II2 
NATURE NOTES 
hunting, and unsportsman-like methods of destruction, the 
imposition of export duties on skins and hides, the enforcement 
of health measures, and so forth. Especially are the young 
elephants to be safeguarded. Altogether the Convention seems 
to be a broad-minded measure. The only question is will it be 
honestly enforced ? 
“ This is how the various animals, birds and reptiles are 
affected : — 
“ To be always preserved. (A) On account of their useful- 
ness; Vultures, the secretary-bird, owls, rhinoceros-birds or beef- 
eaters (Biiphaga). (B) On account of their rarity and threatened 
extermination : The giraffe, the gorilla, the chimpanzee, wild 
asses, the white-tailed gnu [Connochoctes gnu), the mountain zebra, 
elands (Taurotragus), the little Liberian hippopotamus. 
“ Not to be destroyed [a) when young, or [h) females, accom- 
panied by young. The elephant, rhinoceroses, the hippopota- 
mus, zebras, other than the mountain zebra, buffaloes, antelopes 
and gazelles, ibex, chevrotains (Tragulus). 
“ To be destroyed, but only limited numbers. The elephant, 
rhinoceroses, the hippopotamus, zebras, other than the mountain 
zebra, buffaloes, antelopes and gazelles, ibex, chevrotains {Tragtt- 
lus), the various pigs, colobi and all the fur-monkeys, aard-varks 
[Orycteropus), dugongs [Halicore), manatees [Manatus), the small 
cats, the cheetah [Cyncdunis), the serval, jackals, the aard-wolf 
[Proteles), small monkeys, ostriches, marabouts, egrets, bustards, 
francolins, guinea-fowl and other ‘ game ’ birds, large tortoises. 
“ To be destroyed, within sufficient limits. The lion, the 
leopard, hyaenas, the hunting dog {Lycaon pictus), baboons 
(Cynocephalus) and other harmful monkeys, the otter [Lutya), 
large birds of prey, except vultures, the secretary-bird, and 
OAvls, crocodiles, poisonous snakes, pythons. 
“ All the above are officially styled ‘ harmful ’ animals ; 
hence the edict against them.” 
WiCKEN Fen. — At the Annual Meeting Sir Robert Hunter 
referred to the threatened drainage of Wicken Fen, the home of 
many rare plants and animals, as to which there has been a long 
and interesting correspondence of late in the Standard, ^^'e are 
glad to know that the owners of several scattered portions of the 
Fen have transferred their interests to the National Trust, 
thereby probably effectually preserving the whole from the 
threatened danger. 
Horses on the B.\ttlefield. — It is stated that Lord 
Wolseley has at length issued an order for the destruction of 
wounded animals on the field of battle. 
The Law as to Rat-fights. — The following practical com- 
ment on a recent case appeared in the Yorkshire Post for May 5 : 
“A ruffian at Wormwood Scrubbs who was showing rat and 
