?ept., i9oo I classifying skins. Microscopic preparations of embryos, anatomical preparations of young and adult, and carefully made skeletons of both would have to be a part of each cottector's study. Do not be afraid that this would be tedious work. Those of you who have never studied under such a system can haveno concep- tion of the vastly greater interest there is in the collection of facts that mean something--that call out our powers of analysis and synthesis-- than in collecting postage stamps--I beg par- don, I mean eggs. Of microscopy I cannot speak from experience, though I know its extreme value. Obviously the minute modifi- catioas of tissue and organ--particularly in the embryo--cannot be studied without the aid of a powerful glass. Such a glass I have never been able to afford: neither have I had the special training required for the successful use of one. Possibly some member of the .Club has a high power microscope and knows how tonseit. If so, tie is the one to take up this branch, doing as thorough work as may be in tile group lie selects as his special study, sup- ptementing this, if he has the time and oppor- tunity, by doing microscopical work for his hrtther investigators. Knowing little of the technique of microscopy I am not certain xhis plan could be successfully carried out, but I believe much material for examination may tie preserved for some time, awaiting a chance for placing it under the glass. As to the fasciuation of the study of anatomy --the Eones, muscles, nerves, vessels, etc.--the organs and their fnnctions--the modifications and adaptations so readily traced after one has learned enough ef the general plan to kno? ? where to look and what to took for--the fascin- ation of all this I do know. I assure 3'on there can be no keener aatisfaction to the student of of nature than this close analysis--unless, indeed, tie tie totally devoid of the analytical halfit of mind; in which case lie has no place in the army of workers in this riehl. i*He had better confine his energies to what will briug some measure of success in spite of loose think- lug--if such a thing tie possible. For the student of Nature's book, how humble soever nmy be his role, analysis is the only sure foun- dation for any superstructure tie may attempt to build thereon. Parenthetically I would say I hope you do not think I myself am so devoid of the analyt- ical faculty as to overlook the fact that, in urging upon you a consideration of the rights of the birds, I am using a two- edged weapon, with which I must infallibly cut my oam fingers. You can fairly come back at me, I know, with a "tu qttoq#c." If so arraigued I eau only say with the poor devil who steals a loaf of bread when starving: "My lords and gentlemen, I am guilty. I throw myself ou yonr nlercv. I look for your ctem- THE CONDOR ?I9 ency hecause--I was hungry." That is my excuse, gentlemen, for the kitliug, aud the encouragement in others of the killing, of my cousins. By this foul wrong I am guilty of, get the means of being useful to others; those others being of greater value, I believe, in the furtherance of the apparent purpose of evolu- tion-the attainment of a higher, a more com- plete life. This is lny excuse. Can you offer one as good? But this is a minor matter. :l[y guilt or innocence affects not at all the argument. The avowed object of the C. O. C. is the increase of our knowledge of birds. My contention is that we should try to determine the best means of attaining this object, and make us?' of suctt ROTH R EVNOI,DS. Los .4?tKdcs, Book lieviews BIRD HOM?-S. The Nests, Eggs and Breed- ing Habits of the Laud Birds Breeding in the Eastern United States; With Hints on the Rearing and Photographing of Young Birds? By A. Radclyffe Dugmore. Illustrated with photographs from nature by the author. Pages xvi--i8 3. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. $2 net. This volume is a combination work of the bird photographer and a key to the land birds of Eastern North America, the .latter feature largely predominating. Typographically con- sidered the volunle is all artistic success, aud the text is well put together, although oue can but feel that the ever-interesting subject of bird photography and of "bird homes" too soon gives way tn the more or less formal "key" to nests and eggs. While the latter branch of ootogy has been widely treated by authors for years past, essays ou bird photog- raphy still possess nuusuat interest to bird students. Mr. Dugmore prefaces his work with a strikingly sensible and forcible introduction, in which he appeals to the young bird student to dismiss the idea of a mere egg collection for the more profitable field of research which ties iu the study of the birds' habits. He cites his experience with a Yellow-billed Cuckoo's uest coutaining two eggs which he allowed to hatch. In observiug the youug the author gained tile interesting fact that the feathers do not break through the envelopes gradually as with most birds, but that they remaiu sheathed until the day before the young leave the nest. Theu in twenty-four hours every envelope bursts aud the bird is completely feathered! Such observations are what the student of to- day should seek, and the author is to tie com- mended for pointing out this line of work to his readers.
