192 THE OKNITHOLOGIST. 



A " Bird day " for America, on the same lines as the " Arbor Day," was 

 suggested some two years ago by Mr. C. A. Babcock, of Pennsylvania, and 

 approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its observance has again, 

 says " Natural Science," been pressed upon the attention of the National 

 Education Association, in a circular dated July 2, 1896, which points out 

 that the object of the Government is " to diffuse knowledge concerning our 

 native birds, and to arouse a more general interest in bird protection." It 

 is also stated that " one of the greatest benefits of Arbor Day is the senti- 

 ment and interest aroused in the subject of trees and in the broader study 

 of nature." As appeals to the humanity of woman are fruitless, and the 

 ignorance of the farmer is still deplorable, perhaps, the best means for the 

 preservation of feathered beings is to interest the young in birds in general, 

 stress being especially placed upon their more interesting habits, their foods, 

 and uses. The circular fully recognises the harm done to agriculture by 

 the "Scalp Act" of Pennsylvania, of 1885, and the uselessness of waging 

 war against noxious animals, because it almost invariably leads to the whole- 

 sale destruction of life, and the destruction therefore of many animals of 

 inestimable value to the agriculturalist. 



ADDITIONS TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S COLLECTION 

 DURING SEPTEMBER. 



One Carunculated Bell-bird (Chasmorhynchus niveus)* Guiana, purchased 

 (Parrot House) ; one Long-tailed Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis seneus) and 

 two Yellow-backed Whydah-bird (Coliopusser macrurus) $ $, W. Africa, 

 purchased (Western Aviary) ; two Lanner Falcons (Falco lanarius), E. 

 Europe, presented by W. Glyaes Bruty, Esq., (Eastern Aviary) ; one Glaucous 

 Gull (Larus glaucus), Franz-Joseph Land, presented by the Jackson-Harms- 

 worth Polar Expedition (Eastern Aviary) ; three Capoeira Partridges (Odonto- 

 phornsdentatus), 1 $ , 2 $, Brazil, purchased (Western Aviary) ; one Raven 

 (Corvus corax), British Isles, presented by O. L. Pegler, Esq. (Crows' Cages) ; 

 two Triangular- spotted Pigeons (Columba guinea), one White-backed 

 Pigeon (Columba leuconota) and two Half-collared Doves {Turtur semitor- 

 quatus), bred in the Menagerie (Western Aviary) ; one Two-wattled Casso- 

 wary (Casuarius bicaruncidus), Aroo Islands, deposited (Cassowaries' House) ; 

 one Naked-throated Bell-bird (Chasmorhynchus nudlcollis). Brazil, purchased 

 (Parrot House) ; one Nightingale (Daulias luscinia) S , British Isles, pur- 

 chased (Western Aviary) ; one Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco), British Isles, 



* New to the Collection. 



