Editorials
lbt’rorilore
A Bi-monlhly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection oi Birds
UFFIClAl. turmo- or run AUDI/“0N sorter-es
Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
Published June 1. 1903 No. 3
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Bird-Lore'a Motto: A Bit-ti t'n Ute Rut/t t‘: le'lh Two m the Hrutll
DURING May, june and July the editor expects to he a—fieldr At times he hopes to be beyond the reach of mails, and cor- respondents will therefore kindly pardon delayed answers to their communications
DR. THOMPSUN'S study of the Term of the Tortugas, with Dr. Mayer‘s admirable photographs, is not only a valuable addi» tion to the lite-history of the species treated, bttt it is an important contribution to the data or bird migration.
Continued residence as naval surgeon in the Tortugas gave Dr. Thompson an ex- ceptional opportunity to learn the times of arrival departure of these summer resident ’I‘erns, and to observe certain significant events evidently related to the times of their coming and going
He confirms the statement that the birds retttrn to their breeding grounds each year at about the same time. and that all those of the same species arrive within a few days after the vanguard ; but adds, as new information, the fact that the day after the arrival of the earliest birds, nest-building is begun, and within a week eggs are laid.
Here. then, with no climatic complica— tions. is an instance of migration to a regu» larly frequented breeding range, with the impelling cause so obviously a desire to
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reach a place in which the young may be reared. that the nestrbuilding is begun al- most as soon as tlte birds reach tlte breed- ing ground. The phenomena in the bird‘s cycle of development, oi which we have spoken in the papers on the nesting season. here succeed one another with such rapidity that the relation becomes tnore than usually apparent: migration, mating. nest-build- ing and egg-laying all occurring Within a period of little more than a week,
No less interesting are Dr. Thompson's records for the end of the nesting season, When the object for which the birds came is accomplished, and the young are able to fly, there is no lingering. The departure is as sudden as the arrival. and within a day or two the birds have gone; ‘Cattering, doubtless. over the Caribbean and adjoin» ing naters wherever they find good fishing ; but in due time to receive an inward, physiological prompting, which will, at the proper season. carry them back to the nest ing ground,
On ANOI‘HER page we print an agreement which has already been entered into by the American Ornithologists‘ Union and a num- her of Audubon Sotietiss, whil: other Aule hon Societies have it under consideration.
Front the practical point of view the terms of this agreement appearto be exceptionally favorable to the cause of bird protection. For the first time in the history of the mil- linery trade an opportttnity is afiurded to extend the protection now given American birds to many species of foreign birds. in- cluding Gulls, Tetns, Grebes. Herons, Hummingbirds and songrbird while the lratfic in aigrettes, which sentiment has thus tar not perceptibly anerted. will cease,
There is. it is true. a moral aspect to thi. question, anti it is possible that some uteru- hers of the Audubon Soc ties will refuse to endorse an agreement in which they are called upon to sanction. even passively. the trade in feathers, But they should also consider the moral responsibility ot denying to foreign birds the protection, so far as their use in this country is concerned. which this agreement otters them. It seems to us that this proposition is deserving of a three years‘ trial.
