32 F>"iii Magazines, &c. [snfYuiy 



with little reference to weather conditions. Each species is 

 dealt with separately in the report, and has its distribution in 

 immigration illustrated by means of a separate map. Recog- 

 nising the unwisdom of generalising on a single year's data, the 

 committee say little in their introductory remarks about the 

 conclusions towards which they are being led ; but it is intended, 

 if possible, to pursue the same plan of observation for a series 

 of years, and so collect sufficient material for a proper 

 understanding of the main principles governing the 

 migration of birds. Seeing how very little is really 

 known of the movements of our Australasian migrants, a 

 similar method might with advantage be adopted here. Plenty 

 of scattered observations have been made from time to time, but 

 there has been little or no systematic tabulation of information 

 from different localities. It is advisable not to make the field of 

 observation too wide at the start. To take what is probably our 

 most familiar migratory species, it would be of value if during 

 the winter and spring of this year observers in as many parts as 

 possible would note the date of arrival of the Pallid Cuckoo 

 {Cticulus pcxllidus), and send in the result of their observations to 

 the Editors of Tlic Emu. 



South Orkney Islands. — Mr. Eagle Clarke's article on 

 " The Ornithological Results of the Scottish National Antarctic 

 Expedition," in the January Ibis, is of great interest. Sixteen 

 species of sea-birds were found frequenting the islands, including 

 the Cape Petrel {Daptiou capcnsis). Skua {Megalestris aniarctica). 

 Giant Petrel {Ossifraga o^igantea). Silver-grey Petrel {Priocella 

 glacialoides), Yellow-webbed (Wilson) Storm-Petrel {Oceam'tes 

 oceankus), Black-bellied Storm-Petrel {Cyinodroina {Fregeta) 

 indanogaster), and Banks Prion {Prion banksii), all of which 

 species are found in Australian seas. The eggs of Wilson Petrel 

 were found in hollows in the earth, in narrow clefts and fissures 

 in the face of the cliffs, or under stones. The first egg was 

 taken on nth December. None of the eggs laid that summer 

 had been hatched when the expedition left on 21st P'ebruary. 

 It is considered that the South Orkneys are this bird's 

 southern limit. The eggs average 33.7 x 24 mm. Two 

 eggs of the Black-bellied Storm-Petrel were found ; one 

 secured measured 3.60 x 2.55 cm. Of the Silvery-grey 

 Petrel the writer states that it is highly probable that a 

 few pairs nest on Laurie Island, one of the group. 

 However, the actual breeding-place of this bird is still to be 

 discovered. The Giant Petrel breeds in rookeries. There were 

 about 5,000 of these birds on Laurie Island — a scourge to the 

 Penguins, " upon which," says the writer, " and their eggs and 

 young it was their one aim to gorge themselves to repletion." 



