Vol. xxxiii.] 52 



Club, they had to deplore the loss of one of their oldest and 

 most respected members, the veteran Irish naturalist Mr. R. 

 J. Ussher. He had for many years been a very active 

 member of both the Union and the Club, and had been an 

 enthusiastic student of Irish Ornithology. All would 

 deplore his loss. • 



The world of Science had also suffered an irreparable 

 loss in the death of Dr. A. R. Wallace. An all-round 

 naturalist, he formed part of that band of 19th century 

 aiants of science which made the Victorian Era stand out on 

 a pinnacle. He was the last of the famous coterie of men 

 of science which included Huxley, Darwin, Tyndall, Hooker, 

 Kelvin, and Lister. All must regret the loss of this great 

 man to science and to the world at large. 



The Chairman gave the following Address : — 

 " Brother Members of the B. O. C, — 



c< It is a very difficult task at all times to make a beginning ; 

 and I find this axiom very true in my own case. To follow 

 in the steps of our late Chairman will be difficult indeed ; 

 but to read one's first Address is a most terrifying ordeal. 



" One great help is that, owing to absence from home, our 

 late Chairman did not deliver an address last session, and as 

 the year 1912 was very fertile in ornithological work and 

 activity I have a larger field than usual to choose from. 



" Death has robbed Ornithology of many of its best friends 

 and exponents. Among others we have to deplore the loss 

 of Professor W. Blasius, Allan O. Hume, A. D. Millar, 

 W. B. Tegetmeier, Edward Adrian Wilson, Professor Robert 

 Collett, Henry John Pearson, Thomas Ayres, Dr. J. W. 

 B. Gunning, and our late Chairman, Dr. P. L\ Sclater. 



" To begin with the sphere of Dr. Hartert's and my own 

 researches : in North Africa ornithological research has been 

 very active; in addition to our own expeditions in 1911, 

 1912, and 1913, Count Zedlitz, Herr Fromholz, Herr Paul 

 Spatz, and the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain have made most 

 interesting investigations in all parts of Algeria and the 

 vast 'Territoires du Sud/ One of the most important 



