76 Bulletin No. 17. 



and cat-tails, along with the Yellow-headed Blackbird, which are met with 

 at almost every step. But many of the wren's nests were just finished 

 or contained only partial sets. 



Along the edges of the sloughs, the Tree Swallow nests abundantly in 

 old holes of Downy Woodpeckers or Flickers, from five to seven eggs 

 being laid ; but rarely over five, which is the average set. 



Walton I. Mitchell, -5"/. Paul, Minn. 



COMMITTEE ON GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, 



" And now comes the dull season" sighs many an ornithologist, as he 

 lays by his field-glasses and note-book and prepares to go into winter 

 quarters. But this thing need not be. Winter is the best time to begin 

 the work on the local bird ce?isus. At this time of the year the bird 

 population of any given area may be not only estimated but counted 

 with reasonable accuracy. Our editor has kindly consented to give space 

 to census reports in the February Bulletin. Let each of our members 

 who can possibly afford the time, put in a day or two, this coming holi- 

 day vacation, taking the census of all the birds found in their village, or 

 on the farm, or, if in the city, in the neighboring park. 



Some of our northern members will be surprised at the number of 

 Woodpeckers, Kinglets, Chickadees and foolhardy Robins which a syste- 

 matic search will discover. List every individual and send the result, 

 together with a brief description of the area examined and such remarks 

 as occur to you, to the chairman of the committee. Such reports as are 

 available for immediate publication will appear in the February Bulle- 

 tin, and "the rest will be retained (with permission) as a nucleus for more 

 extended work. 



W. L. Dawson, Oberlin, O. 



ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



An unofficial note from Mr. Frank L. Burns. Judge of Elections, an- 

 nounces the election of the following officers : 

 President. — R. M. Strong, Lake Forest, 111. 

 Vice-President .— N . Hollister, Delavan, Wis. 

 Secretary. — W. L. Dawson, Oberlin, Ohio. 

 Treasurer. — Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. 



