bird biographies which, so far as they had appeared, were deemed to be
adequate, if not perfect.

Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the well known authority on birds, and whose
recent books are valuable additions to our literature, had, it may be
presumed, a paper to read on the "Experiences of an Ornithologist in
Mexico," though he did not read it. He made, on the contrary, what
seemed to be an extemporaneous talk, exceedingly entertaining and
sufficiently instructive to warrant a permanent place for it in the
_Auk_, of which he is associate editor. We had the pleasure of examining
the advance sheets of a new book from his pen, elaborately illustrated
in color, and shortly to be published. Mr. Chapman is a comparatively
young man, an enthusiastic student and observer, and destined to be
recognized as one of our most scientific thinkers, as many of his
published pamphlets already indicate. Our limited space precludes even a
reference to them now. His remarks were made the more attractive by the
beautiful stuffed specimens with which he illustrated them.

Prof. Elliott Coues, in an address, "Auduboniana, and Other Matters of
Present Interest," engaged the delighted attention of the Congress on
the morning of the second day's session. His audience was large. In a
biographical sketch of Audubon the Man, interspersed with anecdote, he
said so many interesting things that we regret we omitted to make any
notes that would enable us to indicate at least something of his
characterization. No doubt just what he said will appear in an
appropriate place. Audubon's portfolio, in which his precious
manuscripts and drawings were so long religiously kept, which he had
carried with him to London to exhibit to possible publishers, a book
so large that two men were required to carry it, though the great
naturalist had used it as an indispensable and convenient companion for
so many years, was slowly and we thought reverently divested by Dr.
Coues of its wrappings and held up to the surprised and grateful gaze of
the spectators. It was dramatic. Dr. Coues is an actor. And then came
the comedy. He could not resist the inclination to talk a little--not
disparagingly, but truthfully, reading a letter never before published,
of Swainson to Audubon declining to associate his name with that of
Audubon "under the circumstances." All of which, we apprehend, will duly
find a place on the shelves of public libraries.

We would ourself like to say something