120 Bhuf Migration. [January 



the same ground day after day, and, if possible, both early in the 

 morning and late in the afternoon. He should visit woodlands, 

 thickets of dense undergrowth, and open .fields ; and, if possible, 

 both swamp and upland should fall under his daily scrutiny. 



The above may be regarded as essential data. There are many 

 other noteworthy details that bear more or less directly upon the 

 complicated problems involved in the study of migration. Among 

 such may be mentioned the bodily condition of the bird (whether 

 fat or lean), the moult, and the periods of song. The time of 

 mating, when observed, should always be recorded. 



The Committee desires positive information concerning the food 

 of all birds. 



(}>) Meteorological Phenomena. 



The Committee desires information upon : — 



1. The direction and force of the wind. 



2. The direction, character and duration of storms. 



3. The general conditions of the atmosphere, including rain- 

 fall. 



4. The succession of marked warm and cold waves, including 

 a record of all sudden changes of temperature. 



(c) Contemporary <t»<l Correlative Phenomena. 



The Committee desires that the data under this head be as full 

 and complete as possible, and requests exact information upon : — 



1. The date at which the first toad is seen. 



2. The date at which the first frog is heard. 



3. The date at which the first tree-toad or 'peeper' is heard. 



4. The dates at which certain mammals and reptiles enter 

 upon and emerge from the state of hibernation. 



5. The dates at which various insects are first seen. 



6. The dates of the flowering of various plants. 



7. The dates of the leafing and falling of the leaves of vari- 

 ous trees and shrubs. 



8. The dates of the breaking up and the disappearance of the 

 ice in rivers and lakes in spring, and of the freezing over of the 

 same in the fall. 



It must not be supposed, because the Committee asks for a 

 large amount of information upon a variety of subjects, that 

 meager or isolated records are not desired. Quite the contrary is 

 true. Comparatively few of ths observers are ornithologists^ or 

 even bird collectors, the great majority being intelligent farmers, 

 tradesmen, and light-keepers. 4 nose who know only the com- 

 monest birds, such as the Robin, Bluebird, Bobolink, Martin, 

 Hummingbird, and Chimmey Swift, can furnish important data, 

 and their services are eagerly sought. 



C. Hart Merriam. M. 1)., 



Chairman of Committee on Migration, 

 Locust Grove, Lewis County, 



New York. 



