BOOK NOTICES. 



East and West coasts should be made, showing how the various 

 movements opened, continued, and terminated over the whole of the 

 British coasts. In this respect, geographical borders are highly 

 mischievous. 



The reports from Scotland are charming reading, and abound 

 in personal touches from the hand of their genial compiler, but 

 much unnecessary matter is included. The movements of JF/ui/cS 

 have nothing whatever to do with bird migration prcT:er. r.or 

 indeed has the presence of a Bat a: Fastne: chro::i'--r ':y 

 Mr. Barrington. Similarly, the breeding of common resident 

 birds, such as the Sheldrake, should be rigidly excluded. We 

 are far from despising the flotsam and jetsam of the reporters, 

 but it should be published in other quarters than the Aligration 

 Report. 



Having thus noticed the defects of the report, we would draw 

 attention to Mr. Cordeaux's conclusions as to the arrival of birds 

 ' at the mouths of the chief rivers, considerable stretches of high 

 coast-line presenting poor or negative returns " (p. 51). Mr. Clarke's 

 remarks with reference to the Irish coast are also deserving of special 

 study (p. 117 ). During the pas: season the reporters have succeeded 

 in a marked decree ::: : :::.:r.:ug wings of birds from hgh:-vessels. as 

 a consequence ::" - -e.irn that the Nightjar, Swifr. and other 



unlikely bfrds have been traced on migration. As to movements of 

 individual species, the most remarkable appears to have been that of 

 the Chaffinch, observ ed in October at twentv-one stations, coverinsr 

 the whole of the East coast between the Farne and the Channel 

 Islands. No rare bfrds are reported from Ireland, but the presence 

 of such uncommon visitors as the Wr}meck. Pied Flycatcher, and 

 Black Redstart, should increase the zeal of the :-::ur:h>:~; :: :he 

 sister isle. Mr. Clarke is similarly unfortunate as :: ::: :;r-. cu'y 

 a h}^othetical Red-winged Starhng {Agelceus phir :::,[.i :ei::g 

 reported from the Xash Lighthouse as ha\-ing hreak:hs:ei a car. 



From the East coast we find reported the preseu^e ;f r.: .ess a 

 prize than the frs: British specimen (authenticated ^ 01 the Aleciter- 

 ranean Black-headed Gu'l. as w-ell as a Purple Heron, and three 

 Harlequin Ducks a: the Fames. From Sumburgh Head, X.B., was 

 forw-arded to !Mr. Harvie-Brown the first Scottish example of the 

 Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopiis superciUosus\. 



In conclusion, w-e would craw attention to the importance of 

 every hghthouse and hghtship on our coasts receiving personal 

 visitations from the recorders or thefr deputies. In this respect a 

 high standard of duty has been shown by Mr. Harvie-Brown, wdth 

 excellent results. — H.A.AI. 



Oct, 1SS7. 



