Editorials
In the movement for birtl protection much activity at a practical kintl has been shown. The American Ornithologists‘ Union, through Mr, Dutcher anti Dr. Palmer, has worked largely from the legal point of View, in entoreing existing laws and securing the enactment of new ones; while tht: Audubon Societies have continued to develop the educational side of their work, in which everywhere there seems to be great interest.
While. therefore, there have been no especially remarkable developments in tgoz. the year has been one of most assuring progress.
Bird-Lore for 1903
With its next issue BIRD—LURE will enter upon its fifth volume. Five years is not usually considered all exceptionally long period in the life or a magazine, but we believe that there have been only five orni- thological journals in this tounrry which have lived to see their fifth birthday. while the number of those which have expired in early youth is the despair ot the biblioge rapherl The magazine of ornithology, therefore, which lives to see its fifth year has cause tar congratulation. and may well return thanks to those to whom its continued existence is due. express our thanks in some medium more valuable than mere words, and as an earnest of our desire to deserve the support which has been so generously given us, we append
We want. however, to
an outline of ollr plans for 1903.
Probany no feature of BIRD—LOKE for the coming year will create greater interest than the publication of the portraits of the members of the Advisory Council. Bird men are sometimes almost as interesting as birds,.that is, to other bird lnen familiar with their accomplishments: and we are assured that this photographic symposium will have its practical bearing on the rela» tions between the members of the Council and those a. istance.
who avail themselves of their
The series of articles on Bird Clubs ill America will be continued by the publica-
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tion of historical accounts of the Spencer F. Baird Club, by Mrs. Edward Robins, the Nebraska Ornithologists‘ Union. by Pro- fessor Brnner, and the Colorallo Ornitholog- ical Association, by Dr. Bergtald.
Willialu Brewster. Dr. J. Dwight, Jr.. anti other well-known otnithologists will write on American birds, Charles Keelcr will tell his impressions of some New Zea- land birds and A, J. Campbell. of Mel» bourne, will describe the remarkable nest- ing habits of the rnountlhuilding birds at Australia, illustrating his paper with the tirst photographs ot the mounds at these birds to be published in this country.
'Bird-Lile on the Dry ’l‘ortugas,‘ by Dr. Joseph Thompson, u_ s. N.. who is resident at this stepping-stone of the birtls on their journey from Florida to western Cuba. will include data on bird migration as well as notes on the breeding habits of the sea-birds. which come to the islands in immense numbers to breed. The portion ol Dr. Thompson‘s paper will be illustrated by photographs made hy Dr A. M. Mavel'.
In tuew at the especred appearance of Dr. Cones’ new ' Key to North American Birds.‘ the manuscript of which was com- pleted before its author‘s death. an article on the first (ram edition ot this epoeh— rer, Prof. F. W. Putnam. will he of peculiar interest. \lVith Professor Putnam‘s paper we will repro»
latter
mating work by ‘s puin
does the proof of the first page of the systeme atic portion of the ' Key.‘ with many char- acteristic annotations by Dr. Cones.
Our plan to publish records of the mi— gration of VVar|)lers has been abandoned, owing to our discovery, since announcing tht: proposed publication of such data, that Professor W. \V. Cooke, of the Biological Survey. has in preparation a bulletin on this subject whit-h will no tlouht thoroughly cover the ground.
We expect, however. to publish a series at papers on a study ot birds during the nesting season. which we believe will be found tn he or prnetieal ralne.
