Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-17
BIRD LOVERS IN CONGRESS.
The Ornithological Union Holds its
Eighth Annual Convention Here.

DihD LOtEnS IN CONUhESS.
The pathological Union Holds It's
Eighth Annual Convention Here.
THE SESSION BEGAN ToDAT-How THIS YLouHnH-
mo SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY WAS oRoANrxEp-Ar
Pn.sENr II INCLUDES EMINENT MEN TsoN AL
ovER TIE woRLD-wHAr II TO n DONE
"The bird lovers Of the United States have
their annual meeting in Washington the pres
emit week." said DR.. Elliott Coues 10 . SrAB
reporter this morning. ''This IL the eighth
y early convention Of the Ornithological Union
since its formation In New York city In 1888.
The proceedings will cover four days, the first
day being devoted to private conferences of
| the governing council and the remaining three
| days to public meetings in the lecture hall Of
the National Museum, which il granted for the
purpose by the secretary Of toe Smithsonian
Institution.
''Seven years ago the union, now % flourish
ing was founded. The movement originated
with three somewhat known men in this line of
scisntlfc research. namely, Prot. ]. A. Allen of
New York, Mr.. William Brewster Of Cambridge,
Mass, and lastly, myself. We, having held
certain preliminary conferences, drew up q
sketch of the proposed association. Mr.. Brews-
ter and came to New York city and there met
other ornithologists who had been invited to
| cooperate. Among the leading promoters OF
the organization during its formative period
were the late Prof Spencer +. Baird, Mr.. Geo.
n. Lawrence of New York. today the Nestor of
American ornithologists; Mr.. Daniel @. Elliot,
author OF many of the most superbly illustra ted
books about birds that have ever been pub
lished; Mr.. Robert Ridgway of the Smithsonian,
DR.. James Merrill, U. S. A.; Prot. Theodore N.
Gill, Mr.. Henry W. Henshaw Of the Bureau Of
Ethnology, Mr.. G. II. Merriam Of the Depart.
ment of Agriculture, DR.. w. Shufeld, VISA,
Mr.. George B. Sennett of New York and Mr..
Gurdon Trumbul1, whose ancestor, Jonathan
Trumbull, gave the name of Brother Jona-
than to the typical Yankee. 1t is an historical
Trumbull was much relied upon for counsel IN
military affairs by Gen. Washington-so much
so, in fact, that before deciding anything he
used to say; Let's consult Brother Jonathan.
Hence the designation that 10 commonly alter
native for Uncle Sam
1.-The president of the Ornithological Union
is Prof. Allen. Mr.. Ridgway and myself are
vice presidents. The secretary is Mr. John II,
Sage Of Connecticut and the treasurer Mr..
William butcher Of New York. These officers,
together with William Brewster, Charles B,
Cory, d. G. Elliot, H. W. Henshaw, g. N. Law
renee, c. H. Merriam and L. Stejneger consti-
tute the council for the direction Of the
union.
From its first establishment the union has
issued quarterly magazine entitled The AUX.
The name was happily chosen, inasmuch as the
most distinguished ornithologists all over the
world are accustomed to take of their hats to
specimen. stuffed or skeleton, of this extinct
and highly respectable bird, on passing il in
museum.
THIS WEEKS CONVENTION.
1.-THE organization Of the union, in respect
to the election Of officers and 80 on, is modelled
closely after that of the National Academy of
Science. It has held annual conventions ever
since it was founded, and the present one in
Washington promises to be not lacking in the
interest which has attached to its predecessors
Many papers have been already entered for
reading by members which are likely to be
most instructive, and reports Of most valua-
BILE description are expected from the special
committees on various topics Of progress in
new directions. / shall myself offer q report,
In behalf OF my committee. regarding the
anatomy Of birds. Mr.. Ridgway will have
something to present respecting bird measure
ments, and dissertations will be offered on
other topics not less valuable There will be
An unusually large number Of papers Of an
original character read concerning researches
conducted since the last convention. The
early part OF each day-Tuesday, Wednesday
and 1hursday-is likely to be occupied more or
less with routine work, but the afternoon viii
be mainly devoted to the reading Of papers
and other such entertainment, to which the
public il cordially invited 7
THE MEMBERSHIP.
"Ine membership OF the Ornithological
Union is of several distinct classes. In the
first place there is q list Of active members,
limited to fifty, which must be made ND
altogether Of American names. This numer-
ical restriction is made In order that mem er-
ship In the union shall be an honor worth
gaining By working ornithologists on the score
OF merit There il also, however, an American
associate membership, which embraces all
workers IN the pathological field, including
collectors and taxidermists Of good repute in
this country, this latter list including ct pres
ent about 250 names. In addition there Ia an
honorary membership list confined to eminent
foreigners the world over. Included among
them are such widely famed men Of science as
Prof Huxley, Prof. Alfred Newton of Cam
bridge, England; DR.. I. L. Slater OF the Zoo
logical Society of London, Prof. A. r. Wallace
of England, Prof. W. K. Parker of London, Mr..
r b. Sharpe of the British Museum, Mr. Henry
Seebohm of London, Prof Barboza Du BocaRe
OF Lisbon, DIR. III. Burmeister Of Buenos Ayres,
DR.. g. Cabanis Of Berlin, DR.. Otto Finsch of
Bremen, DR.. Giglioli Of Florence, Dr. G. Gund-
ZACH of Cuba, Prof. A. Milne Edwards of Paris
DIR. Pelzein Of Vienna and Count SALVADOR of
Turin.
1.-THE number Of corresponding members is
distributed ali over the world and il not limited
by any law Of the union. At present it includes
about 100 ornithologists in various foreign
parta"