A NEW METHOD SUGGESTED 169 



What is this breath, ye sages say, 



That in a powerful language, felt not heard, 



Instructs the fowl of heaven ? 



And answer there is none, seeing that after due 

 consideration of all the answers so far received we 

 conclude that it would have been just as well if they 

 had not been given. 



Seeing then that so far no progress has been made, 

 and that the new methods devised in recent years 

 of tackling the problem by keeping records at light- 

 houses and other points of observation of the migra- 

 tory movements — the species engaged, the dates of 

 their appearance and of the great rushes, the state 

 of the barometer, and so on; also the capturing and 

 marking individual migrants all over the country — 

 have all proved futile, I would suggest that another 

 method be tried. This is to observe the birds more 

 closely, not only here and in Europe generally, but 

 in Asia and Australasia, Africa and America, and 

 wherever birds migrate; to observe their behaviour, 

 not only on migration, but previous to departure, 

 for I do believe that this would be a more hopeful 

 way; and my best way of explaining my meaning 

 would, I imagine, be to give an account of my 

 early observations in the country of my birth — 

 the Argentine plains or pampas south of Buenos 

 Ayres, and in Patagonia. 



