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 24 THE CONDOR Vol. Ili THE CONDOR. Bulletin of the COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB o1* CALI l017..NIA Published bi-monthly at Santa Clara, Cal., in the interests and as Official Organ of the Club. CE;''-B2M.)V,- - - .... Snta Clara,'Cal., Editor-in-Chief. WALTER K. FISHER, Stanford University Cal. HOWARD ROBERTSON, Box 55, Sta. A. Los Angeles, Associates. DONALD' 2.-HEN, ' ' - : - Alne-da, Cal., H. S. SWARTH, 5r2 Coronado St., Los Angeles. Business Managers. Subscription, (in advance) One Dollar a Year. Single Copies, - ...... 2 5 Cents. Six Copies or more of oue issue, z2 Ceuts Each. Foreign Subscription, - ..... $[.2 5. Free to Honorary Members and to Active Members not in arrears for dues. Advertising rates will be scut on application. Advertisements and subscriptions should be sent to the Business Managers. Exchanges should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief. Entered at the Santa Clara Post-office as second class matter. This issue of The Condor was mailed Jan, zs. EDITORIAL NOTES. A The Eighteenill Craigtess of the Greater American Ornithologists' Union A. O.U. proved unusually interestling in re- sults, inasmuch as the proposed changes regu- lating its menlbership constitute one of the broadest and most radical moves ever consider- ed by the Union at a single meeting. Previous to this session there seenled nothing to indicate that a general revision of the membership was to follow, but it is apparent from the response according the movenmnt that those closest to the Union had become awakened to the advis- ability, if not the necessity, of providing in some way for the expansion which has steadily been going on in ornithological ranks during the past decade. The proposed changes in the by-laws of the Union provide for increasing the number of Active members from 50 to 75 (provided that not more than five members of this class be elected in any one year), these members to designated as Fellows. An intermediate class, also limited to 75, will be created, ro be known as Members, and will include the more vanced workers of the present associate mem- bership. A thir.t class will be known as As- sodares and will embrace all those members of the Union not included in the two previous classes Thus an encouraging system of pro- gression is provided, and an}, ambitious and competent member in the Associa'e list, may, in proper time and by election, advance to the Fosition of Member, whence, according to ability and existing vacancies, he may in time become a Fellow. It is understood that these proposed changes in the By-Laws will be adopted at the x9or Congress and become operative. We learn that probably 5 Members will be elected from the associate list at that time and that the dues of Members will be fixed at 4. This expansion of the Unlon's membership has produced an indisputable feeling of satis- faction on the Coast, and ornithologists gener- ally must feel that this marks the beginning of an era of increased prosperity for the A. O. U. When those governing the Union have so generously met the denland which an increased interest in the science has created, it becomes the part of those constituting the membership to voice their appreciation of the movement by concerted action in adding new menlbers and by strengthening the fraternal ties which bind together those allied with the Union. The sentiment of Cal!fornians seems aptly expressed in a personal letter to the editor from Mr. F. S. Daggett oF Pasadena, Cal., whose loyalty to ornithological work in the state is well known. - Mr. Baggert comments as fol- lows: "The action of rheA. O. U. in recom- mending an increase cftc its 'active' list is a source of much gratification, inasmuch as it shows that the Union is under the control of liberal, broad-minded men who are anxious and willing that the Union shall broaden to meet all legitimate requirements. The or- thologists of the country may rely with perfect confidence upon such a governing body, who, by this act, have done so much to cement all interests in the Union. "When the new members are chosen, if the Pacific Coast is fortunate enough to receive recognition, I trust the selection will be made only after careful and long deliberation and with the co-operation of our Club. Most of us have no aspirations that way, but we are deep- ly interested in seeing that the right man is selected, if we are so fortunate as to draw a prize. It is unfortunate that all of the present Active members resident oil the Pacific Coast, do not fraternize with the element which has done so much ro foster ornithology and bird protect[on in California during the past few )'ears; else I would suggest that a selection be made uFon their recmnmendation. As it i s, I believe that the bes results would be obtained by presenting a candidate selecte:l by a full vote of the Crab, which includes all the Cali- fornia A. O. U. ac;ive members, who are still active in the true sense. "Of course all this is premature and only based upon the presumption that the A. O. U., in its expansive mood, may confer an honor upon some of our Pacific Coast workers. Whether we receive recognition or not, we cer- ta, inly can feel that the A. O. U. is a strong broad bo:ly worthy of the tiearty suppot: of