Michigan Ornithological Club 29 



AN ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING BIRD DISTRIBUTION. 



Field ornithology will interest a greater number of the members of the 

 Michigan Ornithological Club than any other aspect of bird study. This will 

 be also, without doubt, its greatest field of usefulness. The extensive collec- 

 tions and libraries which are necessary for taxonomic and anatomical studies 

 are beyond the reach of most of us. To know our limitations is one of the 

 first conditions for determining what we should avoid, and at the same time 

 what we may reasonably expect to accomplish. General aims are all very well 

 in their proper places, but when it comes to practical concrete work a limited 

 and definite aim is necessary. The Committee on Geographical Distribution 

 of the Club has therefore decided to recommend that all the members of the 

 Club make accurate and detailed notes for this season on the following birds : 



Brown Thrasher Baltimore Oriole 



Screech Owl Orchard Oriole 



Towhee Humming Bird. 



Full data regarding the following points is desired: Date of spring 

 arrival, when first abundant, length of breeding season, date of fall departure, 

 and relative abundance. In some cases an exact count can be made of the 

 number of individuals observed. With regard to the Screech Owl it is 

 especially important to record the exact number, and the color of each indi- 

 vidual, whether red or gray, in order that the relative abundance of these 

 two forms may be determined. The collection of this data is to be consid- 

 ered of primary importance. In addition to this work all members, in Mich- 

 igan especially, are also urged to work up their local list. Migration blanks 

 will be furnished to all members on application to the Secretary of the Club. 

 At the end of the season this data is to be sent to the Chairman at the 

 address given below. This data will then be prepared for publication by the 

 Committee and full credit will be given to each person for all data received. 



Chas. C. Adams. 



Museum, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. 



MINUTES OF CLUB MEETINGS. 



In response to a circular letter sent out by Alex. W. Blain, Jr., the 

 Michigan Ornithological Club was reorganized February 13th, 1903, at Mr. 

 Blain's residence, 131 Elmwood Ave., Detroit. Mr. Blain was appointed 

 Chairman of meeting and B. H. Swales, Temporary Secretary. 



The officers were elected as folows : A. B. Covert, of Ann Arbor, Presi 

 dent; Dr. P. E. Moody, of Detroit, Vice-President; B. H. Swales, of De- 

 troit, Secretary-Treasurer, and A. W. Blain, Jr., Editor and Business Manager. 



Discussion followed on the Club publication and it was decided to con- 

 tinue the former "Bulletin." The annual dues were made one dollar, includ- 

 ing the club organ. 



A Committee on Bird Protection was elected as follows : E. Arnold, 

 of Battle Creek, Chairman; Prof. Walter B. Barrows, of the Agricultural 

 College, J. B. Purdy, of Plymouth, and Wm. Dutcher, of New York City. 



Chas. C. Adams, N. A. Wood and A. B. Covert were appointed a com- 

 mittee to revise the constitution. 



A letter was read from T. F. Mcllwraith announcing the death of his 

 father, Thomas Mcllwraith, one of the oldest ornithologists of the Great Lake 

 Region, 



