122 APPENDIX G 



Stock. At the beginning of the season there was an average stock, all healthy except on 

 one moor in Midlothian. The nesting season was favourable except for losses from frost 

 in April, and on the Pentlands from snow which covered the nests for ten days. 1 Every- 

 where there were a number of unhatched eggs left in the nests, and broods were small. A 

 certain number of isolated cases of "disease" were reported, but it was nowhere serious 

 except on the Midlothian moor referred to where early mortality was reported. 2 On 

 August 12th there was a fair stock of healthy birds, the bags were a little below the 

 average, and an average healthy stock was left. 



Remarks. The only unusual event was on the Midlothian moor where mortality was 

 reported at a much earlier date than is usually the case. The fact that many eggs were 

 left unhatched in the nests may have been due to damage by frost, or because their fertility 

 was impaired owing to the parent birds being in indifferent health and condition after bad 

 wintering. 3 



The good heather year in 1908 resulted as before in an improvement in the health of 

 the stock in 1909, though this improvement was not so marked as in some of the other 

 districts. 4 



DISTRICT 6. SCOTLAND, WEST. 



190632 Reports. 



Weather. The reports vary considerably in different parts of the country ; the early part 

 of the year appears to have been rather wet; the breeding season was good in Argyllshire, 

 but, further south, May was wet. August was hot, September fine. The end of the year was 

 wet and stormy, with snow at Christmas. 



Heather. The reports were contradictory ; on the whole a normal year for growth, bloom, 

 and seed. The reports as to the effect of frost vary greatly. 



Stock. The year began with a good average stock of healthy birds. The breeding season 

 in Argyllshire was good, with some flooding in May. Elsewhere it was a bad breeding 

 season, eggs were frosted, birds drowned, and there were a good many second broods. A 

 few cases of mortality were reported, but there were no serious outbreaks. 5 The stock on 

 August 12th was a good average, counting second broods, and quite healthy ; in some places 

 the stocks were exceptionally good. The bags ranged from a good average to exception- 

 ally good, and the stocks left were above the average and healthy. 



Remarks. It is difficult to deduce information from the reports owing to the variety of 

 conditions in the district. The mild climate of West Argyllshire is so distinct from that of 



1 Vide vol. i. chap. ii. p. 10. " Vide map, 1908, Appendix I. 



3 Vide Appendix H. p. 133. 4 Vide map, 1909, Appendix I. 



5 Vide map, 1906, Appendix I. 



