The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-22 00:00:00

THE MOORS.

The prospects of the 12th of August on the best range
of moor running from the neighbourhood of Sheffield and
Penistone, through Cheshire and Derbyshire, are very far
from promising. The keepers on some of the most ex-
tensive grounds complain of great scarcity of birds, largo
numbers having been found dead from the severity of the
weather and the want of feeding. tip to March there ap-
peared to be favourable indications of a moderately good
season, but since then the grouse have rapidly declined, a
considerable number of them having been evidently at-
tacked by disease, as the livers of several which were opened
appeared like a clot of blood. Oa Mr. Stanhope's moors
at Dunford and Snailden, comprising some 5,000 or 6,000
scree, although not much shot over last year, birds aro
very scarce, and only in the vicinity of some of the lodges
and moor farms, where they have been regularly fed, aro
there any numbers to be seen. Tho same is also the case
on the grounds at Woodhead, belonging to Mr. Tulle-
mache, and in the neighbourhood of Ilolmfirth. At Boar-
dill Flats, Sir Lionel Pilkington's moors, which aro gene-
rally well stocked, the birds aro few, and such may be said
to be the case for very Teeny miles around. It it is not
expected that on several of the shootings there will be an
opening this season, as the killing of the small number to
be found would seriously injure the prospects of next year.
In going over some miles of generally good moors on Sa-
turday last very few birds wore to be seen, and matters
will not be much improved by the late rains.
COMRIE—PROSPECTS FOIL THE Tweerene—The pro-
spects of sportsmen for the ensuing Twelfth have not
been so gloomy in this district of Perthshire for a long
series of years. The disease which provel so deadly
among grouse on othet moors of the county has also
made sad havoc among the birds on all the extensive
moors in this met the erieeetrie The netkely
seem; to car.) boon unit dis:ructivo oa the m ews of
Lochearneide, Glenertney, and the other shooting
grounds stretching towards Balgultilder and • Callender,
and in some places very few birds have boon left. At
Innergeldie, Dunira, Strowan, and other places, the distem-
per has scarcely been so destructive ; but on au average
gamekeepers calculate that the mortality will range from 70
to 80 poe cent. It appears from the reports--re herefere-
cently received that the young broods of grouse on the
various moors present a very irreguar appearance in regard
f rotweeher and size. In some instances the broods number
each, and aro strong
but many trooue?r,t, the wing;
and throe birds each, and them wee _____
long hatched. On the extensive moors of DilitWOM
Castle and other places there will be no shooting this
season ; and several of the proprietors have wisely re-
solved, owing to the mortality among grouse, to give a
jubilee to the few remaining birds. The prospects of sport
in the low country, however, have seldom been so encour-
aging. All descriptions of game are abundant and in the
best condition. Partridges especially re unusually n
neum-
roue; but among the coveys, which number from nn
to
twelve birds each, there are some very late and small
birds. In the preserve pheasants and capercailzie have
broil well, and the numerous young broods are large and
well grown.