CURRENT LITE RAT UR E.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE WILD FAUNA OF THE EMPIRE.
Journal of the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire. Vol. III. (Secretary, Rhys Williams, 2 Temple Gardens, E.C.)—It is becoming understood, we trust, that the question of protecting the wild fauna of Africa admits of no delay. There are reserves, doubtless ample reserves, but they require more policing. The articles and letters printed in the little volume before us, together with the Report of the deputation which waited on Lord Elgin and the recom- mendations sent to the Colonial Office immediately previous, assert three things,—first, that the objection raised to reserves that they harboured the tsetse-fly was the cry of ignorance, as the fly does not exist in some of them, and moreover does not follow the game ; secondly, that the game wardens require more watchers and a larger allowance to enable them to travel at any time of the year in execution of their duties ; thirdly, that it must be understood once for all that a reserve is a reserve and remains a reserve as long as any Government exists to enforce it. The last point is one that should be cleared up definitely. No matter how large a tract of country remains open for settlement, if a piece is reserved its value as a possible settlement becomes enhanced in the eyes of the ignorant settler and the irresponsible pioneer. It is a very, very old story, and dates from nursery times. Forbid a schoolboy to go bird's-nesting in a certain wood—why, it is the only wood that has any nests at all ! We are not confining our remarks to Africa, and must also admit that the average sportsman cannot be trusted. He thinks it no disgrace to smuggle heads out of a country, and sets, with men who know no more about Africa than
they can obtain from Throgmorton Street, the atrocious example of buying heads. It is the man who decorates his hall with these purchased specimens who encourages the native poacher. The export in hides and horns should be stopped ; it merely encourages poaching. We would enlarge on Lord Curzon's words at the deputation. Not only do we hold a brief for our own posterity, but, as having the largest Empire on the earth, and the possession of its most interesting fauna, owe it to civilisation and the rest of the world to show a little unselfishness. If we do not follow this out, the signing of the Convention of 1900 throws a serious responsibility on us.
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