REPORT ON 

 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN 1915, 



INCLUDINp MIGRATION. 



Introductory Remarks. 



Once again this Report comes out under the shadow of 

 War; the }-ear 191 5 has come and gone, and finds our 

 nation still involved in a life-and-death struggle. More 

 of our recorders have joined the colours, and, in addition 

 to those actually serving with the forces, others have 

 undertaken various forms of war work, and have therefore 

 less time at their disposal for ornithological observations. 

 In spite, however, of these and kindred disabilities the 

 number and quality of the notes sent are splendidly main- 

 tained. The lantern returns have suffered through the 

 extinction of some of the lights, but the lightkeepers, by 

 their daylight observations, have nobly striven to fill the 

 blanks. No expeditions have been possible, and in many 

 cases unavoidable military restrictions have handicapped 

 our mainland observers. We have, however, received a 

 large and representative series of notes, and any merit which 

 lies in this Report is due to the faithful work done by 

 our recorders. We wish to thank them all specially heartily 

 for the excellent work done in 1915, and to ask each and 

 all to help us to carry on the Report till the dawn of better 

 and happier times. We have to deplore the loss of an 

 excellent recorder in Mr Robert Wilson, assistant light- 

 keeper, Skerryvore, who died after a short illness. He 



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