100 Years Ago in the American Ornithologists' Union

Abstract

One hundred fifty-six general notes were published in The Auk in 1922. Of those, 67% concerned distribution, with most sightings accompanied by notes. Another13 reports were on migration, range expansions, and irruptions. Reports from east of the Mississippi predominated (113) compared to those from the west (32). There was a handful from outside the United States: Canada (6), Europe (3), and Australia (1). Reports concerning behavior included subjects of nesting (10), vocalizing (8), foraging (5), roosting (1), swimming (1), and an earnest report by George Bird Grinnell of an encounter where he was confident he saw an American Woodcock ( Scolopax minor ), flying away carrying one of its young (39:563–564). Although the descriptions pointed to leucism, there were 3 reports of al-binism, and reports on systematics had declined (3). Earlier work banding birds had led to a short and charming note titled Bird Banding As an Opportunity To Study Character and Disposition by William J. Lyon (1874–1938), one of the pioneers in bird banding. He wrote of the individual birds he had come to know, ending with: