WHAT THE AMERICAN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION 

 HAS ACCOMPLISHED DURING 1912.^ 



By HowAED H. Cleaves.^ 



[With 2 plates.] 



Since it is obvious that this report will fall into the hands of 

 many who are not cognizant of the facts relating to the origin, 

 growth, and present status of the bird banding movement in Amer- 

 ica, it might not be amiss to devote a brief space at the outset to a 

 review of that phase of the subject. The mystery of bird migration 

 has tickled and agitated the lay mind and engaged the attention of 

 the ornithologist for we know not how long, and although much has 

 been ascertained by field observers with regard to dates of arrival 

 and departure at given points of the majority of migratory species, 

 practically nothing is known of the movements of individual birds. 

 Even Audubon became interested in this problem, for we read that 

 he placed silver wire rings about the tarsi of a brood of young 

 Phoebes and was rewarded the following year by discovering two 

 of these birds nesting in the same vicinity. Whether through read- 

 ing of this interesting incident or hearing of the splendid efforts 

 put forth by certain Europeans who began banding birds as early 

 as 1899, or by reason of a spontaneous desire to investigate, it would 

 be difficult to tell, but the fact remains that not later than 1902 indi- 

 vidual experimenters in this country engaged themselves in earnest 

 and comparatively extensive efforts to cast light on the wanderings 

 of birds by the use of inscribed metal bands or rings. 



Not until 1908, however, did anything approaching a concerted 

 bird banding movement develop. During that year certain mem- 

 bers of the New Haven (Conn.) Bird Club did a small amount of 

 banding, but, realizing how unavailing were the efforts of so few, 



1 Reprinted by permission from Tlie Auk, vol. 30, No. 2, April, 1913. For previous 

 reports of bird banding worli in America see The Auk, vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 137-143, April, 

 1909, and The Auk, vol. 27, No. 2. April, 1910. 



~ Address communications to Howard H. Cleaves, secretary-treasurer. Public Museum, 

 New Brighton, N. Y. 



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