ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The first part of this analysis introduces the 26 free-living populations, elaborates on the history of their introduction, describes their development and outlines the boundaries of their present distribution. The total population size is presently estimated at about 1300, the annual hunter harvest amounts to 350 to 400. Table 1 gives information about the habitats of these 26 populations, and in Table 2 biological factors of the populations are dealt with. The mean population size is about 40 animals, but 4 herds consists of 4 or less sheep, while 3 populations have 100 and more members. The size of the ranges varies accordingly. Some small populations in the vicinity of large cities (Dortmund, Bielefeld, Siegen) occupy habitats of 300 to 400 ha in size, others in the mountainous “Hochsauerland” may range over 6000 ha. Table 3 lists characteristics of the populations in regard to colour of the hide, percentage of ewes with horns, susceptability to diseases and parasites. Female sheep with horns have been observed in 12 populations, but only in 3 was that percentage 40 % or more. In 8 populations all rams have the typical “saddle” (“saddle” refers to a light grey-coloured saddle-shaped piece of the hide on the otherwise dark brown back of these sheep), in 13 populations such rams with saddles dominate, while dark rams (melanistic phase) make up less than 10 %. These two colour phases are of about equal magnitude in 7 populations. A woolly coat, which indicates cross-breeding with domestic sheep, has only been sporadically observed in 2 populations. The facial mask (the amount and configuration of white hair in an otherwise dark face) was recognized as a reliable characteristic for determining age in 7 populations, in 6 other populations it is rejected as unpredictable. In the majority its use for recognizing age of the sheep is only recommended in connection with other characteristics. Excessive outgrowing of houres of hooves was observed in 70 % of the mufflon herds. A very high parasite load was reported for 3 populations. The second part of this analysis deals with population dynamics and trophy quality. Table 5 gives population specific characteristics of horns of rams, such as annual growth increments, horn curl diameter and horn spread. Also listed are the percentage of those rams whose horns have the tendency of growing back into the neck or skull; or directly translated, so-called “in-growers”. In Table 4 dressed weights of moufflon sheep of both sexes are given. Great variations exist between different populations in regard to trophy quality. To some extent this difference is caused by differing percentage of rams with “in-growing” horns, referred to above. This characteristic forces the culling of such affected rams, at an early age — an age long before optimum trophy quality is reached. Of 23 populations inspected, only 6 had no rams with this characteristic. In 8 populations 50 % or more of the rams are affected. With few exceptions, the best horn growth characteristics were documented in relatively small, expanding populations, which also exhibited the largest body sizes. The paper concludes with a discussion on the interrelations between population dynamics and population quality.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Qualitative analysis of Capercaillie faeces in a research district in the Northern Vosges Mountains showed a strong preference for Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo needles in the winter period and for non-lignified parts of Vaccinium spec. in the summer period. Abies alba needles and buds of the afore-mentioned conifers were also eaten in winter. The widely occurring Picea abies was not used for nutrition. During summer, remnants of the following plants were identified from the faeces. Abies alba, Calluna vulgaris, Fagus silvatica, Luzula silvatica, Pinus sylvestris, Pteridophyta, Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum. Insect components were found in the faeces of hens during the breeding period and during rearing of the young. Grit was mainly picked up in the first half of September and in early March.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The purpose of this investigation was to find out how the annual kill results in the canton of Thurgovie (Switzerland) from 1932 to 1979 have changed under the influence of air temperature and precipitation. The investigation showed that the influence of weather factors depends on periods of time of varying length and that monthly meteorological values give better results than seasonal ones. Both these aspects must be considered for the kill analysis to be as informative as possible. Within the general climatic conditions, air temperature was of the greatest importance for the abundance dynamics of the field hare from October to December as well as in August and September whereas precipitation played a rather subordinate role in January and September only. The negative influence of mild winters proved to be considerable since such winters encourage the outbreak of Coccidiose and their influence is all the more pronounced the longer the sequence of mild winters lasts. The combination of some specific weather factors allowed the reconstruction of the actual kill development with a high degree of accuracy. The conclusion may therefore be drawn that the marked fluctuations of kill results in the canton of Thurgovie are mainly due to the weather and are not the result of hunting activities, predators, or agricultural methods.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary 60 hares were shot in driven shoots in hunting districts near Bayreuth/Bavaria and their digestive tracts, lungs, and some of the livers were examined for endoparasites. All hares were infested. 96,7 % of them accomodated helminths and in particular 96,5 %Trichostrongylus retoraeformis with an average number of worms of 409, 40,7 %Trichuris leporis (Ø 21), 3,4 % (2 animals) Passalurus ambiguus (Ø 936) and 44,1 % the lungwormProtostrongylus pulmonalis. One hare was infested with the cestodeMosgovoyia pectinata. Graphidium strigosum, Fasciola hepatica andDicrocelium dendriticum could not be found. — 83,1 % of the hares gave out coccidia oocysts. The most frequent species wasEimeria semisculpta (81,4 %), followed byE. leporis (37,3 %),E. europaea (22 %), andE. robertsoni (20,3 %). — Considerable differences in the frequency and intensity of the infestation could not be observed within various groups of hares such as male — female animals, younger — older, in good — poor condition or with bodyweights more — less then 3,6 kg. Only lungworms seemed to be more frequent in older (56,3 %) than in younger animals (28 %) and also in hares with a bodyweight less than 3,6 kg (50 %) compared with those of 3,6 kg and more (36 %). For the treatment of the infestation with endoparasites Fenbendazol (Panacur®) in a dosage of 5 mg/kg bodyweight per animal and day against the roundworms and 2 ml Whitsyn®-S per animal to reduce the giving off of oocysts, both medicaments mixed together with Carosil (100 g per hare and day), were put out to the animals for 5 days. It is supposed that the irregular intake of the medicated feed due to the mild weather is the reason for this experiment in therapy producing no evident success.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The increasing application of programmed exercises in various examination procedures is taken as the occasion to analyse the possibility of introduction of programmed questions within the scope of the written part of hunting examinations. An investigation of the current procedure in the States of the Federal Republic of Germany shows that in six Federal States the written hunting examination is either fully or partly conducted in programmed form, while in five States questions are posed without a choice of answers being provided. Positive and negative comments from the Supreme Hunting Authorities reflect the manifold attitudes on this subject. The article presents fundamental requirements of programmed examinations as well as their main advantages and disadvantages. A critical assessment of programmed exercises shows that their introduction within the scope of the hunting examination seems appropriate because thus at least two parts of the entire examination — the shooting and the written examination — fulfil the criterion of objective measurement of performance. Finally, by way of illustration, examples of programmed hunting examination questions are anexed.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The growth dynamics and morphometry of the horns of mufflon rams from Nordrhine-Westfalia are described and compared with other German and European populations. After 7 to 8 years of age rams have horn lengths of 600 to 900 mm. An influence of latitude of the mufflon habitats is indicated, in that rams from southern populations of the total distribution of this wild sheep species put on more horn growth during their first year of life compared to rams from northern populations and reach already 50 % of the total horn length after 2 years. Rams from more northern populations catch up after the third year and often obtain longer total horn lengths. The trophy quality of rams in Nordrhein-Westfalia varies greatly. The Bielefeld populations exceeds all others, including rams from C.S.S.R., in the horn growth rates during the first years. Other populations, for instance those from the Eifel Mountains, are of poor quality. The horn growth dynamics of these rams resemble those of rams from the Isle of Korsika. “Compensating horn growth”, whereby rams, that show poor initial growth make up for it by above-average horn growth in later years, as has been described for American wild sheep, chamois and ibex, could only be demonstrated for a few populations in Nordrhine-Westfalia. The wear of the horn tip of mufflon rams was investigated. In general, it could be demonstrated that this wear rate exceeds new growth put on at the horn base after the 8th year. Growth in horn circumference increases on the average to the 5th year. After that a decrease was observed, which, however, even in 10-year-old rams, did not amount to more than a 5 % reduction in horn circumference. The number of “adornment rings” of “ripples” per annual growth increment decreases with increasing age. A correlation appears to exist between number of such rings and length of the annual increment. There also appears to be a tendency to produce a certain “density of rings” per increment. On the other hand, no tendency could be demonstrated, to produce a certain number of rings per increment, which could have been correlated with “moon phases” or months. The term “monthly ring” instead of “adornment ring” is therefore rejected. The influence of sex glands on horn growth is discussed. An example is given, where a horn grew into the eye of a ram.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary A description is given (for the first time) of an anomaly in the central nervous system of an European lynx: the anomaly falls into the category of hydromely. The anomaly was present at birth and at least in reserves was not lethal. Nothing speaks contrary to the fact that ethiological influences play a rôle, similar to genetical influences in other animals (dogs, cattle).

Description / Table of Contents: Summary A microscopic method for botanical analysis of stomach content of hare is described. This method enables the identification of feed plants even to the species of plant.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Based on studies of 100 north-west German game-preserves, a relationship between the relative abundance of the hare (Lepus europaeus) and the types of countryside and the ways in which they are utilized was established. For 98% of the game-preserves the EDV-analysis provides a satisfactory explanation for the possible reasons for the size of the relative abundance. The positive significance of wintergrains, hay-grazing meadows and of the seasonal attractiveness of the habitat provided by edges of bordering woodland (Saumhabitat) became especially apparent. It was determined that no single factor alone influenced the hare, but that the result of the combination of several factors did. This was achieved by subjecting the results to Rotated Analysis (Equimax) which emphasized and clearly divided the favourable and the unfavourable from intensive and extensive utilization of the areas. With the help of the correlation analysis it can be finally pointed out that very large monocultures must be disadvantageous for the hare. Especially in countryside where farming is predominantly mechanised the hare relies on “Saumhabitat” during the “famine periods” caused by harvesting.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary This is a report on the diploid set of chromosomes in the capercaillie. The capercaillie has 18 macrochromosomes: 2 of these are sex chromosomes, and an as yet uncertain number of micro-chromosomes. It is unfortunately unpossible at the moment to gather information for necessary population cytogenetic investigations, since the species has practically died out in Germany.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Experiments were carried out in two periods on the worm infestation of roe deer. In both experimental periods, 4 non-infected roe deer were used as control animals. In the first experimental period, 4 worm-free roe deer were infected 4 times at 8–9 week intervals with 70.000 infections stomach/intestinal worm larvae. The infections caught on in every case, as shown clearly by egg excretion, decrease in the haematocrite and increase in the numbers of leukocites (white blood corpuscles) in the blood. Body weight, antler formation and general condition remained unaffected. Examination of the serum proteins with the carrier electrophoresis and the two-dimensional immune electrophoresis showed that no acut phase reactions occured with this subclinical worm infestation, but that humoral immune reactions (increase of gamma globulin) were activated. In the second experimental period, 4 worm-free roe deer, as well as an „immunized“ buck of the first series of experiments, each received 126.000 stomach/intestinal worm larvae and 24 days later 12.000 lungworms (D. viviparus) each. All the animals became seriously ill, two with acute illness and 3 with chronic illness. Three animals died; the other two could only be saved by anthelmintic treatment. The illness led to an exaggerated disproteinaemia, from which neither a particular age of the roe deer nor the one-year “immunisation” of the first experimental period gave protection.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary To evaluate the feeding pressure exerted by roe deer(Capreolus capreolus), on vegetation, the biomass within reach of feeding animals was measured in the Chizé forest (Deux Sèvres, France) in 2 types of woodland (oak and beech), and for 2 levels of population density: a high density of 20 animals/100 hectares (inside a fenced reserve) and a low density of 5 animals/100 hectares (outside the reserve). The biomass of vegetation was sampled 3 times (spring, end of summer, winter) using the same procedure each time. In the oakwood, total biomass was greater in areas of low density population than in areas with high density. In the beechwood, there was no significant difference in total biomass according to population density. In all cases, the maximum total biomass was observed in the spring sampling. Some differences were noted in the composition of the vegetation between the area inside the game reserve and the area outside the reserve.Hedera helix was very abundant outside the reserve andRuscus aculeatus and mosses were more frequent in the reserve. The feeding impact of roe deer on vegetation determines a change in the floral equilibrium permitting an increase in the abundance of plants not eaten by roe deer and causing a decrease of plants favoured by the deer.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary 16 pairs of hawk out of the Northern German territory were investigated according to views of biological dietetics. It was shown that in the surroundings of Berlin the house pigeon is the prey preferred. In the Northern German inland regions Corvidae (jays, magpies, crows) as well as squirrels and rabbits are forming the basis of nutrition. The hawks of the Baltic sea coasts prefer water fowls (ducks and gulls). In the nutrition of the young thrushes, starlings, chaffinches, and other small birds, which the male hawk takes to the eyrie, play an important part. The adult hawks prefer for themselves always bigger prey. The small damage caused by hawks to shooting was in all cases balanced by the Corvidae, rabbits, and squirrels slain.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary This paper discusses the taxonomic significance of hide coloration of the roe deer of Europe and the Near East from several points of view. The coloration as such is certainly no fundamental criterian in the case of environment — parallel color phases („Standortsformen“, ecotypes); but it becomes important as a distinguishing and delimiting character, where isochromatic ecotypes occur, widely separated geographically from one another by other color phases (and thus indicate a divergent evolutionary development). The coloration maintains this preeminent significance a taxonomic character until an exact study of these parallelraces reveals anatomical or other deviations. Most likely, all color characters are directly genetically determined and some observations substantiating this hypothesis are cited. Thus in certain cases of the taxonomic classification of the subspecies group („Formenkreis“) it may be justifiable to use hide color as a decisive criterion the valid subspecies of the prospecies capreolus (the western roe deer) are listed at the close of the paper.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Grass is an important food-component in rumina of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.). On meadows for Red Deer grazing, however, is often so little intensive, that in summer repeated mowing is necessary. This indicates that our knowledge of possible food preferences for certain grass-species, of management of game-meadows and of the optimal size of the meadows is as yet insufficient. By means of small experimental plots in game-pastures, the authors investigated which grass-species were preferred by Red Deer and by what qualities of the grass these preferences are determined. It was found that grasses are accepted only in the period that they are lush. Thus in gamemeadows only grasses should be used that flower late and therefore remain lush for a period of several months. In addition it was found that lushness can be maintained or prolonged by fertilizing with nitrogen twice or three times during the vegetation period. Appreciated species arePhleum pratense, Lolium perenne, Dactylus glomerata, Poa pratensis, Agrostis tenuis, Deschampsia flexuosa (p. 21). Cespitosing in these species proved to be very good already in the year after sowing (p. 22). Qualities like persistance, resistance, production and the like are further investigated in these preferred species. An interaction was found between the palatability of the grass and the grazing-intensity; not only does palatability attract game but also intensive grazing makes the meadow remain lush. The authors hope to establish the optimum size of a game-pasture in relation to the deer population in the same area; that is such a size, that the game keeps the grass cropped short without overgrazing it. Management would benefit from the game-pastures being selfsupporting. We hope to reach final conclusions within two years.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Age determination on teeth ofPhoca vitulina combined with measuring the length of os penis allows age esteemation in this species.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary At 3-weekly intervals over a period of 13 months, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 8 male and 8 female roe deer kept in research enclosures, so that the total of thyroxin (T4 D), T3 U and ureal nitrogen could be established. Once a week the level of activity of the metatarsal glands was recorded by observation. The thyroid gland hormone levels were not dependent upon sex but were higher in the second and third years than in calves (9–17 months). Seasonal differences were observed in the form of higher proportions of T4 in winter, April/May and July. The index free thyroid gland hormone showed no significant seasonal alterations. There is no obvious daily rhythm. No clear relationship between thyroxin content in the blood and activity of the metatarsal glands was discovered. Two-fold high doses of thyroxin did not stimulate production of pheromon noticeably. The level of urea in the blood is somewhat higher in young roe deer than in adults. The level falls in winter and reaches a maximum in summer after the rut. The urea content of blood is inversely correlated to the concentration of thyroxin — it falls as the thyroxin content of the blood rises.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary 1. Inquiries made in Lower Austria during two consecutive breeding periods and on two fixed days between (November, January) provided data about disperion pattern and breeding success of the Common Buzzard in different landscapes on a basis of average (1977) and high (1978) density of the Common Vole. 2. During all seasons the local population density is determined by the distribution of woods and open countryside and by the density of the Common Vole. In sparesly wooded areas woods can be densely populated by relatively many breeding-pairs, but their number is limited by the prevailing density of the Common Vole which has an influence on the extent of the Buzzard's individual cruising radius. In woodland habitats the presence of the Common Buzzard depends on the availability of suitably large open areas sufficiently rich in prey. During winter, the snow cover can cause the population to fluctuate, although the influence of the habitat on the local population density continues even during these periods. 3. The siting of eyries affects the difficulty of procuring prey. A poor supply of prey necessitates the eyrie being built near the edge of the woodland. 4. Eyries near the edge of the woodland and eyries in deciduous trees seem to be unfavourable for buzzards breeding early in the year. Microclimatic circumstances could play a role in this. 5. Breeding succes is determined by the efficiency of procuring food and the place of the eyrie with regard to the cruising radius. 6. The population of Common Buzzard which was studied is functioning successfully as regards self-regulation.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary A six-years-old asparagus bed was partially cleared of weeds and the development of the yield in the following year was traced. Even the highest level of damage (cutting back 40 cm each week) brought about no loss in comparison with the control (weeds up to 230 cm high). More stems were formed, with a lower individual weight.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The skull of a one-year-old knobber with a short jaw was compared with a normal skull. Thereby it was found that the bones of the front skull (os lacrimale, os incisivum, os nasale and os maxillare) were much too small. The brain-case had roughly the normal dimensions.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary From 1976 to 1979, 150 stomach/intestinal tracts and 250 faeces of raccoon (Procyon lotor [L.]) from North-Hessen and adjoining areas of North-Rhine Westphalia were examined on the basis of their food content. In each case, approximately one third of the food components were vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Seasonal differences in the prey material can be detected.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The author describes a set of elk antlers unearthed in 1928 5 km north-west of Trzemeszno within the boundary of the village of Łukaszewko in Poland. According to the formula of the International Hunting Council for Game Preservation (Conseil International de la Chasse), 478.3 points should be awarded: according to that of the Boone and Crockett Club, 217 2/8 points. The head is compared with the best trophies from European, Asian and American elk.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The paper describes a roe buck (Capreolus capreolus L.) with “peruque” antlers of unusual dimensions. The skull with antlers weighed 6,070 gr. in the natural state and 2,020 gr. after drying.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Experiments were made to study the age determination in wildlife, particularly in the roe(Capreolus capreolus L.) with the aid of experimental gerontology methods. The results obtained were correlated with those achieved by conventional age determination (external marks of the teeth, serial layers of cementum of the teeth and dry-weight of the eye lens). The results of most experiments reflect changes in the stabilisation of collagen fibres and collagen cross linking. The following tissues were studied: ear cartilage, ear skin and flexor tendon. Alteration of the solubility of collagen in neutral salt and citrate buffer: Solubility was studied with collagen from skin and cartilage. The decrease corresponded well with the different ages of donor animals. Differential thermal analysis was done with skin and cartilage: Denaturing temperature increased by 9–10° Kelvin with increasing age for skin and cartilage. Test of the tensile strenghth with flexor tendon revealed significant differences between tendons derived from animals with different ages. It increased constantly with age.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The present report is part of a larger investigation aimed at differentiation among regional Hungarian red deer populations with the aid of morphological antler characteristics of shot red deer. However, this presentation is based on the use of morphological characteristics of cast off antlers as an extension of the previous work and encompasses a broader spectrum of antler formation. From a total of 418 cast off antlers from 4 different Hungarian red deer reserves, 14 morphological parameters were chosen. In order to characterize the distribution of mass along the antlers, a new parameter, the antler focal point was selected. The relationships among the parameters defining the cast off antlers were uniformly investigated within designated limits using simple correlation and regression calculations as well as with factorial analysis. The differences among the individual populations were investigated using graduated discrimination analysis. In numerous cases close positive correlations were demonstrated between the individual parameters; for example, between the selected parameter pairs — antler mass and antler length (r=0.84–0.92), lower antler circumference and antler mass (r=0.79–0.87), as well as upper antler circumference and antler mass (r=0.86–0.95). A comparison of the populations on the basis of the relationships existing between the parameter pairs showed only minimal differences. The factorial analysis demonstrated that the form variability of the cast off antlers can be characterized by the parameters of the lower and the upper antler masses, as well as by the relationship of the two — the antler focal point. For the investigated range of mass (0.3≤×≤3.0 kg), significant differences were in part determined between the individual populations from the results of the discrimination analysis. These differences, however, were very low. The antler focal point was also represented among the 6 parameters selected to differentiate respectively among the 6 different regions investigated. In 50% of the cases the individual cast off antlers were re-assigned to their correct areas of origin. Characteristic antler types could not be demonstrated. The results of the investigations of the antlers and cast off antlers were described. Other ways to compare red deer populations were discussed, whereby the complex investigations between morphological and biochemical-genetic parameters were emphasized.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary In a wild boar enclosure in Austria, one individual several years old was observed smell marking and defending food. Apples were smell marked with urine and saliva. Young animals did not eat this food after having tested it by sniffing, although the marking ♂ did. The wild boar defended his feeding ground against men. In the process, he showed in a weaker or ritualised form behavioural patterns from the innate characteristics of parading, threatening and fighting. In addition, there is a report of an old boar in which acoustic impulses (the noises of a food container being used by another boar) triggered off a demonstration of rank and appropriation at the feeding ground. This trigger was more forceful than „avoidance of the enemy“. Mention is made of a case of imitation and learning in the overcoming of an obstacle.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Pathological-anatomical examination of dead new-born seals in the Elbe estuary established that the seal foetus swallows some of the embryonic hair (Lanugo) disposed of within the uterus before birth. These swallowed hairs contribute to the first faeces or meconium. In this connection, the causes of intestinal blockade are discussed with regard to environmental disturbances in the seal nurseries.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary From a fallow enclosure of over 20 hectares stocked with 40 animals (bucks, adult and 2-year-old does, fawns), 10 were to be removed either for transfer to other enclosures or for sale. The escape distance of the animals was so great that the task in hand could not be achieved by means of an airgun or compressed air rifle (reliable ranges 15 and 30 m respectively). With the administering of Diazepam by mouth, the escape distance could be reduced to 10 – 20 m, and sometimes less, so that a Xylazin-Ketamin mixture designed to immobilise could be used without difficulty. The general difficulties of oral medication and its effects were described in detail as well as unforeseen incidents. It was established that a dose of 30 – 40 mg Diazepam per kg of live-weight was sufficient for the required sedation.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The present paper is concerned with research carried out in the Emmental area in Switzerland in a selection forest of the silver fir-beech typ(Abieti-Fagetum). The basis was a random survey, assessing density and browsing intensity for each species of the young forest trees. A total of 199 random samplings were taken, distributed systematically over 176 ha and comprising 30 young forest trees each. A regression and correlation analysis of the data showed that, on small browsing areas, browsing intensity of a specific tree species is highly influenced by the availability of any other browse plants. If beech and spruce are numerous, silver fir is subjected to increased browsing. On the other hand, a high density of silver fir can effectively ease the strain of browsing on both beech and spruce. A reduction of the browse impact on all tree species can be achieved by a high supply of sycamore maple, common ash, and mountain ash. Browsing by roe deer has now reached such proportions in the area investigated that silver fir suffers heavy losses through mortal browsing. The subsequent steady decline in the number of silver fir is further accelerated by the continued shift of the browse supply to beech and spruce.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Presented is a case of periodontitis apicalis purulenta in the mandible of a roe buck, aged 16 to 18 months. The anomaly was caused by a 90 degrees rotation of the right P4 and the resulting failure to resorb the distal root of the right Pd4, which was not shed. In the course of the resorption of its mesial root the pulpal cavity of the Pd4 was exposed and invaded by bacteria. Through the apical foramen of the tooth's distal root the inflammation later extended into the periapical space.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Roe deer had browsed the 7–8 year old spruce trees — in some cases rather severely — on two experimentally controlled fertilizer plots. This provided the opportunity to registrate the damages exactly and to separate them, partially according to plots and partially according to the individual plants and their growth characteristics. The distribution of the damages over the two parcels was determined essentially by the local environmental climate, available protective cover and soil vegetation but, on the other hand, only insignificantly by the combination of fertilizers applied. The differentiation according to individual plants revealed that the latebudding spruce trees as well as those with widely spaced, long, thin and “blue” needles had been most severely browsed. There are certain correlations between these characteristics and it is as yet unclear which of them is decisive in determining the deers' preference for the buds. On the other hand, a tendency toward the formation of buds of the nature mentioned exists on plots containing nitrogen, especially on those containing nitrogen-potassium and nitrogen-phosphorous compounds.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The range of variation in the tooth growth and tooth replacement of roe deer was examined on the basis of a large number of individuals killed in 4 wildlife research areas. The study indicated to a certain degree an earlier growth of the incisors, canines premolars and molars as well as an earlier replacement of these teeth than is given byRaesfeld. The later a tooth groows or is replaced, the larger the time span will be, in which this process takes place in all individuals of equal age. The fully developed tooth rows shorten continually with increasing age. There are only slight differences extant between the tooth rows of male and female roes, and these differences are not statistically reliable.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary It is possible to determine with considerable reliability the age of living martens and polecats up until the termination of the fourth month of life by means of critical application and evaluation of the characters mentioned in the literature as well as those revealed by the author's experiments. In the case of full grown individuals the age determination by morphological characters alone is unreliable and difficult, as long as it is not supported by a precise examination of the teeth or of the skull. If, however, these prerequisites are given, then it is possible to determine the age of living and dead martens to the fifth year of life approximately. By use of presently known age characters for the polecat on can ascertain merely, whether the animal is young, middle aged or old.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The decline in numbers of the capercaillie (Tetrao urugallus) as the result of intensive reforestation measures in the war and post-war years becomes understandable on the basis of the facts presented in the foregoing paper. Of the capercaillie ranges examined in 1965, it was found that at least 34% of the area was covered by stems of the fifth and sixth age-classes. According to the above investigations a high proportion of the 5th and even older age classes is often associated with high food reserves, which is characteristic of the pine stands of the Lausitz Plain, presently inhabited by capercaillies. AVaccinium spp. cover of at least 5% but generally between 25 and 100% is also typical. Likewise, stands with an understory and a management oriented as much as possible toward natural regeneration are found in many capercaillie habitats. Examples from the past prove that the maintainence of a high percentage of old stands in pine regions most probably is of especial importance for the proper management of capercaillie populations.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The foregoing paper presents data based on observations of the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) on the plains of the Austrian province Salzburg. This is a relict population, which might possibly be saved by the discontinuance of drainage operations in several moor areas and through increased protection.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary In addition to favorable nutritional requirements and heredity the size of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antlers depends above all on the animal's age. Therefore roe deer populations should be so managed that as high a number of the bucks as possible are shot during the culmination of their antler development. This goal can be realized by means of a deliberate age distribution in the shooting plan. A mathematical formula was derived, which makes the mathematical relationships between the age structure of the shooting plan and that of the population itself clear and allows the calculation of any desired age segmentation. The formula also permits the calculation of extremes and hence the numerical framework, within which every hunting district holder can vary the composition of the shooting plan quota. It shows, finally, what numerical consequences result from an unbalanced sex ratio and from allowing the bucks to live beyond a certain maximum age. Every hunting district holder faces an unpleasant alternative. He may either sacrifice the customary selective harvest for a large percentage of mature (i. e. in the culmination of their antler development) bucks or he can curtail the number of mature bucks to be harvested markedly in favor of a selective harvest. Concrete harvest numbers were computed and recommended as rules of thumb in designing shooting plans.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary 399 serum samples collected from native cloven-hoofed game were investigated by means of agglutinating-lysis reaction for antibodies against leptospirosis. Antibodies were found in 1,8 % of 169 sera from roe deer(Capreolus capreolus), in 2,1 % of 96 sera from red deer(Cervus elaphus) and in 18,6 % of sera from wild boars(Sus scrofa) in a serum dilution of 1:400 and higher. In 5,7 % of sera from 35 fallow deer(Dama dama) were only found suspicious titers (1:200). In 29 sera of mouflon(Ovis musimon) antibodies against leptospirosis were not detected. The most reactions were found againstL. icterohaemorrhagiae (31,7 %),L. ballum (17,1 %) andL. grippotyphosa (12,2 %). The significance of the serological findings is discussed.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The suspicion of a formation of a double rose in a roe head from the Minden-Lübbecke District in Nordrhein-Westfalen is taken as the occasion to discuss the phenomenom of double rose formation as described in the literature. The bulkiness and disorganised growth of the rose is seen as the chief characteristic of the head from the Minden-Lübbecke District. The cause of the malformation similar to a double rose is taken to be a disturbance of the hormones which affected the rose formation and then later faded away, so that the head was able to mature and be frayed largely in the normal way.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary A full translation of Y Naw Helwriaeth is presented for the first time in German, and the contents, sources and significance of this old Welsh hunting code are discussed in detail. Y Naw Helwriaeth is a unique conflation of old Welsh, Anglo-Norman and Middle English sources, which was compiled in the mid sixteenth century byGruffudd Hiraethog.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Rye, barley, potatoes, turnips and maize were cut back with scissors, by one-third and two-third to simulate browsing by game; in each case all plants in a plot were cut back by 30 % and 60 % respectively. In addition, the pulling-out of the plants by game was simulated, at rates of 80 %, 40 % and 20 %. Generally, in all cultivated plants, there were significant reductions of yield, almost exclusively in those plots in which 80 % of the plants had been removed. An influence on the ability of the plants to recover is exercised by the weather of the year and the timing of the damage. Analyses of the structure of the cereal crops showed that the influence on the stand density of the crop is greater than on the number of the heads per are or on the weight of 1000 heads.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary A report is given on the occurrence of feral farm minks escaped from farms in Schleswig-Holstein. 230 captures, killings and sightings have been recorded since 1950. It is uncertain if there are already existing self-sustaining populations.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Court hunting in the Dukedom of Westfalia in the time of the Electors of the House of Wittelsbach (1583–1761) required a large number of dogs talented and well-trained in many respects. Insofar as these were controlled by the staff of the Westfalian hunting office, the Electoral Oberkellner office in Arnsberg covered the maintenance of the pack. The costs amounted to around 3000 Reichstaler per year. In the course of the development of full state sovereignty, “dog-service” was introduced, involving around 90 farms, each of which either had to take and care for one of the Elector's dogs without payment or otherwise had to pay “dog-money” of 1 Reichstaler a year. Apart from farmers, the executioners and the bailiffs and several monasteries were also obliged to do “dog-service”, which in general was fulfilled by cash payments. The executioners paid 64 Reichstaler and the monasteries 252 Reichstaler a year. A particular form of “dog-service” was the dog-loan. Farmers and burghers were arbitrarily forced under threat of penalties to lend their dogs, insofar as they were suitable, to the hunts organized by the Elector or by the hunting office, without payment. Sporadic opposition to the “dog-service” had no success. It was only lifted, with all the other hunting burdens by a law, the Prussian Diocharge Act (Ablösungsgesetz) in 1850.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary The report deals with experiments on the beginning of reproductive capability of individually marked male and female fallow deer juveniles during the period 1979 to 1982. The animals lived as a juvenile group without any adults being present. The study revealed under the conditions of the experiment: 1.) male and female yearlings are as a general rule capable of reproduction at the age of 17 to 20 months; 2.) female yearlings who do not come into heat are weak individuals who are last in the line of priority, which is not pronounced in fallow deer; 3.) the reproduction activity takes place in the juvenile group without any obvious species-typical rutting behaviour; 4.) in 1 1/2 #x2013;2 1/2 year-old females, the reproductive period begins at the end of the 2nd third of November and lasts, as far as is known to date, until the end of the 2nd third of February. In a fallow deer group without adults there is no sharply limited rutting period: the reproductive period lasts at least 3 months; 5.) the late births to be seen again and again lie with the young females; 6.) 2–2 1/4 year-old females calving late require 2 further reproductive cycles until the calving time evens out at June; 7.) contrary to red deer, late calving fallow deer mothers can rear their calves successfully.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary This paper deals with the occurrence of five species of the genus Anser on Helgoland in the years 1962 to 1982. The actual status of each species is determined and observations from former years are added. In general, observations of geese on Helgoland have been increasing during recent years. Taking together all observations of the species, Geese are more common in autumn than in spring. Most observations date from October. The numbers of Bean Geese(Anser fabalis) on passage have been increasing since 1970, the yearly totals fluctuating considerably. Migration time lasts from the end of September to mid March. The numbers of resting individuals have been increasing likewise. The Pink-footed Goose(Anser brachyrhynchus) has not been recorded every year. Increasing numbers of single individuals can be seen resting on Helgoland. The White-fronted Goose(Anser albifrons) is a scarce species on Helgoland, nevertheless appearing in increasing numbers both on passage and as a resting species. The Grey-lag Goose(Anser anser) is the most common species of the genus Anser. Since 1972 the species has been increasing considerably, nowadays being recorded annually on passage. Grey-lag Geese can be observed every month. A peak of migration occurs in September/October and February/March. In general, the flight distance of resting Grey-lag Geese is decreasing. The Snow-Goose(Anser caerulescens) has been recorded only once on Helgoland.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary On individually marked fallow dear stags (Dama dama L.), the activity of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the serum was examined from throwing of the spikes over 2½ years with 3 another cycles. It was thereby demonstrated that 1) the activity of the AP shows an obvious course over the periods of the year, 2) the peaks of activity over the periods of the year are clearly correlated with the 3 phases of antler formation, and 3) the level of maximum activity is related to the throwing weight of the antlers.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary This report from the Forest Office Brilon, formerly Forest Office Bredelar, in the Sauerland, describes experiments on the effect of intense side-shoot gnawing in spruce on the growth of the spruce. The study covered the period 1968 to 1976. Six experiments were set up. In fenced enclosures of in each case roughly 450 m2 (fig. 1), measurements were made annually of the height of up to 16 plants. By way of comparison, up to 32 plants with intense gnawing of side shoots were measured (fig. 2). The results of the height measurements are shown in tables 1 to 6. The extent of the side-shoot gnawing in each case recorded. In all cases there was for at least 1 and for up to 8 years a significant difference between the length of growth on the plants inside the fence and outside the fence. It must therefore be drawn from this that intense gnawing of side-shoots, as was present in the research plot', leads to a reduction of growth. No answer can be given to the question of whether the reduction in growth balances out in later years. The superior growth on the shoots outside the fence for the experiments shown in tables 1 and 2 indicates that such a balancing is possible. The burdens which emerged during the experiment as a result of side-shoot gnawing are an indication of the fact that the roe-deer population was too high, i.e. that it was not supportable.

Description / Table of Contents: Résumé Dans le massif forestier des Fichtelgebirge (32.000 ha), le cheptel cerfs s'était accru, spécialement entre 1937 et 1962, pour atteindre 3 fois la densité considérée aujourd'hui comme normale (10 têtes/1.000 ha). Les causes de cet accroissement furent, par ordre d'importance décroissante, les suivantes: sous-estimation de l'effectif, sous-estimation du croît annuel moyen, relâchement de la pression cynégétique pendant et aussitôt après la guerre. Cet effectif important entraîna des dégâts de gibier préoccupants. Au cours de la dernière décennie, l'on procéda à différentes interventions (réduction sélective de l'effectif, affouragement hivernal, etc. ...) qui eurent pour effet de diminuer les dégâts d'une manière sensible tandis que la production annuelle de cerfs mâles de pleine maturité était désormais assurée. Le poids de la venaison des cerfs (mâles et femelles) augmenta de 15 à 40% au cours des dernières années. Les bois des cerfs de pleine maturité (1ère classe)-qui occuperont environ dix pourcent dans la future récolte annuelle de cerfs boisés-enregistrèrent un gain de poids analogue. Le secteur de “Veldensteiner Forst” (6.000 ha), cité occasionnellement dans cet article, ne doit pas être assimilé au massif des Fichtelgebirge considéré ici: en effet, en raison de son étendue réduite et de la proximité de la plaine de manoeuvres militaires de Grafenwöhr, ce territoire échappe à une gestion cynégétique rationnelle.

Description / Table of Contents: Summary In a pilot experiment on an open rubbish tip, the effect was examined of species-typical panic calls to scare off carrion crows. With regard to the application of the method for the protection of sprouting maize fields, the acclimatization periods of the crows and the optimal broadcast intervals of the calls were of interest. The experiments were in each case conducted in the mornings of 8 consecutive workdays and 13 broadcasts of the calls were sufficient to keep the crows away from the tip. The crows fled all the quicker the more cries they had already heard and the time they took to return increased from 20 minutes to 3 hours. The possibility of the emergence of a “warming-up” phenomenon is discussed.