52 MR. E. P, STEBBING ON 



is the first point for consideration, as we elsewhere mentioned, 

 in the interests of the preservation of the species from 

 a. Deterioration, 

 h. Extinction. 

 The first point to be considered to ensure this object being 

 attained is the question of close seasons. 



It is not of advantage, as was done in many Presidencies and 

 Provinces, to divide the year into two periods, calling one the 

 close season and the other the open and apply them to all animals 

 alike. Such a policy in a country of such varying conditions and 

 climate as India is obviously not only inadequate but may do as 

 much harm as good, for the breeding-seasons of many animals 

 and birds vary totally from those of others, whilst some species 

 breed at one time in one place and either later or earlier in other 

 parts of the country. Take, for instance, the three chief deer 

 in the Central Provinces (sambhar, barasingha, and chital). Of 

 these the sambhar sheds its horns the earliest in the season (late 

 April), the barasingha next, and the chital last, the latter a 

 month or two, or more, later than the sambhar. 



The close season for one obviously commences earlier than does 

 that for the others. At the same time I am not prepared to 

 say that the close season for sambhar in the Central Provinces 

 would be the same for the United Provinces Terai or for the 

 Assam Forests. 



The drawing up of the close seasons for both animals and birds 

 is a work for the Local Government. With the knowledge we 

 now have of their habits, the preparation of such memoranda 

 presents no difiiculties whatsoever. For instance, in the Central 

 Provinces Shooting Rules excellent Appendices are given in which 

 the varying dates for the close seasons for the game-birds of the 

 Province are laid down. 



In drawing up the close seasons, therefore, I would prepare 

 tables showing separately the close season for each animal and 

 each game-bird of the Province. I also suggest that a separate 

 Appendix be attached to the Shooting Rules giving the names 

 of the insectivorous birds of the Province and enlisting the 

 sympathies of all sportsmen in their protection. A list of the 

 small predatory mammals and predatory birds such as hawks could 

 also with advantage be attached to the Shooting Rules, with a 

 recommendation to sportsmen to shoot such pests when met with. 

 There appears to be little danger at present of their numbers 

 decreasing to a dangerously low figure, and their depredations 

 touch the cultivator in one way, though not perhaps such an 

 obvious one, almost as closely as those of the large carnivora. 



Having disposed of the question of the proper drawing up and 

 enforcement of the correct close season for each particular species 

 of animal and bird, we now come to a consideration of a question 

 which is of almost equal importance. 



In past years but scant attention has been paid to the severe 

 attacks of a disease having kindred afiinities to anthrax which 



