Ornithologist, with special interest in bird taxonomy and classification of higher groups, in ecology, geographical distribution and fossils. This secretary of the Smithsonian Institution was actively associated with societies and organizations, both American and foreign, holding important offices in many. He was president of the American Ornithologists' Union from 1926-29 and much of the correspondence here gathered, pertains to its business. All are addressed to Witmer Stone, with collecting and exchange of specimens, biographical information about ornithologists and vertebrate societies freely discussed.