100 years ago in the American ornithologists' union

Auk, The, Jan 2003

Members were then free to find their way back east by whatever route they wanted. Cost of a round trip ticket from New York was $74.50, unless they came back through Seattle or Portland, which was an additional $11.50. The return ticket was good until 15 July, so most members spent several weeks conducting research or exploring the West Coast.

For example, Otto Widmann spent three and a half days in Yosemite Valley observing birds. Based on that, he presented a paper at the next congress in Philadelphia and published an article, "Yosemite Valley Birds", in The Auk (21:66-73).