THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GAME-BIRD INTO ESSEX. 109
and account for some of the foxes he has carefully preserved for
them. When the coverts were shot at Brightlingsea in November,
1885, six foxes were unkennelled, and the following autumn four
were "viewed away" in a day. In 1885 the hounds came once in
February, and the following season they came once in March.
Meantime Mr. Bateman had the mortification of seeing his Tinamus
(imported with such trouble) gradually disappear until they were
nearly exterminated. Eight were seen with a hen at Great Bromley
in August, 1887. At the present time there are still a few in some
neighbouring (and more or less fox-less) parishes, and Mr. Bateman
has eleven in his aviary. These he intends to turn out this spring,
and it is very much to be hoped that residents in the county will aid
him as much as possible in carrying out another experiment. The
elements of success lie in the fact that the Essex marshes approxi-
mate in character to the natural haunts of the bird, and sufficient
natural food may be found there to support it. It is very hardy, and
while the protective colour of its plumage favours its concealment, it
flies well enough to escape from all natural enemies, except foxes; in
this respect being no worse off than partridges or pheasants. More-
over, although liable to wander like other game birds, it is not
strictly migratory like the quail, and may therefore be expected to
remain throughout the year in localities which are fairly suited to its
natural requirements. As to its protection by statute, as the law at
present stands it would not come under the definition of "game,"
and consequently no penalty could be enforced for killing it out of
season, It is to be hoped, however, that the good feeling of sports-
men would suffice to secure it from molestation during the breeding
season, until such time as an amendment of the law might place it,
if the experiment succeeds, on the same footing as other game birds.
For the information which I am now able to lay before the society,
so far as it relates to Essex, I am indebted to Mr. Bateman himself,
who very kindly replied seriatim to a string of questions which I
addressed to him. It seemed to me that an experiment of this kind,
having for its object the introduction into this country of a new game
bird, is not only of considerable importance to the community at
large, but of special interest to the naturalists in Essex.
Discussion.
After the reading of the above paper at the meeting of the Club on February
25th, 1888, the following remarks were made :—
The President (Mr. E. A. Fitch) in thanking Mr. Harting for a very interesting