0.9 

drat ORNITHOLOGIST 

[Vol. 11- 

TH E ke 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF 
NATURA LMHS PORN, 
BIRDS, 
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. 
The relation of birds to agriculture is a 
subject which interests a large class of 
people and is of more than ordinary im- 
portance, Even from the primitive days 
of American ornithology, all students of 
birdlife, who carefully studied the matter, 
were unanimous with a verdict in favor of 
our feathered friends. With the excep- 
tion of a few species, our birds were con- 
sidered as beneficial to farmers, and even 
the species which were formerly under the 
shadow of suspicion are now recognized as 
at least neutral, if not beneficial. Our 
Congress has recognized this subject as 
of national interest, and forthwith inves- 
tigations are to be carried on to determine 
what species are harmful and those that 
may be beneficial to agriculture and horti- 
culture. With all due acknowledgement 
of the value of the “investigations” it 
seems to us almost a waste of hfe. In- 
vestigation in bird-life means more or less 
shooting, and a collection of stomachs, 
which is requested can be obtained but by 
only one method—Aill. 
We ask that a result of these investiga- 
tions be arrived at as speedily as possible 
and the decision made known; yet we 
doubt if any ultimatum given at Washing- 
ton will avail much with the average agri- 
culturist, who if possessed of a gun does 
not hesitate long what course to pursue, 
when he sees some choice fruit or grain 
assailed by a bevy of hungry birds. The 
conclusion of these investigations can be 
reached only by the slaughter of many 
species in all localities, and we venture to 
prophesy that the result will be, what any 
observing mind can a present see, that the 
birds are the farmer's greatest friends, not 
even excepting that much persecuted fam- 
ily, Raptores. 

English vs. American Taxidermists. 
BY WILLIAM T. HORNADAY. 
Mr. Montague Brown’s remarks on American 
taxidermy are so characteristically English they 
ought not excite the least surprise on this side of 
the water, and it is really a pity to advertise an 
obscure man and a very common place manual 
by noticing them. We have so long been accus- 
tomed to hearing everything American systemat- 
ically decried and sneered at by the English, we 
naturally expect them to take the same view of 
our taxidermy. 
In giving an opinion of American taxidermy, 
based on bird skins and magazine illustrations, 
Mr. Brown shows that he is writing on a subject 
he knows nothing at all about,—an eminently 
English way of treating American topics. It is 
merely his misfortune and not our fault that he 
has not been over here and seen some of our best 
productions. 
Until the English can form a perfectly har- 
monious and eminently successful national Socie- 
ty of Taxidermists with over one hundred active 
members, can hold three competitive exhibitions 
and publish three annual reports such as ours,— 
the like of all which has never been done in any 
other country, and probably never will be,—we 
can afford to let jealous foreigners say cf us what- 
ever they choose. Until they can surpass our 
best work, or produce work of their own which 
we cannot surpass, they are welcome to rank us 
wherever they please. Soon after the first exhi- 
bition of the Society of American Taxidermists, I 
addressed letters and printed documents to the 
leading taxidermists of England, inviting them to 
join us in an international exhibition. Not one 
