ON THE MIGKATION OF BIRDS. 287 



years, and it will be found that tlie results of the investigation, as set forth 

 in detail in the General Report, are of sufficient value and scientific interest 

 to repay the Committee for the great outlay of time in arranging and tabu- 

 lating the various returns, as well as the very considerable expenditure 

 incurred over and above the grant of 161. placed at their disposal by the 

 Association. 



With respect to the Irish coast, from the light-stations around which 

 returns have been this year received for the first time, printed schedules 

 were forwarded to 40 light-stations. Thirty stations replied by returning 

 the schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by sending 

 letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds, or on their general 

 movements. 



The inquiry has the full concurrence and assistance of the Commis- 

 sioners of Irish Lights. 



The returns have been as satisfactory as was anticipated for a first 

 attempt. Some of the schedules were carefully filled ; and although others 

 contain very few entries, this is to be accounted for rather by the absence 

 of migratory birds than by any unwillingness on the part of the light- 

 keepers to assist us. 



The observers being untrained, names have been given to birds in a 

 few instances from which it is not easy to identify the species, and occa- 

 sionally there is reason to fear one species has been mistaken for another. 

 Many of the stations complain of an unusual scarcity of birds last 

 autumn. By some observers this is attributed to its stormy character, 

 but it is also due no doubt to a general diminution of birds by reason of 

 the great numbers which perished here in the two previous severe 

 winters. 



The daily weather charts received from the Meteorological Office, 

 London, show the last quarter of 1881 to have been exceptional in the 

 number and violence of its cyclonic disturbances — strong westerly and 

 southerly winds prevailing. 



In order to see more easily the effect of the weather onthe movements 

 of birds, as well as to compare the migration of one species with that of 

 another on a given date, the entries from the schedules have been classified 

 in chronological order. The dates of migration can also be more readily 

 appreciated. 



As might be expected, more birds have been observed on our eastern 

 coast than elsewhere. The returns from the west coast are poor in species, 

 especially those from Kerry, Clare, Mayo, and Donegal. The Tuskar Rock 

 — seven miles to the S.E. of Wexford — seems likely to prove the best 

 station on the Irish coast. Large numbers of birds passed, and hundreds 

 were killed. 



Rockabill — five miles from the Dublin coast — may prove a good station. 

 At the Copeland Islands, County Down, most species were noticed. 

 This is due perhaps to careful observation as well as situation. 



The general remarks from Black Rock lighthouse. County Mayo, one 

 of the ruost westerly as well as one of the most isolated Irish stations, are 

 interesting. It is desirable not to draw conclusions too hastily from the 

 statements of untrained observers. 



For the present we prefer to wait for a year or two before giving any 

 general results. Gradually the light-keepers will, we anticipate, take a 

 greater interest in this subject, and the schedules will be better and more 

 accurately filled, and we have hopes that then some trustworthy conclusions 



