222 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 



of obtaining precise knowledge as to the economic status of 

 many of our commoner birds affecting rural science" (Rep. 

 B. A. 1908, p. exxxii). Dr. Shipley, F.R.S., was appointed 

 Chairman and Mr. C. Gordon Hewitt Secretary of the Com- 

 mittee. 



The subject is, no doubt, an important one, and, though 

 referred to more or less by all the many writers on British 

 Birds, still requires careful study by skilled enquirers. 



The First Report of this Committee was read at the 

 recent meeting of the Association at Winnipeg, in Sect. D. 

 It states that it had been decided to " investigate, lirst, the 

 feeding-habits of the Rook, Starling, and Chaffinch," and 

 that a body of some thirty correspondents had been organized 

 in all parts of the kingdom to supply specimens to the 

 Secretary along with certain details. Several hundreds of 

 specimens had come in, and the contents of their gizzards 

 had been examined and tabulated. 



We fear the Committee has a long and difficult task 

 before it, but wish it success. We venture, however, to 

 recommend them to study what has been already done 

 at Washington, U.S.A., in this branch of enquiry by 

 Dr. Merriam and his staff of assistants in the Agricultural 

 Department ; also to make themselves acquainted with the 

 proceedings of Dr. Herman and his fellow- workers in the 

 Officium Hungaricum Ornithologicum at Budapest. 



The Fifth International Ornithological Congress. — We have 

 received a formal announcement (signed by Prof. Dr. Ant. 

 Reiehenow and Dr. L. Briihl) that, in accordance with the 

 arrangements recommended at the Fourth Meeting held in 

 London in 1903 (see ' Ibis/ 1905, p. 627), the Fifth Meeting 

 of the International Ornithological Congress will be held 

 at Berlin from May 30th to June 4th, 1910, with Prof. 

 Reiehenow as President and Dr. Briihl as General Secretary. 

 We trust that many British ornithologists will be able to 

 avail themselves of this excellent opportunity of visiting one 

 of the finest cities in Europe and of meeting their brethren 



