Jhtlli'ti)! No. rg. 27 



movements. Ikit aside frcMii any such problems, it is in the mij^rating 

 season that we must look out for the Warbler host if we are to find it at 

 all, for the greater part of our species are strictly transients. Hence, a 

 study of their migrations means acquaintance with a far greater number 

 of them than are to be found in summer. Mr. J. E. Dickinson, Rock- 

 ford, 111., has charge of this work, and he will be glad to put you in the 

 way of it. 



When we study the songs of the Warblers we begin to get nearer to 

 their inner life and to know something of the bird as a sentient being. 

 This is an essential part of the life history, and one of the most interest- 

 ing parts. Here, again, we must be on the lookout for them as they go 

 to and fro on their migrations if we are to hear many of them singing. 

 Aside from the sentiment of song there are some interesting problems 

 which need working out, and with time and patience we can hope to do 

 it. The diurnal as well as the seasonal period of song has never been 

 carefully worked out for even the commonest of the group. Here is an 

 open field. An attempted description of a song is always an aid to the 

 memory, and may often result in valuable contributions ; but at best it is 

 difficult and unsatisfactory because our vocabulary is not suited to repre- 

 sentation of bird songs, and our powers of imitation are too imperfect 

 and feeble. But even here a great deal may be done by patience and 

 appreciation. 



We know what the food of the Warblers is in a general way. but many 

 of the particulars are still hidden. I cannot advocate killing the birds 

 for the purpose of learning what they eat, but if they must be killed for 

 some other purpose it would be a shame not to examine the contents of 

 the stomach and make a record of what is found. An accumulation of 

 such records would be of great value in determining the food habits of 

 our birds. If a bird must l)e killed its dead body should be made to tell 

 as much of the history of that species as it is capable. But a study of 

 the stomach contents will tell only a part of the story of the food habits, 

 because the birds eat many things which leave no remains in the stomach. 

 Then bv carefully watching the birds in the field we may learn not a 

 little about what they eat. The study of Food and Song is under the 

 direction of Lynds Jones, Olierlin, Ohio. Any notes or suggestions will 

 be thankfully received. 



Mr. Frank L. Burns, Berwyn, Pa., is still stnd\ing tlie Flicker, and 

 he will be glad to put you in the way of helping forwarrl his report to 

 completion. Write to him without delav. 



The report upon the Swallows is nearing completion, and is only wait- 



