Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/255

Rh Crested Titmouse. —Observed in many parts, especially Grindelwald and Davos Platz.

Tree Pipit.—Common in many parts.

Mention has already been made in the introduction of this article on the very brief reference to the general distribution of each species. We must regard this theme as being dealt with in a mere outlined manner; indeed, the names of the individual countries in which the birds have been found have for the most part been omitted, and groups of countries taken together forming part of a continent have been designated as western, southwestern, northern, &c, so and so. Example: Persia, Arabia, Asia Minor, and Palestine are referred to as South-western Asia; again, Morocco, Algeria, and Canary Isles as North Africa. This has been done for two purposes—firstly, to economise space; and, secondly, because much has already been written fully on the geographical distribution of birds. Hence standard works as Saunders's 'Manual' (1899), Yarrell's fourth edition of 'British Birds,' and the late Seebohm's works have been freely consulted on this subject, as time and opportunity do not permit of personal observations on birds being made in every distant land.

With regard to the personal observations made in Switzerland, it may be added that, although only a limited number of places were visited by the authors, nevertheless, as these were mostly far apart, some important and definite districts were explored. Indeed, a wide area of Switzerland was included in the investigation. Thus Davos Platz and many neighbouring districts may represent part of Eastern Switzerland; Como and Chamonix, Southern Switzerland; the districts round about Geneva as south-western; Basle, north-western; Schaffhausen, northern; while Lucerne, Berne, and Grindelwald may be considered as forming part of Central Switzerland.

Concerning the observations made in Ireland, it should be