272 



defray the expense of his passage to and from California, 

 as well as purchase the necessary equipment for such an 

 undertaking, a much larger sum would be necessary than 

 the present funds in the treasurer's hands, or even the 

 income of the current year, could meet. Under these 

 circumstances, the committee would not have advised the 

 undertaking. But an agreement has been entered into 

 with the Smithsonian Institution, by which all the expenses 

 of passage and outfit will be defrayed by that institution, 

 which unites with this Society in the enterprise,, on terms 

 advantageous to both. 



The Smithsonian Institution will reserve only such speci- 

 mens as are necessary to complete its own collection. Dr. 

 Leconte will name all the Insects, reserving only such as 

 will fill vacancies in his already very extensive cabinet. 



The Mammals will be given into Dr. Baird's hands, as he 

 is now employed in their especial study. All remaining 

 specimens will come to the Society, and all memoirs or 

 de*scriptions of new species are to be first published either 

 in the Society's Proceedings or Journal. 



The Committee feel desirous of expressing gratification 

 at the liberal and zealous spirit manifested by Mr. Samuels, 

 who has constantly placed the interests of the Society 

 before his personal emolument. He has been willing to 

 undertake a difficult and laborious task, mainly for the 

 reputation and honor which he may thereby acquire ; and 

 the Committee feel that so advantageous an arrangement 

 could have been made with no other individual. 



The Report was accepted. 



Dr. Samuel Kneeland, Jr., presented a young male Golden 

 or Ring-tailed Eagle, {Aquila chrysaUos, Linn.) shot a 

 few weeks since in Lexington, Mass. This bird is common 

 in the northern and northwestern parts of this country, but 

 is quite rare in the southern New England States, and 



