4 RIDGWAY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



investigate it. This was done, and, as the report was favorable, it 

 was brought before the Club at the April meeting. An affirmative 

 decision was arrived at, and on April 21st, 18S4, the Club became 

 an incorporated body under the laws of the State of Illinois. So 

 far we have lost but two of the original members, while many 

 others have since joined us. 



The Club owes much of its success and prosperity to its effi- 

 cient Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. H. K. Coale, through whose 

 efforts its organization was first secured and whose unflagging 

 interest in its success has done much to promote its general welfare. 



During the past year our constitution and by-laws were found 

 to be very incomplete, and at a special meeting held February 16th, 

 1S86, the subject was discussed, and a committee of three, consist- 

 ing of Messrs. Toppan, Deane and Coale, was appointed by the 

 Chair to make the necessary revisions. The report of this commit- 

 tee was received at the next regular meeting, March nth, and at 

 the April meeting it was accepted and the new constitution and by- 

 laws went into effect. 



In the last fiscal year the following donations were received 

 and are hereby gratefully acknowledged: 



From C. B. Cory, a copy of three of his works. (A Naturalist 

 in the Magdalen Islands, Birds of the Bahamas, and Birds of 

 Hayti and San Domingo?) 



From R. Ridgway, six books. (5 vols. Baird, Brewer & Ridg- 

 ivay, N. A. Birds, a copy of the A. O. U. Code and Check-list, 

 and a number of photographs illustrating the sylva of the Wabash 

 Valley of Illinois.) 



From A. W. Butler, a copy of the B2illetin of the Brookville 

 Society of Natural History. 



From E. W. Nelson, a copy of his Alaskan Notes. 



From C. W. Beckham, a copy of his Birds of Kentucky. 



From H. Seebohm, three vols, of his British Birds'^ Eggs. 



From J. M. Wheaton, one copy of his Report on the Birds 

 of Ohio. 



From H. Coale, a number of skins of foreign and native birds 

 and several nests and eggs of native birds. 



The Editor. 



