24 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 
Various methods of procedure are in vogue for working 
an area, and for checking and revising the results, in order to 
insure that each bird recorded is actually nesting in the area, 
and that no species has been overlooked. Ultimately the 
particulars are forwarded to the Bureau of Biological Survey, 
with full details as to the character of the area, crops, etc, 
and a sketch map of the area chosen, showing the outside 
boundaries, the boundaries of the principal fields, designating 
the approximate area of each crop, the location of buildings, 
and any streams, marshes, or bodies of water. 
If there is an isolated piece of woodland near to the 
above, a separate census is made, and still a third from any 
larger and more definite area forming part of a large tract 
of timber. 
So far, very interesting results have been obtained, which 
serve as a basis for a few interesting deductions, and also to 
indicate points which require further attention in the future. 
The two published reports at least show that the project is 
capable of being carried out, and further, that a considerable 
amount of satisfactory and important information can be 
obtained. 
At a time when much desultory work of limited value is 
being done in British ornithology, such work as is entailed 
by a census would offer a sphere of activity to a large 
number of people interested in wild bird life,and at the same 
time furnish a record of great value. 
Gadwall in Berwickshire.—On the lake near Duns there 
were still present on 5th December 1920 a pair of Gadwall which 
had arrived about three weeks before.—T. G. LaipLaw. 
Late Nesting of Mallard.—I am credibly informed that on 
gth November 1920, a brood of seven ducklings was seen on the 
pond near Lincluden House, Dumfries.—Hueu S. GLADSTONE. 
