The Auk 111(1):239-240, 1994 The American Ornithologists' Union takes pleasure in presenting the Elliott Coues Award for 1993 to one of the most prominent ornithologists of our genera- tion, Joel L. Cracraft. Through 48 national and inter- national symposia, three co-edited or co-authored books, 20 major reviews, and 100 research papers, commentaries, and reviews published over two and one-half decades, Dr. Cracraft has boldly linked or- nithological data to the broadest concepts of system- atic and evolutionary biology. In a series of major publications (J. Zool. 169:455-545, 1973; Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 5:215-261,1974;Syst. Zool. 37:396-427,1988) he exposed the indelible influence of plate tectonics on the deep history and evolution of continental avi- faunas. A pioneering exponent of cladistics, Cracraft has repeatedly clarified difficult morphologic and pa- leontologic problems with the rigorous methodology of phylogenetic systematics (Condor 74:379-392, 1972; Ibis 116:494-521, 1974; Auk 98:481-494, 1981; Paleo- biology 7:456-468, 1981; Syst. Zool. 31:35-56, 1982). Landmark investigations of avian classification have resulted (Auk 98:681-714, 1981). Not content with broadly significant theoretical analyses, he has probed the conceptual bases of spe- cies, awakening new interest in this central issue of evolutionary biology (Curr. Ornithol. 1:159-187, 1983; Biol. & Philos. 2:329-346, 1987; Cladistics 8:1-43, 1992). Reflecting both his breadth and his capacity for growth, Cracraft most recently strengthened his at- tack on problems in avian systematics by adding DNA sequencing to his arsenal. The social aspects of evo- lution have not escaped his pen; a series of influential papers published in the 1980s exposed the bank- ruptcy of creationism. For his successful application of theory and meth- ods of comparative biology to a program of ornitho- logical research, and to recognize his capacity for uni- fication and synthesis, we present the Elliott Coues Award to Joel L. Cracraft. Award criteria.--The Elliott Coues Award is given for meritorious contributions having an important influence on the study of birds in the Western Hemi- sphere, but which have not been recognized through a Brewster Award. Contributions to ornithology not eligible for recognition with a Brewster Award by virtue of its geographic limitations may be honored through a Coues Award, as may works including im- portant innovative ideas that through brevity or pub- lication outside the primarily ornithological litera- ture may not have been selected based on Brewster Award criteria. However, the Coues Award is not necessarily limited to such works. The award consists of a certificate and an honorarium provided through the endowed Ralph W. Schreiber Fund of the Amer- ican Ornithologists' Union.