

PREFACE. 



The ornithological event which has excited the most 

 interest among our readers during the year covered by 

 this volume has been, without doubt, the remarkable 

 irruption of Crossbills. The widespread character of 

 the incursion, the large number of birds taking part in 

 it, and the considerable number of breeding records 

 resulting therefrom are unparalleled in the history of 

 previous irruptions. We take the opportunity of thanking 

 all those correspondents who have helped in making the 

 record of this interesting movement, so far as the British 

 Isles are concerned, as complete as possible. 



The " British Birds Marking Scheme," inaugurated in 

 the first number of this volume, has made a successful start. 

 The number of birds ringed during the first year has been 

 highly satisfactory, although we hope that in the future 

 many more of our readers will co-operate both in the actual 

 ringing and in making the scheme as widely known as 

 possible. Although the percentage of " recoveries " is 

 at present small, we have little doubt that it will grow 

 rapidly, and that the results of the scheme will eventually 

 attain very considerable importance. It is as yet 

 impossible to measure the knowledge achievable by 

 this means, but there is every indication that facts of 

 the utmost interest and importance will be brought to 

 light by the ringing of birds, and this being so, we feel 

 sure that the scheme will continue to receive the active 

 and increasing support of our readers. 



The subjects of Migration and Plumages have received 

 considerable attention in this volume, and we hope 

 that at some future date Professor Newton's reproach 



