2 1 6 Notes and Nezvs. [^^^^ 



graphy,' by Wm. L. Whitaker ; 'Notes on Nests found in Salem Co., 

 N. J.,' bj Wm. W. Justin, Jr. ; ' The American Barn Owl,' and ' Great Gull 

 Island,' bj J. Harris Reed ; ' Fossil Birds and their Living Allies,' by 

 S. N. Rhoads. 



The officers for the ensuing year are : President, I. Norris DeHaven ; 

 Vice-President, Chas. J. Rhoads; Secretary, William A. Shryock; Treas- 

 urer, Wm. L. Baily. 



A Section of Ornithology has been recently formed by the members 

 of the California Academy of Sciences interested in the study of birds, 

 with the following officers : President, Leverett M. Loomis ; Vice-Presi- 

 dent, John W. Mailliard; Secretary and Treasui-er, Henry B. Kaeding. 



The meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month for the pres- 

 entation of papers, informal discussion of matters relating to ornithology 

 and the examination of specimens. The collection and library of the De- 

 partment of Ornithology have been placed at the disposal of the Section. 



The United Ornithologists of Maine held their second annual 

 meeting at the roo'ms of the Portland Society of Natural History, Port- 

 land, Maine, Dec. 31, 1S97, and Jan. i, 1898. Twenty-six new members 

 were elected, and also the following officers for 189S: President, Ora W. 

 Knight; Vice-President, Wm. L. Powers; Secretary-Treasurer, L. W. 

 Robbins; Editor, James Carroll Mead; Councillors, Herbert L. Spinney, 

 and Prof. Asa L. Lane. A plan for work for the ensuing year was 

 adopted and the following papers read. ' How I became an Ornithologist, 

 by Geo. A. Boardman ; ' Talks on Maine Birds, by Prof. A. L. Lane ; 

 'Loons on our Inland Waters,' by James Carroll Mead'; Ornithology in 

 our Public Schools,' by Principal Wm. L. Powers ; 'Migration of Birds as 

 observed at Seguin Light," by H. L. Spinney ; ' Birds as Home Lovers, ' by 

 Ora W. Knight. The recommendation that " the family of Ducks, Geese 

 and Swans (Anatidie), and the Thrushes (Turdidee) be the special objects 

 of studj'," during the ensuing year was adopted. The report of the 

 meeting occupies three pages of the ' Maine Sportsman ' for February, 

 1898 (Vol. V, No. 54, pp. 8, 20, 21), and includes in full the paper on 

 'Migration of Birds at Seguin Light House,' by Herbert L. Spinney, 2d 

 Assist. Keeper. 



The 'Maine Sportsman ' is the official organ of the United Ornitholo- 

 gists of Maine, and contains a department of 'Ornithology,' devoted to 

 the work and interests of the Society, and often includes notes and papers 

 of permanent interest and value. In the number for May, 1S97, for 

 example, is a 'Twenty Years' Review of the Scoter Duck' {Oidemia 

 deglandi'), by Herbert L. Spinney. Also in earlier numbers, 'A Visit to 

 Some Maine Heronries' by O. W. Knight (July, 1896); 'Breeding of the 

 Northern Raven on Seguin Island,' by Herbert L. Spinney (Aug., 1896) ; 

 ' Randon Notes on our Sea Birds, by J. Merton Swain (Sept., 1896) ; and 

 ' The Ruffed Grouse of Maine,' by A. H. Norton. The Society also takes 

 an earnest interest in the Protection of Birds. 



