282 Notes and News. [apM 



the snow capped mountain itself represented in the background shows the 

 temperate and boreal zones that one traverses in ascending to its peak 

 (18,225 feet); the same transition that would be experienced in a journey 

 of 3000 miles northward at sea level. 



The group was prepared under the direction of Mr. Frank M. Chapman, 

 Curator of Birds, from field studies made by him on the American Museum 

 expedition of March and April, 1910. The background is by Robert 

 Bruce Horsfall from studies by Henry A. Ferguson and Louis Agassiz 

 Fuertes, the accessories were prepared by WiUiam Peters and the birds 

 by Henry C. Raven. 



The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadephia celebrated the one 

 hundredth anniversary of its founding oh March 21, 1912. The Academy 

 has always held a foremost place in the development of ornithology in 

 America. Among the men who in 1812 conceived the idea of organizing the 

 society there was one, Thomas Say, who figured as an ornithologist, 

 although more prominent in other branches of science; while among the 

 first members elected was Alexander Wilson whose untimely death 

 occurred before he had qualified for membership. 



In the years that followed the Academy numbered among its active 

 members Charles Lucien Bonaparte, George Ord, Thomas Nuttall, Thomas 

 B. Wilson, John Cassin, Edward Harris, William Gambel, Adolphus L. 

 Heerman, John K. Townsend, Samuel W. Woodhouse, while among its 

 correspondents were Audubon, Baird, Lawrence, Coues, Xantus, etc. 



For many years the Journal and Proceedings which now comprise 

 eighty-four volumes formed the principal vehicle for ornithological publi- 

 cation in America and especially during the active period of Cassin's 

 career became famous among ornithologists the world over. 



The great ornithological collection of the Academy which now comprises 

 some 60,000 specimens first gained prominence through the munificence of 

 Dr. Thomas B. Wilson at one time president of the society who purchased 

 the Rivoli, Gould, Boucier and other foreign collections as well as all the 

 North American material that could be secured and by 1857 had established 

 the Academy's collection as the greatest in the world, in the opinion of no 

 less an authority than Dr. P. L. Sclater. 



With the exception of the American Philosophical Society which cele- 

 brated its centenary a few years ago, and perhaps a few others, the 

 Philadelphia Academy is the oldest scientific society in America and 

 probably the oldest of those devoted purely to the natural sciences. Its 

 completion of one hundred years of activity really marks the completion 

 of the first century of serious investigations in natural history in this 

 country. The record as we review it is one of which we can well be proud 

 and in the development of science in America to the high standard that 

 it has now attained, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 

 has contributed not a little. 



