BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 321 
Moss, but is now rarely, if ever, seen there ; and the 
noticeable faUing-ofiE for years past in the number of 
Blackgame throughout the county* is likely to continue 
unless farther steps be taken to preserve and encourage 
them. The dimmution of croppmg in our uplands, and the 
general dramage of " sprittie," or rush-covered stretches of 
Mi-land, may have something to do with their decrease ; but 
themcrease of the Pheasant and its consequent extension of 
range, thereby making two hungry mouths to fill where the 
tood-supply has ahready been diminished to a point below the 
proper requirements of one, is to my mind a stiU more 
probable cause. A beat carefuUy 'nursed' and with the 
Pheasants weU kept down, yielded to four guns, on November 
1st, 1906, seventy-one Blackgame : forty-four being old cocks 
fourteen young cocks, ten old hens, and three young hens 
Much has been written for and against the desirability of 
sparmg all hens, and unhesitatmgly I vot« against such a 
proceedmg. If in the early autumn the old hens can be 
killed, an immense amount of good is done, which will be 
felt in the following season. The Greyhen is not supposed 
to be fertile for more than two or three years,t and for some 
unaccountable reason the old barren hens seem to be the most 
attractive to the Blackcock when makmg up his harem in 
the spring. The early opening date of the shooting season 
(August 20th) is to be regretted, unless discrimination is 
used and only old birds are killed ; and it is a most exceUent 
rule never to shoot a cock on which one can see any brown 
leathers. The maintenance of a young and healthy stock is 
the first ideal to be aimed at by those who wish to encourage 
this species rather than the Pheasant, which latter in some 
districts bids fair to become almost ubiquitous. 
In spring Blackcocks assemble at early morning on some 
annuaUy-frequented mound or hiUook, where they dance 
°^ ^^"^ outspread tails as an attra<)tion 
to the Greyhens sitting near their "playground." This 
• Tran,. Edin. Field Nat. Soc. 1904-1905, Vol. V., Part 3, p 184 
T Game Birds, 1894, p. 58. 
