1893.] Editorials. 239 
former, and F in place of the latter. These reforms have been before 
the American public for many years, and their utility is self-evident. 
If the French Academy of Letters gives them the weight of its 
authority, we may hope to see them generally adopted. In anticipation - 
of such approval, the Revue Scientifique initiates the movement by 
writing “ fisiologie,” “ fisiognomie,” “ psichique,” “ilia,” ete. (Feb., 
1893, p. 175). The American Naturalist will follow the example of 
the Revue Scientifique so far as it can do so at present consistently with 
the liberty of action of contributors and other persons, whose preju- 
dices in favor of the old orthography it is necessary to respect. 
—It is to be hoped that the present severe Winter has materially 
reduced the number of English sparrows in this country. Some beney- 
olent persons have been feeding them, and no doubt have thus reduced 
the mortality to some extent. Suchy that their 
benevolence is misplaced, since they are sustaining the most active 
enemy of the farmer known among the feathered tribes.. It has been 
thoroughly proven that the English sparrow is not an insectivorous 
bird, but that it destroys great quantities of grain and fruit. It also 
drives away the insectivorous birds, thus doing double injury. It is 
not even ornamental, and the loss of the beautiful or melodious native 
species from our parks, which it has occasioned, is greatly to be regret- 
ted. 
` —THE Amertcan ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY occupies a room in 
the hall of the Academy of Natural Sciencesof Philadelphia. Anxiety 
has been expressed by some of. the members of the former lest they be 
compelled to vacate their quarters in the Academy Building. On the 
other hand some of the members of the Academy have expressed some 
fear lest the Entomological Soeiety. vacate voluntarily. Under the 
circumstances it would seem that both parties have the same object in 
view. This being the case, cooperation and mutual admiration must be 
the result, and the satisfaction of both parties be guaranteed. 
