Bird-Lore's Eleventh Bird Census 



IT IS evident from the returns that interest in Bird-Lore's Annual Census 

 increases each year. We have before pointed out what appears to us to 

 be the value of a census of this kind; but it will not be out of place to 

 repeat our reasons for proposing it, and for giving space in Bird-Lore to 

 the returns. 



Primarily, acting through the spirit of competition, the census arouses 

 that personal interest which gives a new and more intimate point of view. 

 Every contributor to the census reads the returns from other observers with 

 far closer attention, and consequently with more lasting results, than if he 

 had not this personal view-point. The census is therefore of educational value. 

 Again, the census encourages exactness in methods of observing and record- 

 ing, and the conditions imposed emphasize the importance of accuracy. 



Further, while it is not for a moment supposed that the record of a few 

 hours' walk will give one a complete list of the winter birds of a certain local- 

 ity, it will more nearly do so at this season than at any other, while, as a matter 

 of fact, few species escape the man who knows his ground and just what parts 

 of it the birds of his locality are frequenting. It is, however, a series of censuses, 

 rather than the single census, which gives us a conception of the winter bird- 

 life of a given region, and tells us whether there has been an invasion of such 

 irregular species as Pine Grosbeaks, Crossbills or Redpolls. 



For example, the present census shows that Redpolls are present in unus- 

 ual numbers this year, while Crossbills are reported from only three localities. 



Other facts in distribution may be ascertained by summarizing and plot- 

 ting the returns for a given species. Thus it follows that the census, as a whole, 

 gathers value, cumulatively, as we compare the data of various years. How 

 eagerly we of today would scan a similar census made during the time of 

 Audubon! But this privilege of turning to past records, while denied to us, 

 we are bequeathing to others. 



Finally, if more reasons be needed, the census brings field workers into 

 touch with each other, and frequently leads to those associations which mean 

 so much to persons of kindred tastes. — F. M. C. 



London, Ontario (Hyde Park, Thames River and Cemeteries).^Dec. 24; 2.30 to 

 S P.M. Cloudy; about sixteen inches of snow; wind west, moderately strong; temp., 

 26°. American Merganser, 15; Crow, 57; Pine Grosbeak, 3; Junco, 3; Brown Creeper, 

 i; Chickadee, 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 10. Total, 7 species, 95 individuals. A 

 visiting Cardinal, here since November, was last seen on December iS.^C. G. Watson, 

 M. Dale and J. F. and E. W. Calvert. 



Millbrook, Ontario. — Dec. 24. Clear; fourteen inches of snow on ground; wind 

 southwest; temp., 30°. Pine Grosbeak, i; Snow Bunting, in many flocks and unusual 

 numbers on weedy hillside, extending for upwards of a mile, probably 1,600 birds; 

 Chickadee, 4. Total, 3 species, 1,605 individuals. — Sam Hunter. 



Clarendon, Vt. — Dec. 25; 10.30 a.m. to 1.45 p.m. Cloudy; snowed P.M., one foot 

 of snow on ground; wind southwest, light; temp., 18°. Ruffed Grouse, i; Hairy Wood- 



(.8) 



