PREFACE.
The issue of the December number terminates another volume of 'The Zoologist,' and, although our pages have been necessarily—and, we hope, temporarily—reduced to the status of a previous standard, our contributors have worthily upheld the zoological position of the Journal.
In Mammalia, during what we may call the "Okapia" year, we have published full obituary notices of the Quagga (Equus quagga), and the Blaauwbok (Hippotragus leucophæus), and given illustrations of those now apparently extinct South African animals; while from the same region we have received an explanation of some tradition respecting the Scaly Ant-Eater (Mnis temmincki) . Our own British species have not been neglected, and the notes thereon are as full and interesting as usual.
Of course, in Aves we have found our strength, and the papers and notes thereon show no diminution in the activity of our ornithological contributors. Among so much information we can here refer to few features, but the record of the Wigeon (Mareca penelope) breeding in Ireland, and that, of the American Wigeon (M. americana) breeding in Iceland, are new facts of the highest ornithological interest.
Reptilia have not incited so many recorded observations as might have been wished, but we have noticed the publication of a book on British species, in which is reproduced much that had been previously recorded by the author in these pages.
Pisces.—We are still anxious for more information on this subject in 'The Zoologist.' At present there is a distinct "slump" in Fish contributions. Perhaps the most interesting record we received was that of the occurrence of the File-Fish (Balistes capriscus) off Brighton.
