18 NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION 



with a view of more satisfactorily arranging- matters we petitioned the 

 Nebraska Ornithological Club to open their membership to the entire 

 state. 



The Lincoln organization appointed a committee, of which Mr. W. 

 D. Hunter was chairman, to correspond with refernce to the organiza- 

 tion of a state society and May 26, 1899, the committee sent a letter 

 to all whom they knew to be interested in ornithology in this state, 

 stating the matter in hand and outlining a plan of organization, with 

 the happy result that on July 15, 1899, an election was called by the 

 committee which resulted, forty-three persons participating, in the 

 election of the following officers of the preliminary organization: Prof. 

 L. Bruner, Lincoln, Pres.; I. S. Trostler, Omaha, Vice-Pres.; W. D. 

 Hunter, Lincoln, Cor. Sec; E. H. Wolcott, Lincoln, Rec. Sec; J. R. 

 Bonwell, Nebraska City, Prof. Chas. Fordyce, Lincoln, and Rev. J. M. 

 Bates, Long Pine, Executive Committee. 



The first annual meeting of Nebraska ornithologists was called 

 to meet at Lincoln, December 26, 1899, and at this meeting the perma- 

 nent organization of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was effected, 

 constitution and by-laws adopted and officers elected. 



With the election of those whose applications are now at hand the 

 Union will have over ninety active and associate members. The pro- 

 ceedings of our first annual meeting- were published in a neat pamphlet 

 and from present indications our organization is on a sound footing, 

 with prospects of a bright and useful future. 



BIRDS IN THEIR RELATION TO AGRICULTURE 



LAWRENCE BEUNER, LINCOLN 



When civilized man takes possession of new regions and begins culti- 

 vating the soil and establishes his sovereignty there, the equilibrium 

 as it existed upon his arrival is very quickly disturbed. One or more 

 of the many forms of life — plant and animal — that w^ere previously 

 held within certain limits gain ascendency. The introduction of new 

 crops that furnish an abundance of the proper food for some insect, 

 enables this form to increase out of all proportions and harm soon 

 results. The killing off of certain other forms of life that naturally 

 keep still others in check also assists in disturbing the equilibrium 

 further. The cutting doAvn and clearing away of forests removes the 

 shelter and homes of others, as does also the turning under of prairie 

 grasses. Then, too, many of the natural residents of primeval forests 

 and virgin prairies shun the sight of man, hence they gradually with- 

 draw from the region, and their influence for good or evil goes with 

 them. Since the majority of such forms are timid and inoffensive 

 creatures, their withdrawal only adds that much more to the already 



