144 



proposed by the liberality of the foundation to make continuous 

 and exhaustive in the hope of reaching conclusive results. 



I. The study and consideration of a bird as an individual. 



It is believed that by means of observation carried 

 through the entire life of the individual, with a daily 

 record, brief or elaborate, as exigencies may require* 

 much will be learned regarding matters that are now 

 obscure. Facts, such as growth, habits, health, temper, 

 etc., will be daily reported. 



II. The study of the occurrence, extent, nature and cause 



of variations in different representatives of the same 

 species. 



III. Changes in color and appearance correlating with age, 

 sex and season. 



IV. Changes in colour and appearance due to light, heat, 



presence or absence of moisture, and to food. How 

 rapid a change in appearance can be effected by a new 

 environment or a new set of conditions ? 



V. Heredity. What general characteristics are transmitted ? 



Are acquired characteristics transmitted ? The con- 

 sideration of atavism, prepotenc}' and telegony. 



VI. Experiments in breeding. Hybridity and the fertility 

 of hybrids. The possibility of establishing a new 

 physiological species. 



VII. Experiments in change of color due to moult. 



VIII. Adaptability. The plasticity of animals. How great 

 a factor is this in domesticating new kinds of animals.^ 



IX. The leisure of animals. How is this acquired.? Being 



acquired, how is this employed ? 



X. Instinct, habit, and the development of intelligence. 



XI. The possibilitj' of breeding insectivorous and other 



beneficial kinds of birds to re-stock a given region or 

 to increase native birds, as has been done in the case 

 of fish by the United States Fish Commission. 

 A temporary' laboratory and aviary is being equipped, and 

 preliminary work will begin with the installment of a large 

 number of native and foreign birds early in September. 

 Mr. Worthington has procured the services of our member I\Ir. 

 William E. D. Scott, Curator of the Departmen of Orni- 

 thology at Princeton University, as Director of the proposed 

 work. Mr. Bruce Horsfall has been engaged as chief assistant 

 and artist. The corps of assistants and workers will be 

 increased as the plans of the Worthington Society develop. 



