PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. vii 
The grant from the British Association in aid of these observations is 
no longer given, but the light-keepers continue to take an interest in 
the subject of migration, and excellent reports are still received 
privately from many localities, especially in Scotland and Ireland. 
Mr. R. M. Barrington has kindly placed the schedules for Ireland 
at my disposal, and many valuable facts, expressed perhaps in this 
book in only two or three words, are derived from these records. 
As regards foreign countries, the geographical distribution of many 
species has been re-written, owing to increase of knowledge; but 
the inexorable limits of space will not permit of the enumeration of 
the authors nor the titles of their communications. As bearing 
upon general ornithology, one recent master-piece may be men- 
tioned— Professor Newton’s ‘ Dictionary of Birds.’ 
One of the most pleasing circumstances connected with the 
progress of this Edition has been the generous manner in which 
information and assistance have been absolutely pressed upon me. 
I cannot give the names of all who have placed me under obliga- 
tions, but I should like to mention Col. H. W. Feilden, Lieut.- 
Col. H. L. Irby, the Rev. H. A. Macpherson, Professor Newton, 
Dr. R. B. Sharpe, the Rev. H. H. Slater, Messrs. O. V. Aplin, R. M. 
Barrington, E. Bidwell, F. E. Blaauw, G. Bolam, T. E. Buckley, 
Abel Chapman, J. Cordeaux, H. S. Davenport, W. H. Dobie, 
H. E. Dresser, E. A. S. Elliot, Henry Evans (Derby), W. R. Ogilvie 
Grant, J. H. Gurney, G. H. Caton Haigh, J. E. Harting, J. A. 
Harvie-Brown, R. J. Howard, Reginald Lodge, E. C. Phillips, 
H. L. Popham, Thomas Southwell, and Robert Warren. There 
are four more who deserve special thanks:—namely, Mr. R. J. 
Ussher, who has taken great pains to furnish me with the latest 
information respecting Irish birds; Messrs. W. Eagle Clarke and 
William Evans, who have not only sent valuable notes and criticisms, 
but have also read a large portion of the proofs; and Mr. A. H. 
Evans of Cambridge, who has gone over every proof-sheet, as he did 
in the First Edition. And in thanking all my correspondents, I 
express the hope that our joint labours may be of service to the 
student of ornithology. 
H.S. 
7, Radnor Place, Hyde Park, W. 
11th April, 1899. 
