280 Notes and News. [^^fi 



As TO Bird Banding. 



Berlin, Md., 

 January 20th, 1912. 

 "The Auk, 



New York City. 

 Gentlemen: — 



One of my men has just come in from a country mill and tells me that 

 he has killed a bird, the species of which he did not know or else would 

 not tell me, with a leg band on it, which he brought to me. Same bears 

 the number 6302. 



Would you mind letting me know the species and particulars of this 

 matter, using the enclosed stamped envelope? 



Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of j'our reply, I beg to remain, 

 Yours very truly, 



(Signed) Chas. W. Tingle." 



The above communication established an exceedingly interesting bird 

 banding record. On consulting card No. 6302 the following memoranda 

 were found: "Species — -Sialia sialis; Locality — -Meriden, N. H.; Date — 

 June 3, 1911; Banded by — Ernest Harold Baynes; Appro.ximate age of 

 bird — About two weeks. Remarks — Band placed on left leg. The 

 bird was one of a family in an unpainted wooden box on the corner of an 

 old shed. Five young in nest." 



This, to be sure, is only an isolated record, but from it we learn that a 

 young bluebird reared at Meriden, N. H., in June, 1911, was wintering at 

 Berlin, Md., or at any rate was there on Jan. 20, 1912, and it has since 

 been ascertained that the bird shot was one of a flock of several. In addi- 

 tion to getting a banding record, therefore, we obtain a sidelight on the 

 manner in which bird life is being destroyed in certain sections of the 

 country. 



When the Linna?an Society of New York first undertook some months 

 ago to push the work of the American Bird Banding Association, and the 

 members of the Bird Banding Committee inaugurated a campaign to 

 raise funds for that purpose, unexpected obstacles were met with. Letters 

 of protest were received from some, setting forth the cruelties involved in 

 such a practice as bird banding; while many refused to contribute because 

 the Association had not yet shown sufficient results — forgetting that any 

 project in its infancy must be nursed for a time on faith until a start can 

 be made. Let it be understood that those striving to carry on the bird 

 banding work are not desirous of opposing or antagonizing anyone. On the 

 other hand they invite suggestions and sane criticisms from everyone. If 

 the banding of any particular species, for instance, is discovered for any 

 reason whatsoever to be detrimental, members of the association will be 

 instructed to pass birds of that species by. One gentlemen has even been 

 BO far-sighted as to suggest that the bands on birds' legs might attract the 



