100 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 112 



to the exclusion of other features just as desirable, and of more 

 interest to the people at large. 



The Egret of the southern states, the big wader that produces 

 the plumes of commerce, called aigrettes, is fully protected by our 

 state law, though to little or no purpose, for we seldom or never 

 see one so far north. However, the principle involved is the same. 

 Itjis a heron, and feeds on practically the same as our Great Blue 

 Heron. The latter is much larger, stands more erect, and easily 

 outclasses the Egret in general make-up and stylish appearance. 



I ask for our Great Blue Heron as good treatment as is ac- 

 corded to the white one. His habits are fully as exemplary as 

 those of his paler relative, and Pennsylvanians are more interested 

 in him. Unless better protected he will soon be too rare to be of 

 much value as a show bird, 



The protection of this heron involves, in a way, the same prin- 

 ciple as that of maintaining a zoo. and at the same time saving a 

 valuable bird from extermination at the hands of those who should 

 be its protectors. 



L. B. CUSHMAN. 



North East, Pa. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 

 Members of the Wilson Ornithological Club will remember that 

 at the last annual meeting held In St. Louis, it was voted to hold 

 the 1920 annual meeting in Chicago, in connection with the meet- 

 ings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 

 The time at which these meetings have been held has been between 

 Christmas and New Years Day. It is not yet possible to state Ithe 

 exact dates at which our meeting will be held, but members should 

 hold themselves in readiness to attend the meeting during the week 

 following Christmas day. The exact dates will be announced in 

 ample time. Important questions of policy for the future of our 

 organization are to be presented for discussion, questions of vital 

 interest to every member. Therefore we ought to have a large at- 

 tendance of members from widely different parts of our particular 

 field. An interesting program is assured, but there is ample room 

 for more titles of papers which may be presented at this meeting. 

 Come prepared to take an active part. 



