76 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Each year it happens that the issue coming directly after midsum- 

 mer has a dearth of suitable material from those whose contributions 

 are usually sent in at other times of the year. It is necessary to fill 

 these columns to the usual limit ; hence, if the members will not 

 contribute, they must not complain if the editor does his best to 

 supply from his own pen what is lacking from other sources. 



In order to ol>tain notes for the Journal, it is usually necessary 

 for the editor to make personal solicitation from the members. 

 There are, however, some notable exceptions, where valuable notes 

 are submitted without the asking. These are highly appreciated 

 always. It is hoped that the members in the future will send in 

 more notes and thus help to make tlie (juarterly numbers of more 

 general interest. 



During the summer Mr. Arthur H. Norton lias made a personal 

 inspection of all the ]irincipal colonies of sea birds on the Maine 

 coast, being employed for this service by Mr. William Dutcher, of 

 New York, President of the National Audubon Society, whose work 

 in obtaining protection for liirds all over the country is of the highest 

 value. Mr. Norton is now engaged in jireparing an extended 

 report of his observations, and the main portion of it, at least, will 

 soon appear in Bird Lore, the organ of the National Audubon 

 Society. It will be read with interest by all who have at heart the 

 welfare of our sea birds. It goes without saying that it will be both 

 reliable and exhaustive. 



Dr. Townsend's note, in this issue, recording the discovery of 

 bones of the Great Auk at Northeast Harbor, Mt. Desert island, 

 will attract the attention of Maine bird students, as a unique and 

 valuable find. The identification of the bones seems to have been 

 made so carefully that it is beyond question. The thanks of the 

 Journal are due to Dr. Townsend for this interesting contribution. 



The membership of the Maine Ornithological Society ought to 

 be doubled during the coming year. If each member would obtain 



