50 Bulletin of the 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



THE TAGGING OF BIRDS. 



Editor of the "Bulletin": 



The remarks on the above subject, made in a recent issue of the Bulletin 

 by Mr. Leon J. Cole, calls attention to some work that promises great possi- 

 bilities in the way of scientific returns. Very interesting awd valuable results 

 would undoubtedly accrue if young birds ,and as many old ones as possible, 

 were systematically tagged. Some work along these lines has been done 

 abroad and a little of it in this country. Professor Cooke has matured a 

 plan of this kind for observing the migrations of Chimney Swifts and the 

 winter movements of Blue-jays. His scheme, however, necessitates unusual 

 advantages and leisure, and so cannot be taken advantage of except by those 

 located under peculiarly favorable conditions. 



LINCOLN'S SPARROW 



{From Coufs' Key) 



If, however, each young bird the field workers of the country came across 

 were tagged and the older ones systematically trapped in the shrubbery of the 

 immediate neighborhood and treated in the same way the maximum amount 

 of results could be attained with the minimum amount of time and labor. 

 If even a few such birds should again turn up it would be well worth work- 

 ing for. 



The tags for large birds are easily decided upon. Those for smaller ones, 

 i. e., sparrows, etc., require more careful consideration. They must be light 

 and small so as not to hamper the bearer and strong enough to resist the 

 wear and tear, and of some inert substance that will not corrode, rust or 

 cause inflammations and sores. And with all this they must be large enough 

 to bear an inscription of some sort as a means of ready identification. 



I should suggest that aluminum bands be stamped with a number and bent 



