254 The Field Naturalist's Quarterly Nov. 



I have since heard of two nests containing young in June, 

 so that the truth appears to be that the animal litters in 

 this country from June to September, and probably breeds 

 twice in the year. This last point, however, is not proved. 

 It is quite possible that the late breeders are younger indi- 

 viduals than the others. 



In writing as above, I do not for one moment wish to 

 cavil at the pioneer work of our older zoologists, for whom 

 I feel an almost filial regard, but it is certainly possible to 

 carrj' respect for authority too far, and no amount of book- 

 study can absolve us from the duty of observing for ourselves. 

 In the majority of cases, naturally enough, our observations 

 will only confirm the correctness of the accounts handed 

 down by our predecessors, but here and there we may 

 discover something new, or detect an error. Even though 

 we may make no new discovery, nor detect any error, it is 

 satisfactory to prove for ourselves the correctness of our 

 accepted authorities, to say nothing of the knowledge 

 gained in the process. The gain is great ; the loss 

 nothing. The ornithologist can study his favourite birds 

 as much as ever, but his horizon is enlarged : he now notes 

 with interest the creatures that scurry along the hedgerow, 

 that burrow in the earth, that swim and dive in the sea or 

 stream, and that fly abroad in the dusk when most birds 

 have retired. Ay, and the more he studies them the more 

 will his interest in them grow, and as first one and then 

 another problem in their natural history presents itself, the 

 difficulties of solution will brace him to further effort in 

 their elucidation. 



In conclusion, may I urge upon Field Clubs this very 

 practical suggestion : That in every district where the 

 whole vertebrate fauna has not yet been worked out, the 

 local society shall forthwith undertake the work of com- 

 piling a detailed list of the Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, 

 Amphibians, and Fishes. 



