igog.] Prevalence of the Lapwing or Plover. 747 



Such a proceeding would be an acceptable act of courtesy to 

 our friends from our rising possessions abroad, and, at the 

 same time, be instrumental in promoting and retaining trade 

 within the Empire. 



Sea Freights for Cattle. — A formidable barrier to the 

 extension of trade between the United Kingdom and the 

 British Colonies, particularly as regards the exchange of live 

 stock, is the almost prohibitive price charged for the convey- 

 ance of cattle from England. For instance, animals at the 

 present time are carried from Canada to the Cape, or Australia 

 to the Cape, for something like one-third, or even one-fourth, 

 of the charge for transport of the same class of animal from 

 Great Britain to South Africa. This must mean an annual 

 loss of a large amount of business for British stock breeders, 

 for in some instances the cost of the animal is doubled by the 

 excessive charge for freight. 



The report contains, in addition to the above extracts, much 

 interesting information as to the conditions and prospects of 

 agriculture in South Africa, and also includes a letter 

 addressed by Lord Blyth to the Hon. J. X. Merriman, 

 Premier of Cape Colony, on the prospects of the Cape wine 

 industry. 



Representations were recently made to the Board of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries to the effect that a considerable 

 diminution was taking place in the 

 Prevalence of the number of lapwings in Great Britain, 

 Lapwing or Plover. and in view of the utility of this bird 

 to agriculture, the Board have caused 

 an inquiry to be made into the subject through their honorary 

 correspondents. 



The Lapwing, Green Plover, or Peewit is a familiar bird 

 in most parts of Great Britain. It breeds in marshes, moors, 

 and meadows, and is seen in large flocks in the autumn and 

 winter. It is one of the most useful of British birds, as it 

 devours snails, wireworms, beetles, and the larvae of various 

 insects that infest crops, but, unlike most other wild birds, 

 its increase is much restricted by the demand for its eggs, 

 which fetch a good price at certain times of the year. 



The evidence which the Board were able to obtain 



