May, 1914 
THE COOPER CLUB MEMBER AND SCIENTIFIC WORK 
105 
camera hunter, or more properly, the hunter with a camera. It is needless to 
point out that nothing has been more useful in promoting interest in and dif- 
fusing knowledge about birds than the photograph. Many a reader of a mag- 
azine, be it ornithological or otherwise, will imbibe what knowledge he can by 
looking at the pictures even though he never takes time to read a text descrip- 
tion. Pictures leave a more lasting impression than does descriptive writing. 
Let me also call to your attention the fact that good photographs are practically 
as reliable in establishing records as are skins. Read Dawson’s “Identification 
by Camera” and see the accompanying photographs in the November-Decem- 
ber Condor, if you want to be convinced. Ray and Heineraann’s Pine Gros- 
beak photographs are really much more valuable in establishing the breeding 
record of this bird than the nest and eggs themselves, for whereas the original 
nest and eggs can only be seen by a few people at most, and will ultimately be 
lost or destroyed, the photographs have convincingly demonstrated the record 
to thousands and will in the end be more permanent. The life-history-of-the- 
sharp-shinned-hawk series which appeared in the last Condor is another beau- 
tiful example of valuable photographic work. There is no reason why a rare 
collection of negatives should not be just as valuable, if not of actually much 
more value, than a collection of skins or eggs. The one drawback to the col- 
lecting of photographs appears to be the expense attached thereto. However, 
the day is not far distant when even those in more humble circumstances will 
be able to indulge, for already the brave are making their own Graflex and 
Reflex cameras. 
The economic phase of ornithology has been largely neglected by Cooper 
Club members. This is especially evident when we view the work of the 
United States Biological Survey and then inspect the meagre notes to be found 
in our western publications. This Bureau of the United States Department of 
Agriculture has within the last seventeen years examined the stomachs of 
nearly 75,000 birds and tabulated the contents found, and has published 135 
documents relating wholly or in part to the food of birds. Somehow at this 
day and age the convincing value of a live bird lies in its usefulness. This use- 
fulness is computed on its food habits and the consequent value to the agricul- 
turist. Doubtless this point of view is exaggerated and the other real value, — - 
the esthetic, — is left in the background ; but we must meet the demands of the 
times. 
What do birds eat? Observation says that the Western Meadowlark eats 
grain almost exclusively. Stomach examination shows that this bird eats in- 
sects almost exclusively exeept during the time when the numbers of insects 
are at a minimum. Casual observation and inferential reasoning says that the 
Roadrunner eats the eggs and young of quail and other birds. Stomach exam- 
ination of over twenty-five of these birds taken in localities from which com- 
plaint comes has failed to disclose a feather or an egg-shell. 
Ducks have been slaughtered by the millions in California and yet when 
the man who desires to propagate ducks wants to know of what their food in 
the wild is made up, the answer must be given in general rather than specific 
terms: “largely vegetable — seeds and grasses”. But of what kinds? 
Is it not more important just at the present time to know what birds eat 
than when they arrive, how they act, or how many eggs they lay? The farmer 
Avants to know what the Barn Owl’s average catch of gophers is, whether the 
number of insects destroyed by the Western Meadowlark will more than eoun- 
