14 



JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIKD IXVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY. 



shuttlecocks of sentimentality on the one side, 

 and of prejudice on the other." We wish to see 

 this changed, and the change will only come 

 about hv a deeper and better understanding of 

 this important subject. 



Our aim must be to encourage investigation, 

 for without the solid foundation of accurate 

 knowledge it is impossible to go forward, to 

 right the many existing anomalies, or even to 

 lake' .-m Intelligent interest in the subject. 



In a Ijroad and tolerant spirit we wish to view 

 all the various phases and departments of what 

 has aptlv been described as " the wider study 

 of Bird Life," and to thi ^ end we invite the 

 active and cordial co-operation of all our 

 members. 



The objects of the -Society cannot be too 

 widely known. They are : — 



(a) The more intensive study of the ways and 

 halaits of British birds. 



(b) To discuss new discoveries, to exchange 

 experiences, and to carefully consider the best 

 methods of work. 



(c) To give opportunity to individual workers 

 of announcing proposed investigations, so as to 

 bring out suggestions and prevent unnecessary 

 duplication of work. 



((/) To suggest, when possible, certain lines of 

 in\estigation upon subjects of general interest. 



((•) To further the protection of all beneficial 

 and non-injurious wild birds, and the repression 

 of realh injurious species. 



(I) To influence and educate public opinion as 

 to the destructiveness or usefulness of wild birds 

 to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, the fish- 

 eries, etc. 



(,<r) To discourage egg and bird-collecting, 

 except under proper guidance, or for scientific 

 purposes. 



[Ii] To advocate tlie iniprox emoni and modifi- 

 cation of the existing Laws relating to wild birds. 



(/) To advocate the establishment of bird 

 sanctuaries, under efficient control. 



(/) To establish local branches througliout the 

 Lniled Kingdom. 



{!;) .\nd generally to promote the study and 

 ad\ancc the science of Ornithology in all its 

 aspects. 



embraces a wide range of knowledge. .Apart 

 from the purely systematic side, many workers- 

 have for some time felt that the subject deserved 

 more adequate recognition in this country, and 

 that a medium of publication was necessary that 

 would devote itself to all the numerous aspects 

 of the science, amongst which may be mentioned 

 such matters as : — 



.Acquired Characters, .Adaptations, structural 

 and functional. Care of Offspring, Coloration, the 

 County Council Orders and Wild Birds, the 

 Destruction of Birds, Dimorphism, the Kffects 

 of Climate, the Food and Feeding Habits. 

 Geographical Distribution, Growth, Habits and 

 Habitats, the Influence of Environment and 

 Isolation, Legislation, Life-histories, Melanism, 

 Migration, Nestling Birds, Nidification, Plum- 

 age, the Protection of Wild Birds, the Provision 

 of Sanctuaries or Bird Reserves, Pterylosis, 

 Repressive Measures, the L'tilitv of Birds,. 

 Variation, etc., etc. 



The subject of Ornithology or the Science of 

 Birds is n liroad and comprehensive one, and 



The Wild Bird Inyestigation -Society is in no- 

 sense a rival to any existing organization. We 

 desire to work in harmony with all that are 

 interested in Ornithology. Of the organizations 

 and publications already in existence we would 

 mention : — 



'I'lie Britis]! Ornithnlos^ists' Union. — Secretary, 

 E. C. Stuart Baker, Chief Police Office, West 

 India Dock, London, E. 14. Publishes C|uarterly 

 The Ihis. 



The Ai'iculiiiiuil Society. — Hon. Sees., Miss B. 

 .Alderson, Park House, \\'orksop, and Dr. A. G. 

 Butler, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, 

 Kent. Publishes monthly The Aviciillural 

 yf<ii;(izi}ie, edited by Dr. Graham Renshaw, 

 Bridge House, Sale, nr. Manchester. Hertford : 

 -Stephen .Austin &• -Sons. 



The .'^elhonie .Soc;V(v {Lid.). — Hon. Sec, 

 W. M. Weill), F.L.S.,'83, .Avenue Chambers, 

 London, W.C. i. Publishes The Sclhirnc 

 .Miii:ci:iue. London : George Philip & -Son, Ltd. 



Tlie Royal Society for the Protection of 

 Birds. — Sec, Miss L. Gardiner, 23, Queen .Anne's 

 Gate, London, S.A\". Publishes quarterly Bird 

 iVofc; and \eu's. 



Britisli Birds. — Publi.shed monthly. Edited bv 

 H. F. Witherby, M.B.O.U., the Rev. F. C. R. 

 lourdain, M.A., and Norman F. Ticehurst, M..A, 

 London: Witherby & Co., 326, High Holborn. 



