1909.] Agriculture at Oxford University. 



749 



well acquainted with the Lapwing over the Southern Coun- 

 ties of England, and I do not think that the bird has 

 decreased in numbers ; of the two I should say it has in- 

 creased." Several correspondents, on the other hand, refer 

 to a decrease in Sussex and also in the Isle of Wight. 



As regards the Western and West Midland Counties, from 

 Wilts to Cornwall and up to Salop, the evidence of any 

 general decrease is indefinite. One correspondent reports 

 an increase, fourteen a decrease, while thirteen consider there 

 has been no decrease. 



In the Northern Counties opinion is nearly equally 

 divided, but in Wales the majority consider there has been 

 no decrease. In Scotland also the balance of opinion is 

 against a decrease, as five persons report an increase and 

 twenty-six no decrease, while only twenty-four have observed 

 a diminution. 



The reports received all referred to different districts, and 

 are not, therefore, to be regarded as contradictory j but they 

 cannot be said to show any very marked diminution in the 

 numbers of this bird. Even in those parts where a decrease 

 has been observed it seems to be still fairly common. 



Practically only one cause for its decrease is given, and 

 that is the practice of egg-collecting. This is referred to 

 more or less emphatically as an evil by a number of corre- 

 spondents, many of whom say that egg-collecting is on the 

 increase, and urge that the eggs should be protected under 

 the Wild Birds Protection Act. 



The trapping of these birds by bird-catchers seems to be 

 quite unknown, and the interference with the natural in- 

 crease in this country, apart from casual shooting, appears to 

 be confined to the destruction of their eggs. 



One of the most recent additions to the list of institutions 

 providing instruction in agriculture is the University of 

 Oxford, which, in 1907, definitely 

 Instruction in recognised Agriculture or Rural 

 Agriculture at the Economy as a subject of study within 

 University of Oxford. the University. 



Agricultural education had, indeed, 

 received some recognition in the University more than a cen- 



