INTRODUCTION. 



Since the existence of the H. C. O. I always endeavoured to throw 

 hght upon the matter. The first step must naturally be the history of 

 this branch of Science. For this history is not only in a purely human 

 sense „vitae magistra", but also „magistra scientiae", especially in the 

 sphere of induction (empiricism). 



On the occasion of the second International Ornithological Con- 

 gress held in 1891 in Budapest, 1 gave a perfectly objective sketch 

 of the historical development of the knowledge of Migration, and at 

 once made use of the same to compile the whole material of data chro- 

 nicled in Hungary.* In volume VI of „Aquila", the periodical of the 

 H. CO., i published, under the heading „Vom Zuge der Vogel auf 

 positiver Grundlage", a collective treatise, in which, besides the results 

 accumulated during four years in Hungary, I published a series of 

 opinions or Theses on this matter, from Emperor FREDERIC 11. 

 (1194 — 1250) to the present day, showing frequently great diversity 

 and contradiction on the part of even foremost authorities. Recently 

 a historical review was worked out and published in an enlarged 

 edition by JACOB SCHENK,** first Assistant of the H. C. O. 



While engaged in systematically carrying out these works, the 

 H. C. O. was continually active, so far as their resources allowed, 

 in collecting all available material for the foundation of the true know- 

 ledge of Bird-Migration. Assisted by men like the Meteorologists 

 J. Heqyfoky, the Ornithologists and Ornithophaenologists Gaston 

 Gaal de Gyula, Julius Pungur, auxiliary help-mates, like E. Szalay, 

 J. SCHENK, A. VezenyI; voluntarily observing Ornithologists, like 

 G. Ertl, a. von Wachenhusen, Baron Snouckaert van Schau- 

 BURO, the Meteorologist Ekama,E. VON Middendorff, Miss Helene 

 VON Middendorff,Kaiqorodoff,M.Haerms,O.Haase, and others; 



* Herman O : ,,Die Elenieiitc des Vogelzuges in Un<jarn his iSqi." in Hnng. and 

 German 1805. 



** ,,Die Frage tier Vogelzuges" Suppl. to Vol. IX. of ,,Ai|iiila" igo2. 



Ka 8 (an 



