1 902 Our Neglected Mammals 251 



Our Neglected Mammals. 



By H. E. Forrest. 



" 'Tis true, 'tis pity ; and pity 'tis 'tis true " that in most 

 Field Clubs, whilst the votaries of bird and flower lore 

 abound, those who devote themselves to the study of our 

 insular mammals are few indeed. For some occult reason 

 the subject is avoided. That it is a legitimate part of a 

 Field Club's work no one will deny. Why is it, then, that 

 — with a few honourable exceptions — this particular branch 

 has been so generally neglected ? I have met with men, 

 keen ornithologists, who, when asked to help in collecting 

 information as to the local mamm.als and reptiles, have 

 refused on the ground that they were interested only in 

 birds, and there seems to be an idea prevalent amongst 

 naturalists that our mammals are " Not Worth While." 



It may be useful to inquire (i) how this idea originated, 

 and (2) whether it is well-founded. 



1. The probable origin of the idea may be found in the 

 common knowledge that, as regards number of species, our 

 mammalian fauna is poor, and the list not likely to be 

 added to. This last consideration would deter many from 

 devoting attention to the group in question, for, whilst the 

 bird-lover may hope at any moment to come across some 

 rarity brought over by the stream of migration or stress of 

 weather, the student of mammals or reptiles can hardly 

 have any such expectations. 



Again, it is tacitly assumed that our mammalian fauna 

 is so well known that nothing is left for us latter-day 

 naturalists to discover — a fatal objection, if true. This 

 brings us to the consideration — 



2. Whether the idea is well-founded. In the first place, 

 it is doubtful whether many naturalists could say offhand 

 how many species of mammals there are in Britain. It 

 may perhaps surprise the majority to learn that the total 

 is 70. Of these, 20 cetaceans and 6 seals are marine; the 

 remaining 44 terrestrial. Are these 70 species of mammals 



