QO Fifth Meeliiig of the America)! Ornithologists Union. [Janunry 



had been fixed with special reference to Professor Baird's con- 

 venience, as he had given assurance that if he were alive, he 

 would attend the meeting if held in Boston the second week in 

 October. Hence the sense of loss was forcibly impressed upon 

 all. His death occurred, as is well known,* at Wood's Holl, 

 Mass., August 19, 18S7. 



In the death of Dr. J. M. Wheaton.f at Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 

 28, 18S7, the Union also lost another original member, and an 

 ornithologist of prominence, and one held in great esteem by his 

 fellow-members. Dr. Julius von Haast, Director of the Canter- 

 bury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand, a Corresponding 

 Member of the Union, died at Bonn, August 15, 1887. Dr. 

 Haast was especially known for his admirable I'esearches respect- 

 ing the remarkable extinct birds of New Zealand. 



Mr. Samuel Wells Willard, of West DePere, Wis., an Asso- 

 ciate Member, died at Chatanooga, Tenn., May 24, 1887, at the 

 age of 28. He was a young man of unusual promise, and will 

 be long remembered for his excellent work on the migration and 

 distribution of the birds of Wisconsin. 



The Treasurer's report showed an indebtedness of about five 

 hundred dollars, resulting mainly from the publication of the 

 'Code and Check-List.' 'The Auk,' during the past year, bad 

 proved self-sustaining. 



The report from the Council included, as usual, nominations 

 for membership, and also a draft of a new Constitution and By- 

 Laws, and a report of its action in relation to the matter of in- 

 corporation, both the latter being subjects specially referred to 

 the Council at the last meeting. Only one candidate was nom- 

 inated for Active Meir.bership, namely. Dr. F. W. Langdon of Cin- 

 cinnati, Ohio. Owing to pending radical changes in the manner 

 of selecting candidates for Active Membership, it was deemed 

 undesirable bv the Coimcil to present other nominations at this 

 meeting. Dr. Langdon's case presented peculiar claims, he 

 having been previously elected at the first meeting of the Union, 

 and prevented by unfortunate circumstances from availing him- 

 self of the privilege of membership. Twenty-eight nominations 

 were reported for Associate Membership. 



* See Auk, Vol. IV, p. 358. 

 t See Ibid., p. 174. 



