The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-20
Bad Outlook for
heGrouseSeas0n
Not for Many Years Have 50 Many
Moors Experienced 50 Poor
a Breeding Time.
Especial D.spatch.)

LONDON, July : .
\Y/hlLE no trustworthy foreeas, OF
M/ the state OF the grouse crop IN SCOT
land IS usually possible till late this
month II IS we'll enough known now that
not for many years have so many moors
experienced SO poor a breeding time. II
was poor on account OF the prevailing
weather, rain and snow and extreme colo
being the general experience in both High
lands and Lowlands. Inquiries from re-
spons!o!e sources show that the birds left
on the moors on December 10 last year
experienced greater difficulty than usual
in weathering through the winter months
They appeared 10 be reduced in vitality.
and before pairing time arrived they sue
cumoed to attacks OF the strongyle worm
which, according 10 the late Dr. Wilson,
of the Scott Antarctic Expedition, who
was the scientific expert of the Royal
Grouse Commission, accounts for the
grouse disease properly so-called.
The heather this year has never been IN
more backward state. and. with reduced
vitality. scarcity OF food and unfavora BILE
weather. the BIRDS were all the more liable
TO attack and less able to pull through.
The losses from disease were heavier In
the Lowlands than in the Highlands. and
the coveys at the present date appear to
be not only small, but few and far be-
tween.
In the Highlands the grouse have had
a better wintering than those farther
south. and they have no, suffered so much
from shortage Of heather. The stocks left
over at the close Of last season were about
an average and the birds appear to enjoy
average health. There have been out
breaks OF disease. but inquiries do not
elicit any indication that mortality has oc-
Cured 10 an extent calculated TO cause
alarm.
The leading moors OF Perthshire. For
farsh!re and Aberdeenshire, so far as can
be estimated now. give promise OF average
sport Such extensive moors as Moy Nall.
in Invernessshire, where The Macintosh
for many years past has entertained roy
atty for a three days drive each season.
show good stocks Of birds. and the sam"
remark applies 10 the moors in Rossshire
and Sutherlandshire In the latter county
The Duke of Sutherland's moors promise
of Portlands moors in Calthnessshire {;
but the Argylshire moors and those in the
Western Isles are not quite up to their
usual form.
The reports from the deer forests IN the
Highlands give encouraging prospects for
the coming autumn. The red deer had a
favorable wintering and good start in
March and April. The Kings forests in the
Balmoral district Of Aberdeenshire have
their usual large number Of stays Of ma
turer years that show good antler forma-
tion, and Some good trophies are expected
to fall this year as in previous seasons.
From the Duke OF Athols forests in Perth
shire the Marquis Of Breadalbanes fine
covies in the Blackmount OF Argyllshire.
Lord Lovats In lnvernessshire, Lord
Middletons. the Marquis of Zetlands and
Baron Shroeder's in Rossshire. the Duke
of Sutherland's in Observation-Disclosures
largest, Reay Forest, by the way being
leased for many years to the Dukes Of
Northumberland the Duke Of Portland's
In Caithness come reports Of good progress
made by the deer.
Although grass was late in coming away
this year in all the Highland corries. the
weather was generally favorable in all the
districts, and with the fine breadths of
good pasturage now available both stays
and kinds should be able to pick up con-
dition rapidly.