132 THE CONDOR Vol. XVIII mountainous portions of the West. Such topics as the effect of slope exposure and deforestation are here for the first time clearly discussed. Of course, among the multitude of con- tributions now appearing annually there are very many highly meritorious papers. But the above three would seem to have first set a high standard each of its kind. The sympathies of the Cooper Club will go out to our fellow member, Mr. W. F. Dean, of Three Rivers, who recently suf- fered severe losses through a fire at his home. Mr. Dean's extensive egg collection was destroyed, as well as some mounted mammal heads and birds, a large collection of photographs, and many other objects acquired in his years of natural history col- lecting. In spite of the discouragements of this disaster, however, he expresses the firm intention of once more beginning the building up of another collection along simi- lar lines. The Club is indebted to Mr. L. E. Wyman for the compiling of the annual member- ship roster appearing in this issue, an ardu- ous task as those who have labored at it can testify. This list shows a present mem- bership of 7 honorary, 11 life, and 560 active members. It is requested that any mis- takes or omissions be promptly reported to the secretary of either division of the Club. THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATE D SOCI- ETIES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF W?ILD LIFE Most readers of THE CONDOR are familiar with the story of the organization of the California Associated Societies for the Conservation of Wild Life, and with its
activities since its formation. It has taken
honorable and active part in two strenuous campaigns for the protection of wild life within California, and has aided and abetted in certain other movements for conserva- tion within the state and elsewhere. No- where else, as far as known to the writer, is there another organization like it. Al- though it has not been in the heat of the battle during the past year, it nevertheless stands as a ready instrumentality, not only to put the quietus on any reactionary legis- lation which might be proposed, but to assist in any measure, public or private, state or national, which may be deemed desirable. It is ?air to say that the organi- zation stands as a large and potentially im- portant item in California's program of preparedness in caring for those natural resources with which she has been so boun- tifully endowed. It should be a matter of interest and pride to members of the Cooper Ornithological Club that the initiative in the original organ- ization and launching of the Kssociated Societies was taken by this organization. At the present time the following members of the Club are members of the Executive Committee of the conservation organization, of which committee they constitute a major- ity: William Frederic Bad6, President, re?- resenting the Sierra Club; Barton Warren Evermann, Vice-president, and Joseph Grin- nell, representing the California Academy of Sciences; Charles A. Kofoid, represent- ing the Biological Society of the Pacific; and Tracy I. Storer, Secretary-Treasurer, officially representing the Cooper Club. According to the letterhead of the Asso- ciated Societies the organization exists "To promote an intelligent appreciation of nature, and to establish a wise policy of conservation through education and legisla- tion." Legitimate fields of activity are numerous, and comprise not alone the pro- motion of desirable legislation affecting wild life in California, but the support of national measures, such as those for the protection of migratory birds, the establishment of additional federal game preserves, the crea- 'tion of new national parks and the more efficient administration of those now exist- ing, the coSrdination of the work of the scientific expert and of those responsible for the actual administration of wild life. I feel sure that the present policy of the organization contemplates the conservation of the scientific collector, though formal ex- pression of this has never been put on rec- ord. The obstacles and difficulties which hedge about the activities of the collector are already sufficiently numerous to insure against any appreciable abuse of such privi- leges as may be accorded him. On the other hand, the first hand acquaintance which he forms with nature is of great value, and often suffices to transform him into a fight- ing conservationist. The present writer desires to express his sincere appreciation o'f the interest and assistance of Cooper Club members so cor- dially extended during the period of his incumbency as representative of the Cooper Club on the Executive Committee of the Associated Societies. If he might make a suggestion, it would be that Cooper Club members take occasion to mention their interest in the organization and that for
