THE 
URNITHOLOGIS 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF 
ge = Ui Ow he 2 Wb ag sh ep Bh 9 es 
ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF 
BIRDS, 
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES 
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD AND INSECT LIFE, 
FREDERIC H. CARPENTER, Editor, 
REHOBOTH, MASS., 
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher, 
409 WASHINGTON, ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Editorial. 
The American Ornithologists’ Union 
Code and Check List of North American 
Birds, will undoubtedly be ready for the 
public by the date of this issue. We 
can but desire that the matter of a uniform 
check list for the use of ornithologists is 
now settled, and we hope it will avoid the 
confusion hitherto experienced, by having 
specimens labeled according to different 
nomenclatures. 
The change in arrangement has been 
great, and it will need a complete over- 
hauling and re-labeling in the cabinet in 
order to preserve the arrangement accord- 
ing to its dictates. 
We insert the following at the request 
of the “Committee on the Protection of 
North American Birds,’ forbearing any 
comments at present. 
PROTECTION FOR THE BIRDS. 
Bird destruction is this country is every year assuming a 
more and more serious aspect. The startling decrease in 
the numbers of many of our birds, brought about of late 
years by the unceasing persecution waged for the sake of 
fashion, has aroused the American Ornithologists’ Union to 
a recognition of the necessity for instant and decided effort 
in behalf of our birds. To answer this imperative demand 
the Union has appointed a “Committee on the Protection 
of North American Birds.” This committee was lately or- 
ganized in this city with the following membership: Mr. 
George 8, Sennett, Chairman; Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell, 
Secretary; Mr. J. A. Allen, Dr. J. Holder, Dr. George Bird 
40 ORNITHOLOGIST 

[ Vol. 11-No. 3 
Grinnell, Mr. William Dutcher and Mr. L. 8. Foster, all of 
New York city; Mr. William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.; 
Mr. Montague Chamberlain, St. John, N. B; Col. N. 8. 
Goss, Topeka, Kansas. 
The objects of the committee are as follows: 
1. The gathering of all possible information bearing on 
the subjects of the destruction and the protection of North 
American birds. 
2. The diffusion of information among the people in re- 
spect to the extent of the slaughter of birds for millinery 
and other mercenary purposes; the wanton killing of birds 
in sport by men and boys; the robbing of birds’ nests; the 
destruction of the eggs of rails, terns, gulls and other birds 
for food; and the marked recent decrease of many species 
resulting from this general destruction. the spreading of 
information, also, in respect to the utility of birds as a 
natural check upon the increase of insects injurious to vege- 
tation, and with reference to their interest and value from 
an thetic point of view. This with the object of develop- 
ing a public sentiment in favor of the rigid protection of 
our native birds, a sentiment that will naturally spring up 
strongly and widely as soon as attention is called to the 
subject. 
3. To encourage the formation of bird protective associa- 
tions and anti-bird-wearing leagues. 
4, The perfection of a statute for the protection of birds, 
drawn with regard to its availability for enactment by all 
the States and Territories, leaving, however, the game birds, 
properly so considered, to the care of the game protective 
associations, 
5. The prevention of the collecting of birds and eggs for 
pseudo-scientific purposes, and the development of a sys- 
tem of co-operation between this committee and the various 
authorities to whom may be assigned the power of granting 
permits for the collection of birds in the interest of science. 
6. The consideration of the best means for securing the 
enforcement of bird protective statutes. 
The committee is desirous of collecting facts and statis- 
tics bearing upon the subject of the destruction of our birds, 
and will welcome information from any source. It also ex- 
tends the promise of its hearty co-operation to all persons 
or societies who may be interested in the protection of our 
birds. 
The headquarters of the committee are at the American 
Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York city, 
where the officers or any of the members may be addressed. 
—Forest and Stream. 
A Probable Hybrid Between Spizella 
Pallida and Spizella Breweri. 

While on a collecting trip in New Mexico last 
spring, I shot a specimen which I think is jointly 
referable to these species. It was also identified 
as being a probable hybrid of the above by Mr. 
Ridgway. The following is a description of the 
bird. 
(No. 580, Author's coll.) Crown, dark ashy 
gray or clay color, thickly streaked with black, 
shading into a light yellowish brown on the edges 
of the feathers. The streaks are very clearly de- 
fined, much more so than in S. palada. Super- 
ciliary line not as distinct as in S. pallida, but 
more so than in S. brewert. The markings and 
colors on the whole of the upper parts closely 
resemble those of S. pallida, but are a shade or so 
