A Conference with Our Readers 



THE RESULTS 



THE results of the 'Conference with our Readers,' called for 

 in the last issue of Bird-Lore, are most gratifying. The vote 

 in favor of an increase in subscription price, rather than a 

 decrease in the size of the magazine, is practically unanimous. 

 But, greatly to our surprise, a large proportion of the voters urge 

 an increase, not from one dollar to one dollar and a half, but to 

 two dollars annually, while many declare that they will not be 

 without Bird-Lore at any price! 



An increase to two dollars we cannot seriously consider. From 

 the beginning it has been the aim of those responsible for the 

 policy of Bird-Lore to produce the magazine at the lowest possible 

 cost and to increase its size as rapidly as the returns from sub- 

 scribers permitted. Thus, the magazine has grown from a yearly 

 volume of somewhat less than 250 pages and no colored plates, to 

 one of over 500 pages and a dozen colored plates without increase 

 in the subscription price. 



It was our plan to continue to enlarge the magazine to the limit 

 of the purchasing power of one dollar, when, as explained in our 

 last issue, we were confronted by increased manufacturing charges 

 due chiefly to the higher cost of labor and of paper. As a result 

 we have had to decide whether to raise Bird-Lore's subscription 

 rate or reduce its size. 



Reduction in size meant the abandonment of plans for the 

 magazine's betterment and the rejection of many valuable con- 

 tributions. The unanimous vote to increase the price is, therefore, 

 welcome, not alone as a practical estimate of Bird-Lore's value, 

 but also because, in conforming to the expressed wishes of our 

 readers, we shall now be permitted to carry out our plans for the 

 magazine's improvement and, we trust, enlargement. 



This, however, can be done only by retaining our present sub- 

 scription list. Our enthusiastic readers who have urged us so 

 emphatically to maintain our highest standards at whatever cost, 

 must realize that there are many subscribers to whom, in these 

 troubled financial times, an increase of even fifty cents a year in 

 the price of Bird-Lore may be the factor which will prevent a 

 renewal of their subscriptions. We hope, therefore, that our 

 supporters will not only vote for a larger Bird-Lore but will 



