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 THE. CO.IB.R _ s-msszg. -. Volume XX llaroh-April, 19lb Number iN MEMORIAM: LYMAN BELDING By WALTER K. FISHER WITH PORTRAIT L YMAN BELDING, the last of the Pioneer ornithologists of California, and an Honorary Member of the Cooper Ornithological Club, died at Stock- ton, California, November 22, 1917, at the age of eighty-eight years and five months. For a considerable period his strength had been gradually fail- ing, and his death was due to the infirmities of his advanced age. He was the oldest American ornithologist. Although for more than twenty years Mr. Belding took a leading part in the ornithological work of the state, it is much to be regretted that he was per- sonally known to so few of the younger ornithologists who have now taken his place. This was partly due' to his active work having ended before the present generation 's began, and partly to his having lived in retirement away from cen- ters of ornithological activity. Although he seemed somewhat diffident he was nevertheless very genial and was not averse to making new friends. To those who had won his confidence he was greatly attached. His home in Stockton was the rendezvous of the Old Friends Club, a small coterie of prominent pio- neer men who used to gather for a sociable game of whist, of which Mr. Bel- ding was very fond. So far as I am aware he attended but one meeting of the Cooper Club, although he was always greatly interested in its welfare. In the "downy" stage of ThE CONDOR he helped its growth by encouragement and by contributions of manuscript and money. Mr. Belding was a naturalist of the old school. He was a born sportsman and his love of nature revealed itself in early childhood. It is not clear whether his more serious interest in natural history was the outcome of his devotion to