MARKING BIRDS. 5 



birds that the results obtained may be sufficient to make 

 them really valuable. 



To this end we have had prepared a number of rings, 

 of which we will send a supply, with a schedule of 

 observations to be filled in, and full directions to any 

 reader of the Magazine who will undertake to mark 

 birds. It is above all necessary that those who under- 

 take to help shall also undertake to use every care to 

 fill in the schedule methodically and accurately, and to 

 observe the directions given, otherwise endless confusion 

 will be caused, and the objects desired will be defeated. 

 For this reason a copy of the schedule and directions 

 has been here printed, so that those who are willing to 

 help will see before applying for rings exactly what they 

 will be asked to do. 



It may here be mentioned that the rings are very 

 simple and easily adjustable, and do not, so far as observa- 

 tions go, in the least injure or impede the birds. 



Equally important to marking the birds is their 

 recovery. Every ring therefore will be marked in full — 

 " Wither by, High Holborn, London." Rings which are 

 insufficiently marked, or marked with an abbreviated 

 address, seem to us to be useless, and the results obtained 

 from birds so ringed may even be misleading. London, 

 being more universally known than any other place- 

 name, seems a great advantage, in that any finder of a 

 ring so marked should realise that communication with 

 the "ringer" is intended. Moreover, it is our intention 

 to seek the co-operation of the Press, not only of this 

 country, but of the Continent, in making it known that 

 birds are being so marked, and for what purpose. 



Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, who takes a great interest in this 

 subject, and has himself had experience in marking birds 

 for the last two years, has very kindly given us much 

 advice, and has offered his help in keeping records and 

 working out the results of the scheme. Progress will be 

 reported from time to time in these pages, and we hope 

 that many of our readers will take up the work. All 



