124 APPENDIX G 



lanark, where it was reported that eggs were destroyed by frost ; in some places many young 

 birds disappeared mysteriously in the dry weather, and most of the reporters ascribe this to 

 -drought. A good deal of mortality from disease was reported from North Ayrshire, especially 

 on those moors where a large stock had been left. 1 On August 12th the birds were almost 

 'Universally healthy, but below the average in numbers, and the bags were small. The stocks 

 'left at the end of the year were rather below the average and quite healthy. 



Remarks. The general health of the stock was only moderate, but was better than might 

 'have been expected considering the poor heather year in 1907. This was probably due to 

 small stocks being left. The reports of heather being frosted in Argyll were probably incorrect, 

 for there was less frost in that county than in any other, and it passed away long before the 

 young growth of heather had made an appearance. The cause of damage was far more likely 

 to have been the heather beetle (Lochmeea suturalis), 2 which did a good deal of harm in this 

 . year. With regard to the disappearance of young birds in the dry weather see the remarks 

 on this subject on p. 120. 



The good heather year in 1908, combined with the light stocks left at the end of the year, 

 resulted as before in a marked improvement in the health of the birds in 1909; only one 

 -isolated case of " disease" being reported for that year. 3 ' 



DISTRICT 2A. ENGLAND, NORTH-EAST. 



190611 Reports. 



Weather. A normal year with an unfavourable nesting and hatching season, and a 

 snowstorm in December. 



Heather. No outstanding facts were reported. Autumn-burnt ground made the quickest 

 growth, and heather grew best where the ground was wet at the time of burning. The bloom 

 and seed were not very good. 



Stock. The year commenced with a good average of healthy birds. The breeding and 

 hatching seasons were disastrous, eggs were destroyed by snow, frost, and floods, and young 

 birds by cold and floods. There were many second broods, yet in some cases eggs bleached 

 -quite white with rain hatched out. Only five diseased birds representing two moors were 

 sent to the Committee for examination. The stock in the shooting season was rather below 

 the average, as also were the bags ; but at the end of the year the stock was up to the 

 average and healthy. 



Remarks. An abnormally bad nesting and hatching season, yet the stock was surprisingly 

 :good, doubtless owing to the excellent health of the birds. 



1 Vide map, 1903, Appendix I. 



2 Vide vol. i. chap. xix. pp. 414 el seq. 



3 Vide map, 1909, Appendix I. 



