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 Nov., 1912 COMMUNICATIONS 227 Agelaius phoeniceus. In my account of this bird I gave after the description some account of the various prevailing views of authori- ties on the difficult question of the subspe- cies of Red-winged Blackbirds in the state. Loxia curvirostra. I was muct struck by the great size of the bill of the pair of Cross- bills obtained by Aiken in E1 Paso County. I felt that they must be referred to the larger form known as L. c. stricklandi. I see no reason why in the case of a-great wanderer like the Crossbill the Mexican form should not stray as far north as Colorado along he Rocky Mountains. Astragalinus psaltria. I have not come across any "conclusive proof" that the three forms of this goldfinch are color phases due to age. In the typical form generally found throughout Colorado the back is olive green, iu the Mexican form the back is black; but I see no evidence that the Colorado subspe- cies eventually with age bec6mes black. I think the occasional occurrence of the more southern Mexican form in Colorado is quite conceivable. Protonotaria citrea. I understood from Mr. Felger that he was quite satisfied that ths 'species had occurred in Colorado. Of the fifteen birds included by Mr. Cooke in his list, but omitted by me, eleven are men- tioned and discussed in the text, though not admitted to the formal list; but I must plead guilty to omitting Phalaropus fulicarius, while it would perhaps have been more logical to admit the Pheasant if the English Sparrow is included. Finally Mr. Cooke mentions a number of birds which I have excluded from my list of breeding birds. In drawing up my list I purposely did not include birds which have only been recorded from the state on one or two occasions; these were placed in the llst of casuals. I have not kept birds in the breeding list, although seen several times in summer, unless very definite evidence of breeding is forthcoming. Yours, etc., W. L. SCLAR. London; September 6, 1912. INTRODUCED BIRDS OF NEw zEALAND Editor THe: CONDOR:. Today I received a copy of THe: CONOR, which you were kind enough to send me, and I read with deep interest your remarks on the Chaffinch at Monterey. I quite agree with your note of warning in regard to this English bird. From the very unfortunate 'experiences we have had in New Zealand, 1 can say without hesitation that people in your country ought to exercise the utmost cae in regard to English birds that are brought in. -' I am an ardent bid-lover--I love them all, even those with the most objectionable char- acters--but I must'confess that many of the English "interlopers," to use your own word, have proved disastrous failures in this country. This is the case with some birds which were brought here purely in a spirit of sen- timent, notably the skylark, the song-thrush, and the black-bird. They are great pests. We now have a law here prohibiting the impor- tation of any foreign birds without the sanc- tion of a Minister of the Crown. The latest attempt in this direction is the Little Grey Owl (Athene noctua), which was brought here to deal with the sparrow and other small birds previouslj introduced, and which, I am afraid, will have a bad effect on our interest- ing native avifauna, which, late in the day, we are making a frantic effort to preserve. Yours truly, JAS. DRUMMOND. Christchurch, N. Z.; July 17, 1912. THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATED SOCI- ETIES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WILD LIFE. The following is a copy of a letter recently sent out to the officials of eleven orgamza.- tions in the State of California: "Dear Sir: "It is urgent that vigorous action be taken immediately if it is desired to save the rem- nant ,of wild life yet remaining in the State of California. Many native species are suf- fering a rapid decrease in numbers through several causes, while the ranks of the Army of Destruction receive constant augmenta- tion year by year. "The Committee on Conservation of Wild Life of the Cooper Ornithological ClSub (Northern Division) is convinced that the formation of a centralized organization would be beneficial to the cause of saving this natu- ral resource, and hereby asks your society to consider the advisability of the formation of such an association. We therefore request auswers to the following questions: "(1) Do you favor an intelligent conser- vasion policy with regard to wild life, that the best interests of the farmer, sportsman, nature-lover, and citizen be guarded? "(2) If so, would your organization be able and willing to be represented at a meet- ing to be held soon in this vicinity (San Francisco Bay region) to consider the most effective method of securing enlightened legis- lation along this line? "Inclosed find list of societies with whom we are communicating as well as a tenta- tive constitution for the associated societies.'