The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-17 00:00:00

THE MOORS AND FORESTS.

(From the Scotsman of yesterday.)
ARGYLLSHIRE.—On the large and extensive
moorland tracts in this county there is a great
abundance of game. The grouse, however, are
never so plentiful here as on many moors in Perth-
shire and other neighbouring counties, but we learn
from keepers and shepherds who have traversed the
hills that the number of grouse this year exceeds
that of last year. The brooding season was rather
dry, and many broods suffered for want of water;
but no disease has affected the birds in Argyllshire,
and at present thay appear very healthy. Not a
single bird, old or young, has been found on the
moors dead of any malady. The heather is in fine
bloom just now, and the young grouse are in capital
condition, and feeding well. In going over a large
moorland tract our correspondent says there is a
marked improvement in the grouse, both in number
and condition, as compared with last year and some
late years. There are a few broods with only three
or four birds, but many coveys number six, eight,
and ten birds. Owing to the heavy rains of late
they are wild on the wing, and will give capital
sport. Many moors were not shot over on the 12th,
as the grouse are not so soon ready as in many
other places ; but where sportsmen were out, we
hear they had capital sport. Other game are very
plentiful. Partridges were scarcely ever so nume-
rous, the coveys generally numbering a dozen
birds. Both fallow and roedeer are plentiful in the
forests and woods. There is abundance of hares
and snipe; and flocks of wild ducks, numbering
from 100 to 200 are not rare. The white hares
from the Black Mount are spreading over the county.
There is a fine stock of both woodcock and black-
cock in many of the thick woody districts of the
county. Foxes, however, prove destructive both to
the flocks and the game. A considerable number
were captured this season at Deguish and Kilnmoor,
on the Marquis of Breadalbane's Ardmaddy estate.
Game hawks are numerous likewise, and a large
one was seized the other day by the shepherd on
Deguish.
SELKIRKSIIIRE.—The morning of the "Twelfth"
was as unfavourable as could well be conceived.
The moors were thoroughly soaked with rain, which,
up till mid-day, continued to fall heavily ; and the
result was, that scarcely a shot was fired, and a
day's grace was given to the grouse. Tuesday, how-
ever, was a good day, but it was noon before many
had reached the grounds, The birds were found
strong end healthy, and from the dampness they
sat but indifferently, and hard work was required
to make good bags. In Ettrick, the Earl of Dal-
keith and Viscount Valletort killed (on Newhouse)
341 brace; Captain Coxon and friend (on Wynd-
hope) 13 brace. In Yarrow, Mr. Mark Sprot of
Riddell bagged, on Altrive, 131 brace; Mr. James
Sandhope, six brace. On
Johnstone of Alva, on
Bowerhope and Crossclench, on Monday and Tues-
day, the Master of Napier and party bagged 52
brace. Sheriff Arkley and Mr. J. Kennedy shot 92
brace, on Yair; Colonel Ballard four brace, on
Linglie ; 152 brace fell to the g-m of Mr. Charles
S. Plummer on Sunderlandhall, which, considering
the small range of moorland, was, we believe, the
best bag to one gun madeon Tuesday.
AUCHTERARDER.--iuesday was fine throughout,
and the Earl of Camperdown and another gentle-
man killed 31 brace on the Gleneagles moors. At
night, rain again fell very heavily. In the fore-
noon of Wednesday, however, the weather cleared
up, allowing sportsmen a few hours' work; but the
rain set in about mid-day, and few details have
been reps'` '‘s to the sport enjoyed. The birds
e
are still.' --- • ',Afore the weather is settled no
s;#