MIGRATION OP BIRDS 
219 
Ornithologists have been trying to solve its mysteries for 
many years past, but without much success : the reason of 
this being due to the fact that there was no co-operation 
between the workers. 
It was not until 1880, when a special Committee was 
appointed by the British Association, that the matter received 
proper attention. This Committee gathered together an 
immense amount of data, but of such a character as to render 
their report useless to the ordinary field worker. This report 
has since been carefully worked out by Eagle Clarke of Edin- 
burgh, and is now of extreme value. 
Much has been done within recent years to increase our 
knowledge with regard to the migration of birds within the 
British Isles, but practically nothing has been placed on record 
regarding the movements of birds in other parts of the British 
Empire. 
By bringing before you some of the more interesting facts 
and suggestions that have been put forward regarding migration, 
I shall hope to interest some of you in the matter, so that 
within no distant date we shall be able to place on record the 
accurate observations of bird movements throughout this 
country. 
Early History . — Reference to the movements of birds may 
be found in the ancient writings of Homer, and many another 
of the early philosophers, and also in the Bible ; but beyond 
the fact that birds appeared and disappeared, after a short 
stay, nothing was known. 
We read in Professor Newton’s 4 Dictionary of Birds ’ that 
the Indians of the fur-countries, in forming their crude 
calendar, name the recurring moons after the birds of passage, 
whose arrival is coincident with the changes. 
That certain movements at fixed periods took place was 
apparently well recognised, but the manner of arrival and 
departure were matters of conjecture. Thus Professor Newton 
informs us that the Tartars and Egyptians noted the arrival 
of large and small birds at the same time ; they could under- 
stand the larger ones undertaking and accomplishing a long 
journey, but what of the small species ? How did they travel ? 
The conclusion arrived at was that when the birds flocked 
