I^O Felger, Plan for Recording Field Notes. \j^ 



are unquestionably more important factors in the distribution of 

 birds over certain areas than the direction and force of the wind 

 during any one day. 



It has been suggested that one should record the specialty that 

 he is engaged in during the day under consideration. Although 

 we recognize the fact that one will not make as many observations 

 on bird habits while collecting birds, nests, or eggs, and that 

 allowance might be made if one did not observe certain expected 

 birds while engaged in such other pursuits, yet, a personal element 

 is hereby introduced that should be avoided. This personal ele- 

 ment being variable in different persons, and variable in the 

 same person, depending on his physical and mental condition on 

 the day specified, renders such record more or less invaluable. 

 After all, it is the positive and not the negative records that are 

 most important. If an observation be made and recorded, in 

 respect to our fellow scientist we assume the record to be accu- 

 rate. Should the same person, whoever he be, fail to make an 

 expected observation, we could not rightly conclude that such 

 observation was impossible. 



It has also been suggested that a record be kept of the method 

 of travel on expeditions of observation. Aside from having the 

 conviction that such records would lack value on account of the 

 introduction of the personal element just referred to, we are 

 reminded that any unimportant detail included in our plan will 

 tend to make it cumbersome and thus defeat its object. 



In order that the reader may the more readily comprehend the 

 subject-matter that we recommend to be recorded, it is outlined 

 below with a convenient abbreviation placed after each subdivision. 

 Care has been taken in the selection of subdivision names that 

 none of those closely associated would begin with the same letter, 

 a condition that would render their natural abbreviations con- 

 fusing. 



Outline of Headline Notes. 



1. General Locality (e. g., Platte River, Denver, Colo.). 



2. Time Out {e. g., 9:30-5:15). 



3. Average Temperature during the Day (e. g., 50°). 



( Sunnv (S.). 



4. Weather ] Fair (F.). 



( Cloudj (C). 



