352 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



additional species in New Guinea point to the fact that this 

 little-known island is Australian, rather than Malayan, in its 

 "biological character. 15 A, August 29, 1874, 281. 



TAMING THE ZEBRA. 



For many years the zebra has been considered as absolute- 

 ly untamable, but one or two instances of the contrary being- 

 recorded, and considered as remarkable exceptions to the 

 general rule. The Acclimatization Society of Paris, shortly 

 before the Franco-German war, commenced experiments with 

 a view to determine whether their taming was actually pos- 

 sible or not, but without much progress, as the exigencies of 

 the siege made it necessary to convert them, with other ani- 

 mals in the society's gardens, into articles of food. 



In 1872 a number of extremely vicious zebras were secured, 

 and the experiment renewed. At first they were entirely 

 unmanageable, but became more docile after horses were kept 

 with them for some time. Since then they have been readily 

 harnessed, and are found to work steadily and well. The 

 bulletin of the society now announces that there is no ques- 

 tion as to the possibility of domesticating the zebra, if treated 

 kindiy, and that they can be usefully employed for draught 

 animals, having great endurance and vigor, and occupying a 

 position between the horse and the ass, but in all essential 

 respects corresponding with the latter animal. 



CLOSE TIME FOR BIRDS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 



The committee appointed by the British Association to 

 bring before the public the question of a close time for the 

 preservation of indigenous animals, reported at a late meet- 

 ing the steps they had taken toward this object, and express- 

 ed the belief that the effect of birds'- nesting on such kinds 

 of birds as are known to be diminishing is altogether inap- 

 preciable, while its effect on those whose numbers are not 

 decreasing may be safely disregarded, and consequently that 

 there is no need of any legislative interference with the prac- 

 tice. The committee believed that the only practicable mode 

 of checking the diminution of such birds as have been proved 

 to be decreasing is the effectual protection of the adults from 

 destruction during the breeding season. 12 A, September 10, 

 1874,388. 



