[Vol. 11-No. 8 


2. tle ahi 
‘THE 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
OOLUG LS I. 
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF 
NATURAL HISTORY, 
ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF 
BEDS. 
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES 
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD AND INSECT LIFE, 
F. H. CARPENTER, Managing Editor, 
REHOBOTH, MASS. 
J. PARKER NORRIS, Odlogical Editor, 
204 SouTH SEVENTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, Pa. 
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher, 
409 WASHINGTON, ST., BOSTON, MASS. 


Editorial. 
Here in Massachusetts it looks as though 
the Fish and Game “protective” Associa- 
tion Parrot had been fooling with the 
Taxidermist Monkey, after the manner of 
a parrot and monkey, owned by a certain 
gentleman, which had got together in their 
owner's absence, the result being that the 
monkey’s dexterity in the melee reduced 
Polly to a mere remnant. Sufficient life, 
however, remained in the featherless talker 
to exclaim, ‘“‘ We've had a —— of a time.” 
We present in this issue, as we previous- 
ly announced, the first paper of the series 
treating of the birds of Hastern Tennessee. 
Dr. LeMoyne will write, at present, of 
only those birds whose life habits are well 
known to him in that region and he will 
return to that locality in the antumn, where 
by close observation of the migration and 
a protracted stay into the winter months, 
before going further south, he will be able 
to note many additions and verify records. 
He will then present through these col- 
umns a complete and systematic list of 
the birds of the region; a course not 
thought advisable at present. 
We announce with pleasure that the de- 
mands of the ornithological science have 
been recognized by Congress. It has been 
separated from the Division of Entomolo- 
gy into a separate one, to also include a 
study of the “food habits, distribution and 
migration of mammals.” This new divis 
ion will have the same efficient officer, Dr. 
Merriam, at its head, and though the influ. © 
ence of Senator Miller, of New York, the 
sum of $10,000 has been appropriated for 
the “Promotion of Economic Ornitholo- 
gy and Mammalogy; an investigation of 
the food-habits, distribution and migration 
of birds and mammals in relation to agri- 
culture, horticulture and forestry ; for pub- 
lishing reports thereon and for drawings 
and traveling and other expenses in the 
practical works of the division.” 
In our correspondence department a 
writer in a short but pithy article “pro- 
tests” in our behalf. On the first reading 
of the Ms. we felt inclined to return it to our 
correspondent, as we confess our sense of 
pride was touched, we having always made 
it a point to fight our own battles, espec- 
ially in connection with this magazine, and 
just as success was about to be achieved, 
we thought our correspondent was a little 
premature. On after deliberation we con- 
cluded to insert it unchanged in text from 
author's Ms. Should we divulge the 
writer's name, it would create a surprise in 
certain circles. 

Obituary. 
CHARLES OLIVER TRACY. 
It is our sad duty to record the death of 
Charles O. Tracy, who died at his home in 
Taftsville, Vt., April 22,1886. Many of 
our readers will remember his contribu 
tions to these pages, in which he gave evi- 
dence of his love for his favorite science. 
A useful life has been cut down in its 
prime, and we tender to the afflicted 
family the sincere sympathy of his co- 
workers in the natural sciences, who can- 
not but feel their loss. 
