|V fW 1 Letters, Extracts , Notes. 
of obtaining precise knowledge as to the economic status of 
many of our commoner birds affecting rural science” (Rep. 
B. A. 1908, p. cxxxii). Dr. Shipley, F.R.S., was appointed 
Chairman and Mr. C. Gordon Hewitt Secretary of the Com¬ 
mittee. 
The subject is, no doubt, an important one, and, though 
referred to more or less by all the many writers on British 
Birds, still requires careful study by skilled enquirers. 
The First Report of this Committee was read at the 
recent meeting of the Association at Winnipeg, in Sect. D. 
It states that it had been decided to investigate, lirst, the 
feeding-habits of the Rook, Starling, and Chaffinch,” and 
that a body of some thirty correspondents had been organized 
in all parts of the kingdom to supply specimens to the 
Secretary along with certain details. Several hundreds of 
specimens had come in, and the contents of their gizzards 
had been examined and tabulated. 
We fear the Committee has a long and difficult task 
before it, but wish it success. We venture, however, to 
recommend them to study what has been already done 
at Washington, U.S.A., in this branch of enquiry by 
Dr. Merriam and his staff of assistants in the Agricultural 
Department ; also to make themselves acquainted with the 
proceedings of Dr. Herman and his fellow-workers in the 
Officium Hungaricum Ornithologicum at Budapest. 
The Fifth International Ornithological Congress .—We have 
received a formal announcement (signed by Prof. Dr. Ant. 
Reichenow and Dr. L. Briilil) that, in accordance with the 
arrangements recommended at the Fourth Meeting held iu 
London in 1905 (see ‘ Ibis/ 1905, p. 627), the Fifth Meeting 
of the International Ornithological Congress will be held 
at Berlin from May 30th to June 4th, 1910, with Prof. 
Reichenow as President and Dr. Briihl as General Secretary. 
We trust that many British ornithologists will be able to 
avail themselves of this excellent opportunity of visiting one 
of the finest cities in Europe and of meeting their brethren 
