V °\^9 XVI ] Notes and News. 157 



Region, and Polynesia. To meet these requirements is in part the object 

 of the proposed 'Systema Avium.' — T. S. P. 



An interesting collection of paintings of extinct birds or those in danger 

 of extinction is being made by the New York Zoological Society. The 

 three paintings now exhibited in the Administration Building in the 

 Zoological Park are the work of Robert Bruce Horsfall and include the 

 Great Auk, Pallas' Cormorant, and the California Condor. 



According to ' The Emu ' efforts are now being made to raise a sufficient 

 fund to purchase and transfer from England to Australia the great col- 

 lection of Australian birds belonging to Gregory M. Mathews. This is 

 the first large collection of birds which has been offered for sale since the 

 collection of the late Count Hans von Berlepsch was sold a few years ago. 

 The latter collection was especially rich in South American species. 



Dr. T. S. Palmer has prepared an interesting historical account of the 

 American Ornithologists' Union, with portraits of the founders and some 

 leading members, which appeared in ' The American Museum Journal ' 

 (XVIII, No. 6, November, 1918). The object was to arouse interest in 

 and to advertise the society in the hope of securing additional members. 

 A few copies are available should members desire to secure them from him. 



During the year 1918 the Union gained 17 life members as follows: 

 Three Fellows — Eugene P. Bicknell, Richard C. McGregor, and T. S. 

 Palmer; two Members — F. H. Kennard and Geo. Shiras 3d; and 12 

 Associates — Franklin Brandreth, Mrs. Edmund Bridge, Dudley B. Fay, 

 Harry Harris, Harold Herrick, John B. Henderson, Mrs. Ella M. O. 

 Marshall, Miss Elizabeth D. Palmer, Edward L. Parker, L. H. Vandergrift, 

 Gordon B. Wellman and William P. Wharton. 



We learn with much regret of the retirement of Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant 

 from his post in the British Museum (Natural History), on account of ill 

 health. According to 'The Ibis,' Mr. Grant became connected with the 

 museum in 1882 and began his work in the Bird Room in 1885, becoming 

 Assistant Keeper of the Zoological Department in 1913. While serving 

 in outer defences of London, in August 1916, in the 1st County of London 

 Volunteer Regiment, he received a sunstroke from the effects of which he 

 has suffered ever since. By absolute rest in the quiet of the country, it is 

 hoped he may soon regain his health. 



Beginning with the April 1918 issue 'The Ottawa Naturalist' has 

 appeared in a much improved form, with a larger page and new cover. 

 It was established in 1887 by the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club and is 

 therefore one of the oldest natural history periodicals in North America. 

 Judging by the recent issues the improvement extends also to the subject 

 matter and it bids fair to hold and strengthen its honorable place in scien- 

 tific literature. 



