Bird Banding Department 
41 
Biological Survey in Washington was represented by Major E. A. Gold- 
man, who spoke of the Bureau’s plans in connection with the movement, 
strongly endorsing the organization of the new association and recom- 
mending the formation of other organizations of the same character at 
appropriate localities in the United States and Canada. 
Members of Audubon Societies and Bird Clubs in several states, the 
Nuttall and Essex County Ornithological Clubs and State ornithologists 
were present at the meeting, as well as representatives of the Canadian 
game warden service. 
At this writing, January 24th, 1922, the association has an enroll- 
ment of about three hundred members, who are scattered over all parts 
of the territory covered by the organization, namely. New England, Que- 
bec and the Maritime Provinces. 
The following officers and councillors were elected: 
President — Edward H. Porbush, Westboro, Mass. 
First Vice-President — Dr. Charles W. Townsend, Boston, Mass. 
Second Vice-President — James Mackaye, Cambridge, Mass. 
Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer — Laurence B. Fletcher, Brook- 
line, Mass. 
Recording Secretary — Miss Alice B. Harrington, Lincoln, Mass. 
COUNCILLORS 
A. Cleveland Bent, Tauton, Miss. 
Dr. John C. Phillips, Wenharn, Mass. 
John E. Thayer, Lancaster, Mass. 
William P. Wharton, Groton, Mass. 
Aaron C. Bagg, Holyoke, Mass. 
Charles L. Whittle, Cambridge, Mass. 
It may be of interest to ornithologists generally to read an outline 
of the purposes and plans of the new association, which has been formed 
under the stimuli furnished by the national movement administered by 
the Bureau of Biological Survey; by the more general appreciation of 
the scientific aspects of bird banding as shown, in particular, by Mr. 
Baldwin’s recent work; and by the interesting and valuable data already 
obtained by previous bird-banding operations. 
In the beginning it was felt that the somewhat disappointing results 
secured from banding in the United States to date were due to the work- 
ers being too scattered and uncoordinated; to a lack of national support 
of the plan, and the too general character of the ornithological problems 
bird-banding operations were expected to solve. 
From a study of the situation we came to believe that we could ob- 
tain the best results 
(1) By organizing a regional association of bird banders, meaning 
by this, bringing together a membership from an area posses- 
sing one or more migration highways, along which trapping sta- 
tions may be established to furnish, by intensive attack, fairly 
speedy answers to certain specific migration problems, thus early 
demonstrating to members the scientific value of bird banding 
with the consequent stimulus to continue the work which it is 
expected will ultimately solve more ornithological riddles, aid 
