126 NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
Mr. Read then proceeded to describe a plan which would in
some measure tend to avert the dangers to which he had called
attention. He proposed that the active co-operation of the
various local societies should be secured, each to make a
survey of its own county, and to record on a large-scale
ordnance map, every tumulus or earthwork within that county
or area:—
" At the same time a register of the sites, with numbers referring to the
map, should be kept, and in this register should be noted the names of the
owner and tenant of the property, as well as any details which would be of use
in exploring the tumuli. I am well aware that a survey of this kind has been
begun by the Society of Antiquaries of London, and is still in progress; but
this is of a far more comprehensive character, and is, moreover, primarily
intended for publication. The more limited survey I now advocate would in
no way interfere with it, but, on the contrary, would provide material for the
other larger scheme. Once the Local Society is in possession of the necessary
information just referred to, it would be the duty of its executive to exercise a
beneficent control over any operations affecting the tumuli, and it may safely
be said that such control could in no way be brought to bear so easily and
effectively as through a Local Society."
NOTES-ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
ZOOLOGY.
MAMMALIA.
New Forest Life in Winter.—There is an article with
foregoing title in the Spectator of January 3rd, 1903. The writer
speaks of the New Forest as being "singularly devoid of life,"
and notes especially the scarcity of birds and small quadrupeds
there in winter; though foxes are numerous, rabbits are
scarce. He remarks that Epping Forest swarms with rabbits,
and comparing the two forest areas, says:—
" Indeed there is more wild life, including rabbits, badgers, jays, pigeons, and
wild duck of various kinds, in the small area of Epping Forest and Wanstead
Ponds, a few miles from London, than in double that space of the average New
Forest area. The writer, for curiosity, tried many hundreds of acres in different
parts with an 'all round' setter, used to ground game, both woodland and heath,
and except near two small warrens, found only three rabbits and three pheasants
in as many long walk's. The only quadruped at all common is not conspicuous.
It is the mole. There must be squirrels, for the ground in many of the
plantations is strewn with the cores of pine-cones they have eaten; but even the
squirrels do not show."