208 



OROTTHOLOGIST 



[Yol. 12-:N'o. 12 



The writer desires to separate himself from 

 that editorial " we '' so often the shield of per- 

 sonalities, and glance backward for a brief 

 moment. The course of this magazine has 

 been different from that of the previous 5'ear, 

 but no visible appreciation has been extended 

 to it by those whom its remarks appeared to 

 offend in volume XI, which was a fulfillment of 

 the prophecj' made at the commencement of 

 the 3ear. It is much regretted that some plans 

 have failed. Dr. Le Moyne lias not been heard 

 from since a letter dated June 24th at La Place, 

 and consequently his articles which promised to 

 be of much interest, have been lost. The in- 

 tended serial, on the composition of nests, has 

 pi'oven to be an undertaking of more magni- 

 tude than first supposed, which greatly delays 

 the author. Its appearance, however, is only a 

 matter of time. 



The acknowledgement of the faithful and ef- 

 ficient assistaniie rendered by my associate, the 

 Oological editor, is freely tendered, and can 

 but faintly show my appreciation of his untir- 

 ing labors in the interests of this journal. " His 

 has often proven the better half," is a true ren- 

 dering of an old quotation, as applied to his 

 work. To the gentleman, who, on the part of 

 the Bristol Ornithological Club, edited some 

 valuable papers, due credit should be given, 

 and it is with deep regret that a possible sep- 

 aration is contemplated. In fact, the work of 

 the writer is scarcely visible, and he hastens to 

 excuse himself from too severe criticism by a 

 plea, which if seen by the reader, would relieve 

 him of all censure, but which tersely stated is 

 a lack of time and demands of an imperative 

 business. 



F. H. Carpenter. 



The movement initiated bj^ the American As- 

 sociation for the Advancement of Science, to 

 erect a monument to the memory of Audubon, 

 has, we are pleased to say, taken definite form. 

 A connnittee has been appointed at a recent 

 meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences, 

 consisting of Prof. Thomas Egleston, of School 

 of jNIines, as chairman. Prof. Daniel Martin, of 

 Kutgers Female College, and Dr. N. L. Brittou, 

 of Columbia College. The latter gentleman 

 was chosen secretary and treasurer, and is now 

 ready to receive any subscriptions which may 

 be forwarded him. 



The simple mention of the above fact should 

 suffice to draw ready contributions from all 

 classes of naturalists, to forward the object in 

 view. 



A New Publication. 



It will not be out of place, even in a strictly 

 ornithological magazine, to mention a forthcom- 

 ing work on the fishes of North America, by 

 Mr. Wm. E. Harris, editor of the American 

 Angler. From the prospectus, we learn that 

 the publication is to be issued in monthly 

 parts, on heavy plate paper, and will consist of 

 at least forty parts, containing portraits of 

 eighty or more fishes, printed on heavy card 

 board. An extiemely valuable feature of the 

 work is its originality ; the plates being copies 

 of life sketches by artists who accompanied the 

 author and transferred to canvss the results of 

 his sport. The name of the author should be a 

 sufficient guarantee of the scientific value of 

 the work. 



Publications Received. 



American Naturalist. 



Book Chat. 



Forest and Stream. 



Open Court. 



Scientific American. 



Trans. N. Y. Acad, of Sciences. 



West American Scientist. 



Errata. 



No 3, page 33; "a common nesting place" 

 should read a common resting place. 



Page 34, "Tree Sparrow" should read Tree 

 Swallow. 



No. 9, page 145; Tardus mustelinus should 

 read Turdus var puUise. 



No. 11, page 185; cetiva should read (estiva in 

 numerous instances. 



Page 188, "Second of these birds ever seen" 

 should read several of these birds were seen. 

 Manj^ errors are visible in the scientific names, 

 but none but what are recognizable as mere 

 typographical errors and will not prove mis- 

 leading statements. 



NOTICE. 



Various complaints having been made in re- 

 gard to the reliabilitjf of advertisers, the pub- 

 lisher would hereby acknowledge the receipt 

 of the same, but must decline to take any fur- 

 ther notice of the matter unless postive proof 

 be produced. Pecent frauds are not confined 

 to regular dealers, and in some cases are shield- 

 ed l>y parties loud in their denunciations of cer- 

 tain advertisers. 



Frank B. Webster. 



