ON THE MIGEATIOX OF BIRDS. 149 



Of the warblers tte sedare warbler strikes the lanterns more fre- 

 qnently than any other, but the western and northern stations are almost 

 a blank, few warblers striking. 



The great bulk of the summer migrants an'ive in Ireland on the south 

 coast and the southern portion of the east coast below Drogheda. 



During the second and third weeks of November the waterrail was 

 forwarded from stations all round Ireland. It has not occurred in such 

 numbers before. 



A large immigration of the siskin and brambling took place in 

 October and November. These birds have seldom been received from 

 the light-keepers until 1887. 



Tbe autumn rushes of most species were on a larger scale than usual 

 in 1887, and both summer and winter migrants seem to prefer the south- 

 rast portion of Ireland when arriving. The snow-bnnting is one of the 

 few birds which is rarely met with during the season of immigration on 

 our south-east coasts. 



The woodcock seldom strikes the lanterns anywhere. 



So far as waders are concerned there is no clear evidence derived from 

 the light-stations to show that they arrive in greater numbers on our 

 northern stations in the autumn than on the south-east and south coasts. 



This inquiry has now been continued for nine years, and an immense 

 "number of facts have been collected and brought together in the Annual 

 Reports in connection with the seasonal movement of birds on the British 

 coasts. The value of the materials thus acquired has been very consider- 

 ably increased by the wings and legs sent in from the lighthouses and 

 lisrhtvessels of birds killed against the lanterns. Tour Committee are 

 aware that if this inquiry is to lead to any practical scientific results, much 

 yet remains to be done ; they would, therefore, respectfully suggest that 

 the collection of further facts and materials should for the present be 

 suspended, and an attempt rather be made to utilise, digest, and classify 

 the mass of information already at their disposal. This your Committee 

 ai-e anxious and willing to undertake, and have already made ai-range- 

 tnents for carrying into effect, so as to show in a concise form the results 

 both statistically and otherwise on strictly scientific lines, and in as con- 

 densed and clear a method as possible. 



The Committee have much pleasure in stating that one of their number, 

 Mr. William Eagle Clarke, of the Museum of Science and Art in Edin- 

 burgh, has undertaken the laborious task of thus reducing the mass of 

 observations collected. This will not be executed from the reports already 

 published, but from an examination cle novo of the schedules sent in. 

 When it is accomplished, the question of publishing the results will arise, 

 and the Committee trust that, if necessary, the aid of the British Associa- 

 tion may again be successfully invoked. The Committee are quite 

 sensible of the liberality with which the Association has for so many- 

 years responded to, and even more than once anticipated, their demands, 

 and have to express their gratitude for the generosity not only of the 

 Association, but of private individuals towards their investigations ; but 

 the Committee must point out that the crowning work has yet to be 

 done, and, while abstaining at this time from any application for pecuniary 

 help, they hope that it may be forthcoming, if required, at some future 

 date. 



