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
Penistono, through Cheshire and Derbyshire, are very far
from promising. The keepers ou 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. Up to 31.ireh 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. On Mr. Stanhope's moors
at Danford and Snailden, comprising some 5,000 or 6,000
acres, although not much shot over last year, birds are
very scarce, and only in the vicinity of some of the lodges
and moor farms, where they have been regularly fed, are
there any numbers to be seen. The same is also the ca
01l se
e-
on the grounds at Woodhead, elonging to Mr. T
macho, sad in the neighbourhood of Holmfirth. At Boar-
dill Flats, Sir Lionel Pilkington's moors, which aro gesaidne-
raley well stocked, the birds are few,
and such may be
to be the case for very many miles around. It it is not
expected that on several of the shootings there will bo an
opening this season, ns the killing of the small number to
be found would seriously injure the prospects of next year.
and matters
In going over some miles of generally good moors on Sa-
turday last very few birds were to be seen,
Iwill not be much improved by the late rains.
COMRIE—PROSPECTS FOR THE TWELFTIL—Tho 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 proved so deadly
among grouse on other moors of the county has also
made sad havoc among the birds on all the extensive
moors in this and the adjoining parishes. The malady
seems to have boon most destructive on the moors of
Lochoarnside, Glanartnoy, and the other shooting
grounds stretching towards Balquhidder and Callander,
and in some places very few birds have been loft. At
Innorgeldia, D unira, Strowan, and other places, the distem-
per has scarcely been so destructive; but on an average
gamekeepers calculate that the mortality will range from 70
to 80 per cent. It appears from the reports we have re-
cently received that the young broods of grouse on the
various moors present a very irreguar appearance in regard
to number and size. In some instances the broods number
from six to eight birds each, and are strong on the wing;
but many broods have been recently seen with only two
and three birds each, and from their small size cannot be
long hatched. On the extensive moors of Drummond
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 aro abundant and in the
best condition. Partridges especially are unusually nume-
rous; but among the coveys, which number from nine to
twelve birds each, there are some very late and small
birds. In the preserve pheasants and capercailzie have
bred well, and the numerous young broods are large and
well grown.