EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Basil W. Martin, we have received the 'Fifth Report of the Department of Agriculture of the Province of British Columbia,' 1895–96. Much of interest to the zoologist is found under the heading "Noxious Animals and Animal Pests." At present there appear to be the following sums paid as blood-money:—Panthers (Puma), Felis concolor, 7½ dollars; Wolves, Canis occidentalis, 2 dollars; Coyotes, Canis latrans, 1 dollar. From enquiries made by the Department it seems to be the unanimous opinion that the price put upon the heads of Coyotes should be raised. "In point of fact, instead of their numbers being diminished, they are increasing to an alarming extent, rendering sheep-rearing in the upper country out of the question; calves, pigs, and fowls are also carried off in numbers." Wolves, though troublesome in places, are neither so numerous nor so bold as Coyotes. Panthers are still numerous about the settlements on Vancouver Island, where their depredations on sheep and pigs are severely felt. On the mainland Panthers are comparatively scarce, a few under the name of mountain lions being in the Smilkameen. None are found on Hornby Island, and this absence probably applies to all the Gulf Islands. Wild horses continue to be a source of great loss to the cattle men of the upper country, on account of the damage they do to the ranges. It is greatly to be feared that, owing partly to the depredations of these useless beasts, the ranges of the Upper Fraser were left so bare at the beginning of winter that a great loss will occur amongst the cattle of that section. "Licences to shoot unbranded stallions may be issued by the Government Agent of the district, upon such terms and conditions as such Government Agent may indorse upon such licence."
We read that a great influx of Owls, principally Dusky Horned Owls, Bubo virginianus saturatus, to the settled districts of the islands and Lower Fraser occurred last winter (1895). This curious migration was considered due to the excessively and unusually early cold weather in November, which it is believed drove these birds out of their haunts to the northward. The presence of such a number of Owls was undeniably a source of great loss to poultry keepers. Not only fowls, but rabbits, game, and even cats, fell a prey to their rapacity. " It is quite possible that on an occasion of this kind the harm done was much greater than any good the Owls may have performed." The introduced Pheasants, Phasanius torquatus, have been very numerous on Vancouver Island and on some of the Gulf Islands, and
