Field Notes 347 



tific prodiK-tions of all kinds. iiRiiuliiig many in ornithology, were 

 printed abroad — usually In Germany; and the plates illustrating 

 them were engraved abroad — usually in Germany; while at the 

 present time, all of such work is being done in our own country. 

 This, in the end, may prove to be a great stimulation to American 

 science, including all the departments of biology. As it now stands 

 there is not money enough in aiu/ scientific institution in the United 

 States to publish even a small part of the material presented in 

 any particular instance. All of oiir great scientific institutions are 

 out of funds and almost helpless in the matter of passing into print 

 the results of the labors of men and women of science in this coun- 

 try. This is discouraging enough to those who are connected with 

 institutions where the publication of their work is taken as a mat- 

 ter of fact, while it is enough to drive the private researcher out 

 of his laboratory to seek other lines for his energy. 



In a second interesting letter received from Mr. Gurney, under 

 date of February 1st. liH.!, he sends me some very curious notes 

 on the effect of the heavy gun-tiring on certain sea-birds. 



" The naval fight in the Xortli Sea on the 24th was audible in 

 this country and Yorkshire. 



" The distant c(mcussion from the big guns had a curious effect 

 on Pheasants, which in some woods ad.ioining the coast are said to 

 be greatly perturlied. 



" In the same way thousands of screaming Gulls (Lams ridihiin- 

 dus, L. fiisciifi. and L. anioitatiis) were tremendously upset by the 

 so-called bombardment of Yarmouth, which by the way the Ger- 

 mans still persist in calling a fortified town. 



''Another strange feature has been the washing up of numerous 

 Guillemots, Razorbills and Scoter Ducks ( Cria troile, Alca tarda, 

 Oidemia nigra) in a more or less moribund condition. These birds 

 had come in contact with the oily petrol, w^hich appears to be thrown 

 off when a mine is discharged, and which rising to the surface, 

 adheres to their plumage." 



Faithfully yours, 



R. W. Shufeldt, 



Washington, D. C, January 17, 1915. 



