28 The Wilson Bulletin. 



is one line of study, however, which was worked into a final re- 

 port, which needs further attention. That is the report upon the 

 Warhler Songs. Much has been learned about some of the spe- 

 cies not then known, and no doubt the interest which that report 

 awakened has led to a more general study of warbler songs than 

 ever before. We propose to pursue that study further, and solicit 

 notes from any person who has given the songs of the warblers 

 any attention. Select your own method of representation, and 

 give your own interpretation. The only caution which needs to 

 be given is to be certain that you know your bird before you re- 

 cord its song as certainly belonging to a certain species. Such 

 notes placed in the hands of the editor will be thankfully received 

 and given careful attention at once, and finally will be worked 

 into a revised edition of Warbler Song's. 



The present number of The Wilson Bulletin marks the be- 

 ginning of its ninth volume. Its pathway has not been strewn 

 with roses. Its beginning was small and worthy of little notice. 

 With the passing years it has grown into its own place as a maga- 

 zine of Ornithology with an individuality not shared by any other 

 bird magazine ever published. It has been the means by which 

 the Wilson Chapter has made known its steady policy of co-opera- 

 tion in the study of living birds, a policy which finds expression 

 in the many state organizations for the express purpose of care- 

 fully studying the birds of the state. We believe it is true that 

 these state organizations have grown out of the Wilson Chapter. 

 In entering upon the present year with the improvements which 

 this number shows, we believe that the influence of the Chapter's 

 work will find larger expression in a larger circulation, and will 

 so commend itself to those who have not thus far become ac- 

 quainted with our methods and results, that many will desire to 

 unite with us in this plan of study. Certainly it is worthy of the 

 careful consideration of every student of birds. The little each 

 one can do will count in the final result. 



Members and readers may begin to tire of the iteration and re- 

 iteration which the editor has indulged in about the necessity of 

 counting the birds in your region. A little thought will give 

 some idea of the great importance which a study, such as Mr. 

 Burns' "A Sectional Bird Census," is to the cause of Ornithology. 

 It forms the only true basis for an estimate of the birds inhabit- 

 ing any similar region. The possibilities which lie in the future 

 for determining the influence of changed environment, of the 

 adaptability of the bird to changes which are sure to come, and 

 all the problems which grow out of the whole question of the in- 



