THE OOLOGIST. 



279 



high trees, and it, like other members 

 of the family, migrates lai'gely at night. 

 One was brought to me which had been 

 killed at night by flying against the 

 electric light in the city. 



After July 1st it is unusual to see a 

 specimen as thej - are so careful to con- 

 ceal their movements. I know nothing 

 about the time of their departure. 

 This is an elegant bird; vivacious and 

 most-interesting. 



Morris Gibbs. 



Oology vs- Philately. 



I am going to give the definitions of 

 Oology and Philately, so as to illustrate 

 that stamp collecting is simply collect- 

 ing and amassing bits of paper, and 

 Oology is the collecting and studying of 

 something higher, but shall look to a 

 more correct authority (on these spec- 

 ial subjects) than Webster, and for Ool- 

 ogy I know of no better definition than 

 given by "Eugene Pericles" in his admir- 

 able article in the December Oologist, 

 which is as follows: "Oology is a 

 branch of Ornithology." And he goe» 

 on to state the difference between the 

 true and the sham study, etc., (you 

 should read the piece) and may I add to 

 his definition, a most interesting man- 

 ner of studying Nature and her feath- 

 ered creatures. 



Philately, as defined by the Century 

 Dictionary, is the fancy for collecting 

 and classifying postage stamps and 

 revenue stamps as objects of curiosity; 

 also the occupation of making such 

 collection. The above definitions are 

 acknowledged to be correct by the best 

 authorities on such subjects. 



Oology may not be a great and glor- 

 ious occupation; it may not entitle any- 

 one to very great praise and distinc- 

 tion who have followed it as long and 

 devotedly as I have; but the true pleas- 

 ure, the pleasant moments and exhilir- 

 ation amply pay me for any praise or 

 distinction that I may have lost by my 



study of Nature, her birds and their 

 eggs. Oology is an education itself. 

 All true Oologists are close observers of 

 what goes on around and about them, 

 acute observers of nice distinctions, 

 careful' obsei-vers of things that are 

 rare and all these insensibly inculcates 

 habits of study, which are in themselves 

 of immense value. And boys, they are 

 requisites of a successful business man. 

 And everyone will admit upon reflec- 

 tion that it has developed faculties with- 

 in himself that have aided and influ- 

 enced his after life. I am, therefore, a 

 warrn advocate of the study of Oology. 

 The devotees are not in as many num- 

 bers as those of Philately. The latter 

 number over one million. We are, 

 however, brave and true in spirit. 



Philately is simply a fancy for collect- 

 ing, this is acknowledged by their best 

 writers, and is not a deep love as in 

 Oology. It is engaged in by. curious 

 people and not by the careful and stud- 

 ious persons who pursue the study of 

 Oology. Philately is easily taktn up- 

 as soon dropped— and of very little im- 

 portance. Stamps are engraved and 

 made by man; but each bird and egg is 

 a fitting representative of Nature's 

 greatness. 



Some writers contend that stamp col- 

 lecting relieves the mind from business 

 and other cares; it does to a certain ex-~ 

 tent, but as the pastime is pursued in- 

 doors, it does not relieve the mind 

 body and soul, give any exercise as 

 tramps in the midst of forests. 



If you are a stamp collector, or stand 

 dabbling one hand in Oology and the 

 other in Philately, my earnest advice is 

 to exchange or do away with your 

 stamps, even if you have to do it at a 

 sacrifice, for some good well identified 

 eggs to begin a collection, and the 

 study of Oology, or if you already have 

 a collection of eggs then add to it. 



Also study the birds of your locality, 

 their habits and eggs; keep eyes, ears 

 and note-book open; and last but 



