Correspondence.



275



of migration, but it should tell us a great deal that is at present obscure

with regard to particular points. For example, while we may know the

general distribution of a species in winter and summer, we do not know the

extent of the migration of individual birds ; or, indeed, whether in such

cases as the Song-Thrush and Robin, certain individuals migrate at all.

The movements of sea-birds are very little understood, and much might be

learned from marking a large number. This plan might also tell us what

influence age has upon plumage, etc.; where a young bird, whose birthplace

is known, breeds; whether individuals return to previous nesting haunts,

and whether pairs come together again in successive breeding seasons.


A number of the readers of B/itish Birds are taking the matter up,

and it is expected that a large number of birds of all kinds will be ringed

this summer. The rings are extremely light and do not in any way interfere

with the bird’s power of flight; each is stamped ‘ Witherbv, High Holborn,

London,’ and bears a distinctive number, which in the smaller sizes is

stamped inside the ring, and it is hoped that anyone into whose hands

should fall a bird so marked will send the bird and the ring, or, if this is

not possible, then the particulars of the number on the ring, the species of

bird, and the locality and date of capture to the address given.


For further details see the June, 1909, issue of British Birds."


[In connection with this I need hardly impress upon members the

importance of not killing marked birds; it is far more important to catch

them alive, note their species and ring number for report, and let them go

again for future report. A spring net-trap baited with a mealworm will be

found most effective in catching.—E) d.



THE BLACK-CRESTED YELLOW BULBUL.


Sir, —May I be allowed to correct a slight error in the interesting

notes, by Mr. Reginald Phillipps, under the above heading, in the June

number of our Magazine ?


O11 page 240 Mr. Phillipps writes: “The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul,


Otocompsa flaviventris, .was brought to this country in 1906, two


examples being deposited at the Zoological Gardens in April of that year.

. . . . Although so comparatively common, the two birds mentioned above

seem to be the only two that have so far reached this country alive.”


On March 8th, 1901, I had the honour of presenting to the Zoological

Society a specimen of this species ; and in the Report of the Council of the

Zoological Society for that year it is included in the list of birds new to the

collection.


The error is quite excusable, when one remembers that the last

published List of the Animals at the Zoo. is dated 1896.


I may add that I never observed the Black-crested Yellow Bulbul on



