70 



Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



active in destroying what they considered vermin. It is my firm con- 

 viction that in the average of well-settled countries, the hawks and 

 owls are a benefit, rather than the reverse, to the community in general, 

 and to the farmer in particular. 



Yours respectfully, 



Spencer F. Baird. * 



Washington, D. C, April 18, 1882. 



Dear Sir: — In reply to your questions of the 8th inst., I beg to 

 say that I do not consider rapacious birds as pests, in the main, or in 

 particular; and that I do not think that laws enacted for their exter- 

 mination would be founded upon an intelligent knowledge of their 

 habits. They have their duties, as well as their rights, in the order of 

 nature, interference with which can never be right nor wise. 



Very truly yours, 



Elliott Coues. 



It should be noted in conclusion, that the destruction, or keeping in 

 check the smaller mammals, such as mice, rats, ground squirrels, 

 weasels, etc., directly favors the protection and increase of all the 

 ground-building birds. 



Tuesday, June 6, 1882. 

 Dr. R. M. Byrnes, President, in the chair. Present, 20 members. 

 Mr. Davis L. James read a paper on " Palms and their representa- 

 tives in the United States." 



A. P. Morgan was elected a regular member. 



Dr. F. W. Langdon proposed an amendment to the constitution of 

 the societ}^ by which any resident member for ten years, not in arrears 

 for dues, ma} T become a life-member by pa3'ment of twent} 7 -five dollars, 

 and an} 7 member not in arrears for twenty years may become a life- 

 member without further paj^ment. Also an amendment to the by-laws 

 proposing a change in the name of curator of archaeology to that of 

 anthropology. 



Donations were announced as follows: from Smithsonian Institution, 

 one volume and eight pamphlets ; from Isaac Hart, tooth of fossil 

 horse; from Miss Louisa Johnson, through Dr. W. H. Mnsse} 7 , section 

 of basalt from Giant's Causeway; from Bureau of Ethnology, one 

 volume; from Signal Service Bureau, one pamphlet; from Jos. F. 

 James, two species of acorns; from R. E. C. Stearns, four pamphlets; 

 from S. T. Carley, six species shells and fossils; from J. Robinson, Jr., 

 one specimen Boa Constrictor; from Chief of Engineers, Washington, 

 one volume on Geology; from J. Prell, a moth; from Jacob Hoffner, 

 through A. E. Heighway, M. D., a fossil shark's tooth; from Mrs. 

 Stanley, one rock specimen; from Dr. L. B. Welch, a green snake; 

 from Dr. O. D. Norton, twelve specimens dried plants; from Dr. C. U. 

 Aydelott, one specimen quartz. 



