4O2 A lexander Goodman More Scientific Papers. 



several species now fast decreasing through the progress of cultiva- 

 tion and drainage, and, we regret to add, the persecution of game- 

 preservers and collectors. It might also become a measure of the 

 future increase of other birds which seem to flourish under the protecting 

 hand of man. 



The present results might also be used as a means of ascertaining 

 some particulars of the movements of birds which remain in Britain all 

 the year, and yet are partially migratory. This might be accomplished 

 by noting the districts which a bird frequents during summer or winter 

 only, or in which any species is more numerous at one season than 

 another. 



It is hoped that all who may feel interested in the subject of this 

 paper will not fail to point out any inaccuracy which they may observe,, 

 and that they will also endeavour to supply the omissions unavoidable in 

 a first attempt. It is suggested that such additions might form an 

 interesting subject for communication to the ' Ibis,' even if only one 

 additional district can be filled up on good authority. Full lists of the 

 nesting-birds of South and North Wales, of the North-west of England,- 

 and of almost any part of Scotland are especially desired. 



In acknowledging how much is due to the kind cooperation of the 

 many friends and correspondents who have assisted in this undertaking, 

 I have especially to thank Dr. J. A. Smith of Edinburgh, the Rev. 

 George Gordon of Birnie, and Mr. Robert Gray, Secretary to the 

 Natural History Society of Glasgow, who have not only furnished me 

 with information themselves, but have taken great pains in collecting 

 lists from various parts of Scotland. 



My friend Mr. Alfred Newton has constantly assisted me with his- 

 advice and criticism, and I have also to return my warmest thanks to 

 Mr. H. C. Watson, who has been repeatedly consulted in the prepara- 

 tion of this paper, and who has kindly allowed the accompanying map- 

 to be borrowed from the ' Cybele Britannica.' 



The Latin names here used are taken from Mr. G. R. Gray's 

 ' British Museum Catalogue of the Eggs of British Birds' (1852) ; the 

 order followed is that of Yarrell. Roman numerals represent the larger 

 eighteen districts or " Provinces," and Arabic figures the thirty-eight 

 smaller " Subprovinces," as laid down on the map. When a figure is 

 enclosed in brackets, it is intended to show that the bird has been known 

 to nest in the district, but has not done so of late years. The smaller 

 Arabic figures indicate a greater degree of rarity, or that the bird has 

 been ascertained to breed in the district only occasionally. 



The " Types of Distribution " afford a convenient formula for group- 

 ing the different species, according as they appear to prevail in the 

 South, North, South-east, or South-west of Great Britain. Thus, 

 " British type" includes birds which are tolerably general throughout 

 Great Britain, though some of them become scarce or wanting in the 

 north of Scotland. 



"English type" comprises birds more abundant in the south, and 

 which do not reach far north in Scotland. 



