'22 BULLETIN No. 32. 



almost perfect. The book is a distinct addition to ornithology 

 and a much needed guide to the art of bird photograph)^ — L. J. 



Proceedings of the Nebraska Ornithologists'' Union. 



In the distribution of this collection of papers the Nebraska 

 Ornithologists' Union has vindicated its right to exist. Its 

 members are not content to stop with a complete list of the 

 birds of their state, but are engaged in the stud}' of habits and 

 characteristics. Their object is to advance our knowledge of 

 birds along all lines. 



In the President's Address, "Ornithology in Nebraska," 

 Prof. lyawrence Bruner makes a strong plea for the protection 

 of the birds b}^ the sure method of introducing bird studies 

 into the public schools of the state. There follow four papers 

 which partake of the nature of local lists with annotations. 

 The first, " A Tweny-three Years' Record Kept by Dr. A. L. 

 Child of Plattsmouth, Neb.," by Dr. R. H. Wolcott ; "Ad- 

 ditional Notes and Observation on the Birds of Northern 

 Nebraska," by Rev. J. M. Bates ; "The Bird Fauna of the 

 Salt Basin, Near Lincoln," by Mr. J. S. Hunter; "Some 

 Bird Notes from the Upper Elkhorn," by Mr. Merritt Gary. 

 "Some Notes on the Nesting of the Raptores of Otoe 

 County, Nebraska," by Mr. M. A. Carriker, Jr., treats of the 

 ten species which are known to the author to breed in the state. 

 "How to Popularize Ornithology," hy Mr. Wilson Tout, is 

 discussed from the standpoint of a teacher, urging the import- 

 ance of education as a means of saving the birds from wanton 

 destruction and of bringing before the people the debt we owe 

 to the birds. In making " A Plea for the English Sparrow," 

 Mr. lyawrence Skow, a native of Denmark, endeavors to show 

 that the Sparrow has a distinct right to life and unlimited in- 

 crease. Not many Americans will agree with Mr. Skow on 

 this point. The last paper, ' ' Suggestions as to an Accurate 

 and Uniform Method of Recording Observations," by R. H. 

 Wolcott,. will be read with much interest b}' all field students 

 of the birds. The author would give absolute values to the 

 terms commonly used — abundant, common, etc. — thus secur- 

 ing absolute uniformity in observations from all field workers. 

 It is a step in the right direction. Such a scheme, however, 

 while a boon to the earnest bird student, would scarcely be 



