''^^3-] The American OrttitJiologists' Unio7i. 221 



THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 



On September 36, a convention of American ornithologists 

 met in the library of the American Museum of Natural History 

 in New York, to organize an American Ornithologists' 

 Union, pursuant to. the following call : — 



Cambridge and Washington, 

 August i, 1883. 

 To 



Dear Sir : — 



You are cordially invited to attend a Convention of American 

 Ornithologists ^ to be held in New York City, beginning on September 26, 

 1883, for the purpose of founding an American Ornithologists' Union, 

 upon a basis similar to that of the "British Ornithologists' Union." The 

 place of meeting will be announced hereafter. 



The object of the Union will be the promotion of social and scientific 

 intercourse between American ornithologists, and their co-operation in 

 whatever may tend to the advancement of Ornithology in North America. 



A special object, which it is expected will at once engage the attention 

 of the Union, will be the revision of the current lists of North American 

 Birds, to the end of adopting a uniform system of classification and no- 

 menclature, based on the views of a majority of the Union, and carrying 

 the authority of the Union. Other important matters will be doubtless 

 presented for consideration at the first meeting. 



It is proposed to hold meetings at least once annually, at such times and 

 places as may be hereafter determined, for the reading of papers, the dis- 

 cussion of such matters as may be brought before the Union, and the 

 transaction of the usual business of a scientific society. 



Those who attend the first meeting will be considered ipso facto Found- 

 ers of the American Ornithologists' Union. Active and Correspond- 

 ing Members may be elected in due course after organization of Mie 

 Union, under such rules as maybe established for increase of membership. 

 Details of organization will be considered at the first meeting. 



Should you favor this proposition, and propose to attend the first meet- 

 ing, please so signify to any one of the undersigned. 



J. A. Allen, Cambridge, Mass., 



Editor of the Nuttall Bulletin. 



Elliott Coues, V/ashington, D. C, 



Assoc. Editor of the Nuttall Bulletin. 



William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass., 

 President of the Nuttall Club. 



