18 OCTOBER 1935, Page 16

Migration Island The island is becoming or has become a

sort of headquarters of bird observation. It has been visited by pilgrims from most European countries, among them that eager and skilful ornithologist, King Ferdinand, late of Bulgaria. Many sorts of helpful gifts are being received. There is always a volunteer to be found for .whatever purpose is needed, such as collating the records ; and the clerical work is now very heavy. The island has many natural advantages. It is on a favourite migration route for all manner of birds. A cuckoo, for example, was caught and examined there on April 12th this year. The surface of the island is quite treeless, and when any rare or particularly interesting bird is observed it can be followed with ease and as a rule driven towards the great cage The knowledge that has been amassed already constitutes a very great addition to the sum of our knowledge of the way of a bird (if not of an eagle) in the air. At the present moment the island is alive with swallows resting on their southerly journey to Africa.

W. BEACH THOMAS.