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NATURE AND THE GAMEKEEPER. 



The changes in the fauna of the inland counties brought 

 about by the favour shown to certain species are very 

 remarkable. The alterations caused by the preserva- 

 tion of pheasants have reached their limit. No further 

 efiects are likely to be produced, even if pheasant- 

 preserving should be carried to a still greater extent, 

 which itself is improbable. One creature at least, the 

 pine-marten, has been exterminated over Southern 

 England, and is now only to be seen — in the stuffed 

 state — in museums. It may be roughly described as 

 a large tree-weasel, and was shot down on account of 

 its habit of seizing pheasants at roost. The polecat is 

 also practically extinct, though occasional specimens 

 are said to occur. These two animals could not be 

 allowed to exist in any preserve. But it is in the list 

 of birds that the change is most striking. Eagles are 

 gone : if one is seen it is a stray from Scotland or 

 Wales ; and so are the buzzards, except from the moors. 

 Falcons are equally rare : the little merlin comes down 

 from the north now and then, but the peregrine falcon 

 as a resident or regular visitor is extinct. The hen- 

 harrier is still shot at intervals ; but the large hawks 



