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mammalogist is a book in the Spotters Guide series
called "Animals, Tracks and Signs" (Osbourne)
which deals with most vertebrates and has
sections on mammals and is especially good value
at £1.25. For the naturalist with a wide range
of interests the standard field guide -
"Mammals of Britain and Europe" (Collins) is
probably one of the most useful general field
books on British Mammals. It has detailed
descriptions of each species with notes on the
life histories, and has a useful section on
skulls and bones. The latest edition is an
improvement on the earlier ones.
Armed with plenty of tracks and signs from a
"beast" and a good field manual, you may still
find it difficult to confidently identify your
mammal as juveniles complicate measurements
and mixed tracks and signs confuse the evidence.
However, take heart, you will soon gain expertise
in deciphering the information and members of
the mammal group will always be willing to help
you where possible.
Please do record as many details as you can and
pass on this information for our records. Good
luck and good hunting!
FIONA HUGHES
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
This article is a summary of records received
during the period 1981 - 1983.