218 Proceedings of the Eoyal Physical Society. 



records for the Swallow and House-Martin already exist (c.f. The British Bird 

 Booh, vol. ii. p. 290). 1 



But although these birds afford few records of actual journeys, they give 

 us many minor records. Thus, birds caught in winter frequently turn up 

 again in the same nets, sometimes half-a-dozen times within a few months : 

 such records will, undoubtedly, prove of value when classified. We have also 

 had a few records of birds being caught in a subsequent winter at the same 

 place, although the absence of evidence as to any migration between times, 

 diminishes the value of these. Among our co-operators, Mr Archibald 

 Campbell, Edinburgh, and Mr Arthur G. Davidson, Old Aberdeen, have been 

 particularly successful in this sort of work, the former with Greenfinches, 

 Starlings, Robins, etc., the latter with Blue Tits, Bobins, etc. 



In conclusion, I may say that there is no doubt that the possibilities of 

 bird-marking vary very greatly with the different species of birds. Some, like 

 the Lapwing and various Ducks, are evidently very repaying : others, like 

 Gulls, while giving a high percentage of " returns," are unfortunately not very 

 interesting as regards migration : others again, like Terns and the small 

 Basseres, afford but a poor percentage of records. Furthermore, it is obvious 

 that the marking of uncommon species — birds that cannot be marked in any 

 great number — is not very profitable unless they afford a high percentage 

 of " returns," seeing that isolated records for any species are not likely to 

 prove of value. Therefore, it is probable that we shall presently concentrate 

 our efforts on a few species, but, in the meantime, until we are better 

 able to make such a selection, the Inquiry will proceed on its present 

 general lines. 



1 Since going to press another record of this nature has come to hand, but in this case 

 the Swallow had been marked as a nestling. This Swallow (Hirundo rustica: A.U. 7024) 

 was marked in the nest at Wester Durris Farm, Durris, Aberdeenshire, on 2lst August 

 1910, by Mr A. G. Davidson. On 22nd May 1911, it was found with a broken wing by 

 Mi Dugmd at Darnford Farm, Durris, as reported by Mr A. Macdonald. 



We have also a second long-distance record for a passerine bird, in this case a Starling 

 and reported from farther north. This Starling (Sturnus vulgaris : A.U. 16480) was an 

 adult bird, netted, ringed and liberated at East Warriston, Edinburgh, on 20th March 1911, 

 by Mr Archibald Campbell. On 20th April 1911, it was obtained at Saltdalen, Norway, 

 just above the Arctic Circle. We received the information from Mr Anton Flemsrcter, 

 Saltdalen, and a newspaper cutting on the subject (number given wrongly as 16486) was 

 Bent by Dr Thv. Heiberg, Christiania, to the Editor of The Field, and reached us through 

 Mr II. F. Wilhcrby. The ring was afterwards returned to us by Mr Flemsa'ter. 



{Issued separately, 19//; July 1911.] 



