y8 Boston Society of Natural History 



scrutiny of details or for the best artistic effect. In our limited quar- 

 ters, however, this has actually been the only place where they could 

 be kept safely on view. 



Library staff and visitors alike have profited meanwhile in this 

 contingency. To work or read in the presence of these idylls of New 

 England scenery is an inspiration. The backgrounds, whether of 

 rocky coast, marshland, hills, or snow-covered meadows, are so char- 

 acteristic that they bring to each one's mind some well-remembered 

 spot;while thevarious attitudes of the birds — rising from the water, 

 swooping through the air, strutting along the beach — provide end- 

 less diversity. 



When, through the intercession of friends, the State Department 

 of Agriculture consented to place these paintings permanently in 

 our keeping, both artist and author expressed themselves as being 

 much pleased at the decision. " I am deeply grateful, "wrote Fuertes, 

 "that the pictures fall into such sympathetic hands as yours." With 

 characteristic generosity he offered to keep them touched up from 

 time to time as they might need it. This offer lacked fulfillment 

 only through his tragic death in August, 1927. We are thus left in 

 possession of the last and in the opinion of Forbush himself the fin- 

 est work of this prince of bird artists. 



Publications 



THE first publication of the Society appeared in 1834, soon after 

 the Society went into operation. This was the Boston Journal 

 of Natural History, "containing Papers and Communications read 

 to the Boston Society of Natural History and published by their 

 direction." These consist of seven volumes published from 1834 to 

 1863. The Journal was modelled by Dr. Amos Binney, and he had 

 a paper in the first number. 



