Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/534

506 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 required, 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 personal 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 dissemination of useful and practical literature, the collection of wings of birds, properly labelled with dates and records in accordance 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.