Jan., 1901 I 
'I'HU CONDOR 
thorn. April i, 1899, I found two Ar- 
kansas Goldfinches {Astragalimis psal- 
tria) impaled side by side upon a 
barbed-wire fence, the barb in both in- 
stances being passed through the neck 
from side to side just at the base of the 
skull. [See Oologist, XVI. No. 5, 
p. 79.] I do not think they ever re- 
turn to eat anything after they have 
once left it, and I have often thought 
I could detect in their actions a fiendish 
delight as they watched some unfortun- 
ate lizard or gra.sshopper squirming up- 
on a thorn. 
The note mo.st usually heard from 
the shrike is a harsh call-note, but I 
have sometimes heard in the spring of 
the year a prelt}- little warble, with 
various trills, which is thought by some 
people to be uttered for the purpose of 
attracting small birds within reach, so 
that they may be captured. 1 do not 
agree with this theory but think their 
song is a sort of a "love-song,” for I 
have watched them often while singing 
and never saw one try to capture a 
small bird or any insect at that time. 
^ 
Cooper Club’s President for 1901. 
With the steady growth and expan- 
sion of the Cooper Ornithological Club, 
the executive officer of 1901 finds his 
position fraught with greater power and 
with greater possibilities than ever be- 
fore, and the membership may well con 
grauilate itself upon securing for pre- 
siding officer of the Club-at-Large one 
of its most popular and efficient mem- 
bers, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, whose like- 
ne.ss The Condor takes pleasure in 
presenting. 
Mr. Grinnell occupies an unique 
position in assuming the presidenc}" of 
the Cooper Club. The Club is repre- 
sented by two Divisions, — the Northern 
and Southern, — which separate bodies 
were created merely to permit of each 
holding meetings in its respective loca- 
tion. The executive power of the 
Club-at-Large is vested in the Northern 
1 1 
Division and from its mend)ership has 
heretofore been chosen the president, 
until this 3^ear. Mr. Grinnell is tempor- 
arily a member of the Northern Division 
and during his year’s residence at Palo 
Alto his ornithological work has been 
keenly recognized bj^ his co-workers. 
which fact, coupled with his popularity, 
made it evident at the time of the an- 
nual nominations that he was the unan- 
imous choice for the presidency- of the 
Club. 
Mr. Grinnell’s ornithological work in 
Southern California is too well-known 
to require repetition, and his recent 
puolication, “Birds of the Kotzebue 
Sound Region, Alaska”, is an example 
of his careful and extended field-work. 
His interest in the Club and its ad- 
vancement has been unfaltering, and 
through his ability' and energy we 
shall expect to see still better work ac- 
complished. Mr. Emerson has relin- 
quished the office of president after 
three consecutive terms of faithful ser- 
vice, declining to be a nominee for 
1901, and the Club must feel a sati.sfac- 
tion in bestowing the office into the 
present efficient hands. 
w w 
An interesting article on the nesting habits 
of the Bnff-brea,stecl Flycatcher, by Richard I). 
Lusk, for which the illustration had been pre- 
pared is laid over until our ne.xt issue, owing to 
the late arrival of the text. 
