~ 
102 THE CONDOR 
other ducks drop in from time to time. 
Vol. XXIV 
Of rarer species I have seen one Black Tern 
(Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis), a young bird in first year plumage, the Wilson 
Phalarope (Steganopus tricolor) and Northern Phalarope (Lobipes lobatus), and one 
Least Sandpiper (Pisobia minutilla). 
often seen about the edge of the reservoir. 
mon in the ploughed fields. 
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) is 
The Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus) is com- 
I have seen both the Anthony Green Heron (Butorides 
virescens anthonyi) and the Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nae- 
vius) hereabouts.—R. A. BRAMKAMP, Banning, California, December 21, 1921. 
EDITORIAL NOTES AND NEWS 
Many years ago one-of our foremost or- 
nithologists claimed a certain species of bird 
as “his own’, because, while it had been 
named by another man, he, himself, was first 
able to give a satisfactory description of the 
species. We can smile at the “claim”, per- 
haps; today we disallow it. Of the valid 
credit he acquired by information given out 
regarding this species and many others, 
there is no question, The incident seems 
amusing now, in the general acceptance of 
uniform nomenclatural rules, but the lesson 
conveyed may still be read. To claim “cred- 
it’ or “priority” will not secure it; it comes 
unsought if it is deserved. It is a matter of 
congratulation that ornithology today is 
practically free from bickering and jealousy 
between individuals, and that as a rule a 
spirit of mutual helpfulness prevails. 
An immensely useful feature of our con- 
temporary magazine Bird-Lore is the School] 
Department which is conducted under the 
auspices of the National Association of Au- 
dubon Societies. Dr. Arthur A. Allen of 
Cornell University is editor of this depart- 
ment. As is to be expected under Dr. Al- 
len’s editorship, the material presented is 
well chosen, rigidly authentic, and couched 
in sober language. The educational func- 
tion of the Audubon Societies, thus _ per- 
formed, is an exceedingly worthy one. 
In The Ibis for April, 1922, Mr. J. H. Gur- 
ney writes ‘‘on the sense of smell possessed 
by birds’, an article that is well worth 
reading. Details of observations made far 
and wide, on various species of birds, by 
many different people, are brought together, 
as well as arguments, for and against, in 
the disputed question of whether or not the 
sense of smell is used by birds in their 
search for food, or for other ends. While it 
is well for any ornithologist to have a grasp 
of what has been done in this field, still an 
elaborate resume of opinions and controver- 
sies (perhaps the major part of the litera- 
ture on this subject) together with such ob- 
viously inadequate, frequently accidental, 
“experiments” as compose most of the re- 
corded observations, should be no more than 
a preliminary to studies of a more conclus- 
ive nature. 
Here, again, is a field for those who, dis- 
liking to kill birds, still wish to make some 
substantial contribution to ornithology. To 
carry on the discussion on the basis of the 
disputed observations so far placed on rec- 
ord, is to put ornithologists in the same 
class as certain clerical disputants of the 
Middle Ages, whose serious activities are 
now an unfailing subject of humor, discuss- 
ing heatedly, for example, the number of 
legs possessed by a fly, without descending 
to the vulgar expedient of counting them. 
To carry on a series of experiments here 
in California, and experiments that should 
be conclusive, would seem to be a simple 
matter for anyone with a little time to de- 
vote to the subject. The Turkey Vulture, 
an obvious subject for such experimenta- 
tion, is abundant throughout most of Cali- 
fornia. It would take but little ingenuity 
to devise and carry out a series of observa- 
tions upon the habits of this species, based 
perhaps upon baits, concealed and other- 
wise, the results of which would explain at 
least the method by which this bird discov- 
ers its food. Furthermore, such experiments 
could be conducted without offending even 
the most rabid bird protectionist or anti- 
animal-experimentalist—without the need 
even of such official permits as are called 
for in the banding of birds. 
The ornithologists of Washington, D. C., 
met at the home of Mr. B. H. Swales, 2921 
Albemarle St., Chevy Chase, D. C., on March 
14, 1922, and organized an ornithological 
club to be known as the Baird Club, in honor 
of Prof. Spencer F'. Baird. Dr. A. K. Fisher 
was elected President, Mr. Robert Ridgway, 
Honorary President, Mr. Ned Hollister, Vice 
President, and Mr. B. H. Swales, Secretary. 
The membership of the club is restricted to 
those primarily interested in birds. Meet- 
ings will be held monthly at the members’ 
homes, for more or less informal social in- 
tercourse. 
The Cooper Prize in Ornithology ($50.00), 
offered at the University of California for 
the best essay on any topic concerned with 
birds, has been won by Mr. Robert C. Mil- 
ler. His thesis, “A Study of the Flight of 
Sea Gulls”, was unanimously chosen by the 
