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THE "BRITISH BIRDS" MARKING SCHEME.^ 



Progress for 1910 and Plans for the future. 



BY 



H. F. WITHERBY. 



The number of birds ringed in 1910 by those readers of 

 British Birds who have taken an active interest in the 

 work has been remarkable ; over twelve thousand rings 

 have been issued and about seven thousand nine hundred 

 have been used. The result is a notable testimony 

 to the activity and zeal of our helpers. Special thanks 

 are again due to Messrs. SmaUey and Robinson, who have 

 ringed no fewer than two thousand three hundred and 

 thirteen birds this year ! In their hst are to be found 

 sixteen species, the largest numbers being one thousand 

 two hundred and twenty-two Black-headed GuUs, six 

 hundred and thirty-three Common Terns, one hundred 

 and fifty-seven Swallows, and one hundred and five 

 Lesser Black-backed GuUs. Mr. Norman H. Joy has 

 ringed the large number of seven hundred and six, while 

 a number of others have ringed great numbers, as will 

 be seen in the list which follows. Indeed, the success of 

 the scheme, so far as the ringing is concerned, has far 

 exceeded my expectations, and I would here take the 

 opportunity of heartily thanking all those who have 

 assisted. 



The number of species represented in the list of birds 

 ringed is one hundred and twenty-nine — a really extra- 

 ordinary number. 



Turning now to the results, it is, I think, as yet too early 

 in the course of the inquiry to judge as to whether 

 the ringing of birds will repay the trouble and expense 

 involved. By it we expect to learn what cannot be 

 otherwise known of the movements of individual birds. 

 So far our results are mainly dependent upon chance ; 

 a very large proportion of the published recoveries 



* For a report on the ringing done in 1909 see Vol. III., p. 179. 



