147 



noting down the earliest date on which any bird is seen in the Hi)ring, 

 and transmitting these notes to tlie leaders at the close of tlie season. 

 Notes of the latest dates, on which the birds are seen, in the autumn, arc 

 also of great value. 



The leaders cannot close this report without calling at'.ention to 

 a great event in the history of Ornithology, which took place during the 

 past season. Last September, a number of the ablest Ornithologists on 

 the continent held a meeting in New York City, and founded the 

 '•' American Ornithologists' Union." The formation of such a society 

 was the one thing necessary to ensure the rapid and systematic develop- 

 ment of Amei'ican Ornithology. Should any of the members of the 

 Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club be desirous of bringing any notes, or 

 other communications, before the notice of the Union, they may do so 

 thi'ough the medium of either Professor Macoun or Mr. W. L. Scott, 

 both of those gentlemen having been elected associate members of that 



body. 



JOHN MACOUN, 



GEO. R. WHITE, 



W. L. SCOTT, 



Leaders. 

 20th December, 1883. 



