Editorial. 51 



One side of bird study has been far too generally neglected, a 

 side which is second to none in importance for an understanding of 

 bird life. That is the ecological side. Most local lists are so gen- 

 eral in their statenieuts regarding the occurrence of the individual 

 species in the region under discussion that one gains very little 

 information concerning them other than their relative abundance 

 in the whole region. As an instance of what is meant, this is said 

 of the Red-tailed Hawk in a recent local list of more than usual 

 pretensions. " Common resident specie:?." No other comment is 

 given. One might readily infer that the region was wholly wooded 

 and that the bird was evenly distributed over it. We happen to 

 know that the topographical conditions are extremely variable, with 

 scattered woods, in only a few of which this hawk would be likely 

 to breed. Another short sentence would give information of value. 

 We urge upon those who are contemplating compiling local lists to 

 study the habits of the birds with a view of saying something un- 

 usual about them — unusual, viewed from the standpoint of the 

 average present day list. It is not enough to say that a species is 

 found — what is its place in the economy of the region. This does 

 not require unusual ability and command of language ; it only re- 

 quires attention. If there has been a change in the topography of 

 the region, resulting in a change or shifting of the life of the re- 

 gion, the facts should be stated. It is only by such means that we 

 can learn what changes and influences are working upon our bird 

 life and also upon human interests. 



[From Forest and Stream. January 22, 1910.] 



To Save the Passenger Tigeon. —It is gratifying to know that 

 a last effort is being made to find and save from final extinction 

 existing individuals of the Passenger Pigeon. The history of this 

 effort is explained in the letter from Dr. C. F. Hodge, printed else- 

 where in this issue of Forest and Stream. 



The following memorandum was read at the meeting of the Amer- 

 ican Ornithologists' Fnion, December !), 1909: 



"Through the interest and generosity of Colonel Anthony R. Kuser, 

 I am authorized to offer the following award : 



"Three hmidred dollars (.?300.00) for first information of a nest- 

 ing i)air of wild Passenger Pigeons (Ecfopistes migratoria) undis- 

 turbed. 



" Before this award will be paid, such information, exclusive and 

 confidential, must be furnished as will enable a committee of expert 

 ornitliologists to visit the nest and confirm the finding. If the nest 

 and parent Inrds are found undisturbed, the award will be promptly 

 paid. (Signed) C. William Beebe, 



" New York Zoological Park, New York City. 



" Furthei'uiore, Colonel Kuser withdraws his former offer of $100 

 for a fre-^hlv killed Passenger Pigeon. He does this on account of 



