The same remarks will apply to Orkney, and, more favourably still, excepting that they do not fill up from the higher ground; but in Orkney the moors are very small, and no great quantity of grouse.
Are we to draw our conclusion from the experience of previous years, not of one cycle, but of several.
If we are to avail ourselves of past experience, the inference derived is that disease does run in cycles, and that it is a provision of Providence to ensure the survival of the fittest, and thus prevent the gradual decadence of the grouse.
It would appear that grouse shooting runs in years pretty much thus:
1st year.—Say disease; shoot down and stamp out as far as possible.
2nd year.—A jubilee; but shoot old cocks.
3rd year.—A jubilee; but shoot old cocks.
4th year.—Moderate shooting; be careful not to overdo it to the serious detriment of the good years before you.
5th year.—} Grand shooting. Shoot down all
6th year.—} you can, and so get off all you can
7th year.—} before disease does it for you.
But if the moor be shot ever so lightly in the second and third years it is simply killing the goose for the golden egg, your moor will not recover its stock and give good shooting until the seventh year or the eve of the next cycle.