Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-13


The sixth congress of the American Orni-
biologists Union was opened in the lecture
room at the national museum to-day Be-
tween thirty and forty members, active or as
sociate, were present when DR.. J. A. Allen, Of
New York, the president, called the assembly
to order. This union was organized in 1888,
and numbers now in its membership the lead
ing ornithologists of the country. 1t has in its
comparatively short existence accomplished
much. Its chief service for science has been,
perhaps, the establishment of stable nomen-
clature. From popular point Of view the at
titude taken and the results accomplished in
the way Of protecting birds from destruction
for millinery purposes has been the most i'm
portant work of the union. Much has been
Of matters relating to the birds Of North
America. The society publishes as its organ
monthly called The AUX. One Of the leading
members of the union, speaking to q STAR re-
porter to-day before the meeting, remarked
thst it was to be regretted that the effects Of
the union and Of the Audubon society to create
sentiment that would do away with the use
Of birds as millinery ornaments seemed to
have been unavailing. For time it became
unfashionable for women to wear birds on the
hat, but now it was fashionable again and the
destruction OF birds for this purpose was con-
tinued.
THE BUSINESS TO-DAY.
J. A. Allen, Of the American Museum Of
Natural History, New York. is president Of the
union; DR.. Elliott Coues and Robert Ridgway,
Of this city, vice-presidents; DR.. c. Hart Mer-
rlam, OF the agricultural bureau, secretary;
VIM. butcher, Of New York city, treasurer
The other members of the council present to-
day were Chas. B. Cory, of Boston; Henry W.
Henshaw and Leonhard Stejneger, Of the
Enithannion -Aovs hno
by the secretary, DR.. Merriam, who read the
minutes OF the last congress and report Civ
ing summary of the history of the union.
Mr. butcher presented his report as treasurer
The council in its report submitted a letter
from Col. n. s. GOss, urging that Nbe union
take steps to provide for a uniform rule for the
measurement of North American BIRDS The
council had referred the matter to committee
The committee has also appointed commit
tee to incorporate the union under the laws Of
session, which closed at / clock, was taken up
by the election of officers. The old officers
were all reelected except that Mr. McIlwraith
was elected a member Of the council to repre-
sent Canada in place of Mr.. Chamberlain, who
has moved from Canada.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
The active members present are: ]. A. Allen,
New York; Prof. W. B. Barrows, Washington;
Capt. Chas E. Bendire, Washington; Chas B.
Cory, Boston; DR.. Elliott Coues, Washington;
VIM. butcher, New York; Jonathan Dwight, jr.,
New York; DR.. Albert X. Fisher, Washington;
Prof. Theo. N. Gill, Washington; Col n. 8.
Goss, Topeka, HANS; Henry W. Henshaw,
Washington; DR.. c.. Hart Merriam, Washing.
ton; DR.. JAS. G. Merrill, Philadelphia; DR.. b.
w. Prentiss, Washington; Robert Ridgway,
". =. 3. Scott Tarpons as Springs, nf Fla; oGna Dr.
Le0nhard Stejneger, Washington.
The associate members present are: Job
Barnard, Washington; Louis B. Bishop, New
Havenj Frank NJ. Chapman. Englewood, N. j.;
Hubert Z. Clark, Amherst Mass; Elliott B.
Coues, Washington; VIM. D. Doan, Coatesville,
Pa; Lyman g. Foster, New York; DR.. VIM. H.
Fox, Washington; Allen H. Jennings, Balti-
more; 7. L. Jouy, F. II. Knowlton, John Mur-
doch, and Prof. c. V. Riley, Washington; Dr.
B. H. SPratt Coatesville, Pa; Ernest E. Thomp-
son, Toronto; NJ. NJ. Green, Washington, and
Gurdon Trumbull of Hartford.
PAPERS TO BE READ.
Among the papers to be read are the follow
ing: By DR.. Coues on the fight of birds; by
Capt. Bendire, on nesting habits of Clark's
crow; by DIR. Stejneger, on the three-toed
woodpecker, with specimens; by Prof Barrows,
on bills OF snail-eating birds; three papers by
DR.. Merriam, one on the destruction of grass
hoppers byfocks Of Swainson's hawks, one ON
undescribed plumage of Chadbourne's sparrow
ing geographical distribution ~ Of species; De by Dr.
G. '. Riley, on the food Of the English sparrow;
by Col. GOss, on additions to Kansas birds, with
remarks on their habits; by Bradford Tarrey,
on the booming Of the bittern; by Walter
Faxon, on summer birds Of Berkshire County,
Mass.
At o'clock to-day the visiting members
were entertained at lunch by the Washington
members. Tonight reception in honor Of
the members of the union viii be given by DR..
Coues. Tomorrow night q reception win be
given jointly BY DR.. Merriam and Mr.. Hen
A Democratic Postmaster Resigns.
pIeausTEp WITH HIa pARrYa pFYEAT AID not