476 Dr. A. L. Thomson : Kesxdts of a Study of [Ibis, 



The nuinl)ers, sizes, and destinations o£ all rings issued to 

 markers were carefully noted and reappearances of marked 

 birds were checked by these notes. Along with the rings 

 were sent schedules on which the data about all birds marked 

 were to be filled in, the following information l)eing asked 

 for : — (1) Number on ring ; (2) Species of bird ; (3) Date 

 of marking and release; (4) Locality of marking and 

 release ; (5) How obtained (" as young," etc.) ; (6) Sex 

 and age so far as certain ; and any other remarks, including 

 bracketing together members of the same brood with word 

 to that effect. When the com])leted schedules were returned, 

 the data were transcribed into ledgers, in which the entries 

 were arranged serially according to the ring numbers, a final 

 column being left blank for the purpose of entering references 

 to the " Case numbers " in the separate card-index of re- 

 a{)pearance records. 



When a marked bird was reported as killed or recaptured, 

 the number on the ring was the chief thing required, 

 together with a note of the locality and approximate date of 

 the occurrence. If the ring, with or without the foot, were 

 sent, or if the species were identified, an additional check on 

 the accuracy of the record was provided. Many birds were 

 naturally recorded from the places where they were marked, 

 and the interest of these records depended on the lapse of 

 time and on the other circumstances of the case : cognisance 

 was taken of all records of this kind, however, except when 

 a bird was recorded on the same day, or, in the case of young 

 birds, within the flightless period. 



At the outset of the investigation no restriction was made 

 as to the species of birds which were to be marked, and each 

 co-operator was left to make use of whatever opportunities 

 he might have. These opportunities were for the most part 

 confined to young birds as yet unable to fly, but large 

 numbers of birds were also caught in nets set up for the 

 purpose and a few were caught at lighthouse-lanterns or at 

 night on the sea-shore. It was felt that tlie widest possible 

 scope would provide the fairest test of the value of the 



