204 T. C. STEPHENS 



undertaken by Mr. Jay Kempkes, who worked with the Western 

 Meadow Lark (Stumella ncglecta) at the Iowa Lakeside Labora- 

 tory, on Lake Okoboji. Here also the results were negative, 

 for no regurgitation was observed, although the birds were 

 constantly under observation while in the nest; and in this 

 instance one of the eggs was watched through the hatching 

 process. 



The second of these studies deals with the Rose-breasted 

 Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludoviciana) , and was carried on by Mr. 

 Gabrielson at Marshalltown, Iowa. This report was published 

 in a recent number of the Wilson Bulletin (9). The question 

 of regurgitation was made the chief object in this study, because 

 of the statement in one of the bulletins of the Biological Survey 

 of the Government (24, p. 75) that the Grosbeaks feed their 

 young in this way. The result of this very critical field study 

 of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak was negative so far as regurgi- 

 tative feeding was concerned. 



While, doubtless, this review falls short of covering all of the 

 literature on the subject, it may be sufficient to indicate that 

 comparatively few studies have been undertaken on the passerine 

 birds having expressly in view the question of regurgitative 

 feeding. The writer believes the evidence is against this method 

 in the passerine group. . There seems to be a field here for much 

 interesting and valuable work. 



The question will arise, What are to be the criteria in such 

 a problem? The scientific attitude of mind is, no doubt, the 

 first essential qualification on the part of the observer. It is 

 perhaps no more important in any kind of ornithological inquiry 

 than in this close and precise field work. Certain conditions 

 must be observed. Among other things observation at close 

 range is essential; and close range in this connection should 

 mean two to four feet, with the nest not above the level of the 

 observer's eye. The study should begin, preferably, with the 

 hatching of the egg. Definite observation must be made as to 

 whether, or not, the food is carried visibly in the parent bird's 

 beak. It is true that McAfee (26, p. 342) claims that the 

 visibility of the food, held in the mandibles of the bird as it 

 visits the young for feeding, is no disproof of regurgitation. 

 But as we have reviewed the numerous instances where un- 

 questioned regurgitation occurs, we have not found it customary 



