24 



THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 



rear their young in. The reason for this is, I 

 think, not known; but considering the restless 

 disposition of these birds it is probable that they 

 become dissatisfied with one nest before it is 

 finished and immediately set to work and build, 

 or rather weave, another. I do not think there 

 are any other North American birds that have 

 this habit. 



The marsh wrens are bright, sprightly little fel- 

 lows doing much to relieve the monotony of a 

 dreary swamp. Their interesting habits make 

 them the friends ot every naturalist except, per- 

 haps a few unlucky oologists, who, when attempt 

 ing to secure a few of the wrens eggs have got 

 a good ducking instead. 



AN OPEN LETTER. 



TO THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS SAMPLE COPY. 



Dear Reader, — 



You have before you one of 

 the best and cheapest magazines, published 

 Best, as to the contents; cheapest, as to the 

 price. The Articles are not printed merely to 

 fill up; they are valuable. Can you not get 

 twenty cents worth of information out of a year's 

 subscription ? We are continually seaching for 

 writers who can make the magazine better and, 

 also, have on hand many bright and interesting 

 articles for future numbers. If you want a 

 first-class magazine devoted to your interests 

 subscribe for this and you will never regret it. 

 Very truly yours, 



Joseph E. Blain. 



TO ADVERTISERS. 



With the next number this magazine will don 

 a colored cover, and as a special inducement to 

 advertisers, we will, for one month, take adver- 

 tisements at much lower rates than usual. In 

 February we received three times as many sub- 

 scriptions as in the preceeding month and we ex- 

 pect the increase this month to be corresponding- 

 ly heavy. Advertise with us and if you do not 

 make money it will not be our fault. Send 

 copy for estimate or write for terms. 



We have not a single copy of the January 

 issue remaining; this will explain our failure to 

 send copies to ma.ny who asked for them. For 

 a short time we can begin subscriptions with 

 the February number if so desired. 



THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 



DANBURV, CONN. 



Under the editorial management of C. C. Max- 

 field; Danbury, Conn, and Lynds Jones, 

 5 Elm Street, Oberlin, Ohio. 



All correspondence relative to the business of 

 the Wilson Ornithological Chapter should be 

 sent to Mr. Jones. All other correspondence, 

 remittances, MSS., etc., should be sent to C. C. 

 Maxfield, Box 224, Danbury, Conn. 



No. I of Vol. Ill will appear about April 15, 

 1 89 1. No. 2 will be issued about October 15, 

 1 89 1. The whole edition will be the same style 

 as the best edition of its predecessor, the O. &0. 

 Semi-Annual, and will be sold at a uniform price 

 of 35 cents per copy. Remittances should be 

 made by postal note, registered letter or P. O. 

 money order. Postage stamps not accepted. 



A limited number of unobjectionable advertise- 

 ments will be accepted at the following low rates : 

 Full page, $5; half page, $3; quarter page $1.50. 

 Rates being so low, no advertisement for less 

 than quarter page will be taken. 



ADVANCED COLLECTORS ! 



As I wish to devote all my time to Mineral col- 

 lecting, I am disposing of my large collection of 

 first-class bird's eggs, in sets with data, very 

 cheap, for cash. Send for list. 

 N. R. Christie, - Rye Patch, Nevada. 



— : NATURALISTS :— 



Send for copy of my Directory, the neatest 

 ever compiled- Price ten cents. The second 

 issue will be published on September first. It 

 will be no cheap thing, but will contain names 

 of all the leading collectors in America. Names 

 free and will be received now. Send for pam- 

 phlet; you will profit by it. Naturalists' guide, 

 price twenty-five cents, is a boon to collectors. 



JAMES HILL, 

 Box 125, - - Edinburg, 111. 



Minerals, Indian Relics, Stamps, Bird's Eggs, 

 Curiosities, etc. Large Price list free. 

 W. P. & F. M. ARNOLD, 



Shannock, R. I. 



