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34

EDITORIAL NOTES.

We shall print from time to time, the portraits of well known Californian ornithologists, and as a commencement of the series Mr. Emerson's likeness appears in this issue.

It is so seldom that the veteran ornithological workers of California appear in print that we present Mr. Belding's notes on the Audubon's Hermit Thrush in this issue with pleasure. The is also under obligation to Mr. Belding for a recent generous donation to the Club's publishing fund.

Commencing with this issue there will appear upon this page of the, the date upon which the paper is mailed to subscribe. This is done to give an actual date of publication to the contributions, for in the case of certain articles such as records or descriptions of birds and hitherto unknown observations on their nesting habits, priority is an essential feature. The wishes to protect the right of its contributors in a matter to which we believe all scientific journals should give attention. No. 1 was mailed Jan. 14.

In keeping with the onward march of protection of game, the sportsmen of Santa Barbara Co. have recently organized a county Game Protective Association, with the promise that it will enforce the existing State and County laws governing the unlawful taking of game and fish. Mr. Alfred P. Redington of Santa Barbara, one of the Cooper Club's active members, is secretary of the new organization and if all its members prove as active as Mr. Redington in the work, we venture to say a wholesome respect for the law will soon be inspired in those who hunt and fish out of season. The secretary writes: "We have the misfortune to deal with a class of vandals at the upper end of this great county who seem inclined to look at all such law and order, or any attempt to enforce it, as an outrage on the rights of an American citizen:" To which we add that the quicker these "citizens" are relieved of their "rights" in this direction the better. We wish the new organization in Santa Barbara county every success and hope it may stimulate the sportsmen of other counties to similar action for the necessity of game protection is becoming more evident each year.

As we go to press the Bulletin of the Michigan Ornithological Club reaches us in the form of a neat double number which completes Vol. 2 of this creditable publication. With this number Mr. Leon J. Cole becomes Editor-in-Chief with Percy Selous and Dr. Robt. H. Wolcott as associates. The Michigan Club is doing valuable, systematic work in its state and its Bulletin which affords a means of dispensing the results of the Club's work, merits the support of all. The Bulletin always presents an attractive appearance and a substantial table of contents, with many short notes, which cannot fail to interest the ornithologist. The reciprocates the compliments of its Michigan contemporary and wishes it all success for 1899.

We are happy to note that the Osprey, after some delay occasioned by its "migration" from New York to Washington D.C. and the necessity of a change of printers when the back numbers were well under way, is now almost even on its issues and will soon be on time each month with its wealth of bird news. With Mr. Fuertes as Art Editor we shall expect some nice things in the line of plates, although we could wish for nothing more than some of the surpassing bird groups he has given us during the past year. Under the editorial management of Dr. Cones some striking department features have been introduced. Current topics and reviews are handled under the caption "In the Osprey's Claws" in a masterly and impartial manner. While the Osprey will doubtless continue to show a full list of prominent contributors, we venture to say that Dr. Cones' able editorial management will attract many subscribers in itself. Many interesting articles grace the October, November and December numbers and the Osprey has the field it aspires to fill all to itself. That it will fill it most satisfactorily no one will doubt and we trust all Californians will accord it support.

The finds it necessary to issue twenty pages with this number, in order to dispose of a quantity of delayed material on hand. With eighty active members in the field, covering a large territory, our readers can feel assured of missing nothing in the way of news notes from the West.

This issue of the Bulletin was mailed Mar. 15.