162 REPORT — 1875. 



series .... and hence I do not hesitate to draw "the conclusion that the Rotifera 

 are the permanent forms of Echinoderm-larvse." 



Dr. Hudson pointed out that his own discoveries had destroyed this argument, 

 for he had found the male forms of both groups. 



It was shown how closely Pedalion resembled one of the Entomostracous 

 larvae, and how it was connected by other aberrant rotifers with those of the 

 ordinary type ; and the conclusion was drawn that, if the Rotifera were arranged 

 according "to their complexity of structure, it wovdd be found that at the lower end 

 of the scale they would, through the PMlodines, be allied to the worms, and would 

 then form a gradually ascending series till at its upper end, through Pedalion, they 

 would be linked on to the Entomostraca. 



On certain Neglected Suhjects of Ornithological Investigation*. 

 B^j Alfbed Newton, 3LA., F.R.S., V.-P.Z.S., Sfc. 



To the author it seemed that ornithologists have of late been getting into certain 

 well-worn ruts to the abandonment of other tracks which equally deserve travelling 

 upon. He has recently had to " take stock " of our ornithological knowledge, and 

 finds that the result on the whole is gratifying — some branches of the study having 

 received much encouragement since the new views of Evolution were promulgated, 

 but others have remained in statu quo anti. Among the former are the Ditteren- 

 tiation of Species and Geogi-aphical Distribution ; but Developmental Osteology 

 (the department of science which in this country Prof Parker nas made his own) 

 still remains one in which the plenteous harvest has but few reapers, and is 

 earnestly recommended to young ornithologists. Descriptive Anatomy has fair 

 prospects ; and Fossil Ornithology receives as much attention in Britain as can be 

 expected from the scarcity of ornitholites ; but Pterylography is still far too little 

 thought of. 



The greatest falling off" appears to be in Observational Ornithology, owing to the 

 out-of-door ornithologists trying each to find out every thing for himself, instead of 

 starting from the discoveries of our predecessors. The want of progress is most 

 plainly shown by observations on Migration, which are of exactly the same kind 

 as in Gilbert White's time, though there was then a special object now not needed. 

 No tabulation of such as have been made has been attempted, except by Von 

 Middendorff" (Die Isepiptesen Russlands. St. Petersburg : 1855) ; and consequently 

 what may come of it cannot be said. Partial migration, which is most likely to 

 reveal the cause of birds' movements, is still much neglected ; and no one in this 

 coimtry has tried to show the routes by which they migrate, a subject last year 

 ably treated by Palm^n (Om Foglarnes tiyttningsvagar. Helsingfors: 1874). The 

 step in advance taken by Knox more than twenty years ago has hardly been 

 maintained by other British observers, and thus very little has been done since 

 White's time. We cannot guess at the faculty by means of which migration is so 

 unerringly perfoi-med. We have no observed facts to tn-ge against Von Midden- 

 dorff" 's hypothesis, wild as it seems, that birds may be aware of the position of the 

 magnetic poles, so as to steer their course accordingly ; while Palmen's supposition 

 as to " experience " aifording a key to the mystery is insufficient; for experience 

 can only mean a recognition of landmarks, which is impossible in the case of birds 

 which travel by night or cross at one stretch 1000 miles of land or sea. 



The so-called " Laws of Plumage " have also been almost entirely neglected of 

 late. Incidental remarks on Moulting are found here and there ; but no connected 

 series of observations on the subject generally, which might be profitably investi- 

 gated by those who have constant access to zoological gardens, while those who 

 keep tame birds might also afford efficient aid. 



The period of Incubation is a subject on which, with but very few exceptions, 

 we are quite ignorant. When it diners in two species so nearly allied as the 

 Pheasant and the Barndoor-fowl, we may be sure that some important cause exists 

 which has hitherto escaped us ; and the eff'ects, if any, of atmospheric temperature 

 on the development of the chick are equally imknown. Under 200 species breed 



* Published in e.rtenso in the ' Field,' and thence reprinted in the ' Zoologist.' 



