[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR?] have only just seen
the Spectator for August 13th, which must be my excuse for this belated communication. But there is in that issue an article on grouse which contains a most extraordinary and almost incredible error,—to wit, that Shropshire is the most southerly habitat of the red grouse in Britain and Europe. The counties of Radnor, Monmouth, Brecon, Carmarthen, South Cardigan, Glamorgan —all containing a greater or less number of grouse-moors- are ignored in wholesale fashion. Even Pembroke and Here- ford contain a sprinkling of red grouse. A mere outline of the various tracts of grouse-bearing country in South Wales would fill a page of the Spectator, and is unnecessary. Bags as a rule are small or moderate, it is true, though I noticed a hundred and five brace were killed on the 12th on the Maeslwch shooting near Hay. Hundreds of guns turn out, and thousands of red grouse are shot every August south of Shropshire, and numbers within actual sight of the Bristol Channel. As a well-known sportsman of this district remarked to me a propos of your article, this miscon- ception as to South Wales is typical. Very few Englishmen have the faintest notion what immense districts of wild and beautiful scenery exist in the six South Welsh counties,— fortunately, perhaps, for those who do.—I am, Sir, &c., A. G. BRADLEY. Porthcawl, Glamorgan.
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