518 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1898. 



REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. 



The work of the Section during the past year has been mainly 

 devoted to the study collection. But little progress has been made in 

 the rearrangement of the exhibition collection of birds owing to the 

 need of cases on the third floor of the new building. 



A synoptical collection has been arranged there, as promised in 

 last year's report, but the main series of mounted birds is still 

 in the old gallery. Though not displayed to advantage it remains 

 in an excellent state of preservation. 



The study collection has been carefully examined and better pro- 

 vision made for many of the large skins. Most of the Conservator's 

 work this year has been devoted to a study of the types in the collec- 

 tion which have been carefully identified and arranged in special 

 cases, the results of this work having been embodied in a paper 

 which will appear in the Proceedings. 



The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club has made many addi- 

 tions to the collection presented by it to the Academy so that it is 

 now probably the most complete exhibition of its kind in existence. 

 The meetings of the Club continue to be held at the Academy and 

 do much to stimulate ornithological study. 



The Section is also much gratified to be able to report that through 

 its efforts the annual meeting of the American Ornithologists' 

 Union will be held at the Academy in Nov., 1899. The importance 

 of this meeting to local ornithologists and to the Academy will be 

 readily understood. 



During the year the most important accession has been the collec- 

 tion of bird skins bequeathed by the late Prof. E. D. Cope number- 

 ing nearly 1,000 specimens and containing the once famous collec- 

 tion of C. S. Turnbull. 



Of great importance also is a small series of specimens from Man- 

 churia received from Dr. A. Donaldson Smith and the Messrs. Far- 

 num. Valuable specimens were also received from the Zoological 

 Society of Philadelphia, Dr. J. E. Romig and others. 



The magnificient collection of North American land birds formed 

 by Mr. Josiah Hoopes has been received on deposit. 



At the annual meeting held Dec. 19, 1898, the following officers 

 were elected : — 



Director, ...... Spencer Trotter. 



Vice-Director, ...... Geo. S. Morris, 



