14 THE AMERICAN OOLOGISTS' 



The chairman appointed this very important "Committee of Final Values" as 

 follows: Chairman, J. Hooper Bowles, to look after the interests of the Western 

 oologists, Richard C. Harlow, to perform a like service for those of the East, and 

 Frank C. Willard, now of the East, but formerly of the West, whose sympathies 

 would be with both. 



After almost two years, the results from the various areas finally came into 

 the hands of the "Committee on Final Values" who, as previously agreed upon, 

 added the sum of the eight areas and divided the sum by eight; hence the ex- 

 change price set opposite the name of any species, represents the average of all 

 the prices for this species furnished by the "Committee of Twenty-five." 



It was agreed that no egg should be priced lower than ten cents, it being 

 considered that it was worth at least that much to prepare an egg nicely and 

 write the set data. 



The committee feels that it has furnished the oologists of North America a 

 catalog honestly prepared, with fairness to all and special favors to none. 



The committee also feels that the North American oologists will appreciate 

 a catalog prepared in this manner, although it is inevitable that there will be 

 some dissatisfaction and honest differences of opinion regarding prices. 



In closing, I think that the thanks of the whole oological fraternity are due 

 to Messrs. Bowles, Harlow and Willard, the "Committee on Final Values" who 

 have worked long and faithfully, often against heavy obstacles ; to the secretary, 

 Rev. H. E. Wheeler, whose heavy correspondence was of very great importance; 

 to the many, many oologists who helped with kindly words of advice and en- 

 couragement; and last but not least, to Judge R. M. Barnes, the publisher, who 

 has made the dream of a new catalog of North American birds' eggs come true. 



B. R. BALES, M. D., 



Chairman. 



