Annual Reports ,• 67 



Wharton, F. Winthrop White, William G. Willcox, Mrs. William G. 

 Willcox, Miss Annie F. Wood. 



In connection with this Hst -it is of interest to record that thirty-eight 

 members of the Association contributed $635 ; eight members of the Bird 

 Club contributed $84; and that nine persons who were not members of 

 either organization contributed $270. 



The city having declined to approve any appropriation for the position 

 during the year 1918, and no effort having been made to raise any funds 

 for the purpose by popular subscription or personal appeal, as was done 

 last year, we were deprived of his official services after December 31, 1917. 



During several years past the director realized more and more the 

 advisability of divorcing the institutional activities of the Museum from 

 the ordinary activities of the Association, and hence, at the annual meet- 

 ing of the Board on May 26, 1917, he tendered his resignation as secretary 

 of the Association, after almost thirty-six years of continuous service. 

 This has relieved the director of a great deal of work and responsibility 

 and has enabled him to give more largely of his time, thought, and ener- 

 gies to the administration and development of the Museum. For the 

 courtesies tendered by the Board in connection with the event the director 

 takes this opportunity to acknowledge his sincere appreciation. 



Museum Attendance 



The number of visitors to the Museum from May i, 1917, to April 30, 

 1918, inclusive, was 15,976. This is lower by 1,385 than the attendance of 

 the preceding year. This loss, however, may probably be accounted for by 

 reason of the severe cold weather in December and January; the closing 

 of the Museum from February 7 to 13 inclusive ; and the abandonment of 

 the children's lecture courses during January, February, and March, due 

 to the loss of Mr. Cleaves' services as well as to the cold weather. 



Detailed statistics may be found in the appended report of Miss Agnes 

 L. Pollard, curator. 



Children's Lectures 



The first of the season's courses of Friday afternoon lectures for chil- 

 dren was given on November 2 and the last one on December 28 — nine in 

 all, with an average attendance of 106 for each. On three occasions the 

 lecture was repeated in order to accommodate the children who could not 

 be seated the first time. 



Detailed statistics may be found in the appended report by Miss Pollard. 



The unavoidable abandonment of the lecture courses after the end of 

 the year 1917 was deeply regretted by everyone concerned, and it can 

 hardly be regarded in any other light than that of a public calamity. For 

 many weeks children continued to come to the Museum on Fridays, ex- 

 pecting or hoping that the lectures would be resumed. 



To the several lecturers and others who generously contributed their 



