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 Jan., i9oo [ THE CONDOR 23 I)r. I:11iott Coues. BALTIClORE, Dec. 26.--Professor Elli- ott Coues of Washington, the world- famed ornithologist and scientist, died last 1right at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Such vere the tidings that caused the profoundest sorrow in ornithologi- cal and scientific circles, and which marks the passing of one of the ablest and mcst brilliant scientific xvriters of the nineteenth century. Fexv who have followed the writings of Dr. Coues could fail to be impressed with his forceful style, even though they might the Northxvest," and publications of lesser value. He had served as presi- dent of the American Ornithologists' Union and was a melnber of its Execu- tive Council at the time of his death. He acted also as an associate editor of the Century Dictionary. His able ed- itorship of the Osprey is familiar to all, and his premature and sudden with- drawal from an active life causes the seemingly irreparable loss of a brilliant personage. Dr. Elliott Coues was born in New Hampshire in r842. He graduated from the Columbian University of Washington and entered the Army in 1862 as a medical cadet, leaving it later as a surgeon. He was a specialist in ornithology, anatomy and geology, and had at different times been connected with the Smithsonian Institution and the Geological Survey. Since his re- tirement from the Osprey he had been engaged in geological work in New Mexico for the Government, but re- turned to Washington in poor health, due perhaps to overwork. The news of his demise came suddenly. however, to the large army of scientists who have long and favorably known him. Others more familiar with his life will write the biography of Dr. Coues, but the ornithologists of the West tender to his memory the tribute due a friend, a masterful scholar and peer- less ornithologist.--C. B. at times differ from his expressed opinions. His pen was seldom swayed by the opinions of others, and from it alike could flow the most caustic criticism or the warmest encomium, and he was seldom found without pronounced views on a subject, either favorable or antag- onistic. In some of the discussions into which he has entered during his career, are found examples of his keenest satire and, perhaps, his finest rhetorical effects, and he had been regarded by some as without a peer in this respect. Dr. Coues was best known to ornith- ologists through his excellent "Key to 1%*orth American Birds," his "Birds of MR. W. OTTO EIIERSON delivered an illustrated. talk before the California Fruit Growers' Convention at San Jose, on Dec. 15. His subject, "Birds Beneficial and Injurious to the Orchard- ist," was finely illustrated with draw- ings and skins. TI Section of Ornithology of the California Academy of Sciences held its Annual Meeting at the Academy on Tuesday evening, Dec. 5- The meeting was preceded by an informal banquet at which members participated. The Section has prospered nmterially during the year past, and much credit is due Prof. Leverett M. Loomis, Curator in the Department of Ornithology, for his active efforts in behalf of the organiza- tion.