364 Bird - Lore 



Bird clubs taking part in the census are requested to compile the various 

 lists obtained by their members, and send the result as one census, with a 

 statement of the number of separate ones it embraces. It should be signed by 

 all the observers who have contributed to it. When two or more names are 

 signed to a list, it should be stated whether the observers hunted together or 

 separately. Only censuses that cover areas that are contiguous and with a 

 total diameter not exceeding fifteen miles should be combined into one census. 



Each unusual record should be accompanied by a brief statement as to 

 the identification. When such a record occurs in the combined list of parties 

 that hunted separately, the names of those responsible for the record should 

 be given. 



Reference to the February numbers of Bird-Lore, 1901-1916, will acquaint 

 one with the nature of the report that we desire, but to those to whom none of 

 these issues is available, we may explain that such reports should be headed by 

 a brief statement of the character of the weather, whether clear, cloudy, rainy, 

 etc. ; whether the ground is bare or snow-covered, the direction and force of the 

 wind, the temperature at the time of starting, the hour of starting and of 

 returning. Then should be given, in the order of the A. O. U. 'Check-List' 

 (which is followed by most standard bird-books) , a list of the species seen, with 

 exactly, or approximately, the number of individuals of each species recorded. 

 A record should read, therefore, somewhat as follows: 



Yonkers, N. Y., 8 a. m. to 12 m. Clear; ground bare; wind west, light; temp., 38°. 

 Herring Gull, 75. Total — species — individuals.^jAMES Gates. 



These records will be published in the February issue of Bird-Lore, and 

 it is particularly requested that they be sent the editor (at the American 

 Museum of Natural History, New York City) by the first possible mail. It 

 will save the Editor much clerical labor if the model here given and the order of the 

 A.O. U. 'Check-List^ be closely followed. 



