THE NIDOLOGIST 
pleasant totheear. ‘The bird is of a friendly 
_ nature, always preferrivg to remain near the 
haunts of man. All the nests I found were 
near some abode or wagon road. ‘They 
were to be found only in the small area 
enclosed in the mountains; not being seen 
at all on the desert plains which surround 
the hills. The nest is of a very fragile 
nature, depending for its support upon the 
branches against which it rests. The gen- 
eral composition is weed stems and dry 
grasses, lined with down of a certain sage 
growing in that locality. Under date of 
June 16,1 find, ‘The few Black-throated 
Sparrows remaining haunt the shady spots 
and are very tame, coming into our tent 
every day. The mandibles are always open 
and they always enjoy a drink from the 
cup.’ ”’ ‘The Division was entertained bya 
talk by Mr. Grinnell on his recent visit to 
San Clemente Island, illustrated by speci- 
mens and photographs. The Southern 
Division meets May 29, at the residence of 
F.S. Daggett in Pasadena. 
Northern Division 
The Northern Division met at the home 
of Otto Emerson at Haywards, Cal., May 1, 
with a good attendance. The following 
were elected to membership: A. P. Reding- 
ton, San Francisco; George H. Ward of 
Napa; A G. Maddren, Stanford University: 
A. J. Zschokke, Palo Alto and W. H. 
Armitage, Alameda. The report of the 
Committee appointed at the last meeting to 
draft resolutions recommending the comzle- 
tion of Major Bendire’s uncompleted work on 
“Life Histories,” with a view to starting a 
movement of this nature throughout the 
United States, was read by the Chairman, 
R, B. McLain, as follows: 
“WHEREaS the death of Major Charles 
EK. Bendire on Feb. 4, 1897, leaves his most 
magnificent work, the ‘‘Life Histories of 
North American Birds’’ but half completed, 
and 
Whereas the Ornithologists of the United 
States anticipate the probability that this 
work will never be completed unless con- - 
certed interest be shown, be it 
‘* Resolved, that the Cooper Ornithological 
Club of California does hereby express its 
great interest in the completion of the work, 
and earnestly requests that the officers and 
scientists of the Smithsonian Institution, 
and men of influence at Washington D, C. 
103 
and in other parts of America, do all in their 
power to further the completion of this work 
by some competent man whois willing to 
undertake the responsibility, and be it 
further 
‘' Resolved that copies of these resolutions 
be sent to the officers and scientists of the 
U.S. National Museum and to prominent 
investigators throughout America, who will 
be asked to use their influence to further the 
aims of these resolutions, and beit 
‘Resolved that these resolutions be 
printed in the organ of the Club, the Nip- 
OLOGIST, and that other Ornithological clubs 
of this country be asked to adopt similar 
resolutions to show that there is enough 
interest manifested in this movement to 
warrant the completion of this most valuable 
work of life histories.’’ 
A Club sketch, entitled ‘‘Looking For- 
ward,’’ by C. Barlow, was read. Dr J. G. 
Cooper, was present and gave an entertain- 
ing talk on “Birds of the Garden.” 
— tr 
The Hooded [lerganser. 
This species appears irregularly on the 
small artificial ponds of this vicinity, arriv- 
ing during the night and feeding in the 
early morning. The drawing was made | 
from the mounted bird, so I cannot guaran. 
The Hooded Merganser 
tee the form or attitude to be life-like. 
Besides the narrow and toothed bill which 
nature has given the Mergansers, one notes 
with interest the looseness of the neck-skin. 
Montgomery, O. J. C. GALLOWAY. 
