128 


under the edges of the old will be sure to come up 
inside of the new one. In this way the pup will 
be exposed to all the natural conditions during 
the cold weather. Of course I expect to lose 
some specimens by the attacks of coleopterous 
larvee, but I do not think the mortality will nearly 
equal that attending the old method. The plant 
food should be procured fresh every day if possi- 
ble, but if the pieces are large they will sometimes 
remain fresh for two or three days. Always be 
careful to keep the vivarium clean and the bottles 
filled with water. I think that a lack of water is 
more fatal to most larvee than a scarcity of food. 
If you doubt it, take some that have been shut 
up without either for a day or two and give them 
some of their food in the morning while covered 
with dew, and see them travel from drop to drop, 
drinking with a seeming relish and not attempt- 
ing to eat until their thirst is quenched. 
With regularity and care in attending to their 
wants, you will be surprised to find how easily 
and pleasantly you can raise Lepidoptera. 

Literary Note. 
Messrs. J. B. Lippincott Co. have in press a ‘‘ Manual of 
North American Birds,” by the eminent Ornithologist, Prof. 
Robert Ridgway, Curator Department of Birds, Smithso- 
nian Institution, Washington, D. C. 
The author has had unrivalled advantages for the prepa- 
ration of a treatise of this character, arising from his own 
field experiences, as well as his connection with the Nation- 
al Museum, and the free access which has been granted 
him to various other public and private collections of 
birds, both in this country and Europe. 
The work is to contain some 425 illustrations suitably ex- 
ecuted, and will conform to the geographical limits, classifi- 
cation, numeration and nomenclature adopted by the 
American Ornithological Union. 
We doubt not it will be one of the most important, 
thorough and original contributions to the literature of the 
subject which has ever appeared, and presume that Natur- 
alist and Sportsman alike will find in it an invaluable aid. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 
A Protest. 
EDITOR ORNITHOLOGIST AND ObLoaIstT, Str: Eyer since 
the Inception of the OrNitHoLoaIsT AND OdLOGIST as a 
magazine of bird-life I have watched its career witha grow- 
ing interest, until at present I see a possible future of use- 
fulness unapproachable by any other periodical in the same 
science. This future lies with our American ornithologists, 
not in a financial sense, for I think nearly all are subscrib- 
ers at the present time, but it could be made of a far more 
influential character if they would favor it with contribu- 
tions of scientific interest instead of withholding them 
from a purely selfish motive. The OrNITHOLOGIST AND 
ObLoatsT is not a rival of The Auk, and our ornithologists 
need a monthly magazine of the sciences, and thus publish 
when fresh the news from the field or closet work. I re- 
member some of the former contributors to this magazine, 
~ ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 11--No, 8 


whose frequent articles were of interest, but on the form- 
ing of the A. O.U. into which certain of them were ab- 
sorbed, I noticed that those who were taken into that asso- 
ciation ceased their articles, and no reason save an attack 
of “big head” can I give. I protest against such sectionalism 
amongst our ornithologists. Our delightful and ever in- 
creasing science furnishes more than enough for both 
magazines, and a great deal of benefit would be derived if 
some of our scientists would recognize the influence of this 
magazine. 
Ido not wish to be understood as considering the OrNI- 
THOLOGIST AND OdLoarsT of less value than formerly. On 
the contrary, it never was better than in 1886, and each is- 
sue seems to improye, and it is forthe benefit of my fellow- 
members of the A. O. U. that I publicly express my views, 
that they may take advantage of this monthly interchange 
of notes on ornithology. I notice with pleasure that a 
former contributor, and a prominent scientist, had excel- 
lent articles in the last issues. I congratulate the ORNITHO- 
LOGIST AND OOLOGIST upon its prospects. From a personal 
knowledge of the present management, I can safely say, 
if business energy, and scientific ability, combined with a 
long purse, are indications of success, then the ORNITHO- 
LOGIST AND OOLOGIST is certain to prosper. I beg your 
pardon, Mr. Editor, for the space I have occupied; my 
proper place would have been in the pages of my associ- 
ation “organ,” but knowing I could not gain access there 
with the above ‘‘correspondence,” I resorted to your 
columns.—A member of the A. o. U. 

_**Amateur.”’ 
EDITOR ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGIsT, Str: In The 
Auk, for July, 1886, David S. Jordan has a criticism (?) of 
The A. O. U. Code and Check List of North American Birds, 
and I quote from it the following passage: “In spite of a 
good deal of amateur work, which in one way or another 
gets published, it is, I think, not too much to say, that in 
all the various matters which make up the groundwork of 
systematic science * * * * American ornithology 
stands at the front of systematic science.” You will please 
note the slur cast upon the amateur and his work. Such is 
the case with nearly all of the scientific writers. The 
amateur is abused and nearly every evil is laid at his door. 
Why is it thus? The question needs no answer. The 
selfish motive of the professional is too apparent. The 
amateur is called into service in recording migration and 
statistics, but no credit is given him; he collects stomachs 
of birds at request, and when fined for shooting birds by his 
county official, the scientific committee for bird protection, 
pause long enough from their work at a heap of slaughtered 
victims, to applaud the act. 
I hope to see the amateur recognized according to merit. 
Although my last birthday was my forty-seventh, yet I deem 
myself but an amateur, and can remember very vividly the 
amateur days of some of the gentlemen now considered as 
ornithologists in the ‘‘ high science” term of the word. It 
would give me a great deal of satisfaction to record some of 
their crude work and blunders. 
The efforts of your caustic pen, Mr. Editor, in their be- 
half will be appreciated, for in a few years, when these 
amateurs, by reason of profitable time spent in research, 
shall become the equal of any of the scientists, they will 
not forget your magazine, which so ably defended them, 
and then your reward will be suflicient.—R. C. M. 
——E————— 
In the prosecution of ‘*The Botany of Birds’ Nests,” 
which will appear in these columns, we would like to com- 
municate with parties, of whom we can procure nests. 
