Page:Condor16(3).djvu/9

 May, 1914 THE COOPER CLUB MEMBER AND SCIENTIl*IC WORK 107 zation of science will still further justify it. In our own ease, it is the one fundamental way of att.inlng our second ideal--the spread of interest in bird study. Why truths must be couched in language that only a few can under- stand is incomprehensible. If it is necessary that scientific treatises on birds be of a technical nature then they should be paralleled in every case with a popular account. The spread of interest in bird study comes from such popu- lar accounts and not from technical reports framed by and for the specialist. In conclusion let me suggest that, if you have not done so, you add to the simple pleasure that comes to you through bird study She scientific spirit which urges us to use scientific method in our work. The aim of the scientist is to make "durable, trustworthy records of natural phenomena." The method, according to Minor, is first to record truly everything dealing with the phenomenon itself. Here is work for the amateur. Second, to .verify and cor- relate the personal knowledges until they acquire impersonal validity. Here is work for the professional. I hope, therefore, that in this review each mem- ber has been able to recognize a niche suited to his personal ability and inclina- tion, in which to work and to become useful in the gathering of facts concern- ing wild-life. Just as soon as you find such a place to work, and adopt such ideals towards which to strive, just so soon you become a scientist in the true sense of the word and as a result become a more useful member of the Cooper Ornithological Club. Let me close with this quotation of Coward's from his "Migration of Birds", as an added inspiration to do productive scientific work: "But put-' ting aside economic and utilitarian considerations there is to some of us a greater stimulus to solve the problems of nature. With the birds, and the in- sects and plants upon which they feed, we share a common heritage, and the more we learn of the life of these, our fellow-workers, the nearer we approach solution of the great riddle of the Universe, the mysterious law-abiding scheme of Nature. The book of knowledge to which we add some iota is marred with mystery, superstition and error, but'each proved fact cleans its pages. 'Facts', says Laing, 'are the spokes of the ladder by which we climb from earth to heaven. '" Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, Califoria, March 9, z9z4. BIRD NOTES FROM NETARTS BAY, OREGON By STANLEY G. JEWETT WITH FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS BY O. $. iURIE HE FOLLOWING notes were taken at Netarts Bay and along the sea- coast north of Netarts postoffice to Cape Meares Lighthouse, in Tilla- mook County, Oregon, during four visits to that locality for the purpose of' collecting specimens and securing data on the birds found along that part of the Oregon coast. This work has been carried on by the Oregon Fish and Game Commission under the direction of William L. Finley, State Game War- den. The plan is to make a thorough biological survey of the state and build up a careful scientific collection of birds and mammals. The first visit, September 1st to September 11th, 1912, Mr. M. E. Peck, of Willamette University, Oregon, and I were in the field continually for ten