For many years, in fact since the lamented demise of The Zoologist in 1916, the study of mammals in Great Britain has been greatly handicapped by the lack of a specialist journal. This deficiency it is now hoped to remedy by publishing in Oryx a regular section devoted to the natural history and conservation of British mammals. The twin aims of the section are well illustrated by the two articles in this first issue, one on the field study and identification of British bats, by Michael Blackmore, the other on the case for a close season for deer, by G. K. Whitehead, both among the leading experts in their respective fields. In addition it is hoped to publish regularly short notes on matters of general rather than local interest, to review books on or largely devoted to British mammals, and to abstract from local natural history journals any papers or notes of more than local interest. Editors of local journals, and secretaries of the mammal sections of local natural history societies and field clubs, could help this work greatly by sending me copies of their journals or reprints of any sections of articles relating to mammals. Address: Drifts, Chinnor Hill, Oxford.