REPORT ON 

 SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN 1914, 



INCLUDING MIGRATION. 



Introductory Remarks. 



The year 19 14 is one which none of us will ever forget. The 

 course of all our lives — indeed that of the whole world — has 

 been altered by the terrible war which broke out in the 

 end of July, and speedily involved almost all the nations 

 of Europe. In this common cataclysm, ornithology too 

 has had to suffer. Some of the ornithological expeditions 

 usually made in autumn were rendered impossible, and 

 several of our regular recorders have been taken from us, 

 and are now on active service with His Majesty's Forces. 

 Many of the lighthouses have had to extinguish their lights, 

 consequently the autumn returns of birds killed at these 

 stations have lapsed, but we much appreciate the work done 

 by the lightkeepers in sending us daylight observations, 

 and so enabling us to trace the movements which would, 

 under more favourable circumstances, have been more 

 strongly evident during the hours of darkness. In spite of 

 the extra work and anxiety which devolved upon us all, 

 the quantity of schedules sent in is extremely gratifying, 

 and the quality is quite up to its usual high standard. We 

 gratefully thank all our recorders for their splendid help 

 in keeping up the Report, and we greatly hope that they 

 will not weary in well-doing, but will make a special effort 

 in 191 5 to fill the blanks which must inevitably occur, owing 



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