38 
During the year four expeditions have been made, three into the New Forest 
and one into Cranborne Chase (noted for its high quality roe deer), primarily 
to study Sika deer (Cervus nippon nippori) and Roe deer {Capreolus capreolus). 
Last October eleven Sika were seen after their position had been revealed by 
their call. This is a distinctive whistle unlike the call of any other deer. Wallows 
made and used by the stags were prominent and also tree fraying. This is often 
done by gouging out, with the top tine, a piece of bark at a height of 3 feet — 
usually a conifer is used for this purpose. In Cranborne Chase all the usual signs 
of Roe deer activities were in evidence— slots, browsing, stripping, scrapes and 
fewmets. One Roe kid, still wearing its spotted baby coat, was watched for some 
time. 
K. Milner Bennetts 
THE EUROPEAN BADGER 
Abstract of a lecture given by the Chairman on 14th August 
The European Badger (Meles meles), a member of the family Mustelidae 
in the order Carnivora, is about 3 feet in length. Its wedge-shaped body is 
carried on four short but extremely strong legs. The colour is generally grey with 
a distinctive black and white striped face. Much argument still persists among 
naturalists as to the time of year at which it mates. Two periods are suggested, 
from February to April, and from July to September. It is agreed that the birth 
of cubs is between late January and early April. If, for instance, the last period 
is the time of mating and the cubs are born between the dates stated, there is 
a gestation period of almost seven months although the usual time for an animal 
of its size is around two months. This long term is caused by a delay in the 
implantation of the fertilized egg, known as the blastocyst, in the uterine wall. 
One probable reason for this delayed implantation is that after fertilization the 
corpus luteum, a ductless and temporary gland, does not develop, as in most 
mammals, to any appreciable size, but remains small and non-secretory until the 
5th month. After this it secretes its particular hormone(s), conditioning the 
uterine wall to accept the blastocyst. Adequate food, blood and oxygen become 
available by means of the placenta, the embryo develops at a normal rate and 
after 2 months the young are born, usually 2 or 3 at a birth. The cubs are born 
blind, measure about 4-5 inches and weigh 3 ounces. 
In common with other members of the Mustelidae, the badger has musk 
glands situated in the anal region. These are operational in excitement, fear and 
when defending territorial rights. Along the dorsal surface of the skull there is a 
well developed growth of the inter-parietal ridge of bone and this serves as. an 
attachment for the strong muscles. A further feature of interest is the articulation 
of the lower jaw, which fits into a groove in such a manner that dislocation of the 
jaw can only happen if the skull is fractured. 
Zoology— ©ntiifjologp 
In September 1967 Mr. Harris retired from the Chairmanship of this> Section 
and I agreed to take it over from him from the 1st January, 1968. 
We are continuing his custom of holding two Field Meetings each month. 
During the winter months: we have concentrated mainly on local marshes, the 
harbour shores, rivers, and lakes, for geese and duck which migrate south at the 
onset of cold weather, and also for the many waders which are to be seen on the 
tidal mud. 
Our first visit to Stanpit Marsh in January was hampered by snow and strong 
winds, but on a second visit on April 22nd we were fortunate to see a single 
Black Tern flying up and down the river. This tern, which was in its breeding 
plumage of black and dark grey with conspicuous' white under-tail-covertSi, belongs 
to the genus of Marsh Terns which feed by picking up insects from the surface 
of the water whilst in flight, unlike the Sea Terns which plunge into the water 
for small fish. The rather uncommon Spotted or Dusty Redshank was feeding 
on the mud — taller and darker than the common species. 
On an interesting Field Day at Ibsley by the River Avon, a flock of 12 
Beswicks Swans were seen grazing in the water meadows. This is the smallest of 
the wild swans and can be distinguished from the Mute Swan by its shorter 
straight neck and a small yellow area on the bill, which is without a knob. We 
later visited a nearby lake to watch three pairs of Great Crested Grebe, already 
