1884.] Zoölogy. 311 
storms, gales of wind, protracted periods of unusually high or 
low temperature (for the locality and time of year) are among the 
upon the movements of birds. The opening of the leaves and 
the flowering of certain plants, with the correlative appearance of 
a multitude of insects, are also among the actors that have to do 
with the abundance of many species. Hence the careful regis- 
tration of certain meteorological phenomena, and of the state of 
advancing vegetation from day to day, will constitute prominent 
ems in the record books of the observer. 
For the purpose of rendering the result of the season’s work 
as full and valuable as possible, the committee earnestly solicits 
the codperation of every ornithologist, field-collector, sportsman 
and observer of nature in North America. Indeed, a large corps 
of observers is absolutely essential to the success of the under- 
taking, and the committee hopes to receive substantial aid from 
many who profess no knowledge of ornithology. Efficient ser- 
vice can be rendered by those familiar with only our commonest 
birds, and the committee will gladly accept data concerning any 
` Of the following well-known species : 
Robin, mocking bird, catbird, brown thrasher, bluebird, house 
Wren, yellow-rumped warbler (myrtle bird), yellow-breasted chat, 
edstart, Maryland yellow-throat, cedarbird (waxwing, cherry- 
bird), purple martin, barn swallow (fork-tailed), violet-green swal- 
d 
Stosbeak, indigo bird, bobolink (ricebird), cowbird, yellow-headed 
blackbir i 
the the enormous m 
Joint labors of this army of field workers, it has been deemed 
"When 
first heard, 
"When first seen, 
