Vol. XXI 

 igo4 



n Sage, T-Menty-jimt Cotigiess of the A. O. U. y^ 



tions were adopted thanking the Academy of Natural Sciences 

 for the use of a hall for a place of meeting for the Union, and for 

 other courtesies extended ; to the Local Committee and other 

 Philadelphia ornithologists for tl>e cordial welcome and most gen- 

 erous hospitality shown visiting members and friends of the 

 Union, and to the Zoological Society of Philadelphia for its kind 

 invitation to visit the Gardens of the Society. 



The following resolution of thanks to Dr. J. A. Allen for twenty 

 years' services as Editor of ' The Auk ' was passed : 



" Whereas, for a period of twenty years Dr. J. A. Allen has 

 performed the laborious duties of Editor of ' The Auk,' the official 

 publication of the American Ornithologists' Union ; and 



''Whereas, by reason of his ability and training as an Editor, 

 and his high standing as an ornithologist, he has brought ' The 

 Auk ' to the front rank among the ornithological publications of 

 the world ; be it 



"Resolved, that the American Ornithologists' Union hereby 

 extends to Dr. Allen its appreciative and grateful thanks for his 

 services." 



A resolution of thanks to William Dutcher, for many years 

 Treasurer of the Union, was also adopted : 



"Resolved, that the thanks of the American Ornithologists' 

 Union be extended to Mr. William Dutcher for his long and 

 arduous services as Treasurer." 



These resolutions will be engrossed and presented, respectively, 

 to Dr. Allen and Mr. Dutcher. 



The following papers were read : 



' The Exaltation of the Subspecies,' by Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr, 

 Remarks followed by Drs. Merriam and Stejneger, Messrs. Brew- 

 ster and Stone, and the Chair. 



' Bird Life at Cape Charles, Va.,' by Geo. Spencer Morris. 



' The Origin of Migration,' by P. A. Tavernier. In the absence 

 of the author it was read by Dr. Palmer. Remarks followed by 

 Dr. Trotter. 



' Yosemite Valley Birds,' by Otto Widmann. Read by Dr. 

 Dwight in the absence of the author. Remarks followed by 

 Dr. Merriam. 



The fifth paper ' Mortality among Young Birds due to Exces- 



