10 8 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



2. Winter Visitants, or those that occur only during the 

 winter season, passing north in the spring (WV). 



3. Transient Visitants, or those that occur only during the 

 migrations, in spring and fall (TY). 



4. Summer Residents, or those that are known to hreed, but 

 which depart soiithward before winter (SK). 



5. Accidental Visitants, or stragglers from remote districts 

 (AV). 



It is desirable also to indicate the relative abundance of the 

 different species, the terms to be employed for this purpose being : 

 Abundant, Common, Tolerably Common, Rare. 



In many species the males arrive in advance of the females ; 

 hence it is important to note the sex of the first comers, and the 

 date at which the opposite sex is first seen. 



In recording arrivals and departures it is highly important to 

 distinguish between the movements of the great bulk of the 

 species and those of the forerunners or advance guard. For this 

 purpose two dates should be recorded for the incoming, and two 

 for the outgoing of every non-resident species, as follows — 



1. The first appearance of the species (F). 



2. The arrival of the bulk (BA). 



3. The departure of the bulk (BD). 



4. The last individual seen (L). 



In addition to the above, which may be regarded as essential 

 data, there are many other noteworthy details which bear more or 

 less directly upon the complicated problems involved in the study 

 of migration. Among such may be mentioned the bodily con- 

 dition of the bird (whether fat or lean), the moult, and the 

 periods of song. The time of mating, when observed, should 

 always be recorded. 



(b) Meteorolof/ical Phenomena. 

 Extended meteorological data are not required, though the 

 observer would derive material assistance from a systematic 

 weather record. The Committee desires information upon — 



1. The du-ection and force of the wind. 



2. The du'ection, character, and duration of storms. 



3. The general conditions of the atmosphere, including rainfall. 



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

 a record of all sudden changes of temperature. 



