372 Recently pnbHshed Ornithological Works. [Il)is, 



expected, it is in the mild climate of the Pacific coast that 

 the largest returns are made ; here three observers are able 

 to record 96 species and 5596 individuals, but we notice 

 that their observations were made from an automobile and 

 that they covered about 30 miles. 



We regret to see that several attempts have recently been 

 made to get bills through Congress to make use of portions 

 of the National Parks at Yosemite and Yellowstone for the 

 purpose of building dams^ power-houses, and. factories, and 

 to destroy the amenities and the wild and natural beauties 

 of these priceless reservations. The Audubon Societies 

 and their central organization are doing all they can to 

 fight these proposals, and we can only wish them every 

 success. 



Another matter which is adversely affecting bird-life along 

 the American coasts as well as our own is the increasing use 

 of oil fuel by large ships and motor-boats ; the oil-tanks are 

 cleaned out and the oil spreads over a vast area, and is the 

 cause of the death of countless sea-birds. We trust that 

 some means may be found to mitigate this disastrous result 

 of modern invention. 



Mr. E. Thompson Seton contributes a second article on 

 the question " Why do Birds bathe ? " There seems to be 

 no satisfactory answer covering all cases, though we should 

 have supposed that one of the chief reasons was to rid 

 themselves of external parasites. As a memorial to the late 

 John Burroughs, the well-known writer on nature-study, 

 it is proposed to aqquire his cottage " Slabsides " and the 

 little valley in which it stands, as a memorial, to be preserved 

 as a place of pilgrimage for all lovers of nature. It is sad 

 to learn that Gilbert White's home at Selborne, where he 

 died in 1793, is closed to the public and cannot now be 

 visited. 



Most of the articles in ' Bird-Lore ' are naturally of only 

 local interest, but we would draw attention to the very 

 useful Seasonal Reports from all parts of the United States 

 which are to be found in each number. 



