^40 
Editorial. 
gaged, is only alluded to as indicating the momentous time 
\vc have been passing through nnd live in. Some have given 
their lives others are maimed, and tliere will most probablv 
be many more casualties among our members before the end 
conies. Letters have reached us from the various fronts show- 
ing that even in the midst of such strenuous times and scenes 
they have not forgotten their connection with us, have even 
sent us notes of birds met with, in or near the firing line, 
notes of doings in their aviaries which ha\'(> reached them from 
home, and have urged those compelled to remain at home to 
keep things going, and to send them avicultural news as op- 
portunity offers. 
The secretary's report will appear elsewhere in this 
issue and these few lines will merely refer to the volume just 
completed. That it is worthy of its predecessors will, we 
think, be the opinion of all -in merit we venture to assert, 
that both as to interest of illustration and text, also in the 
variety of its contents, it will (ompare favourably with any 
that have gone before; moreover, the principles for which we 
stand — mutual help and encouragement in the keeping and 
breeding of all species of birds — have been fully maintained, 
and the year's work as to progress and practical usefulness has 
been fully up to past years. True, we have had less coloured 
plates than usual, but we are convinced all will agree in the 
wisdom of this; our half-tone illustrations, however, have been 
very numerous and of more than usual interest. Such a result 
amid these troublous times may surely be taken as a happy 
augury for the future. 
Quite a number of species have been bred for the lirst 
time, and two successes with species, which had been bred 
previously but not recorded, must be looked upon as notable 
events of the year, viz. : the breeding of Bearded Tits and 
Occipital Blue-Pies, and we must congratulate Drs. Lovell- 
Keays and Amsler upon these successes and their interesting 
records concerning them. Other noteworthy successes are: 
Mr. Willford's with the Melba I'mdi. and Mr. Shore-Baily 's 
with Weavers and Wliydahs. A full list ot breeding successes 
has already appeared. 
To all our contributors >vho have assisted in the com- 
