48 
THE WILSON BULLETIN — March, 1922 
COMMUNICATIONS 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Bureau of Biological Survey 
Washington, D. C., February 1, 1922. 
To the Editor of the “ Wilson Bulletin.” 
Dear Siu: — T he Biological Survey began in 1914 to collect data on 
the numerical distribution of bird life in the United States. By such 
information, which is gained through counts made by volunteer collabora- 
tors, of the birds breeding on selected areas, it is possible to gain some 
knowledge of the yearly fluctuations in bird life and of the effect the 
present State and Federal laws may have on the increase of game and 
insectivorus birds. During the earlier years we received a very gratify- 
ing response to our request for assistance, but during the war many per- 
sons were unable to continue the work and interest in it has seemed to 
wane. It is desirable that these counts should be repeated on a large 
scale through a period of years in order that adequate data may be ac- 
cumulated to make possible definite conclusions. Any one thoroughly 
familiar with the breeding birds of his vicinity can do this work, and 
will find it growing in interest from year to year. We are therefore again 
appealing to the readers of the “Wilson Bulletin” in the hope that all 
who are able to do so will make one or more bird counts this summer. 
The general plan of this work is to select a tract of land containing 
from 40 to 80 acres and representing as nearly as possible the average 
conditions for the vicinity. Some day during the height of the breeding 
season, this land should be carefully gone over in the early morning and 
the male birds counted, which at that season are usually in full song and 
may be considered each to represent a breeding pair. The result of this 
count should be checked subsequently to be sure that all birds counted 
nest within the selected area, and that none have been missed. The count 
should not be made until the spring migration is over and the birds are 
settled on their nesting grounds. In the latitude of Washington, D. C., 
the best time for the first count is about the first of June, in New Eng- 
land and the northern states probably about June 10, and south of Wash- 
ington during the latter part of May. 
Anyone who is willing to do this work is requested to send his name 
and address to the Biological Survey, Washington, D. C. Full directions 
for making a count and report blanks will be sent in time for plans to be 
made before the actual time for the field work. Since the Bureau has 
no funds with which to pay for this work, it must depend on the services 
of voluntary observers. 
An added impetus should be given to this work at the present time 
by the report that the British ornithologists are contemplating a census 
of the birds of the British Isles, planned along the same lines as our own. 
Very truly yours, 
E. W. Nelson, 
Chief, Biological Survey. 
