Birds. 985 



to find that many migrations are partial as to number of individuals 

 migrating, and limited as regards the extent of country traversed. The 

 goldfinches, which leave Herefordshire in the autumn, probably never 

 cross the channel : they may travel fifty or a hundred miles eastward 

 or westward, northward or southward, but one fact only appears — 

 they depart, and we know not whither. By such careful records as 

 those which I suggest, we should find that at Garstang or at Devon- 

 port, or some far off locality, goldfinches arrive in October ; obser- 

 vations at intermediate stations would prove their passage, and a 

 series of such observations, recorded at the moment, would trace the 

 course of each species, and bring to light a series of travels of which 

 at present we are profoundly ignorant. 



The paper now in the course of publication, from the pen of M. 

 Julian Deby, shows that our continental neighbours have entered on 

 the task more philosophically than ourselves. I could wish M. 

 Deby's remarks were extended to a greater length, for they are full 

 of interest, and exhibit birds as migratory which we have always 

 supposed constant residents. I sincerely hope his example will be 

 generally followed, and that my contributors will, by their attention 

 to this interesting line of observation, gain for ' The Zoologist ' the 

 reputation of originating and establishing, in this country, a new 

 feature in the delightful science of Ornithology. 



Edward Newman. 

 9, Devonshire-street, Bishopsgate, 

 13th May, 1845. 



Description of the Griffon Vulture. By Edward Newman. 



The occurrence of a second species of vulture in the British Isles 

 is an event of considerable interest ; and, although I am little inclined 

 to regard the appearance or capture of solitary examples of American 

 or European birds, within the limits of this kingdom, as at all en- 

 titling them to the appellation of British, yet it is essentially the pro- 

 vince of ' The Zoologist ' faithfully to chronicle such facts, and leave 

 future historians to use such record as, in their judgment, they may 

 consider best. 



With this view I copied, from the lately published Fauna of Cork 

 (Zool. 934), the brief notice of the occurrence of this magnificent 

 bird in the vicinity of Cork, and requested further information on 

 the subject. Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, in reply, referred me to the 

 forthcoming number of the ' Annals and Magazine of Natural His- 

 iii 3 k 



