THE AMERICAN ENTOMOL'OGIST. 



While, as its name implies, the magazine 

 will be devoted to Entomology, yet this 

 science touches so intimately several other 

 branches of natural science that we shall 

 hope to interest other naturalists, and 

 especially the botanist and ornithologist, 

 from whom we invite contributions on 

 entomophilous and insectivorous plants, 

 the fungtis diseases of insects, the food 

 habits of birds, etc., and to whom we 

 pledge our aid in furthering knowledge on 

 these interesting subjects. 



Conscious of the amount of labor and 

 responsibility we assume in again present- 

 ing a special magazine of this kind for 

 public favor, we should hesitate to do so, 

 did we not have the promised assistance of 

 a number of capable naturalists, and had 

 we not associated with us in both the 

 editorial and business management, Mr. 

 Andrew S. Fuller of Ridgewood, N. J., a 

 popular author on horticultural and natural 

 history subjects, and well and widely 

 known for his interest in entomology. Mr. 

 Fuller will look after the interests of the 

 magazine in New York, and contribute 

 over his own initials. 



Trusting to your indulgence, kind reader, 

 we shall strive to co-operate with the other 

 journals now devoted to entomology, in 

 promoting and popularizing this fascinating 

 and important science. — C. V. R. 



Though we have hitherto merely an- 

 nounced our intention of renewing the 

 American Entomologist in private corres- 

 pondence, the cordial manner in which the 

 announcement has been received is most 

 gratifying. The following well known 

 writers, among others, have promised their 

 hearty support and occasional contri- 

 butions : Dr. J. L. LeConte, Dr. A. S. Pack- 

 ard, Jr., Prof. Cyrus Thomas, Mr. J. A. 

 Lintner, Mr. P. R. Uhler, Mr. E.T. Cresson, 

 Mr. Edward Norton, Mr. B. Pickman 

 Mann, Mr. W. H. Patton, Mr. H. F. Bassett, 

 Mr. E. A. Schwarz, Prof. W. P. Barnard, 

 Prof. E. A. Popenoe, Prof. O. S. Westcott, 

 Prof. C. H. Fernald, Mr. Wm. H. Edwards, 

 Mr. Henry Edwards, Prof. A. J. Cook, 

 Prof. S. A. Forbes, Prof. J. H. Comstock, 



Mr. J. Parish Stelle, Mr. V. T. Chambers, 

 Prof. F. G. Schaupp, Mr. J. D. Putnam, Mr. 

 H. G. Hubbard, Miss M. E. Murtfeldt, 

 Mrs. Mary Treat, and Miss Emily A. Smith. 



All contributors who desire separate 

 copies of their articles can have such at first 

 cost of press-work and paper, upon express- 

 ing their wish to this effect to either the editor 

 or the publisher. ' Paper covers will also be 

 furnished when desired. 



All communications or correspondence 

 on entomological matters should be ad- 

 dressed either to the editor or the assistant 

 editor, and all communications relating to 

 business to the publisher. 



Was ever the first number of a magazine 

 satisfactory ? We know that this, our first 

 number of the new series, will possess faults 

 incident to all beginnings and the many 

 little unforeseen difficulties that accompany 

 them. We crave the reader's indulgence, 

 therefore, till the machinery of publication 

 runs more smoothly. 



Exchanges should be mailed direct to 

 the editor at Washington, D. C. , 



The facts recorded in the present num- 

 ber on the food-habits of Thrushes, by 

 Prof. Forbes, will be read with interest. 

 In this general question of the value of 

 birds to the farmer and fruit-grower, we 

 have a decided individual leaning toward 

 the side of the birds ; though we have not 

 wasted sentiment in characterizing the per- 

 nicious habits of some species. The habits 

 of the same birds differ so much in different 

 parts of the country and at different sea- 

 sons, that it will be a long time hence ere 

 impartial and accurate judgment can be 

 pronounced on even the best known species. 

 We do not hesitate to say, however, that 

 the results of Prof. Forbes's investigations 

 on the thrushes are surprising, and place 

 these birds in a worse attitude* toward the 

 agriculturist than they have hitherto held, 

 or than the investigations of others, as of 

 Prof. Sam'l Aughey, of Lincoln, Neb., have 



