8 



authority,, whose labors have had an important influence 

 upon the advancement of our knowledge of North Ameri- 

 can birds. His ' Key to North American Birds,' in its sev- 

 eral editions, has been an incentive and an aid to thous- 

 ands of American bird students, while his other contribu- 

 tions to technical and popular ornithology and to the 

 bibliography of ornithology have covered a wide field and 

 been of inestimable service to his fellow-workers. In his 

 death, many members of this Society recognize the loss of 

 a personal friend and a valued associate. 



"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the 

 minutes of the Society, and that a copy be transmitted to 

 the family of the deceased. 



" J. A. Allen, 



" Frank M. Chapman." 



Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., presented a paper on " The Wear of 

 Feathers," illustrated by photographs and specimens. Two 

 methods of wear in feathers were described, a chemical 

 change and a mechanical destruction of their substance, — 

 the latter being effected by contact with the grass, shrub- 

 bery, etc., and by atrition of the feathers against each other. 

 In the American Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra minor) and 

 the Purple Finch \Carpodacus purpureas), the loss of the 

 comparatively dull barbules results in a decided brighten- 

 ing of the plumage as the redder barbs are laid bare. 



March 13, 1900. — Annual Meeting. The President in 

 the chair. Six members present. 



The Secretary presented his Annual Report, as follows: 

 " There have been held by the Society during the year 

 thirteen meetings. The total attendance has been 221, of 

 which 103 were members and 118 visitors, making an aver- 

 age attendance of 17. The largest attendance at any one 

 meeting was 37 — 10 members and 27 visitors. 



" Five Resident Members have been elected, three have 



resigned, and seven have been dropped. The Society has 



ost by death, the Honorable Charles P. Daly and Mr. 





