1630 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



where they were numerous, and when we wake 

 up to the fact they have gone, it is usually too 

 late to take measures of protection. Probably 

 the same thing occurs in America and elsewhere. 



The introduction of foxes into Australia by 

 private persons is bound to cause the destruc- 

 tion, and possibly, extinction, of certain ground 

 game. Inasmuch as much of the country has 

 been cleared of scrub, the game does not have 

 the same cover that it had formerly. The ani- 

 mals that live in burrows probably will hold 

 their own longer than those that make their 

 nests on the surface. Tasmania, being of com- 

 paratively small area, is sure to lose the marsu- 

 pial wolf or thylacine before long, as the dense 

 brush is cleared and the country becomes more 

 thickly settled. Even now it is scarce, and the 

 settlers snare and destroy it whenever they get 

 the opportunity. The Government has lately 

 established a large reserve for it near Hobart. 



In Queensland there are ninety-two Honorary 

 Rangers, and that State is trying to protect its 



animal life, but having so much sparsely popu- 

 lated country it is difficult. In the near future, 

 they probably will convert more crown land into 

 reserves. So far only four have been made for 

 animals and fifty-two for birds. It is now un- 

 der consideration to take up the subject of the 

 exportation of the skins of Australian native 

 wild animals, and to place this important matter 

 on a proper basis. It probably will be under 

 the control of the Commonwealth Government, 

 and further efforts will then be made to pre- 

 serve our fast disappearing fauna. In every 

 country there are what are popularly called 

 "game hogs," heedless men as well as thought- 

 less boys, who seek to destroy the fauna of the 

 country for their own individual benefit, and 

 with no thought for posterity, or whether they 

 are exterminating the fauna or not. Simply for 

 what they call "sport," they carelessly destroy 

 all they can. making little use of what they do 

 kill. Persons of this class always are with us, 

 more or less. 



AUSTRALIA: GREAT BRITAIN'S SOUTHEASTERN EMPIRE 

 The development of Australia outruns the imagination. Hnw many Americans know that a great transconti 

 railway now link* Brisbane, Sydney and Victoria with far-distant Perth and Western Australia? Not- 

 withstanding ln-i tremendous outpouring of men, munitions, ships and money for the war, Australia 

 is \igorously maintaining her chain of zoological gardens, and a remarkable series of 

 sanctuaries for the preservation of wild life. 



