The Zoologist/4th series, vol 5 (1901)/Issue 724/Editorial Gleanings

by editor W.L. Distant

 

EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.

 

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The British South Africa Company have issued a volume of Reports on the Administration of Rhodesia, 1898-1900, which contains a wealth of information respecting the development of this large area. We can only refer to 'Notes on the Fauna of North-eastern Rhodesia,' written by Mr. C.P. Chesnaye, Secretary to the Administration of North-eastern Rhodesia, and confine ourselves to the report on the Mammalia.

The district lying to the west of the Loangwa and the swamps of Bangweolo and Mweru form a natural home for the larger Mammalia and Reptilia. The Elephant is still to be found in large herds in these districts, its haunts being protected from the hunter owing to the feeding-grounds for a greater part of the year being in almost inaccessible swamps. The formation of a game-reserve in the country lying east of the Mweru Lake, which has been effected by the Administration, will assist in a great measure to preserve these animals. South of the Tanganyika Plateau there are several Swahili traders who continually hunt the Elephant, and there is no doubt that in a few years the Elephants in that district will gradually retire into the reserve, where they can live and breed without fear of molestation. The Rhinoceros is found in several districts, but more or less localized in bushy country. Tiiey have been met with on the Loangwa and Chambezi Rivers, and are numerous in the waterless country between M'kupa's village and Kaulungombie on Lake Mweru. The horns of this animal, as an article of export, are not of much intrinsic value, but the hide is valuable cut into strips. The Hippopotamus inhabits all swamps and rivers, and is also found in the sheltered bays of Lake Tanganyika, where these animals are constantly seen in herds of from twenty to thirty. The export of Hippo hide appears to be increasing, as a good price can now be obtained for it in the South African market. As far as can be ascertained, it appears there is a solitary herd of Giraffe roaming about the Loangwa Valley, consisting of from twenty to thirty head. These interesting animals have been seen by traders, and are stated to resemble the Somaliland species rather than that found south of the Zambesi. Owing to the effects of the "Sokoto," more commonly known as the rinderpest, which came down the east side of Tanganyika, and swept over this country in 1893, game, especially the Buffalo, Eland, and Lechwe, is scarce in some districts. To judge from the melancholy sight of bleaching bones still evident in the sandy portions of the Mweru district, where grass grows very sparsely, game must formerly have been both abundant and of great variety. Nevertheless, the country is gradually recovering itself, and most districts are now very rich in game of all kinds. A few small herds of Buffalo are still to be met with in the country near Lake Mweru. Roan Antelope, Eland, Hartebeeste (Lichenstein's), and Zebra are plentiful all over the country, especially about the south of the Tanganyika Plateau. Immense herds of Mpala are met with on the east and west of the Luapula River. Pookoo and Lechwe are numerous in the Mweru district, and a few small herds of Pookoo have been seen in the Loangwa Valley. Sable Antelope are not frequently met with, but have been seen in the Mweru district. Around the north of Mweru Lake, and especially on Kilwa Island, Sititunga are numerous, and some very fine specimens have been obtained by hunters. Sassaby (Tsessebe) have been seen west of Lake Bangweolo, but there is no evidence of their being found in any other district. Many smaller species of Buck are well represented. The Wart-hog and Bush-pig are common in any part of the country. The natives, in their language, compare them to a plague similar to Locusts, owing to the havoc these animals do in their gardens.

Carnivora.—Amongst the Carnivora, Lions are to be found in most districts, but, owing to the vast quantities of game, rarely visit settlements. Leopards are also plentiful, and frequent mostly hilly country, but are rarely seen. The Chita (Cheetah), though rare, is found sometimes; two specimens have been obtained in the Tanganyika Plateau lately. The Hyena, both striped and spotted species, are found here; also Jackals of various kinds. Civet and Serval Cats abound in the thickets, and are often trapped by the natives, who make bags and pouches out of their skins. It is stated that the Serval Cat can be easily tamed, and becomes quite domesticated. On the banks of the rivers and lakes two kinds of Mongoose are found, which render a veritable service to mankind by their active destruction of Crocodile eggs, for which they have the greatest fondness.

Quadrumana.—In bushy country the Quadrumana excel all other animals in number and variety. The Chimpanzee inhabits the virgin forests of the Malungi country, the Black Ape is found west of Chiwalis, and Grey Monkeys are common everywhere.

 

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Lieut. Boyd Alexander has contributed to the 'Daily Chronicle' an article on the Forests and Birds in Ashanti. While at Gambaga, the headquarters of the Northern Territories, "good ornithological work was done, and many important forms, including several rare desert Larks, were obtained not only in the district, but to the northward near the Anglo-French boundary, and also in the little-known country around Salaga, which lies close to Togoland, where the German officers have lately been doing much good scientific work. The Ornis of the Hinterland varies considerably to that of the forest region, but many of the same forms are still to be met with. The birds on the whole are not nearly so bright in plumage; the brilliant Golden Oriole, however, is present, but the effects of its plumage lose in the great expanse; its colours need the subtle light and shade of the forest to enhance their beauty. Many of the species obtained at Gambaga are Senegambian, but, besides these, several forms from Kordofan, Abyssinia, and Eastern Africa are represented. The fact of species in North-eastern Africa being found right away up in the Gold Coast Hinterland is very remarkable, and makes it difficult, till further investigation, to assign any sharply defined area for the distribution of West African birds. The movements of birds depend to a very great extent on the rainfall, which, in its turn, is influenced by geographical features, such as forests, deserts, or mountains. The courses of rivers must influence to a great extent the distribution of species. This is readily noticed by observing the vicinity and banks of African rivers, for there numbers of birds may be seen congregated and continually moving up and down the courses. A glance at the map will show what a network of watercourses there are from Senegambia to the Nile. For instance, the Senegal is practically within touch of the Niger, and the later with Lake Tchad; and so on. Furthermore, it must be remembered that tributaries, waterless in the dry season, become during the rains swollen rivers, and this is the period of the year when birds migrate. We know very little about the avifauna in the great bend of the Niger, Haussaland, and nothing concerning the regions about Lake Tchad and Darfur."

 

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In the Report of the South African Museum for 1900, just received, we much regret to read of the death of Col. J.H. Bowker, who died, at the age of seventy-three, at his residence near Malvern, in Natal. He was one of the oldest of South African naturalists, and since 1872 had constantly contributed to the Museum Collections; he was also the first entomological explorer of the Transkei and Basutoland, where he held official appointments. He was specially interested in the Diurnal Lepidoptera, and was a collaborateur with the late Curator, Mr. Roland Trimen, in his well-known work on South African Butterflies.

 

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In the year 1875, the late Mr. Joseph Wolf painted, in his own inimitable and masterly style, a picture of the Labrador Falcon for his friend Mr. H.E. Dresser. For years past this picture has been a source of delight to the numerous friends of the well-known author of the 'Birds of Europe,' who, after their repeated requests that he would allow it to be reproduced, has consented to a small number of impressions being made by the three-colour process. The size of the reproduction, exclusive of margin, is 7¾ in. by 6½ in. Each impression will be numbered and signed by Mr. Dresser, and can be obtained from R.H. Porter.

 

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The General Committee of the Marine Biological Association of the West of Scotland are in a position to offer the following prizes, to be called the "Fred. P. Pullar Memorial Prizes," offered by Sir John Murray, the Honorary President of the Association, in memory of the late Fred. P. Pullar:—

I.—A prize of £50 for a paper on "The Seasonal Distribution and Development of Pelagic Algæ in the Waters of the Clyde Sea Area."

II.—A prize of £50 for a paper on "The Reproduction, Development, and Distribution in the Clyde Sea Area of the Genera Nyctiphanes and Boreophausia."

III.—A prize of £50 for a paper on "The Formation and Distribution of Glauconite in the Deposits of the Clyde Sea Area and the Adjacent Seas of Scotland."

These prizes are open to investigators from any part of the world who conduct observations in the several subjects at the Millport Marine Station, and who produce, at any time before Jan. 1st, 1905, papers which, in the opinion of a Committee of three scientific men, to be nominated by the Committee of the Association and by Sir John Murray, shall be deemed of sufficient value to merit publication. Those proposing to work for any one of these prizes should make known their intention to the Secretary of the Association, Mr. John A. Todd, 190, West George Street, Glasgow, in order that the necessary arrangements may be made.