THE PLAGUE OP FIELD VOLES IN SCOTLAND. 137 



Strict injunctions ought to be given by landowners that the 

 birds mentioned in the first class should not be destroyed. Their 

 presence in full numbers, though inadequate to avert an out- 

 break, would undoubtedly tend to mitigate it, and, as has been 

 proved in the case of the Short-eared Owl, they have the faculty 

 of multiplying abnormally in presence of an unusual supply of 

 food. They are at all events most useful allies to man in 

 combatting attacks of ground vermin. 



The Committee further desire to deprecate in the strongest 

 manner possible the use of the pole-trap for the capture of 

 hawks. Besides the inhumanity of this device, it is indis- 

 criminate, and harmless Owls, Kestrels, and Buzzards are just as 

 likely to be taken by it as are the more mischievous species. 



Three animals, diligent vole-destroyers, have been omitted 

 from both these lists, because they are undoubtedly hurtful to 

 game. The first of these is the common Rook (known to the 

 shepherds as the " Corn Crow"), of which, however, the services 

 to agriculture are now generally recognised. 



The other two animals referred to are the Stoat and the 

 Weasel. Of all the smaller beasts of prey these are perhaps the 

 most hateful to gamekeepers, and it is hardly reasonable to 

 expect that Stoats should be allowed to multiply in game-coverts, 

 or in the vicinity of pheasant-coops. But the Committee have 

 no hesitation in recommending that Weasels, which are persistent 

 mouse-hunters and do little damage to game, should not be 

 molested, at least on moorlands and hill-pastures, where they 

 can do little harm and much good. 



The Committee cannot conclude their labours without 

 expressing gratitude for the consideration with which they were 

 everywhere received in the course of their inquiry ; for the hospi- 

 tality shown to them ; and for the exertions made by various 

 individuals to obtain witnesses and arrange their evidence. 



Herbert Eustace Maxwell (Chairman). 

 Minto. 



D'Arcy W. Thompson. 

 John Gillespie. 

 Walter Elliot. 

 J. E. Harting (Secretary). 



ZOOLOGIST. APRIL, 1893. M 



