THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. XVI.] MAY, 1892. [No. J 85. 



PLAGUE OF FIELD VOLES IN THE SOUTH OF 

 SCOTLAND. 



A Report has just been published (March, 1892) by the 

 Board of Agriculture on the subject of a plague of Field Voles 

 (Arvicola agrestis), which has resulted in an extensive destruction 

 of young grass and herbage on the hill grazings and rough 

 pastures of the South of Scotland. 



Various complaints on this subject had reached the Depart- 

 ment during the past winter, and a formal resolution was forwarded 

 by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, on the 20th 

 January last, asking the Board of Agriculture to undertake an 

 investigation into the circumstances and causes of the plague, 

 with a view of ascertaining what preventives and remedies might 

 be employed. 



Instructions were accordingly issued to local inspectors of 

 the Board to make inquiry into the matter. The aim of the 

 investigations was to learn the extent and circumstances of the 

 plague, the areas and classes of pasture specially affected, and 

 the steps suggested by present experience or by the remem- 

 brance of former attacks, either as preventive or as remedial 

 measures. 



The Inspectors have reported the plague to be especially 

 serious along the northern boundary of Dumfriesshire, east of 

 Thornhill, and in the north-west of Roxburgh, while the border 

 districts in the south of Selkirk, Peebles, and Lanark, and the 

 parishes of Carsphairn and Dairy, in the extreme north of the 



ZOOLOGIST. MAY, 1892. 



