Vol. XVII 
grees Notes and News. gI 
NOTES AND NEWS. 
Dr. Ettiorr Covers died at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, 
Md., Dec. 25, 1899, as the result of a grave surgical operation performed 
on Dec. 6, after several months of seriously impaired health, at the age of 
57 years. 
Dr. Coues was not only one of the Founders of the American Ornithol- 
ogists’ Union, but one of the’self-constituted committee of three that sent 
out the call for a congress of ornithologists that resulted in the founding 
of the Union. He was at one time its President, and always one of the 
most valued and influential members of its Council, and of the Committee 
on the Nomenclature and classification of North American Birds, drafting 
considerable portions of its ‘Code of Nomenclature,’ and acting with the 
Committee in the preparation of both editions of the Check-List and its 
various Supplements. As an all-around ornithologist, his position was in 
the first rank of the cultivators of this science, and his influence upon 
the progress of technical ornithology in America is second only to that 
of the late Professor Baird, of whom he was a pupil; while in populariz- 
ing the subject his influence has been far greater than that of any 
other writer. His ‘Key to North American Birds,’ published in 1872, 
was a popular handbook that opened an easy path to would-be students 
of ornithology. His enthusiasm, remarkable facility of expression, 
vivacity of style and originality of thought always enlivened his writings, 
however technical the subject, and imparted to his bird biographies a 
charm and vividness few writers can hope to attain. 
It is with the deepest sorrow that we have to record the loss of one so 
eminent in the annals of our science, while still at the height of his 
powers ; his death will be felt as a personal loss by all the members of 
our Union and as a grave loss to our science. He was kind-hearted and 
helpful, of great tenacity of purpose, impulsive and imaginative, some- 
times aggressive, and not always discreet in his methods of controversy. 
His capacity for work was almost phenomenal, and there was a decided 
touch of genius in his mental organism. His friendships were firm and 
lasting, and he did not easily forget an injury, whether fancied or real. 
In accordance with a standing order of the Union respecting deceased 
Active Members (see Auk, XII, p. 199), a special memorial of his life 
and work will be presented at the next meeting of the American Orni- 
thologists’ Union, and published later in ‘ The Auk,’ 
Dr. D. WEBSTER PRENTISS, one of the Founders of the American 
Ornithologists’ Union, and for twelve years an Active Member, died at 
his home in Washington, D. C., Nov. 19, 1899, at the age of 56 years. 
Owing to failing health, he resigned his Active Membership in 1895, and 
