Occasional Xotes. 119 



6. ErnoPEAN Cuckoo (C canorua). 



7. Grrenshank {Totanus littoreus). 



8. White Stork or Largk Locust Bird {Cicnnia rirotiia). 



9. Black-winged Pratincole or Little Locust Bird {G/areola 



melanoptera). 



We would ask all observers to carefully note the dafrs of 

 arrival and departure — i. e. the first and last dates upon 

 which each of the above birds were last seen — on one of tho 

 post-cards enclosed for the purpose, and ])ost the sauio. If 

 possible also note the force and direction of the wind, 

 i.e. N,, N.E., N.W., &c., as the case may be, and gentle, 

 mediam, strong or very strong, whichever ol)tains at the 

 time the bids were first seen. Any other ol)servations, such 

 as "arrival in flocks'^ or pairs, would be of interest. 



The cards could either be posted immediately after the 

 arrival of each species, or retained and posted once a month. 

 Unless the observer is a regular one, the former course 

 would be preferable. 



The question of the migratory movements of birds — what 

 governs it, whence they come, where they go, kc. — is an 

 all-absorbing one, so we would exhort all Members to lend 

 their assistance, or if they find that they cannot m;inage it 

 themselves they might induce someone else to undertake the 

 observations — as the local schoolmaster or resident minister, 

 for instance. 



Those not sure of the identity of a bird can sever and 

 forward one wing, a leg, the tail and the beak, which will 

 genernlly suffice to distinguish a bird with some degree of 

 certainty. 



The resjwnse to this Circular when first issued was very 

 poor, and wo would again urge upon our readers the 

 iuij)ortance of this matter. Jf they have not tho time to 

 make a regular habit of observing, let them take one or two 

 birds — the Euroj)ean Swallow, for instance, and watch for 

 its arrival. Tiiis bird is easily recognisable from others of 

 its kind (with one exception) by its small size, reddish fore- 

 head, cliiu, and tliroat. The only species it can easily ho 

 confused with is the Wln'te-throated Swallow, which has the 



