118 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



many pass. It seems probable, however, from a careful exami- 

 nation of the records, that the right wing at least of these Irish 

 migrants extends as far south as the Land's-End stations, and 

 those from Land's-End to Start Point. This is made evident by 

 the several independent — if they may be so termed — and impor- 

 tant movements which are recorded in the diary, for this portion 

 of the coast alone, under the following dates : August 22d, Sep- 

 tember 3d, and October 24th, 25th, and 26th, and which not only 

 indicate the route followed, but also its origin (Ireland), by 

 reason of the circumscribed area affected. 



Corvus comix, Plectrophanes nivalis, Asio accipitrinus, Bemicla 

 brenta, Fringilla montif ring ilia, and Passer montanus are again 

 absent, or very rarely mentioned in the returns ; while Scolopax 

 rusticula and Begulus cr {status were not at all frequent during 

 the season under consideration. 



Among the rarer or more interesting species observed may be 

 mentioned Agelmus phceniceus, Buticilla titys, Procellaria leu- 

 corrhoa, Stercorarius catarrhactes, Anas streperus, and Pandion 

 haliaetus. 



Gallinula chloropus, Pica caudata, Gecinus viridis, and Em- 

 beriza miliaria (many of which occurred at the Nash on Sep- 

 tember 3d) may be mentioned as somewhat unusual migrants. 



In conclusion, the writer would suggest to his colleagues the 

 desirability of making an united report, instead of treating it by 

 sections. This, it is thought, might readily be done, if the diary 

 form were adopted, by giving under a common date-heading the 

 information for the various coasts for that particular day ; in 

 which case the information for the East Coast of Scotland might 

 lead, followed by the east of England, then the West Coast of 

 Scotland, the coasts of Ireland, and finally the West Coast of 

 England. By adopting such a readily feasible plan the signifi- 

 cance and importance of each movement, the area covered by it, 

 and the species participating in it, would be ascertained at a 

 glance ; while under the present arrangement, to obtain such 

 very desirable and simple information, reference is necessary to 

 no less than five separate reports. 



Wm. Eagle Clarke. 



