506 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



with the observations about to be instituted outside our British 

 limits, above referred to ; and which we expect will be undertaken, 

 first in the autumn of 1898, and, if all goes well with the project, 

 in the spring of 1899, by a member of our Committee : then a 

 completely new set of observations would be instituted. 



We cannot see that any great difficulty should exist if some 

 south-country ornithologist will undertake both the work re- 

 quired, and the education of the lighthouse reporters, as has been 

 done heretofore on our other coasts. Such work to be effective 

 requires close attention and personal trouble in keeping in touch 

 with the lighthouse reporters, with a considerable amount of per- 

 sonal supervision and active controlling interest. Personal 

 visitations to the lighthouse reporters, a certain amount of 

 education by the person who undertakes the charge by the dis- 

 semination of useful and practical literature, the collection of 

 wings of birds, properly labelled with dates and records in accord- 

 ance with the circulated schedules, and their items, are the most 

 important branches of the enquiry. 



We earnestly urge upon the ornithologists of the southern 

 counties of England the importance of this quest. It is not yet 

 too late to undertake it. If promptly taken up upon this hint, I 

 am sure the present constituted Committee are not going outside 

 the limits of the powers bestowed upon them in their urging the 

 extension of the enquiry entrusted to their charge. And further, 

 should any ornithologist of the south coasts of England rise to 

 the occasion, I am sure that we are safe in promising every 

 necessary assistance which our past experience in similar work 

 enables us to give. 



We want returns from all the lighthouses between Varne 

 (east) and Start (west), and we want some resident ornithologist 

 to take supervision of the whole, and to report. 



With this belief we ask the British Association to add to our 

 number one or more accredited naturalists, who will undertake 

 the enquiry for our southern coast of England. 



