Both birds were evidently much heated and tired. The Vireo uttered a 

 plaintive noise resembling that uttered when his nest is destroyed. I 

 have no doubt that the Hummingbird could worst any bird that flies if 

 he should wish to fight. He seems to have learned all there is to know 

 about aerial locomotion, and his diminutive size enables him to dart 

 about with incredible swiftness. He has no weapons of offense worth 

 mentioning, it is true, but his whirring presence might become very an- 

 noying to another bird. — Lynds Jones, Oberliu, Ohio. 



Death to the sparrow^s. — Last evening (Aug. 3rd) a terrific hail and 

 wind storm struck the city [St. Paul] about 12 o'clock, and this morning 

 the streets around the city parks are covered with dead sparrows. In 

 one residence lawn on Summit Avenue I counted over 600 dead sparrows, 

 mostly young of the year. — Walton I. Mitchel, St. Paul, Minn. 



ABOUT THE WORK. 



In spite of the financial depression and the closeness of the times, the 

 past year has not lacked its share of ornithological progress and enthusi- 

 asm. There is a growing interest throughout the country, especially in 

 educational circles, for the study of the interestmg science of Ornithology. 

 The tendency is in the right direction, also, as it looks toward the eco- 

 nomic value of birds and an appreciation of the ornithological science. 

 Students of birds who are not bird and skin collectors masquerading as 

 ornithologists are becoming numerous. The field glass is coming more 

 and more to replace the gun. The disciples of Burroughs are multiply- 

 ing. Books touching the popular scientific side of ornithology now have 

 a wide circulation. 



A very important move, and one that, it is to be hoped, will be gener- 

 ally successful, is the recent petition of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture to 

 the schools of the country for the establishment of a "Bird Day" some- 

 what similar to Arbor Day. The proper and general observance of such 

 a day ought to have considerable influence ^igainst wanton shooting of 

 small birds and indiscriminate egg collecting by American small boys ; 

 and its educational value can hardly be over estimated. Members of the 

 Wilson Chapter should urge upon the school authorities of the various 

 towns in which they reside, the importance of observing "Bird Day." 



Mr. Lynds Jones gives two courses in Ornithology, one elementary, 

 and the other advanced, in Oberlin College. Both courses are offered 



