Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/138

114 several other peculiarities of the distribution, such as the occurrence of certain genera in both Burma and Southern India, but not in Northern India, may be explained if the temperature of India generally went much lower in Pleistocene times; and the probability of this conclusion is strongly supported by the evidence in the Himalayas of glaciers having formerly descended 7000 feet lower than they do at present.

of Dumfries, has printed for private circulation a paper he read before his local Society last November on "The Vertebrates of Solway: a Century's Changes." These changes are not inconsiderable. On the rougher and hill portions of the country Black Cattle have long since been replaced by Sheep, and as a consequence heather is slowly dying out. We read that the Badger has approached extinction; the Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) does not visit the Solway waters with its former regularity; the Black Rat may be considered as extinct; the Common Hare only holds its own. In birds, the Martin is decreasing in numbers, and the Goldfinch even more so; the Barn-Owl seems dying out, and the Hen-Harrier, though plentiful half a century ago, is now scarcely ever seen. On the other hand, the Mistle-Thrush, once uncommon, is now a familiar species; the White Wagtail is more regular in appearance; the Pied Flycatcher breeds regularly in several places; whilst the Starling has become a most abundant species. The Adder (Pelias berus) must have been once very common. Mr. Service was informed that during the reclamation of a farm from Lochar Moss the number of Adders killed averaged forty per acre. In fishes, the Cod is no longer the same in number or size; but the Anchovy, which arrived in the Solway waters in 1889, remains in quantity.

Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Western Province Game Protection Association was held at Cape Town on Aug. 30th last. It is most satisfactory to find that even in Cape Colony the larger game animals are not yet exterminated. We extract the following from a report in the 'Cape Argus':—

"From information supplied by the Agricultural Department, the following varieties of big game appear still to be found in the Colony. The numbers, however, are only approximate, as it is feared that during the disturbed condition of the Northern Border of Bechuanaland much unauthorised shooting of big game took place:—Blesbok; About 400 in Steynsburg division. Bontebok: About 220 in Bredasdorp and Swellendam divisions. Buffaloes: Over 700 in Albany, Alexandria, Bathurst, and Uitenhage divisions. In the first two of these districts they were specially protected until March 27th, 1001, and in Bathurst until Oct. 2nd, 1900.