BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 211 



cost of the illustrations, the work was not continued beyond the first part, which treats of 

 the Birds of Prey, the Swifts, Swallows, Goatsuckers and Kingfishers. This work, until 

 within the last year, was the only special treatise extant on the subject to which it relates, 

 and will ever hold the place of a standard work. It is, moreover, a work which brought 

 to its author great credit, and through which he became widely known as an ornithologist 

 of high standing. 



In 1874 appeared " A History of North American Birds," under the joint authorship of 

 S. F. Baird, T. M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway, in three quarto volumes devoted to the " Land 

 Birds." To this work the whole of the biographical part, forming probably two-thirds of 

 the letterpress, was contributed by Dr. Brewer, and throughout evinces his thorough 

 familiarity with the literature of the subject, and shows the hand of the master in all that 

 relates to his special department of a work which marks an era in the history of North 

 American ornithology. 



Dr. Brewer's minor papers appeared at intervals throughout the long period of forty 

 years, and embrace important contributions to our knowledge of American birds. 



He has left the manuscript for the completion of his share of the great work on North 

 American birds already mentioned, the final revision of which he had just completed ; also 

 material for the contemplated continuation of his "North American Oology." Plis collec- 

 tion of eggs the accumulation of a long series of years, is doubtless one of the best 

 private collections extant. 



Dr. Brewer having been engaged during the larger part of his life in absorbing profes- 

 sional or commercial pursuits, his contributions to ornithology must have been largely the 

 work of such limited time as could be spared from his business engagements, and only 

 within the last few years was he able to devote himself wholly to his favorite studies. Al- 

 though an authority of unsurpassed eminence in his special province, that of North 

 American Oology, his labors were mainly restricted to this field, taken, however in its 

 broader sense. Removed suddenly, apparently when there were years of activity and lei- 

 sure before him for scientific research, his loss is one not easily replaced, nor its impor- 

 tance readily appreciated except by those who knew him intimately and were familiar with 

 his conscientious manner of investigation, his warm sympathy, and the thorough loyalty of 

 his friendship. 



At a meeting of the Council on the 17th of March, the President called the attention 

 of the members to the fact that the 28th of April would be the semi-centennial anniver- 

 sary of the formation of the Society, suggesting that a public celebration of the event 

 should take place. 



After discussion it was unanimously voted, that the President should appoint a com- 

 mittee, including himself as chairman, to arrange for a proper celebration, with full pow- 

 ers to take such measures as they judged expedient. The committee as formed consisted 

 of the President, Mr. John Cummings, Mr. S. H. Scudder, Mr. Charles W. Srudder, and 

 Mr. Edward Burgess. It will be remembered that the Council in December had passed 

 a vote in view of this year being the semi-centennial one of the foundation of the 

 Society, that there should be published an illustrated quarto volume of its memoirs as a 

 part of the Society's celebration of the event, if subscriptions could be obtained for copies 



