2 BRITISH BIRDS. 



contributions^ but we shall also glean, from every 

 published soiu-ce available, whatever is likely to prove of 

 permanent value. We beg- ovir readers to help us in 

 making this feature of the Magazine as complete as possible 

 by sending notes of omissions which they may detect in 

 this record, and copies of any communications appearing 

 in the Transactions of local Natural History Societies, or 

 in other publications to which we may not have access. 



As a foundation to such a monthly history Mr. Howard 

 Saunders has kindly written for this issue an article which 

 treats of the species added to the list since the publication 

 in 1899 of the last edition of his " Manual of British Birds " ; 

 while in following numbers Messrs. N. F. Ticehurst and 

 H. F. Witherby will detail the most important additions 

 which have been made diu"ing this same period, to our 

 information concerning the distribution, and occurrences, 

 in this country of birds already on the list. 



In the same connection Dr. Ernst Hartert has promised 

 articles on those birds which may be recognized as 

 geographical races peculiar to this country, and as the 

 importance of this subject is now becoming more generally 

 realized, especially in connection with such studies as that 

 of Migration, we feel sure that Dr. Hartert's contributions 

 will be much appreciated. 



In a future number the Hon. Walter Rothschild will 

 discuss the position of the WilloAv Tit as a British bird, 

 a j)oint which is raised in the j)i*6sent issue by 

 Dr. P. L. Sclater. 



When the Magazine is well started we hope, with the 

 co-operation of our readers, to embark upon a series of 

 more systematic investigations than have hitherto been 

 attempted, with regard to matters concerning the birds 

 of this country. Our plan is to make organized enquiries 

 into such questions as the extension or diminution of the 

 breeding range of certain species, the exact status and 

 distribution of some birds, the effects of protection in 

 certain areas and on different species, the nature of the 

 food of particular birds, and many kindred subjects. 



Could observations on such points be conducted on a 

 common basis and made contemporaneously in different 

 parts of the country, results of great interest and of very 

 considerable scientific importance would be achieved. 

 Already over a hundi'ed ornithologists in various parts of 



