376 Field Museum of Natural History — Reports, Vol. V. 



Building Fund. The Board of Trustees in accepting this very generous 

 gift, expressed their appreciation with more than ordinary emphasis. 



It is a pleasure also to announce that a contribution of $50,000.00 

 in the form of 500 shares of 7% preferred stock has been made by 

 Mr. Edward E. Ayer, the income of which after the death of Mrs. Ayer 

 and the donor is to be expended for the purchase of scientific books, 

 pamphlets and publications for the general Library of the Museimi. 

 This provision for the future development of the Museum Library is 

 only another instance of Mr. Ayer's life-long devotion and generosity 

 to the Museum. In view of the continued interest manifested by 

 Mr. Ayer in the expansion of the Library and especially on accotmt of 

 his contributions in money and books to the ornithological section, it 

 has been decided to name the ornithological Library of the Museum the 

 ''Edward E. Ayer Ornithological Library." 



Grateful acknowledgment is made of the contribution of the stun 

 of $20,000.00 from the Honorable Charles R. Crane, or so much thereof 

 as may be necessary to complete the publication of the work being 

 prepared by the Curator of Zoology on ''The Birds of the Americas.'* 



The additions to the scientific staff and maintenance forces during 

 the latter part of the year, having caused a deficit in the available funds 

 for the operation of the Museum, amounting to $19,755.32, at the 

 December meeting of the Board, the President announced that Mr. 

 Marshall Field had volunteered to assiune this deficit. 



President Field has further contributed the simi of $1,000.00 toward 

 the publication of a "Record of the Life of the North American Indian," 

 which is to consist of twenty volumes of text and illustrations and 

 twenty accompan3ring portfolios of copper plates and photogravures, 

 with the understanding that the Museum Library is to receive a set of 

 the work when completed. 



The Corporate Members at a meeting held in May, decided to 

 amend the Articles of Incorporation, so as to provide for an increase 

 in the Board of Trustees of the Musetun from fifteen to twenty-one 

 members. At this date four of the created vacancies have been filled by 

 the election of Mr. John Borden, Mr. Albert W. Harris, Mr. Solomon A. 

 Smith and Mr. James Simpson. 



Through the further efforts of President Field to increase the Life 

 Memberships of the Institution, the following were elected during the 

 year: J. B. Lord, Thomas W. Hinde, Adolph Nathan, George D. 

 McLaughlin, Lawrence M. Viles, D. W. Buchanan, Frank 0. Wetmore, 

 Alexander Smith, David M. Yates, Clifford M. Leonard, Frank W. 

 Porter, Charles H. Schweppe, William Wrigley, Jr., Charles Piez, 

 James B. Forgan, John McKinlay, Potter Palmer, Francis S. Peabody, 



