Address of the President. 31 



nomination "vermin," and with the exception of the fox and 

 otter, which are preserved for other purposes, are all killed. 

 The birds of prey which associated so well with the wild land- 

 scape, are now scarcely to be heard or seen. In Dumfriessliire, 

 the common buzzard and peregrine falcon are now very rare. 

 And what is the consequence? other species — the natural 

 check having been removed — have increased to such an extent 

 as to become really injurious. We may instance the increase 

 of the common wood-pigeon ; the flocks have now become so 

 large, that when they attack a field of turnips, they do as 

 much harm as preserved rabbits. In Berwickshire an associa- 

 tion has been formed for their destruction, and in one year alone 

 eight thousand were killed in various ways. Upon a High- 

 land estate lately, the field mice increased to such an extent, 

 that they destroyed young plantations by gnawing the bark of 

 the yoimg trees ; the proprietor was recommended to forbid 

 his gamekeeper to kill the owls, and it might have been added 

 to preserve the kestrels.* 



But while injury is done, benefit also arises from wealth 

 and luxury. Valuable introductions may be instanced in the 

 case of the turkey, pheasant, guinea fowl ; carp and various 

 fishes ; among timber, the larch. Wealth is now endeavour- 

 ing to introduce many fine trees and plants which may turn 

 out of great importance. Acclimatisation societies are doing 

 much to import species of animals and birds that will suit 

 this climate ; and comparatively private associations, such as 

 the Oregon expedition, and that now working in Vancouver's 

 Island and British Columbia, have introduced many hardy 

 plants, and will continue their exertions. 



The plantation of waste lands, and larger extent of young 

 wood, has also had its influence ; some birds frequenting 

 open localities have disappeared, giving way to others not 

 formerly known, which appeared as the woods grew. 



* In 1856, 21,981 head of vemiiii were killed ; in this was included 2132 

 stoats, 1942 weasels, nearly 300 owls, and 231 kestrel hawks. 



