364 A Station for the. Study of Bird Life.


A STATION FOR THE STUDY OF BIRD LIFE.



Articles of Incorporation have just been drawn looking to

the establishment on a permanent foundation of the “ Worthing¬

ton Society for the Investigation of Bird Life.” The founder,

Mr. Charles C. Worthington, will erect and endow, on his estate

at Shawnee, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, the necessary

buildings and equipment.


The Worthington Society will have for its purpose the

consideration of bird life as it is found in nature, and will also

have many birds under confinement for study and experiment.


The following is a summary of the chief topics that will

present an immediate field for experimentation, which it is

proposed by the liberality of the foundation to make continuous

and exhaustive in the hope of reaching conclusive results.


I. The study and consideration of a bird as an individual.

It is believed that by means of observation carried

through the entire life of the individual, with a daily

record brief or elaborate as exigencies may require, much

will be learned regarding matters that are now obscure.

Facts, such as growth, habits, health, temper, etc.,

will be daily reported.


II. The study of the occurrence, extent, nature and cause of

variations in different representatives of the same species.


III. Changes in color and appearance correlating with age,

sex and season.


IV. Changes in colour and appearance due to light, heat,

presence or absence of moisture, and to food. How

rapid a change of appearance can be effected by a new

environment or a new set of conditions ?


V. Heredity. What general characteristics are transmitted ?

Are acquired characteristics transmitted ? The consid¬

eration of atavism, prepotency and telegony.


VI. Experiments in breeding. Hybridity and the fertility of

hybrids. The possibility of establishing a new physio¬

logical species.



