44 Ornithology. 
ological study at the Balize near the delta of the Mississippi, 
from whence the following summer he proceeded to Florida, the 
favorite forests and solitary shores of which have ever been a 
rich harvest field for the naturalist. In due time he visited 
central and southren Europe, where he further prosecuted his 
observations of the habits of the birds, and has thus prepared 
himself for a task which he or some other equally qualified nat¬ 
uralist has yet to perform in giving the world a thorough and 
critical reviewal of the history of the habits of this wonderful and 
interesting class of vertebrates. It is most devoutly to be hoped 
that his life may be spared to do this, and that his unfeigned 
modesty will not be allowed to deprive us of this much needed 
work, by one so competent to do it. 
So much for the past. Our plans for the future embrace a 
scheme for securing frequent communications from persons re¬ 
siding in the different sections of the State, who have sufficient 
knowledge of the more common species of birds to be compe¬ 
tent to give accurate accounts of their habits, embracing the 
times of vernal and autumnal migrations, if migratory; date of 
nesting ; materials and method of constructing the nest; food 
successively through the year, etc. 
We also propose to gather the most accurate information 
possible respecting the winter visitants, which embrace several 
very highly interesting arctic, or sub-arctic, species. This can¬ 
not be attained at once. To inaugurate such methods of gen¬ 
eral and comprehensive observation will require patience, per¬ 
severance and time; but these are the little hills which collect¬ 
ively constitute the mountain over which lies the only footpath 
to scientific knowledge, from whose summits we catch compen¬ 
sating glimpses of what each higher point of observation has 
in store for us. 
An impression seems to have obtained very generally that 
the collection of the birds.in a restricted district is a mere 
pastime amusement, which readily secures the aid of persons 
sufficiently qualified for the purpose. Nothing could scarcely 
be wider from the facts in the case. In no other department 
of natural history does one meet with greater obstacles. Our 
material is dearly obtained, and more dearly retained for use. 
