No. 123.] ORNITHOLOGY. 85 



writer from the chairman of the committee, Hon. John H. 

 Wallace, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Con- 

 servation, asking that a paper be prepared bearing upon the 

 migration of birds from the United States to the Latin-Amer- 

 ican republics. Such a paper was prepared at once, giving in 

 brief a statement regarding the migration of many species of 

 North American birds to or through these republics, and was 

 forwarded to Chairman Wallace. This paper was used as an 

 argument for international bird protection, and also was printed 

 by Chairman Wallace and given wide circulation. On De- 

 cember 19 another letter was received from Mr. Wallace in 

 which he said that he had received a communication from 

 Senator Bankhead of Alabama, enclosing a letter from Senator 

 Lodge, who asserted that the committee on foreign relations 

 probably would report Senator Bankhead's resolution (No. 

 656) requesting the President to propose a treaty between the 

 L^nited States and the Latin-American republics for the pro- 

 tection of birds which migrate between the United States and 

 such countries. On January 9, 1920, the United States Senate 

 agreed to send to the President Senator Bankhead's resolution. 

 March 20, 1920, the resolution proposed by Senator Bank- 

 head had received the attention of the President. On that 

 day he sent a message to the Senate transmitting also the report 

 of Frank L. Polk, acting Secretary of State, to whom he had 

 referred the resolution for consideration. Mr. Polk not only 

 gave his ideas on the matter, but also the views of the Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture, to whom he had turned for further infor- 

 mation. In brief, the Secretary of Agriculture stated that in 

 view of existing conditions the time did not seem opportune to 

 undertake the negotiation of a treaty for the protection of 

 migratory birds with the Republic of Mexico, and that in the 

 case of most of the republics of Central and South America 

 such treaties are unnecessary at present. In the case of Brazil 

 and Argentina, such treaties might be of advantage. But be- 

 fore the negotiation of conventions with these countries was 

 undertaken, the Department desired more definite information 

 than was then available; therefore, no further action on this 

 matter will be taken by the Department of State at present. 

 In the meantime. Dr. E. W. Nelson, chief of the United States 



