away as suddenly as it had come, and 

 the stock on August 12th was much over the average in numbers and very healthy. 

 Elsewhere the stocks on the 12th were irregular, and the bags variable; the stock left 

 was about an average in numbers and quite healthy. 



Remarks. As was to be expected there were a good many scattered cases of mortality, 

 though the outbreaks were nowhere very severe except on the Lammermoors, where an 

 excellent example was furnished of a quick recovery before any harm had been done. The 

 cause of the recovery was probably a sudden burst of young growth on the heather which 

 enabled the birds to obtain food on uncontaminated ground. As is usually the case when 

 an outbreak occurs in April, it was chiefly cocks that died ; 2 had the attack extended into 

 May and June hens also would have been affected, and the effect on the young stock 

 would have been serious. The prospects for 1908 are not difficult to forecast. The bad 

 heather year in 1907 will make the wintering poor, and there is sure to be some mortality 

 in the spring ; but it will probably not be very serious for the birds of this year were 

 hatched early and are consequently vigorous, they are in excellent condition and no over- 

 stocks are reported. 



190810 Reports. 



Weather. A normal winter with a cold, wet March, followed by a very severe frost in 

 April and snow in places May and June ; rather cold July ; August and September fine, 

 hot, and dry. A fine open winter. 



Heather. As in other districts this was an exceptionally good heather year. Some damage 

 was caused by the frost in April ; but the bloom was excellent, and the seed ripened well. 



1 Vule map, 1907, Appendix I. 2 Vide vol. i. chap. vi. p. 136. 



