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 == A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE

DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

The American Ornithologists’ Union
BY J. A. ALLEN

(First President of the Union)

DURING the sixteen years that have passed since the founding of the American Ornithologists' ^jt— 3^^^-e^ Union, in August, 1883, the study of North American birds has advanced with constantly accelerated strides. That this progress has been due largely to the founding of the Union is beyond denial, as will become evident from the following brief history of its work and the causes that led to its formation. In all lines of human endeavor, the union of kindred interests and individual effort toward a common end is the key to success. Before the founding of the American Ornithologists' Union, its nucleus ex- isted in a local organization of bird students in Cambridge, known as the Nuttall Ornithological Club. At first its meetings were informal, and its membership was limited to a few individuals living in the immediate vicinity of Cambridge. Later it became regularly organized as a club, with both resident and corresponding members, the latter embracing most of the leading ornithologists of this country. The papers presented at its meetings were often of permanent value, and were later published in scientific journals. In 1876 these had become sufficiently numerous and important to warrant the club in establishing its own medium of publication, the first number bearing date April, 1876, with the title 'Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithologi- cal Club.' As years passed it served not only as the official organ of the club, but as a medium of communication between American ornithologists at large. This led to the consideration of the desirability of organizing a national society of ornithologists as a means of bringing the workers