504 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 
considerable interest in dealing with bird-migration presents itself at the Tuskar 
light-station, namely : to what extent certain supposed desultory or mere local 
migrants journey? Several knotty points can, I am of opinion, be disentangled 
as we study this subject at such an excellent observatory as the Tuskar Rock. 
For any land birds which appear, even when they alight and rest a few hours, 
are bent on making a passage. No land birds could reside here, where fresh 
water to drink is unavailable, food is very scarce (for some species absent alto- 
gether), and the rock is frequently wave-swept. The third and last feature I 
wish to refer to is in connection with the study of variation. Splendid oppor- 
tunities present themselves, because such large numbers of certain species fall 
victims by striking the lantern that these can be collected and preserved with 
facility. 
2. Note on the Method of ‘ Bird-marking ’ as applied by the Aberdeen 
University Bird-migration Inquiry. By A Lanpsporovcn THom- 
son, M.A. 
The method of ‘ bird-marking’ consists essentially in marking large numbers 
of birds which have been caught without injury or found as nestlings, in the 
hope that a small percentage of them will by their reappearance afford data of 
value to students of migration. (The marks employed are usually light metal 
foot-rings broad enough to bear an inscription.) The method is to be con- 
sidered as supplementary to others, and as it attacks the problems from a new 
aspect, that of the individual bird in contradistinction to that of the general 
movement, it may confidently be expected to yield new facts of importance. 
The method has been successfully used on the Continent, notably in Denmark 
and in Germany, for several years, but had not been known in the British Isles 
previous to 1909 except on a small and very restricted scale. In that year two 
large inquiries were set on foot, having a wide scope, and using the more 
thorough and scientific method of separate identification numbers on each ring 
in place of mere date marks. A few results of the Aberdeen University Inquiry 
may be cited as illustrating the possibilities of the method, though it must be 
admitted that it would be premature to draw conclusions from them for any other 
purpose :— 
Record of an English-bred swallow (Chelidon rustica (L.)) returning to 
breeding place the following summer. Record of a Scottish-bred swallow return- 
ing to birthplace the following summer. 
Record of a Scottish-bred song-thrush (British race = Turdus philomelus 
clarkei (Hart.)) migrating to Portugal in its first autumn. 
Record of a meadow-pipit (Anthus pratensis (Iu.)) migrating from England 
to Portugal in autumn. 
Records of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris (L.)) summering in Arctic Norway 
migrating to or through Scotland. 
Records of Scottish-bred lapwings (Vanellus vulgaris (L.)) migrating in 
winter to Ireland and Portugal. 
3. Note on an Inquiry as to the Food of Birds, conducted by 
Miss Laura Fuorence, M.A., B.Sc. 
This inquiry was begun in October 1909, under the supervision of Professor 
Thomson, and with the valuable co-operation of Professor Trail. The investi- 
gator, Miss Laura Florence, M.A., B.Sc., has examined about 1,800 birds, chiefly 
from agricultural land in the N.E. of Scotland. It is too early to draw many 
definite conclusions, but the inquiry shows the need for examining large numbers 
from different areas, and throughout the year, if trustworthy information is to 
be forthcoming as to the injurious or beneficial activities of common birds. Many 
current opinions on this subject rest on far too narrow a basis. 
Birds of 95 species have been examined, but large numbers of any one species 
have not been procurable except in a few cases, such as rooks and gulls. In some 
cases the verdict given by previous investigators, such as Professor Newstead, 
