OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 39 
is to add to the list the 20 species recorded since the old 
one was published, and to make the corrections necessary. 
The third reason, and to my mind the most important one, 
is to determine the present status of each species in the 
state, drawing comparisons with the conditions in Dr. Whea- 
ton’s time, on the one hand, and furnishing a basis for 
future comparisons on the other. During the 23 years since 
Dr. Wheaton’s catalog was published there have been great 
changes in the physical features of the state, more in some 
regions, less in others, which must have produced marked 
changes in the fauna of the state. Dr. Wheaton’s work was 
evidently so carefully done that we need have no hesitancy 
in accepting his statement of facts. It is only by such com- 
parisons that we shall arrive at any accurate conclusions 
as to what effect our present methods of dealing with natural 
objects, and birds in particular, is producing. We are not 
at liberty and it is not safe to generalize about this. It is 
of too vital importance. 
We already know enough about the most of our birds 
to draw accurate comparisons, but there are some about 
which we need more information. And of course, these few 
are among the most important species considered with 
reference to the comparison. I think that the work neces- 
sary in order to complete our information could be done 
in a single season by four trained ornithologists working in 
separate regions. Even one could accomplish a great deal 
during the first half of the coming summer. I am almost 
ready to give the assurance therefore, that the “Revised Cat- 
alog’ will be ready for the printer before the next winter 
meeting of the Academy. 
Oberlin, Ohio. 
