Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/214

186 and it was thirty-nine days before it opened its eyes. It has been very vigorous and healthy from the first, and its development was evidently normal."

the Annual Report of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland for 1896 we read that "the most interesting event which has occurred in the Gardens for many years took place early in the year. On the 6th of January, the female Cape Hunting Dog, Lycaon pictus, presented the Society with a litter of four cubs. It is very rare for these valuable and interesting animals to breed in captivity, although one or perhaps two litters are known to have been born in the Zoological Gardens in Amsterdam. In no case, however, has the mother reared her offspring. Two or three days after birth they have died through excessive anxiety for their welfare on the part of the mother during the nursing period. The slightest noise alarms her, and, seizing the pups in her mouth, she careers round the cage seeking a place where she can conceal her progeny. Unfortunately the litter born in the Dublin Gardens met the same fate. The puppies stood this treatment for three days and then they succumbed."

the 'Cape Times,' under date of Jan. 20th, a summary of Government Notice, No. 4, of 1897, is given, which relates to the general close or fence season for game in the various divisions of the Colony. The interest to zoologists is found in the list of animals which have been specially protected, for here we can read decrease and possible extinction on the wall.

In mammals, as restricted to various districts, and whose slaughter is prohibited for periods expiring in 1897, 1898, 1899, and even 1900, we find enumerated Aardvaark or Ant-eater, Rietbok, Eland, Klipspringer, Klipbok, Duiker, Grysbok, Bushbuck Ewes, Rhebok, Oribi, Steinbuck, Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Koodoo, Blesbok, Bontebok, Giraffe.

In birds: Paauw, Plovers and Larks, Quail, Knorhaan, "Partridges," "Pheasants," and Guinea Fowls.

Insectivorous and other birds, in Albany and Uitenhage, to Dec. 23rd, 1899; all kinds of birds in Beaufort West Dam, to May 31st, 1898; and in Mossel Bay Municipal Commonage, to June 30th, 1897.

Great and Small Locust Bird, throughout the whole Colony to Jan. 22nd, 1899. This no doubt to increase the destruction of locusts.

to a Reuter's telegram from Blantyre, dated Jan. 12th, Mr. Poulett Weatherley, said to be the only British sportsman at the time in the interior, and who had circumnavigated Bangweolo and Chifunanti, bears witness to the ravages of the rinderpest among the wild game of South and East Africa:—"The rinderpest has killed off all Antelope