von oT val Correspondence. 507 
There are unquestionably many of us who can add materially to the value 
of our papers by bearing in mind this need of definite records. 
Very truly yours, 
FRANCIS HARPER. 
U.S. Biol. Survey, Washington, D. C., 
July 19, 1917. 
[The editor feels responsible for the omission above referred to for had he 
noticed it and called the authors’ attention to it, the desired information 
would surely have been furnished. For various reasons it may seem de- 
sirable to withhold the exact locality for the breeding of rare birds, but 
there can surely be no objection in publishing the county, which except 
in certain cases of varied topography would doubtless answer the needs 
referred to by Mr. Harper.— W. S.] 
Appeal for Assistance in Work of the Biological Survey. 
Eprror or ‘THe AUK’: 
The Biological Survey, as is generally known, is engaged in compiling 
and collating distributional records of all North American birds and 
mammals. These records are compiled from all available published litera- 
ture, from reports of field work by members of its staff, and from manu- 
script reports by voluntary observers throughout the United States and a 
large part of Canada. The Survey’s file system of carded records doubt- 
less constitutes the only source of fairly complete information regarding 
the distribution of North American birds and mammals, as at present 
known. As such it is constantly being consulted and utilized in the prep- 
aration of the Survey publications, the A. O. U. Check-List and its sup- 
plements, and the Indexes to ‘The Auk,’ as well as in various other ways. 
The Biological Survey would take this occasion to invite all members of 
the A. O. U. to contribute bird migration reports and bird census reports 
for use in its work. Blanks for the purpose will be promptly sent to those 
who write for them. It is only by the accumulation of a vast amount of 
additional data that many problems in distribution and migration can be 
worked out satisfactorily. Reports from the South, West, and Pacific 
Coast are especially needed, and fall migration notes from the entire country 
are much to be desired. The importance of accuracy in all records can 
scarcely be over emphasized. 
Since A. O. U. members are among the chief beneficiaries of this phase 
of the Biological Survey’s work, it is hoped that this request for their 
coéperation will not go unheeded. 
Very truly yours, 
E. W. NELson, 
Chief, Biological Survey. 
