^"IqS^'] ^^'^* ^f"^ Nevjs. 511 



Mr. James Mortimer Southwick, an Associate of the American Orni- 

 thologists' Union, died at his home in Providence, R. I., June 3, 1904, at 

 the age of 58 years, having been born in Newburyport, Mass., July 10, 

 1846. He was educated in the public schools of that place, and at the age 

 of sixteen went to Providence, where for many years he was in the dry 

 goods business. In 18S3 he started a natural history business, in com- 

 pany with Mr. Fred T. Jencks, under the well-known firm name of South- 

 wick and Jencks, and later, on the retirement of Mr. Jencks, continued the 

 business for some time alone. In connection with the sale of natural 

 history books and specimens, the firm published a monthly journal entitled 

 'Random Notes on Natural History' (3 vols., 1884-86), which contained 

 many important notes and articles, relating largely to the natural history 

 of Rhode Island, many of them contributed by authors who are now well- 

 known specialists in their respective lines of study. In 1896 he disposed 

 of his natural history business to accept the position of Curator of the 

 Natural History Museum at Roger Williams Park, Providence, R. I., 

 which position he held at the time of his death. As Curator he worked 

 indefatigably, and at times against great discouragements. He succeeded, 

 however, in bringing together a nearly complete collection of the birds of 

 Rhode Island, which in installation and arrangement, including labeling, 

 is a model that may well be followed in other local museums. The results 

 here shown are due to his own untiring eftorts and to his earnest solicita- 

 tions in behalf of the museum. At the time of his death he was Vice- 

 President of the Rhode Island Audubon Society and of the Franklin 

 Society of Providence. He w^as Bate Entomologist for several years, and 

 was for two years Secretary of the Tree Protection Society, and a member 

 of the Horticultural Society. He was the first to discover the presence of 

 the Gypsy moth in Providence, and did much to aid in the extermination 

 of this and such other destructive insect pests as the elm leaf beetle and 

 the San Jos^ scale insect from the city in which he lived. 



It was his endeavor to make the museum a means of useful instruction 

 to the public, and he often gave lectures on natural history subjects in his 

 own and neighboring cities, and greatly assisted the teachers of nature 

 study in the public schools. His ornithological publications are not 

 extensive, consisting of various notes on the rarer birds of Rhode Island. 

 From early life his interest in natural history was intense, and he has 

 left in the Roger Williams Park Museum an enduring record of con- 

 scientious work. 



Articles of incorporation have just been drawn looking to the estab- 

 lishment on a permanent foundation of the ' Worthington Society for the 

 Investigation of Bird Life.' The founder, Mr. Charles C Worthington, 

 will erect and endow, on his estate at Shawnee, Monroe County, Penn- 

 sylvania, the necessary buildings and equipment. 



The Worthington Societv will have for its purpose the consideration 



