139 



and other objects of nature came in for attention when interesting 

 species were found. 



On Friday evening, May 16, the writer gave an illustrated 

 talk on "Snapshots About the Pines," showing pictures of animal 

 and plant life that he had taken on previous nature conferences. 

 On the evening of May 17, Dr. J. M. Johnson lectured on "Mam- 

 mals of the Rocky Mountain Region," illustrated with sUdes made 

 from his own photographs. This was followed by movie reels of 

 animal life made and shown by Mr. Hassler. 



About eighty persons took part in the various bird hikes and 

 eighty-nine species were observed. Two of these were new to the 

 region, a White-winged Scoter and a Glossy Ibis. The latter bird, far 

 out of its range, was observed by several good bird students at close 

 range and Dr. Johnson believes there is little doubt as to the cor- 

 rectness of the identification. All observations were made within 

 ten miles of Branchville. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were 

 observed at their nest, and a pair of Great Blue Herons were con- 

 structing a nest and a pair of Florida Gallinules were observed at 

 close range. 



Mr. Hassler 's walks were much enjoyed, especially by teachers 

 of biology. He put up an exhibit of live animals, chiefly reptiles 

 and amphibians that were collected on the trips around Branchville, 

 Dr. Thomson also assembled an interesting exhibit of lichens col- 

 lected by his groups. These labeled specimens were studied at odd 

 moments. 



An aggregate of sixty or more members and guests took part 

 in the three fern hikes led by Mr. Dole. Thirty-two species of ferns 

 were observed. Among the ferns found, the Smooth Cliff-brake, 

 Pellea glabella, and the Narrow-leaf Spleenwort, Diplazium pycno- 

 carpon, are comparatively rare in New Jersey. 



While this is marked the "Sixteenth" Annual Nature Con- 

 ference held at Branchville, N. J., it is really the seventeenth. The 

 first was held May 14-16, 1925, with Dr. H. A. Gleason of the 

 New York Botanical Gardens and the writer as leaders. About 

 twenty-five persons were in attendance at the first meeting. There 

 have been held sixteen annual nature conferences since that time. 

 Certain changes have taken place in the plant life since the first 

 meeting. Some species have increased in numbers, others ha^■e 

 decreased and a few have apparently disappeared. Occasionally a 



