I have been impressed for some time by the restrictive nature of bird check-lists, used by field observers to tally their “scores” of species seen in an area. While such lists are an invaluable aid to beginning birders, to experienced observers in an unfamiliar area, and to veteran observers in summarizing their observations, too often they constitute the sum of the observer’s records. Lists of birds invariably follow some authority, and being simple lists they mask many interesting problems and discourage the useful accumulation of meaningful biological data. Of course not every observer is personally interested in putting forth effort for the advancement of ornithology, but unconsciously he is making the observations that qualify him to do so. With very little extra effort an observer can increase the value of his observations greatly. Perhaps what is needed to facilitate this is a new form of field check-list.