134 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



mitigated its severity, and they are confirmed in this view by the 

 circumstances attending similar outbreaks in this country in the 

 16th and 17th centuries, and in foreign countries of late years. 

 Neither in Essex, previous to the outbreak reported by Hollin- 

 shed, nor in South America previous to the outbreak of Field 

 Mice described by Mr. Hudson in the ' Naturalist in La Plata,' 

 nor in Thessaly, previous to that prevalent there in 1891-92, was 

 there any check placed by man upon the multiplication of the 

 natural enemies of these rodents. 



In reply to the question (inter alia) whether " birds of prey 

 and other rapacious animals have assisted to any material extent 

 in the destruction of the voles (in Thessaly)," Her Majesty's 

 Minister at Athens replied, " Birds of prey and other rapacious 

 animals would never suffice to prevent the alarming multiplication 

 of the voles under favourable climatic conditions." 



This view has been amply confirmed by the observations of 

 the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee during their 

 recent visit to the infested plains of Thessaly. Birds of prey — 

 eagles, buzzards, kites, kestrels, and other hawks — are exceedingly 

 abundant there, and no one thinks of molesting them. Indeed, 

 the Turks (of whom there are about 30,000 in the province) are 

 exceedingly kind to wild animals, and object to their being 

 destroyed. In 1866, when that country last suffered from a 

 visitation of Field Voles, Thessaly was under Turkish dominion, 

 and birds of prey were protected. The change from Turkish to 

 Greek rule, which took place in 1881, made no difference in this 

 respect, yet in favourable seasons the voles multiply in spite of 

 the presence of a very full stock of their natural enemies. 



Conclusions and Recommendations. — The Committee have 

 reluctantly been led to the conclusion that they are unable to 

 recommend any specific method of dealing with or putting an 

 end to the present outbreak. It appears to be an instance of 

 the power which small animals are well known to possess, of 

 prodigiously rapid multiplication under favourable climatic con- 

 ditions and with a plentiful supply of natural food. 



Experience shows that a combination of such favourable 

 conditions will always tend to bring about a recurrence of the 

 plague. That being so, it ought to be the endeavour of every 

 farmer and shepherd to be on the alert, and report without delay 

 to the land agent, and to the secretary of the local farmers' club 



