With its August issue 'Our Animal Friends,' the organ of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, concludes its twenty-sixth volume. This magazine is edited with a breadth of view which must result in winning many supporters for the cause it represents. In its columns we find no senseless tirades against the inhumanity of partly civilized man, but sane, logical discussions of the rights of animals and the manner in which they may best be secured; of the habits of animals, including many interesting papers on birds,—of animals and their value to man, all of which are calculated to arouse sympathy or interest in them and respect for the journal which so ably champions their welfare.
'Wilson Bulletin,' No. 26, issued May 30, 1899, has an extremely interesting paper by its editor, Lynds Jones, recording the number of species observed by him on May 8, in Lorain county, Ohio. Work was begun about Oberlin at 3.30 a. m., and continued at 11 a. m. at Lorain on the shore of Lake Erie, resulting, finally, in a record of 112 species identified with the aid of an "Eight Power Bausch & Lomb" field-glass during one day. This number speaks volumes for the observer's activity and the richness of his field; we doubt if it has ever been exceeded in the same period of time in North America.
Mr. C. Barlow publishes in the May-June issue of the Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club, of which he is editor-in-chief, an eloquent appeal to ornithologists to take only such birds as they may require for their own use, and not to collect birds at all during the nesting season. Particularly does he condemn collecting for profit, saying with equal force and truth, "Every naturalist owes it to science to protect the natural beauties with which the Creator has blessed the earth, and how can the collector, with never a twinge of conscience, quiet the sweet voices of the woodland in a fashion little less than barbarous, for pecuniary gain."
We congratulate Mr. Barlow on the stand he has taken, and we congratulate all bird-lovers on the fact that his declaration of principles adds another journal to the list of those in which the egg-thief cannot boast of his exploits.
The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, appreciating the significance of the widespread and constantly increasing interest in birds, has decided to introduce a volume on ornithology into its course of 'Required Reading,' Miss Merriams' 'Birds Through an Opera-glass,' one of the first, as it is one of the best text-books for beginners, having been selected for this purpose. Implying, as it does, the formation of a class of several thousand bird students, this may be considered a step in educational ornithology of unusual importance.
'The American' for August 26, commenting on the '[Hints to Young Bird Students],' published in Bird-Lore for August, says: "This paper deserves the most serious consideration from all. It is well meant, it is timely, it is sensible; the friendly advice it tenders should be accepted and observed."
A Writer on the slaughter of birds for millinery purposes, in 'The New Illustrated Magazine' for September, whose zeal for the cause of bird protection exceeds his knowledge of ornithology, makes, among others, the remarkable statement that "Florida is now the only country in which Hummingbirds are found, except as rarities." He also gives a unique bit of information in regard to the Toucan, which is said to use its "big beak" to trim its "primary tail-feathers"!
