56 ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 11-No. 4 

THE 
ORNITPHOLOGIisT 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 
A MONTHLY 
NATURAL hed Oia 
BIRDS, 
NESTS 
MAGAZINE OF 
THEIR 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. 
An extra edition of this number will be 
issued gratuitously, and any party receiv- 
ing duplicates will confer a favor by hand- 
ing it to some one interested in the topics 
of which We shall send it to 
friends whose subscriptions have expired, 
it treats. 
and hope to hear from them. 

Massachusetts Society of Taxider- 
mists and Naturalists. 

This association—C. I. Goodale, Boston, 
President—whose object is to look after 
the interests of the Massachusetts frater- 
nity, and whose membership is extended 
over the State, has been quickened into 
activity of late. They were well repre- 
sented at the State House, at the late 
hearing upon the game question. At the 
last meeting it was voted to adopt the 
OrnirHoLocisr and Oonocisr as their or- 
gan. We feel perfectly safe in endorsing 
these gentlemen, and hope to see similar 
organizations throughout the country. It 
is time taxidermists and naturalists came 
to the front. Their advice on the protec 
tion of game and song birds would be 
based upon experience, and would have 
full as much weight as that from other 
sources. They should have the hearty 
support of all who are interested in the 
State actions on the question. 
5 gee 
‘‘ Bird Protection.’’ 
The protection of our birds is at pres- 
ent a much agitated subject, and in the 
previous number we inserted the circular 
of the committee who have taken the mat- 
ter in hand. We heartily sympathize with 
their endeavors and will second any efforts 
to secure a wniform protection for our 
birds: but in view of certain proceedings, 
we think it proper to express a few differ- 
ential opinions. 
The destruction for millinery purposes 
is the greatest cause for the decimation of 
our birds, and we consider this the hydra- 
headed monster which the modern Hercules 
would do well to demolish. To still fur- 
ther forward their object the committee 
have advocated discrimination in granting 
permits to collect to the amateur scientist. 
Such efforts are laudable ; but we notice a 
tendency among the associated scientists 
to arrange themselyes in opposition against 
the amateur and taxidermist. This antag- 
onism when viewed in certain lights ap- 
pears amusing, but again as favoritism and 
influence may result in harmful legislation, 
it presents a more serious aspect. Leay- 
ing aside all sentiment which has no bear- 
ing whatever on the question, we are of 
the opinion that the taxidermist is no more 
destructive than the scientist, and from 
statistics gathered within the past month. 
we present the following statement. 
Kight prominent scientists give us the 
total sum of their work, averaging sixteen 
years, 48,540 bird skins, (about 6000 apiece) 
Ten taxidermists of large business ex- 
perience, have sent us the record of the 
birds handled by them, and as the result 
of an average of fourteen years, they show 
only 37,480 birds, (3,748 birds apiece.) We 
leave for the consideration of an intelli. 
