Editorial 39 



occurrences of birds. While it is true that more work has been done iu 

 those sections, and therefore probably better ground for knowing Just 

 what occurrences are unusual, we believe that in this particular the East 

 does not outrank the Middle West. If all of the unusual occurrences for 

 the region which we are supposed to especially cover are written up and 

 sent in for publication, that department of the " Wilson Bulletin " would 

 assume the importance which it should assume. Fresh notes of tliis 

 sort right from the field not only add a peculiar interest to the magazine, 

 but also go to show the activity of the folks who live and work in the 

 region. Send vour notes in. 



The virtual reorganization of the Wilson Ornithological Club from a 

 purely corresponding organization to one which will hereafter hold annual 

 meetings marks an epoch not only in the organization but as well in the 

 central districts of North America, which is the particular field of the 

 organization. The region has witnessed the rise and fall of various 

 organizations of a local character, but none has ever appeared even for 

 a short period which served to weld together the men and women of 

 the region who are interested in the study of birds and who are 

 working iu the same field. With such an instriunent there should be, 

 is certain to be, as substantial a growth here as we have seen along the 

 two coasts where it has been possible, for yeais, for folks of the same 

 mind to get together and work together. 







Before the next number of the ' ' Bulletin ' ' is in the mails the opportunity 

 will come for all of us to undertake the intimate study of one or more 

 pairs of nesting birds. By how much would our knowledge of the life 

 history of even the Eobin be advanced if somebody could have the oppor- 

 tunity to compare the accounts of the nesting activities of ten pairs 

 of Eobins sent in from as many different localities ! Perhaps not all of 

 us have the training which is necessary to carry on such intensive studies, 

 but any of us can add to our sum total of knowledge in this field by 

 painstaking effort. We earnestly hope that there will be many careful 

 studies of the nest activities of many species during the coming nesting 

 season. 



At the Washington spring meeting of the American Oriiithologists' 

 Union there is to be a discussion concerning insectivorous birds — as to 

 whether they are or are not decreasing in numbers. To supplement this 

 discussion it would be valuable if a large number of people from the 

 central districts would give their opinions on this topic. The editor will 

 undertake to prepare such matter for ijublication in the June number 

 of the "Bulletin" if such reports are sent in to him. It is a vital subject 

 and should receive our earnest attention. 



