The Red Grouse Diseases. 125 



forth, and get into fair condition. When the spring comes 

 and what a miserable heartbreaking time "gentle spring" 

 is upon the moors ! the fields bare, the moors as bad, 

 warmth by day, cold at night, and wet every alternate 

 twenty-four hours what is the result ? The grouse have a 

 worse time than during winter. Some may gainsay this, as 

 not correct, but let them try the months of February and 

 March in the Highlands, on the Welsh hills, or the Yorkshire 

 moors, and then say whether they would not prefer a little 

 winter weather pure and simple. 



Against grouse disease there is no remedy beyond being 

 watchful not to overstock. Keep on killing ; if the birds are 

 wild and you only get three or four brace a day in late 

 autumn, it helps to reduce the stock, and you may be sure 

 that next year there will be no scarcity of strong healthy birds 

 and no disease, provided you take care of the stock during 

 winter and the trying days of early spring. 



