44 ' Fifteenth Congress of the A. O. U. \¥^^ 



During the year the Union lost sixty-two members — seven by 

 death, thirteen by resignation and forty-two were dropped for 

 non-payment of dues. The members lost by death were Hein- 

 rich Giitkei, an Honorary Member, who died on the Island of 

 Heligoland, January i, 1897, aged 83 years; and Maj. Charles 

 E. Bendire, U. S. A.,^ one of the Founders, an Active Member, 

 and a Councillor, who died at Jacksonville, Fla., February 4, 

 1897, aged 61. Also the following Associa.tes : Capt. Platte M. 

 Thorne, U. S. A.,^ who died in Rochester, N. Y., March 16, 

 1897, aged 59 ; Robert Hoe Lawrence,^ who died at Danville, 

 111., April 27, 1897, aged 35 ; Charles Bill, of Springfield, Mass., 

 who died in April, 1897 ; Louis W. Brokaw, who died at Carmel, 

 Ind., September 3, 1897 ; and Robert A. Campbell of Phoenix, 

 Arizona, particulars of whose death have not yet been received. 



The report of the Treasurer showed the finances of the Union 

 to be in good condition. 



The officers of the previous year were all re-elected, with Mr. 

 Ruthven Deane as a member of the Council, to fill the vacancy 

 caused by the death of Maj. Bendire. Dr. Charles W. Richmond, 

 Assistant Curator, Department of Ornithology, U. S. National 

 Museum, was elected an Active Member, and eighty-eight new 

 members were added to the list of Associates. As a direct 

 result of the Audubon Society movement, creating a popular inter- 

 est in the study of birds, more women than usual were elected 

 to associate membership. The usual reports of Standing Com- 

 mittees were received. 



Public Session. First Day. — The meeting was called to 

 order by Vice-President Merriam. Dr. J.'^A. Allen read a letter 

 from Mr. Morris K. Jesup, President of the American Museum, 

 welcoming the Union to the Museum. 



The reading of scientific papers began with one by Mr. Sylvester 

 D. Judd on 'Protective Adaptations of Insects from an Ornitho- 



' For an obituary notice, see Auk, XIV, p. 254. 



^ For an obituary notice, see Ibid, p. 253; also Memorial Address in tlie 

 present number. 



■'For an obituary notice, see Ibid, pp. 254-255. 

 ^ For an obituary notice see Ibid, p. 342. 



