THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. VI.] NOVEMBEE, 1882. [No. 71. 



REMARKS ON THE GROUSE DISEASE. 

 By J. A. Haevie Bkown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. 



As to the causes and gradual development of the Grouse 

 disease, I could write at some length as a naturalist, although 

 the historical aspect should also be considered and fully treated 

 of, and parallel statistics collected contemporaneously, of heather- 

 burning, estate management, &c. 



If all sportsmen were naturalists, believing in the sound theory 

 and practical work of Darwin, I cannot conceive that they would fail 

 to recognise the true causes and trace even the development. Of 

 the actual jiositive nature of the disease I might also write at some 

 length, but when I state that Dr. Cobbold has already investigated 

 this and treated pretty fully of it, it will be perhaps more practical 

 to refer to the causes and consequent means of prevention. 



I believe, in common with many other naturalists, that Grouse 

 disease is caused mainly by over- stocking, over-preservation, and 

 the complete and indiscriminate slaughter of certain species of 

 vermin (or so-called vermin), notably the Peregrine Falcon, and 

 by the state of the young and old heather after severe late 

 frosts, which now affect the degenerate stock more easily than in 

 former years when birds, though less numerous, were healthier, 

 stronger, and had a larger area of feeding-ground. The much 

 larger number of sportsmen now coming to Scottish moors does 

 not adequately make up for the increased number of birds, as the 

 latter on Perthshire moors and highly- stocked grounds soon 



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