wise just at present to publish a full list, either of contributions or of contributors. Some of ou r 

 members have been subjected to a senseless criticism on account of their generosity, and others 

 fear it. The upshot will probably be that we shall have to conduct a certain amount of our 

 business behind closed doors — "For Members only." 



The quality of the member contributions has been, almost without exception, above criti- 

 cism. Our members take a pride in giving of their best to the common storehouse. Very much 

 to our delight, several members who do not collect nests for themselves have developed a dis- 

 criminating taste in the selection of nests for export. Confessing that they lack room in their 

 own cabinets, they pass on the good things which are too good to waste. This is as it should be. 

 We are "bears" for nests with all the fluff and stringers thereto appertaining, — nests in situ, 

 or at least so generously translated that they appear to be still in situ when they repose in our 

 drawers. One word of kindly caution. Although we have been sorely tempted (and have some- 

 times fallen) this past year, we do not care for empty nests. Give us the eggs with the nest, or 

 else turn the whole exhibit over to some one who needs it more than we do. A nest whose eggs 

 have been bestowed elsewhere is like the proverbial apple pie without cheese; or, to follow the 

 jingle out, like a squeeze without its kisses. 



"THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA" 



As we go to press it is not yet possible to make final announcement regarding the publication 

 of "The Birds of California." It is understood, however, that the underwriter's agents are 

 preparing revised estimates with a view to bringing the work out as a whole, instead of in parts; 

 and that it will appear at the earliest possible date consistent with good workmanship. The 

 initial parts, of 64 pages each, of this long-promised work appeared in March. The welcome accord- 

 ed these trial issues was most enthusiastic and appreciative, and seems to fully warrant the con- 

 templated outlay of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It became clear to the publishers, 

 however, that a return to the single delivery plan would be most satisfactory all around. In 

 all probability, then, the illustrative equipment of "The Birds of California" will be fully assembled 

 before the work resumes press ; and the press work will be condensed into a six-months' period 

 instead of the two-years-and-a-half which the serial method would have required. 



SINGLES 



Friends have called the editorial attention to a regrettable and inexcusable error appearing 

 on page 31 of the last issue of the Journal, where we refer to "their Majesties Albert and Mary 

 King and Queen of the Belgians." "It should be Elizabeth." Why, of course! We knew that. 

 But what a bore! And it was not exactly our democratic aloofness which was at fault either. 

 The associational wires got crossed; that's all. Our humblest apologies are hereby tendered to 

 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Belgium. 



Nothing pleases the management of the M. C. O. better than to welcome the young folks 

 of the city schools year by year, and to instruct them in bird-lore. The annual pilgrimage of 

 the Santa Barbara High School is an established function — virtually a part of the curriculum. 

 Yesterday we entertained fifty of these high school students in two sections; and later in the 

 afternoon received a delegation of twenty-five embryo teachers from the normal school. To 

 see the alert intelligence and the pleased interest of these young folks is an incentive as well as 

 a reward to the ornithological heart. We can only wonder why this thing hasn't been done 

 before — and often. 



In the death of the Honorable John Lewis Childs, of Floral Park, New York, on the 5th of 

 March, western ornithology loses a devoted patron, and oology one of its most prominent figures. 

 While Mr. Childs had little interest in technical ornithology, and little time to spend afield away 

 from his business, which was that of a wholesale seedsman and florist, he nevertheless built up 

 a fine ornithological library, and a collection of birds' eggs which, from the standpoint of complete- 

 ness of representation of the "A. 0. U." species, probably ranked second in America. For many 

 years Mr. Childs had made a practice of spending a month or two each winter in and about Los 

 Angeles, and his presence was always eagerly welcomed in ornithological circles. He made two 

 pleasant visits to the Museum of Comparative Oology, one in 1920, and had hinted, rather broad- 

 ly, of a deeper interest. However, we shall miss the man more than we shall ever miss his eggs, 

 for he was a genial soul, simple and child-like in his affections, appreciative, and a bit lonesome 

 withal, like a man who would fain have lingered in a pleasant garden with a friend, rather than 

 wrestle with the absorbing business tasks to which he had devoted such capable energies. 



Our departed friend will pardon a little moralizing, we know. It is not in criticism, but in 

 wistfulness and in sorrow that we remind ourselves that here was another man who had been 

 getting ready to enjoy life after the fashion of his secret dreams, to relax, to listen to the birds, 

 and to revel in his accumulated treasures. But when his stake was made, when the stern disci- 



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