ISS 3 .] 
The American Ornithologists' Union. 
225 
and Nomenclature of North American Birds” — was referred to a 
committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Cones, Allen, Ridgway, 
Brewster, and Henshaw. A committee was also appointed on 
the “Migration of Birds,” to cooperate with Mr. W. W. Cooke 
in connection with his work on this subject in the Mississippi 
Valley, and consists of the following gentlemen, with power to 
add to their number : Merriam, Brown, Purdie, Wheaton, Cham- 
berlain, Grinnell, Henshaw, Cory, Merrill, Fisher, Bicknell, 
.Mearns, and Mcllwraith. A committee on “Avian Anatomy” 
consists of Shufeldt, Coues, Jeffries, and Merriam ; another on 
“Oology,” of Bendire, Bailey, Brewster, Ridgway, and Merrill. 
A committee was also appointed “to investigate the eligibility or 
ineligibility of the European House Sparrow in America,” con- 
sisting of Holder, Purdie, Chamberlain, Brown, and Bicknell, 
with power to increase its membership at its discretion. Finally, 
a sixth committee was appointed to consider the subject of 
“Faunal Areas,” on which were placed Allen, Ridgway. Bick- 
nell, Merriam, Fisher, and Mearns. 
Resolutions of thanks were tendered to the Trustees of the 
American Museum of Natural History, for use of rooms during 
the session of the Union and for other favors so courteously ren- 
dered ; to Prof. A. S. Bickmore and Dr. J. B. Holder for 
many kind attentions personally rendered to the members ; and 
to Mr. E. P. Bicknell for his services on the “Committee of Ar- 
rangements” for the meeting, and for the promptness and thor- 
oughness with which he executed the duties of this position. 
A resolution of thanks was also tendered the signers of the call, 
in their capacity as a “Committee of Organization,” for their zeal 
and efficiency in issuing the call for the meeting, as well as for 
the thorough and systematic preparation they were able to make 
for the speedy and satisfactory transaction of the business incident 
to the organization of the Union. 
The session of the Convention occupied three days, and was 
marked thoughout with the utmost harmony ; at adjournment 
(subject to the call of the Council), hearty expressions of satisfac- 
tion with the results of the session were heard from all who had 
shared in its deliberations. The general good feeling rose to a 
degree of enthusiasm auguring well for the future work and pros- 
perity of the Union, the organization of which, under such aus- 
picious circumstances, cannot fail to mark an important era in 
the progress of ornithology in America. 
