-^W^Jiltan Itii^; 



"Bird- Lore's Council Table 



BIRD-LORE'S readers are Bird-Lore's partners. The maga- 

 zine, as we have often stated to them, is not a commercial 

 enterprise, but a cooperative undertaking, and is pubhshed 

 in their interests. When, some years ago, conditions arose which 

 made it necessary either to increase Bird Lore's price or reduce its 

 size, we cahed a conference of our supporters and laid the case 

 before them. The vote was unammously in favor of the first- 

 named alternative, and the price was raised from $i to $1.50 a 

 year. This step was taken against our will and with a hope that 

 a decrease in manufacturing costs would in time permit us to 

 return to our former subscription rate. 



But, unfortunately, the worst was yet to come! Shortly before 

 publication of our last number we received a bill for paper. A few 

 years ago it would have amounted to $1,700; as a matter of fact 

 it was for somewhat over $5,400 ! In other words, paper for which 

 we formerly paid 5^ cents a pound had risen to 17^ cents a 

 pound; and since the bill for paper amounts to one-third 

 the total cost of publishing Bird-Lore, it is clear that we are 

 again confronted by a condition which can be met only by a 

 larger subscription price or a smaller magazine. On this 

 occasion, however, we propose merely to lay the case before 

 our readers and to act without awaiting their advice, confident 

 that they will approve our course as, at least for the present, 

 the proper one. 



We are opposed to a further increase in the price of Bird- Lore 

 and believe that if, so to speak, we reef our sails for a time, we 

 can weather the storm. The signs of the times point to decreased 

 manufacturing charges. 



Paper has already fallen from ij^i to 15 cents per pound. 

 This is still a long way from 5^ cents, but it is much better 

 than 20 cents ! 



Let us hope, therefore, for a further reduction in price. Mean- 

 while we are sure our readers will appreciate the need for economy 

 in space and accept a smaller magazine. If the autumn brings 

 no relief we will again lay the case before them and seek their 

 council. 



