28 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 14-:No. 2 



Cardinal Grosbeak. 



A Cardinal Grosbeak {Cardinalis cardinnlis) 

 was shot in Wellesley, Mass., Nov. 4, 1888, by R. 

 W. Denton. The bird, which is now in my pos- 

 session, is an adnlt male. The feathers of the 

 wings and tail are in good condition, not being 

 worn as Avonld likely be the case were the 

 bird an escaped specimen from some cage. It 

 was shy and with some difficulty was ap- 

 proached near enough to be shot. This is the 

 first instance so far as I know of the Cardinal 

 Grosbeak having been taken in Wellesley, al- 

 though one was seen a few years ago by a lo- 

 cal collector. .S. W. Denton. 



Occurrence of Forster's Tern ( Sterna 

 forsteri ) on Cape Cod^ Mass. 



While examining a number of terns col- 

 lected on Monomoy island, Mass., Oct. 2d, 

 1888, the peculiar plumage of one at once at- 

 tracted my attention, and I laid it aside with 

 the intention of examining it more carefviUy 

 when I had the time to spare. I have recently 

 examined this bird and find it to be without 

 doubt a Forster's Tern {Sterna forstert) in the 

 young plumage. It was shot in company 

 with .'^. ftirundo and S. doiif/nlli. 



Jolin C Calinon. 



The American Egret in Maine. 



A specimen of the American Egret {Ardea 

 et/rettn) was shot at Matinicus Island, Maine, 

 during the latter part of June or first of July 

 of the past year, 1888. I have <me of the 

 wings in my possession, and there is no doubt 

 about the identity of the bird. 



John C. C.'rrhoon. 



Editorial. 



The O. & O. is mailed eacli issue to ever> paid sub- 

 scriber. If vou fail to receive it, notify us. 



We call the attention of the gunners on the 

 Cape to the attempt of the town of Chatham, 

 under the inspiring spirit of a few local schem- 

 ers, to interfere with their rights. By their 

 town reports they intend to get control to the 

 exclusion of all others and again repeat their 

 (■lain (jrah f/anie. Let the people of Harwich, 

 Dennis, and neighboring localities watch. 

 Also let the state legislature have their eyes 

 open to any petition that may be presented. 

 There are others outside of Chatham who have 

 rights. The state laws are for the benefit of 



all citizens, and the state legislature are in 

 duty bound, and will consider the interests of 

 all. Gentlemen of Chatham will understand 

 that we are informed of their intention. We 

 propose to publish full detail of the proceed- 

 ings against John C. Cahoon, including an at- 

 tempt to force liim to jxty dividends a year 

 since. Perhaps the sheritt' would like to make 

 statement why he discontinued the case, if so 

 we will gladly give him space. We think their 

 reference to the case now before the court, in 

 bad taste, but believe it will have little in- 

 fluence on men of average common sense. 



The purpose of the O. & O. is to publish the 

 records of collectors, both old and ijoun;/, and 

 such facts as come to the notice of ornitholo- 

 gists, the editorial duties being confined to 

 presenting the communications with as little 

 change as possible, consistent with producing 

 them in a legible form. While there is a gen- 

 eral supervision to prevent errors it is not pro- 

 posed to devote our entire time in investiga- 

 tions. Each article being given with the au- 

 thor's name and address, facility is afiorded to 

 those who desire to. 



Our columns are always open to inquiry, sug- 

 gestions and correction, when made with a 

 view of obtaining and giving information. 



We especially wish to encourage the young, 

 and the publication of their efforts often leads 

 to important development. We know of sev- 

 eral instances where the development has been 

 such that influence has been brought to bear 

 to induce our correspondents to transfer their 

 donations to another publication. In fact, one 

 writer told us personally that he " had received 

 orders to discontinue." The O. & O. sliould at 

 least receive the credit of affording a good for- 

 aging ground. The management expects that its 

 correspondents will exercise great care to be ac- 

 curate and believes that they do. They have 

 our sympathy in the fineness of some points 

 that they have to contend with. 



The coiuse that has been adopte<l appears to 

 be practical, and till we are convinced of a desired 

 change or are xnhxidi.sed continue in it we shall. 



Considerable interest is manifested by our 

 subscribers in the Bird Law Legislation. We 

 have received many allusions to their unfair- 

 ness to the interests of naturalists. It is the 

 resvilt of failure to present their case by an 

 organized movement. We have endeavored to 

 arouse their attention, and are ready to assist 

 them in carrying out any plan that may be con- 

 sidered advisable. 



