^°'igo^^] Correspondence. 235 



advanced workers in ornithology, whose purpose of organization was to 

 promote commiinitj of interest, and cooperation among the leaders of the 

 science, and to secure a medium of intercommunication, and for the publi- 

 cation of the results of their investigations. Secondarily, the purpose of 

 the Union was to secure the affiliation of all Atnerican bird students, — to 

 bring the amateurs into touch with the professionals, in the hope that 

 their interest in bird study would thereby be fostered and their efforts be 

 in a measure favorably guided by being brought into contact witli the 

 more experienced workers. For this reason the lay element was invited 

 to accept enrollment in the Union, to attend its annual congresses, to 

 present papers and otherwise participate in the scientific proceedings, and 

 especially to form acquaintances and associations that would prove 

 pleasant and helpful. Such has been, we believe, to as large an extent as 

 could be reasonably expected, the outcome of the founding of the Union. 

 Its membership is, however, so widely scattered that, although the con- 

 gresses are held alternately in the larger eastern cities, the social feature 

 of the organization is necessarily somewhat limited. 



In regard to 'The Auk,' its function is, first of all, that of a medium of 

 publication for the working ornithologists, and holds the position of the 

 'Proceedings' or 'Annals' of a scientific society. It pays nothing for 

 the articles contributed to its pages, and rarely solicits contributions. 

 More matter is offered for publication than can be accepted, and the 

 editorial function as to choice of material is limited to excluding what 

 seems the least desirable. It thus differs notably from the ordinary 

 literary magazine, which pays for its contributions and whose editorial 

 management is supposed to cater to the public needs or taste. 



Mr. Knox refers to certain papers as being especially desirable and 

 stimulating to the clientele for whom he assumes to speak. The editors 

 of 'The Auk' never reject articles of this character; they are only too 

 glad to receive this class of papers. The rejected matter is almost wholly 

 of the class to which Mr. Knox specifically objects. The editors of ' The 

 Auk' cannot publish for the entertainment of its readers what does not 

 come to their hands. Technical papers, containing the results of special 

 research by members of the Union, should, in the nature of the case, be 

 promptly accepted; faunal papers, which are a real contribution to 

 knowledge, are not lightly to be passed by ; but if they relate to com- 

 paratively well known regions, or contain little that is new, they are 

 rated at once as unavailable. Finally, it is the aim of the editorial staff 

 of 'The Auk' to cater especiallj' to the popular side of ornitholog}', to 

 furnish to the amateur readers papers that they will enjoy and find 

 profitable. The technical side will always take care of itself ; the demand 

 for space for such contributions is always greater than the supply, and it 

 is papers of this character that get the cold shoulder and rtot those of a 

 popular character, provided of course that they contain something worthy 

 of record. — Eds.] 



