EARTHQUAKES IN SCOTLAND. 197 



Report on the practicability of establishing "A Close Time " for the 



protection of indigenous Animals. By a Committee, consisting of 



Prof. Newton, M.A., F.R.S., Eev. H. B. Tristram, F.R.S., J. E. 



Harting, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Rev. H. Barnes, and H. E. Dresser 



(Reporter). 



YoTJE Committee has great pleasure in reporting that the object for which it 

 was appointed has continued to excite attention in the public prints during 

 the past year, and that in the direction indicated by its last lieport — the 

 piwtcction, namely, of those birds generally coming under the term " Wild 

 Fowl." There appears to be a widespread disposition among all classes to 

 extend in their favour the provisions of the ' Sea-Birds' Preservation Act,' in 

 proof of which your Committee may cite two facts : — 1, the establishment in 

 the county of Sussex (chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr. T. J. Monk, 

 of Lewes) of an Association whose members pledge themselves to abstain 

 from destroying Woodcocks in the breeding-season, which Association has 

 met with great encouragement from the principal landed proprietors in the 

 county ; and 2, the rapid growth of a well-founded belief that some steps are 

 absolutely necessary to stop the netting or shooting of Plovers during the 

 same season to ensure a continuance of the supply of theii- eggs, which 

 form, as is well known, a valuable commodity. 



Your Committee is fuUy aware of the danger of attempting to legislate on 

 this subject before the proper time; but from the assistance which has been 

 promised in various influential quarters, it entertains a sanguine hope that 

 some decided step may be taken next year; and belie-^-ing that the wai'mest 

 supporters of the principle of establishing a Close Time for indigenous 

 animals will readily listen to the recommendations of your Committee, it 

 respectfully prays that your Committee may be reappointed. 



Repo7-t of the Committee on Earthquakes in Scotland. The Committee 

 consists of Dr. Bryce, F.G.S., Sir W. Thomson, F.R.S., D. Milne- 

 Home, F.R.S.E., P. Macfarlane, and J. Brough. 



Veey little worthy of record has occurred during the past year. There 

 has been no earthquake or other disturbance in the Comrie district similar 

 to those noticed in last Eeport. Prom other districts, however, slight shocks 

 of earthquake have been reported — from Lochabcr in the end of November 

 and from the upper part of the Prith of Clyde in April. The latter occurred 

 during the night, was noticed by few, and doubt has been expressed by some 

 in regard to it. But as the same region was certainly agitated on more 

 than one occasion during the conduct of the previous inquiry instituted by 

 the Association, of which Dr. Buckland and Mr. Milne-Home had the 

 charge, there is no improbability in such an occurrence ; very little informa- 

 tion, however, that could be depended upon was obtained. In regard to 

 the other earthquake- shock there is less doubt. The district in which it 

 was felt comprises the Spean Valley and the lower lart of the Great Glen, a 

 region in which some of the most severe of our earthcjuakcs have been from 

 time to time experienced. In the present case, however, no change was 

 produced on the surface, or in the position of objects (see Eep. by Mr. D. 

 Milne-Home, Brit. Assoc. Hep. IS-iO) ; and without recording inBtrumonts 



