44 ANIMAL ECOLOGY 



kins, 1893; Sanderson, 1904). It seems to be very 

 generally agreed that if a book is used it should be 

 of small size, of about 4x6 inches, so that it may be 

 conveniently carried in the pocket. For a permanent 

 record such books are a great convenience when 

 once indexed. But when using such notes, while 

 preparing a report, they are not so convenient as 

 the note slips, unless one limits such a report to the 

 form of a narrative. About ten years ago the writer 

 began using a form of notebook in which an aluminum 

 cover held the loose note slips. Thus while in the 

 field one has the advantage of a book with a firm 

 writing surface, and also that of the loose-leaf plan. 

 This form of cover is now used by a number of field 

 naturalists. The disadvantage of the slips not being 

 bound might be remedied in part by using some 

 form of punched slips which are convenient for 

 binding. 



Each one must decide for himself which form of 

 recording notes answers his needs most satisfactorily. 

 There are advantages in uniformity, but with the 

 variable nature of work, it is sometimes very con- 

 venient to use both methods of recording. 



Some students have no method of recording their 

 observations or reflections upon their lines of interest. 

 This seems to be unwise and suggests a method of 

 business without bookkeeping. The efficiency of 

 some students is greater than that of others, not so 

 much because they possess superior mental ability, 

 but because they have superior methods of preserving 

 whatever useful ideas occur to them, while the others, 



