72



Reviezvs.



BIRD MIGRATION.*


This is the fifth (interim) annual Report of the Migration

Committee and is drawn lip on a similar plan to the previously

published volumes. Careful notes on the weather each da} 7 with

the species migrating are given in parallel columns. The

arrival of our commoner summer migrants is recorded by a map,

a short account of the different waves and a detailed chronologi¬

cal table of the observations sent in. The rarer spring migrants

and the autumn movements are dwelt with in long chronological

tables which, in the case of some of the commoner species,

runs to six or more closely printed pages. It is somewhat

ungracious to criticize a task which has been carried out as a

labour of love by keen ornithologists and which has to be spread

with unflagging zeal over a considerable number of years before

any real or tangible results can be attained, yet we can but feel

that this report, which contains no less than 347 pages, would

have gained in interest and usefulness had a more sufficient

record and digest of the observations been published rather than

the complete list of observations.


The fullness of the records are however ample testimony

to the painstaking and hard work of the Committee and form of

themselves a most valuable addition to Migration literature.

We understand that an appeal is being made for further funds

in order to carry on this investigation. We need not emphasize

the usefulness of this work, which is also being carried on in

other countries. Germany has a well-endowed ornithological

station, in Hungary the ornithological bureau is a government

department, in England pure science has to be carried on from

scientific enthusiasm by those who are busily engaged in other

professions.


This Committee does not want money for nothing, it only

asks those interested to buy the Report for 6/- and we can

confidently ask our readers to do so, not only will they receive

good value for their money but also know that they are helping



* Report of the immigrations of Summer Residents in the spring of 1909, and notes on the

migratory movements and records received from Lighthouses and Light Vessels during the

autumn of 1908 by the Committee appointed by the British Ornithologists Club.


Bull. B.V.C. Vol. xxvi. Oct. 1910. London : Whithkkby & Co. 6/- net.



