12 



5. Accidrnial T'/«<<a/(/.s, or stragglers from remote districts (AV). 



It is desirable also to indicate the relative abundance of the different 

 species, the terms to be employed for this purpose being : Ahuridavt, Com- 

 mon, Tolerahli/ Common, Rarr. 



If you are in a position to observe the lines of flight of birds, have you 

 noticed whether or not such lines are iuflaeuced by th3 topography of the 

 country, and if so, to what extent? 



If a mountain intercepts the line of flight, what kinds of birds pass 

 around it, and what kinds pass over it? 



"What localities in your neighborhood are sought as resting-places by 

 the various kinds of migrating birds? Can you give any reason for this 

 selection ? 



"What kinds of birds generally move in flocks, and what kinds in pairs 

 or singly ? 



Are you familiar with any kinds of birds in which the males and fe- 

 males, and old and young, fly in separate flocks? In many species the 

 males arrive in advance of the females, hence it is important to note the 

 sex of the first comers, and the date at which the opposite sex is first seen. 



Have you observed from year to year any increase or decrease in the 

 numbers of any kind of bird known to you? If so, do you attribute such 

 change to altered conditions in the tu'd's breeding grounds? If not, can 

 you assign a cause ? 



Have you observed the increase cr decrease of one species to affect the 

 numbers of another species. If so, can you explain the fact? 



Has any kind disappeared altogether, and if so, can you assign a cause 

 for this disappearance ? 



Among the birds which are now common about your station is there 

 any i in d that was formerly rare or absent? If so, can you explain the 

 fact? 



Among the birds which breed regularly in your ^^cinity have you ever 

 observed an iudividaal which by som3 parsaual p3C'aliarity (such as the 

 presence of white or dark feathers where they do not belong, or by some 

 deformity) could readily bg distinguished from others of its kind? If so, 

 has this bird returned to the same place to nest year after year? 



In recording arrivals and departures it is highly important to distin- 

 guish the movements of irregular stragglers, of the advance guard or 

 "van," and of the principal mass or "bulk" of the species. For this piu'- 

 pose observers are requested ro note : 



1. "When the species is first seen. 



2. "When it is next seen. 



