1901. Ussher. — The Migration of Birds. 9 



It seems sad that they have so little instruction to identify 

 the species of birds, for though many of these are now recog- 

 nised by light-keepers which the}' formerly ignored, they still 

 misapply many names so as to render their reports about them 

 almost useless. Instances of such names are — " Black-cap " 

 for Stone-chat and other birds, " Warblers " or " Wrens " for 

 divers small species, "Tits" for Pipits; " Linnets" or " Bull- 

 finches" for other Fringillidce\ " Puffins " for Razor-bills or 

 Guillemots : " Barnacles " for Brent or Barnacle Geese, 

 indifferently. Then « Hawks," "Pigeons," " Sand-Larks," 

 " Gulls," and " Ducks/' are each terms applied to several 

 species so as to tantalize and bewilder the student of the 

 reports. Though information ma)' occasionally be misunder- 

 stood, yet its good effects were manifest after the Commis- 

 sioners of Irish Lights had, in 18S4, presented to six isolated 

 stations copies of Morris's " British Birds." These books, 

 which were illustrated, have often been referred to by the light- 

 keepers as a great help, and it may safely be assumed that in 

 this matter no greater reward for the past and help for the 

 future could be bestowed on the lightkeepers by the Commis- 

 sioners, than copies of the volume now produced. 



Looking back upon the work of eighteen years so perse- 

 veringly done by Mr. Barrington, and conducted at his own 

 expense since the British Association discontinued their grants 

 in 1887, some reflections arise — The inquiry, so unpromising 

 at first, has yielded richer results as the years have passed, and 

 both the light-keepers' interest has been enlisted and their 

 entries have become more numerous and intelligible. Then 

 again, the fluctuating data obtainable require a long series of 

 years to draw conclusions from them with confidence, and 

 facts arise which explain what had been obscure, or confirm 

 previous inferences. Therefore, .the longer the inquiry is 

 continued, the clearer will be the lessons which the Migration 

 Reports will teach ; and long may it be the privilege of 

 Ireland to have this work carried on by so able and pains- 

 taking an ornithologist as the author of the book before us. 



It is much to be regretted that only 350 copies have been 

 printed, so that when all are sold, he will not be recouped for 

 half his heavy outlay on its preparation. 



Cappagh, Co. Waterfonl 



A3 



