50 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 70. 



Make daily records so that definite information can be had of 

 fluctuations and their possible causes. Having a definite point in 

 view in bird observation does not make it less interesting but more 

 so. 



The readers will notice some changes in the make up of The 

 Bulletin, beginning with this twenty-second volume. One of the 

 things which we as students of birds need is closer touch with 

 what each is doing. Therefore a department devoted to mention 

 of what members and readers and students of birds generally aro 

 doing, have done, or are purposing doing has been opened, and will 

 be contributed to by as many persons as it is possible to secure 

 notices from. The editor cannot be expected to cover this whole 

 field. It is also intended to renew the department of reviews of 

 literature, and to bring in as associates in this department men 

 and women whose work lies within the region covered by any 

 local list or catalogue which may be published, and get those more 

 familiar with any subject connected with bird study to review 

 papers or books dealing with some special subject. Every reader 

 is urged to send reviews of printed articles, pamphlets, and books 

 whose contents cover the region in which his work is done, or sub- 

 jects in which he is specially interested. By this means a great 

 saving of time and expense could be effected to nearly every reader 

 by acquainting him with the contents of such publications in a brief 

 review. Otherwise it becomes necessary to purchase and read 

 everything which appears relating to birds in general in order to 

 get the little needed which relates to his special field. 



Everybody knows that we need a great many more facts before 

 we can learn why certain birds move southward in some winters 

 and not in others, and why certain species suddenly appear in 

 great numbers where they are almost or wholly unknown at other 

 times. It does not seem to us impossible to gain possession of such 

 facts if our plan of cooperation can be worked out in any fulness. 

 Mr. P. A. Taverner, 55 Elmhurst Avenue, Highland Park, Mich., 

 has expressed a willingness to undertake an investigation of the 

 causes which produced the southward migrations of usually more 

 northern birds the past winter. The editor bespeaks for him the 

 interest and cooperation of everybody in getting at the facts. Send 

 to him all the data you have gathered during the winter relating 

 to all the birds which you have recorded, as well as mention of the 

 absence of any species which you usually find, also stating what 

 you can about the food supply in the way of seeds, nuts, berries, 

 fruit, mice and other small mammals, giving also the condition of 

 the weather. Your effort will be more than repaid by the value 

 which the final report will bring to you. 



