REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 51 



part of the exhibits made by Guatemala, Salvador, Ceylou, the Sand- 

 wich Islands, &;c. 



Among other interesting contributions to the Institution has been 

 what purports to be the first flag made in America, from American silk. 

 By a formal order of Congress this was transferred to the National 

 Museum, and occupies a satisfactory position therein. 



While the Smithsonian Institution is frequently favored by visits of 

 men of science from other countries for the purpose of special inquiry 

 into its methods* or as an incident to travel through the country, an 

 unusual throng of such callers was welcomed during the centennial 

 year of 1876, on account of the number connected with the foreign com- 

 missions and European visitors generally. A meeting somewhat simi- 

 lar — that of the British Association in Montreal — furnished a great in- 

 crease over the average, although, while savants of all countries were 

 represented in 1876, the visitors of 1884 were principally Englishmen, 

 who had been in attendance during the meeting of the British Associa- 

 tion in ]Vk)utreal. Several distinguished naturalists took the occasion 

 to s'udy the collections of the National Museum as containing many 

 imi)ortant types otherwise inaccessible to them. 



The Acclimatization Society of Budapest, Austria-Hungary', having 

 made application to the Smithsonian Institution for aid in obtaining a 

 sufficient supply of American hickory nuts for experimental cultivation, 

 through Mr. John Xantus, for many 3'ears a highly valued correspond- 

 ent of the Institution, the matter was referred to Mr. Thomas Mee- 

 han, of Germantown, Pa., the well-known florist and pomologist, who 

 attended promptly and satisfactorily to the call. 



Within the year a very active organization has been established un- 

 der the name of the American Ornithologists' Union, having for its ob- 

 ject the determination of many points of interest in connection with 

 the migration and history of the birds of North America, which can 

 only be ascertained by a concurrent eftbrt extended over a wide area. 



One of the principal objects of this Association has been the pre- 

 paration of a reliable nojiienclature of North American birds. A re- 

 vision of the previous list, now in progress, will probably be published 

 before long, and will doubtless receive the assent of all working orni- 

 thologists. 



As it is desirable to ascertain the amount of destruction of birds by 

 striking against light-houses along the coast, with the corresponding 

 indications of dates and routes of migration of the different species, 

 the Union, through its Secretary, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, has issued cir- 

 culars to the light-houses of the United States and Canada, to be filled 

 up and returned. 



An appeal made to the Institution for co-operation was promptly 

 met, tlie Institution undertaking the expense of printing the blanks 

 and circulars in question, as being strictly germane to its functions. A 

 .suliiciently large edition was prepared and transmitted to the Secretary, 



