462 Notes and News. [*g 



by others, so far as we know his only published papers were 'An Annotated 

 List of the Birds of Oneida County, N. Y. and the Immediate Vicinity,' 

 which was issued under joint authorship with Mr. Egbert Bagg of Utica, 

 in 1886, and an addendum to this list published in ' The Auk ' in 1890 

 (pp. 229-232). 



After the death of Major Bendire in 1897 Doctor Ralph was made custo- 

 dian of the egg collection of the National Museum, and in 1901 his title was 

 changed to that of curator. From the very first when he began to asso- 

 ciate with Major Bendire he took a deep interest in the Museum collection 

 and from time to time made valuable donations of beautifully prepared 

 and carefully identified eggs, aggregating upwards of 10,000 specimens. 

 He also went to considerable trouble and expense in collecting mammals 

 and other desiderata for the Museum, and on one occasion purchased a 

 fine example of the extinct Philip Island parrot which was in danger of 

 being sent abroad. He always was fond of studying the habits of wild 

 creatines and of keeping them as pets. During the past few years he pur- 

 chased and liberated in the Smithsonian grounds many gray squirrels for 

 the purpose of giving pleasure to visitors and a show of wild life to this 

 attractive spot. It was a. familiar sight during cold wintry weather to 

 see the Doctor hunting up his pets to furnish them with a liberal and 

 needed supply of nuts or other food. A few days before his death, while 

 in a very weakened condition, with great effort he went to his office, it is 

 thought for the main purpose of seeing whether his pets there had had 

 proper attention. 



Although in delicate health Doctor Ralph seemed to look upon the bright 

 side of life and was happiest when associating with or entertaining his 

 chosen friends. He never tired talking over collecting or hunting exper- 

 iences, and was most enthusiastic while listening to or giving details of 

 some important capture or successful day in the field. He was unselfish, 

 kind hearted and generous almost to a fault, and we feel that in his death 

 the Union has lost a valuable member and his associates a devoted friend. — 

 A. K. F. 



The Seventh Ixtkuxational Congress ok Zoology held a six days' 

 session (August 19-24, 1907), in Boston, putting into effect without material 

 change the program announced in the first preliminary circular of the 

 Executive Committee issued in 1906 (see Auk, XXIII, Oct, 1907, p. 486). 

 There was a large attendance of foreign delegates and members, and the 

 zoologists of America were well represented, the registered attendance being 

 about five hundred. The general meetings were held in Jordan Hall, New 

 England Conservatory of Music, and the sectional meetings in the new 

 buildings of the Harvard Medical School. President, and Chairman of 

 the General Committee of the American Society of Zoologists, Alexander 

 Agassiz; General Secretary of the Permanent Committee of the Inter- 

 national Zoological Congress, R, Blanchard, Paris; Secretary of the Con- 

 gress, Samuel Henshaw. The arrangements for the work of the Congress. 



