S-,0(s>(lli.-}]H

FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

1917-1918 No. 30

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN^AN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending
March 12, 1918

CONTAINING

Bird-notes from Florida. By John Treadwell Nichols
Bird Temperatures. By Jay A. Weber

Date of Issue, September 18, 1918

Officers of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

1917-1918

President -------- Jonathan Dwight

Vice-President ------- Julius M. Johnson

Secretary - -- - - - - - Charles H. Hogers

Treasurer -------- Lewis B. Woodruff

The Society meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings
of each month f from October to May inclusive, at the American
Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and Central Park West,
New York City.

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN/EAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK,

FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 12, 1918.

This is the thirtieth in the series of Abstracts pubHshed by
the Linnsean Societj^ of New York, and, hke the preceding
issues, is prepared mainly as a brief review of the work of the
Society during the year closing with the date indicated above.
Papers presented before the Society and pubHshed elsewhere
(often enlarged or otherwise different in form) are mentioned
with proper reference to the place of publication. The Secre-
tary of the Society, Mr. Charles H. Rogers, entered the National
Army of the United States, the end of May, 1918, and the
present Abstract has been prepared from the minutes by the
remaining members of the Committee on Publications.

March 27, 1917. — The President in the chair. Ten mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Chapin, Gladden, Hix, LaDow,
Lang, Marks, Miller, L. N. Nichols and Rogers) and 28 visitors
present.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Dutcher, appreciative
of the action of the society in transferring his name from the
list of Resident to that of Honorary Members.

Mr. Walt F. McMahon, whose name had been proposed at
the preceding meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

Dr. G. Clyde Fisher, of the American Museum of Natural
History, was proposed by Mr. Rogers for Resident Member-
ship; the name was referred to the Membership Committee.

1

Mr. Rogers reported the apparent wintering in the northern
end of Central Park of a Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria
cucullata), probably an escaped cage bird, as one had been
seen there in December and more than once in March.

Mr. Gladden recorded hearing a whisper-song from a Fox
Sparrow {Passer ella i. iliaca).

Mr. Lang gave the Society a lecture on ''Native Dances in
the Belgian Congo."* During his six years in that region
the speaker had had opportunities to study the dances of several
tribes, and now described them in detail, together with the
head-dresses and other details of the dancers' costumes. The
lecture was fully illustrated with lantern slides.

April 10, 1917. — The President in the chair. Eleven mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Cleaves, Fleischer, Gladden,
Hix, Marks, McMahon, L. N. Nichols, Rogers, Weber and
Woodruff) and eight visitors present.

Dr. G. Clyde Fisher, whose name had been proposed at the
preceding meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

The President appointed all the old committees without
change for the ensuing year. They stood as follows :

Memhership, Messrs. J. M. Johnson, Hubbell, Weber.

Finance, Messrs. Woodruff, Granger, Weber.

Payers & Lectures, Messrs. Rogers, Granger, Murphy.

Publications, Messrs. Rogers, J. M. Johnson, J. T. Nichols.

Bird-Banding, Messrs. Cleaves, J. T. Nichols, Rogers.

Bird-Census Blanks, Messrs. Weber, Cleaves, J. T. Nichols,
Rogers.

Messrs. Hix, Fleischer and Weber spoke of the continued
presence of large numbers of ducks on Overpeck Creek, N. J.
Mr. Weber remarking that there must have been one thousand
Black Ducks {Anas ruhripes) there the morning of the meeting.
Besides the species regular there, Mr. Fleischer had seen two
Baldpates {Mareca americana) April 1 and Mr. Weber said
that the only Mergansers he had observed there this spring he
had identified as Red-breasted {Mergus serrator). That

* See photographs in American Museum Journal October and December,
1915.

morning Mr. Hix had seen great numbers of ducks as well as
Bonaparte's {Lams Philadelphia) and Ring-billed Gulls
{Lams delawarensis) at Long Beach. Mr. Fleischer had seen
a Holboell's Grebe {Colymbus holhoellii) at the 130th St. Ferry
Alpril 3 and Mr. L. N. Nichols four of that species at Pelham
Bay Park on the fourth.

Mr. Cleaves reported a Killdeer {Oxyechus v. vociferus) nest
with two eggs on Staten I. on April 1. It was plowed under,
but next week the birds were observed preparing to start
afresh. Another Barn Owl {Ahico pratincola) station had
been found on the island, and three or four birds said to have
been seen there.

Mr. Weber brought up the subject of the blanks printed last
year to record the fluctuations in the abundance of certain
species of birds. It had been too late in the season to make
much of a start, but plans were discussed for pushing the
scheme this year.

Mr. Cleaves showed the Society a large number of his more
recent lantern slides, and described the various incidents
illustrating the extent of avian intelligence, ways of feeding
and of housing birds, etc., that they illustrated.

April 2Ij.j 1917. — The President in the chair. Nine mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Gladden, Hix, Ingalls, F. E.
Johnson, Marks, Murphy, Rogers and Weber) and fifteen
visitors present.

Mr. Weber reported a flock of eight Wilson's Snipe {Gal-
linago delicata) in the Overpeck Marshes April 21, the largest
number he had seen together so close to New York City.
He suggested that their habit of circling in the air a few times
after being flushed was to give others, starting later, a chance
to catch up, that they might all go away together. He also
mentioned the appearance of Whip-poor-wills {Antrostomus
vociferus) this spring in a piece of woods near Palisades Park,
in which the trees had recently been thinned out, where he
had never before found them. On the morning of the meeting
he noticed the first Box Turtle {Terrapene Carolina) of the
season.

Mr. Robert Cushman Murphy presented the evening's
lecture, on ''The Way of the Sperm- Whaler."* It was a
complete and graphic account, illustrated with lantern slides
from photographs and drawings, of the hunt, capture and
''cutting-in" of that vigorous and dangerous fighter, the
Sperm Whale, as observed by the speaker during a sixteen
thousand mile cruise in the South Atlantic on the New Bed-
ford whaling-brig ''Daisy" in 1912-1913. The invention of
steam navigation and of whaling cannon has had no effect on
the chase of whales of this species, and the animals are still
pursued in sailing ships and open boats and attacked and
killed with hand-thrown harpoons and lances.

May 8, 1917. — The President in the chair. Nine members
(Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Fleischer, Gladden, Hix, J. M.
Johnson, Marks, McMahon, L. N. Nichols and Rogers) and
ten visitors present.

Mr. Gladden proposed Mr. Thornton W. Burgess of Spring-
field, Mass., and Mr. Rogers proposed Mr. W. W. Grant and
Mr. Frances Harper, formerly active Resident Members but
now of Geneva, N. Y., and Washington, D. C., respectively,
for Corresponding Membership. The names were referred
to the Membership Committee.

Mr. Hix reported Piping Plover (^gialitis meloda) to the
number of sixteen at Long Beach, L. I., April 29, and a Sharp-
tail Sparrow {Passerherhulus caudacutus) feeding in a street in
Long Beach village; also a Rough- winged Swallow {Stelgidop-
teryx serripennis) in Central Park, New York City, the first
he had ever seen there.

Mr. Fleischer stated that he and a party of fifteen bird
students, all with glasses (including two pairs of 8x), on April
28, had studied for over an hour at from 10 to 25 feet, in good
light, a singing male Yellow-throated Warbler {Dendroica d.
dominica) in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Every marking, in-
cluding the yellow lores, had been carefully noted and com-
pared on the spot with book-descriptions and pictures. Mr.
George Schoonhoven had seen the bird two days later. Mr.
Nichols remarked that he and two others had carefully studied
it on the twenty-ninth.

* See this title in Sea Power, June, July, and August, 1917.

The continuous cold weather and the resulting great
scarcity of May migrants were generally commented upon,
and the following belated northern birds recorded: by Mr.
Hix, a Brown Creeper {Certhia familiaris americana), May 8 in
Central Park; by Mr. Fleischer, a Winter Wren {N annus h.
hiemalis), May 6 in Prospect Park; and by Mr. Rogers, two
Yellow Palm Warblers {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea)
May 5 and a female Evening Grosbeak {Hesperiphona v.
vespertina), May 7 at Yardville, N. J.

Mr. Rogers exhibited a Peacock, a hybrid between Pavo
cristatus and P. muticus, recently received from the N. Y.
Zoological Gardens by the American Museum and mounted.
He also showed mounted Peacocks of both parent species, and
pointed out that the hybrid's crest was essentially as in cris-
tatus, its wing coverts as in muticus, and its throat and breast
plumage and partly bare face a mixture of the two.

Dr. Dwight exhibited a skin of the gull recently described
as Larus thayeri, and skins of its nearest relatives as well, and
pointed out their differences and relationships and with the
help of maps, their distribution.* His conclusions were that
the birds known as Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Vega Gull
and Yellow-legged Herring Gull, should stand respectively as
follows: Larus argentatus argentatus, L. a. thayeri, L. a. vegce,
and L. cachinans.

May 22, 1917. — The President in the chair. Fourteen
members (Dr. Dwight, and Messrs. Cleaves, Fleischer,
Gladden, Granger, Halter, Heller, Hix, Ingalls, J. M. Johnson,
Lang, Marks, Rogers, Thayer) and fifty-four visitors present.

Mr. T. W. Burgess, Mr. W. W. Grant and Mr. Francis
Harper, whose names had been proposed at the previous meet-
ing, were elected to Corresponding Membership.

Mr. Lester Walsh was proposed by Mr. Johnson for Resi-
dent Membership; the name was referred to the Membership
Committee.

The extraordinary backwardness of the weather, and con-

*See ''The Status of 'Larus thayeri, Thayer's Gull,'" Auk, XXXIV,
413-414, pi. XV.

6

sequently of the migration, was generally commented on.
The daily mean temperature of the first twelve days of the
month averaged 10° below normal, so that Sunday the 13th,
instead of being about the height of the migration, showed
many April migrants, usually gone by that date, still present
(some common), and many May migrants, usually common,
barely or not at all represented. Mr. J. M. Johnson reported
a Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris americana) in Central
Park, May 16, and Mr. Granger one on the 20th at Oakland,
N. J. Mr. Johnson also told of covering with Mr. Rogers, on
the 13th, the regular ''Big Day" route northward from Plain-
field, N. J., on which they listed barely eighty-six, including the
following species, usually gone before that date : Rusty Black-
bird {Euphagus carolinus), Junco {Junco h. hyemalis), Yellow
Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea), Ruby-
crown Kinglet (Regulus c. calendula), Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis savanna) and Sapsucker {Sphy-
rapicus v. varius) — all represented by at least ten individuals
except the last two (one each). Also there were many more
Blue Jays {Cyanocitta c. cristata) and White-throat Sparrows
{Zonotrichia albicollis) than usual so late. Chipping Spar-
rows {Spizella p. passerina) and Barn Swallows {Hirundo
erythrog aster) of which few if any but breeding individuals are
normally here at this date, were still present in flocks. Of
the following species, all of which should have been well
represented and many very common, not a specimen was
noted: Kingbird {Tyrannus tyr annus), Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus), Wood Pewee {Myiochanes virens), Rose-
breast Grosbeak {Zamelodia ludoviciana) , Indigo Bunting
{Passerina cyanea), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga erythromelas) ,
Red-eye {Vireosylva olivacea) and Yellow-throat Vireos
{Lanivireo flavifrons). Cape May {Dendroica tigrina), Bay-
breast {D. castanea), Black-poll {D. striata), Blackburnian
{D.fusca) and Canadian Warblers {Wilsonia canadensis) . Of
yet others, only one or two lonely individuals were seen.
Later in the week a big flight occurred, and members present
agreed that the height of this spring's migration fell on May
19.

Mr. William Beebe gave the Society a lecture on ''Wild
Life at Kalacoon/' Kalacoon being the research station estab-
lished in British Guiana by the N. Y. Zoological Society.
While readil}'- accessible to civilization, and with comfortable
quarters for the staff, it is far enough up the river to be in
virtually primeval wilderness, with an amazing abundance of
wild life in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Beebe spoke of some
of these interesting creatures, and told something of the work
of the station, using lantern slide illustrations.

October 9, 1917. — The President in the chair. Nine mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Bowdish, Chubb, Davis, Hix,
Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols and Rogers) and six
visitors present.

Mr. Lester Walsh, whose name had been proposed at the
preceding meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

Mr. Davis contributed the following notes: Hermit Thrush
{Hylocichla guttata pallasi). — In July, 1908, a colony was dis-
covered at Yaphank, L. L They were again observed during
the summer of 1909. (See The Auk, XXVI, p. 435.) On
July 26, 1914, two Hermit Thrushes were heard singing at
Deep Pond, which is near Wading River and about eight miles
north of Yaphank. Last summer, on August 1, and again on
the 4th, a Hermit Thrush was heard singing in the woods just
south of Riverhead, near the road leading to Great Pond, and
was located without difficulty; this was about twelve miles
east of Yaphank. So it will be seen that this species appears
to breed over a large area on Long Island, and while the Gov-
ernment military camp (Camp Upton) between Yaphank and
Manorville will probably disturb the colony of Thrushes there,
there is every reason to hope that the birds will stay on the
Island.

Hermit Spadefoot {Scaphiopus holhrooki) — At night, near
Wading River, June 25, 1917, while looking for insects with a
lantern a small specimen of this toad was found by the side
of the road.

Mr. Chubb reported the presence of an American Egret
{Herodias egretta), apparently, judging from one slightly

8

injured leg, the individual that was last to leave of the three
present last 3^ear, at Van Cortlandt Park irregularly from
mid-July to mid-August. He had found the Pileated Wood-
pecker {Phlceotomus pileatus ahieticola) ''fairly abundant" in
the Catskills in June; and on September 10, at Cape May,
N. J., had witnessed a great migration of Monarch Butterflies
{Danaus archippus) at the extreme point, — when alighted
they averaged on many trees about two to a leaf.

Mr. Rogers spoke of the unusual number of Egret and Little
Blue Heron {Florida c. ccerulea) records for New Jersey, New
York and Connecticut the past summer, and Mr. J. T. Nichols
said he had seen each species more than once at Mastic, L. I.

Mr. Hix recorded two female Wood Ducks {Aix sponsa)
September 29 and another October 8 on the 103d Street Pond,
Central Park, and a Mourning Warbler (Oporornis Philadel-
phia) in the Park on June 6.

Mr. L. N. Nichols said that a year ago last summer for the
first time he had found a few Pileated Woodpeckers about
Cranberry Lake, N. Y., and that they were not at all shy;
their local name was ''Rain Crow." He also spoke of finding
a Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) in the same tree in
Bronx Park each spring for the last five to six years.

Mr. J. T. Nichols spoke at length on the autumn migration
of Limicolse on Long Island. Among his conclusions were
that the bulk of each species has a definite late-summer range
to which it travels from the breeding-grounds and where, if
conditions be favorable, it remains till its departure for its
winter range. He illustrated his remarks with a chart showing
the weekly fluctuations in abundance, during the last season,
of the Greater {Totanus melanoleucus) and Lesser Yellowlegs
{T. flavipes), Least (Pisobia minutilla) and Semipalmated
Sandpipers (Ereunetes pusillus) and Semipalmated {^gialitis
semipalmata) and Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) .
Discussion followed.

Mr. Rogers gave an account of the overcoming and swal-
lowing of a small Garter Snake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis) by a
rather smaller Milk Snake (Lampropeltis t. triangulum) as
witnessed by him last summer at Englewood. A general
discussion of ophidian habits followed.

9

October 23, 1917. — The President in the chair. Seven mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight, Mr. Cleaves, Dr. G. C. Fisher and Messrs.
Hix, Marks, McMahon, Rogers) and thirteen visitors present.

Owing to conflict with the next meeting of the American
Ornithologists Union, it was voted to change the Society's
next meeting from November 13 to 7.

No member present had seen this autumn any Pine Siskins
{Spinus p. pinus) or Red-bi'east Nuthatches {Sitta cariadensis)
so common a year ago, except that Mr. Hix had seen one of the
latter. The late arrival of the White-throat Sparrow {Zono-
trichia alhicollis) and Junco {Junco h. hyemalis) had also been
generally noted; Mr. Hix said that neither species had become
abundant in Central Park till October 17.

The evening's lecture was by Mr. Charles H. Rogers, on
''The Colors of Birds." The speaker gave a resume of the
physical nature of colors due to pigment, to pigment conibined
with structure, and to structure alone, and of the different
types of pigment and of structure, with specimens, and draw-
ings from microscopical studies, as illustrations. There fol-
lowed a general discussion, led by Dr. Dwight, of coloring
and the effects of wear and molt, etc.

November 7, 1917. — The President in the chair. Seven
members (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Cleaves, Granger, Hix,
L. N. Nichols, Marks, Rogers) and a visitor (Mr. J. H. Flem-
ing) present.

Mr. L. N. Nichols told of a Junco's {Junco h. hyemalis)
nest but five feet from a human dwelling at Cranberry Lake,
N. Y., in the Adirondacks, last summer; the young flew on
August 20. He said that in that neighborhood the Great
Horned {Bubo v. virginianus) and Barred Owls (Strix v. varid)
were called respectively ''Six-hooters" and "Eight-hooters."
He had on the day of the meeting heard a late Catbird (Dume-
tella carolinensis) give its full song, though in a low voice.
Mr. Nichols' son had seen a Red-breast Nuthatch (Sitta
canadensis) in Bronx Park, November 6.

Mr. Cleaves recorded the first known nesting of the Purple
Martin {Progne s. subis) on Staten Island. A pair, the female

10

probably and the male obviously young of the previous year,
nested last summer in a martin-house on his grounds. Mr.
Cleaves described many interesting details of the nesting
and exhibited the material of the nest. The pair kept away
others to the best of their ability, but would not come near
their home while one of their neighbors, a Robin {Planesticus
m. migratorius) perched on it, as she often did. The nest con-
sisted largely of bits of twig, straw, etc., of a remarkably uni-
form length of about four inches; the speaker said the birds
never found the way to take into the nest a long twig that
caught across the entrance, as House Wrens {Troglodytes a.
aedon) do regularly. Another noticeable part of the material
was a large number of small leaves, which had been added
green from time to time.

Mr. Granger related an experience with a Horned Grebe
{Colymbus auritus) at Long Beach, L. I., on October 28. He
and Mr. Rogers had found one, perhaps wounded, sitting on
the beach; when closely approached, it rose to its feet, scuttled
across the sand against the wind, rose, flew in a wide circle,
and came down on a sand-bar.

November 27, 1917. — The President in the chair. One
Corresponding Member (H. C. Oberholser) thirteen Resident
members (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Davis, Granger, Griscom,
Halter, Hix, J. M. Johnson, LaDow, Marks, J. T. Nichols,
L. N. Nichols, Rogers and Weber) and fifteen visitors (in-
cluding Mr. Waldron DeWitt Miller) present.

It was voted to omit, this year, the second December meet-
ing, owing to its falling on Christmas Day.

Late dates for the Wood Duck {Aix sponsa) were recorded
by Mr. Weber, who had seen a male in Queens, November 26,
and by Mr. L. N. Nichols, who had seen fourteen in Van
Cortlandt Park, November 25.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported the recent accession by the
American Museum of a particularly interesting fish from
China, a small species of catfish {Liobagrus nigricauda), about
3 in. long, the whole body and fins covered with loose skin.

Mr. Rogers remarked that reports and specimens which

11

had reached the Museum indicated another serious southward
movement of Goshawks {Astur a. atricapillus) this season.

Mr. W. DeW. Miller spoke to the Society on ''Field Notes
on the Birds of Nicaragua." He had spent several months of
this year, most of the time with Mr. Ludlow Griscom and Mr.
Wilham B. Richardson, visiting typical localities in the several
life-zones of Nicaragua to collect specimens for the American
Museum and acquire a first-hand knowledge of the country's
birds. The expedition added about thirty species to the
known avifauna of Nicaragua. Mr. Miller gave a detailed
account of the trip and described interesting nesting and other
habits of many of the birds observed, especially of the locally
abundant, but hitherto almost unknown, Nicaraguan Grackle
{Megaquiscalus nicaraguensis) . Specimens from the col-
lection illustrated the talk.

December 11, 1917. — The President in the chair. Fourteen
members (Dr. Dwight, Lieut. Chapin, Messrs. Cleaves,
Davis, Gladden, Granger, J. M. Johnson, Lang, Marks, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Quarles, Rogers and Weber) and nine
visitors present.

Mr. Davis said that the basin of Silver Lake, S. I., had been
made into a reservoir into which the water was turned about
November, 1916, but that Herring Gulls {Larus argentatus)
had never used it till this November, when they began coming
to it in scores.

Mr. J. T. Nichols stated that Robins (Planesticus m. migra-
torius) and Fox Sparrows {Passerella i. iliaca) seemed to be
staying later than usual in locahties on western Long Island
where they do not winter ; this year he had seen the former as
late as December 3, the latter December 7. He had also seen
two Northern Shrikes {Lanius horealis).

Mr. L. N. Nichols also reported two Northern Shrikes
(in the Bronx); one of them was eating a House Sparrow
{Passer domesticus) and when disturbed flew away carrying
its prey by the neck with its bill. He further mentioned seeing
Herring Gulls three times flying under the Third Avenue Har-
lem River Bridge; he thought they rarely did this, and Mr.

12

Gladden remarked that from a point whence he had observed
the Brooklyn Bridge for fifteen years, he had never seen a
Gull fly under it.

Mr. Weber commented on the scarcity of Chipping Spar-
rows {Spizella p. passerina) in New Jersey and New York
the last few years. Mr. L. N. Nichols said he had never seen
so few as this summer, — but one pair in Bronx Park and similar
conditions elsewhere in New York and Connecticut. Mr.
Granger remarked that they must have been concentrated in
Rutland Co., Vt., where he had never seen more than during
this summer and autumn.

Mr. F. Seymour Hersey, who had spent two summers in
Alaska, spoke to the Society on the distribution and migration-
routes of certain little known species of Alaskan water-fowl
and shore-birds, using a large map in illustration, and exhibited
a series of photographs of birds, their nests and surroundings.

First Lieut. James P. Chapin gave the Society an account
of the different genera of African Hornbills,* with particulars
of the nesting habits /of the Congo species, illustrating his talk
with lantern slides and specimens.

January 8, 1918. — The President in the chair. Nine mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Gladden, Hix, Marks, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers, Weber and Woodruff) and
five visitors present.

The Secretary showed a list of birds observed during the
autumn on Sand}^ Hook, N. J., by Capt. John P. Young, C. A.
C. N. A., who had been stationed there since August, and read
some of the most interesting records.

Mr. Weber reported that he had observed Pine Siskins
{Spinus p. pinus) at Palisades Park, N. J., almost daily from
October 15-30, 1917, and had collected one on the 26th.

Mr. Hix said that on January 6 he and Mr. Walden Pell,
2d, had found American Mergansers {Mergus americanus)
abundant on the Hudson, fully 500, chiefly males, between
the 130th St., and Dyckman St. Ferries. They had watched a

* See "Nesting Habits of the African Hornbill," by Herbert Lang and
James P. Chapin, American Museum Journal, April, 1918, 271-277.

13

Herring Gull {Larus argentatus) worrying three Goldeneyes
{Clangula clangula americana) on the water, which dove to
escape the annoyance; and had also seen six Bald Eagles
{Haliceetus I. leucocephalus) one of them adult, and another
being chased by a Sparrow Hawk {Falco s. sparverius). Mr.
L. N. Nichols remarked that in the autumn he had seen a
Sparrow Hawk chasing two Red-tails (Buteo horealis).

The presence of the Northern Shrike {Lanius horealis) in
unusual numbers was spoken of by everyone who had been
afield. A discussion as to this bird's method of carrying its
prey showed that both ways, in the bill and in the feet, had
been observed by members present.

Mr. Weber told of his studies, during the past few years, in
the bodily temperature of birds, and gave examples from his
notes. While In the most general terms it might be said that
the higher forms had the higher temperatures, the speaker
said that even the rather large amount of data he had collected
was insufficient to point to any definite conclusions. Con-
siderable discussion followed.

January 22, 1918. — The President in the chair. Ten mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Cleaves, Granger, Hix, Lang,
Marks, J. T. Nichols, Rogers, Thayer and Weber) and thirty-
one visitors present.

Mr. Cleaves recorded three Canvasbacks {Marila valisi-
neria) on Princes Bay, S. I., January 20. He said he had
found it a regular practice with Herring Gulls {Larus argen-
tatus) especially when their own chief feeding grounds were
flooded, to worry diving ducks, — Goldeneyes {Clangula
clangula americana), Scaups {Marila sp.) and Buffle heads
{Charitonetta alheola).

Mr. Nichols spoke of finding recently the remains of a Box
Turtle {Terrapene Carolina) he had marked last July at Mastic,
L. I. It was about a half-mile from the place where he had
released it and an eighth from where he had originally found it.
This was in line with previous findings tending to show that
the species has individually a very narrow range to which it
returns when taken not too far away.

14

Mr. Rogers said that Mr. W. DeW. Miller and he, on an
eight-hour trip southward from Plainfield on January 20, had
listed twent^^-four species of birds, including a Saw-whet Owl
(Cryptoglaux a. acadica) and a flock of four male and a female
Rusty Blackbird {Euphagus carolinus).

Mr. Lang gave the Society a lecture on ''Native Art in
Congo Land."* He described in detail negro art in the form
of fancy coiffures, built to last several weeks, of the wearer's
own and others' hair, often with head dresses of the red tail
feathers of the Gray Parrot, etc.; ivories, from hairpins to
musical instruments, many ornamented with elaborately
drawn scenes from native Ufe ; intricate designs of scars cover-
ing the greater part of the body; houses, and large public
buildings with panels decorated wdth patterns beautifully
woven in rattan or painted in red, black and white; and other
articles of clever design and execution. The lecture was illus-
trated with a wealth of colored lantern slides.

February 12, 1918. — The President in the chair. Eight
members (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Gladden, Hix, Marks,
J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers and Weber) and five
visitors present.

The Secretary read, and it was voted to accept, the resig-
nations from Resident Membership on account of continued
residence at a distance, of Mr. Arthur Goadby and Mr. A. A.
Saunders.

Mr. Rogers proposed for Resident Membership Dr. E. R.
P. Janvrin, a New York physician, for many years a student of
birds, and long a frequent attendant at the Linnsean Society's
meetings. The name was referred to the Membership Com-
mittee.

It was voted to hold an annual dinner like last year's, and
the President appointed Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Rogers as a
committee to make the arrangements.

There was a general discussion of this winter's bird life about

* See photographs in American Museum Journal, October and December,
1915; also "Famous Ivory Treasures of a Negro King," the same, October,
1918, in -proof.

15

New York City. It developed that there had been a scarcity,
at least in northern New Jersey but less so in the city and east-
ward, of White-throats (Zonotrichia albicollis) Tree Sparrows
(Spizella m. monticola) and Juncos (Junco h. hyemalis), and
that no one present knew of a record of Field Sparrow (Spizella
p.pusilla),Golden-cvowned Kinglet {Regulus s. satrapa) , Her-
mit Thrush {Hylocichla guttata pallasi) or Bluebird {Sialia s.
sialis) since December. On the other hand, Downj^ Wood-
peckers {Dnjobates puhescens medianus), White-breasted Nut-
hatches {Sitta c. caroUnensis) , Tufted Tits {Baeolophus hicolor),
Chickadees {Penthestes a. atricapillus) and others were in
ordinary abundance, and the presence of the Northern Shrike
(Lanius horealis) in remarkable numbers was the feature of
the season. Mr. Weber stated that the flock of House Spar-
rows {Passer domesticus) around his house at Palisades Park
usually decreased about fifty percent during the winter, but
that this season it had started with thirteen individuals of
which but three or four now remained. During the severe
cold, Mr. Rogers had found a scarcity of large hawks in the
Overpeck Marshes and unusual numbers of them in the woods
and further inland. He had noticed a Herring Gull {Larus
argentatus) on the Hudson on January 27 in apparently perfect
adult winter plumage but still with a black-ringed bill and
somewhat dusky pink feet. On February 7 he and Mr.
Granger had watched this species and the Black-backed Gull
{Larus marinus) at Long Beach feeding on Surf Clams {Mactra
solidissima) , for which they were apparently feeling with their
feet in shallow water; the beach was strewn for miles with
hundreds of the empty shells, from which several Horned
Larks {Otocoris a. alpestris) were gleaning particles of flesh.
Mr. Rogers had recently heard from Capt. Young that the
Brown Thrasher {Toxostoma rufum) at Sandy Hook was still
thriving.

Mr. Hix said that on February 4 in some open water off
Clason Point, the Bronx, he had seen about 1000 Scaup
{Marila sp.), 100 Black Ducks {Anas ruhripes), 20 Goldenej^es
{Clangida clangula americana) and 4 White-wing Scoters
{Oidemia deglandi) .

16

Mrs. Harden, a visitor, reported the trapping of a Snowy
Owl {Xyctea nyctea) at Wilton, Conn., this winter.

Mr. J. T. Nichols spoke on the spring migration in Florida,
part of which he had witnessed in 1917, chiefly about the Keys;
and gave many of his more interesting records, especially of
several species which, migrating for the most part by a more
westerly route, are considered rare in Florida.

Dr. Dwight explained some of his ideas on the differences
between species and subspecies, emphasizing the importance
which must be attached to the quantitative or qualitative
character of the differences between forms, the former being
considered as subspecific, the latter as specific in value.*
He illustrated his remarks with specimens of several North
American sparrows.

February 26, 1918. — The President in the chair. Seventeen
members (Dr. Dwight, Messrs. Bowdish and Chubb, Dr. G.
C. Fisher and Messrs. Gladden, Granger, Ingalls, Janvrin
(elected later), F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Lang, Murphy,
J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers, Weber and di Zerega)
and twenty-one visitors present.

The Secretary read a letter to Dr. Dwight from Mr. J. de
Lagerberg, enclosing a clipping from a Swedish newspaper
which announced plans for a Linnaeus Museum and a recon-
struction of the garden at the old home of Linnaeus at Upsala.

The Secretary read also an invitation from the Kansas
Acadeni}^ of Science inviting the Linnaean society to send a
delegate to the celebration of the Academy's semi-centennial
anniversary, to be held in Lawrence, Kan., March 15 and 16.

Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin, whose name had been proposed at the
preceding meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

Bluebirds {Sialia s. sialis), the first spring arrivals this year,
were reported as having been seen February 24 at Palisades
Park (six, by Mr. Weber) and at Demarest (by Mrs. B. S.
Bowdish).

* See "The Geographical Distribution of Color and of other Variable
Characters in the Genus Junco: a New Aspect of Specific and Subspecific
Values," Bull Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXVIII, 269-309, PI. XI-XIII.

17

Mr. Bowdish described how he had tamed two Longear
Owls (Asio wilsonianus) which roosted habitually in the yard
of his house, so that they would come for bodies of House
Sparrows {Passer domesticus) thrown to them.

Dr. E. O. Hovey gave the Society a lecture on the birds and
mammals observed by him during two j^ears spent in the Cape
York Region, Greenland, while on the recent Crockerland
Expedition of the American Museum. His talk was illus-
trated with many lantern-slides of birds and their nests, of
mammals, and of the scenery, etc.

March 12, 1918. — The President in the chair. Twenty-one
members (Dr. Dwight, Messrs. Bowdish, Cleaves, Davis,
Dr. G. C. Fisher, Messrs. Granger, Helme, Herrick, Hix,
Janvrin, F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, McMahon, J. T.
Nichols, Pearson, Riker, Rogers, Thayer, du Vivier, Weber
and Woodruff) and eighteen visitors present. This meeting
followed immediately the Sixth Annual Dinner, held in the
Mitla Room of the American Museum and attended by the
twenty-one members mentioned and seventeen guests.

The Secretary also read notes of regret from Mr. Dutcher,
Mr. Sage, Mr. Quarles, and other members unable to attend
the dinner.

Dr. Dwight proposed for Resident Membership Mr. H.
Ira Hartshorn and Mr. Charles M. Breder, Jr., both bird-
students of Newark, N. J., the former now assisting Dr.
Dwight in the care of his collection; the names were referred
to the Membership Committee.

The Treasurer read his annual report, showing a balance
in the Treasury of $2,446.96, a sum slightly larger than that
of a year ago, in spite of a falling off in membership and the
pubhshing of a two years '^ Abstract."

The Secretary then read his Annual Report, as follows:

During the past year the Linnsean Society has held fifteen meetings —
the second December meeting was omitted owing to its faUing on Christmas
Day — with a total attendance of 412. The Fifth Annual Dinner was
attended by a Corresponding Member, tvv^enty-four Resident Members and
fourteen guests, in addition to all of whom another Resident Member and
three visitors were present at the Annual Meeting the same evening. At

18

the remaining fourteen meetings the total attendance averaged twenty-six,
that of members 10.6, both figures a decided falling-off from those of the
two years next preceding, though greater than those of three and four years
ago. The largest number present at any one meeting was sixty-eight, on
May 22 (of members, seventeen, February 26) the smallest was 8.

The Society has during the past year lost by death two Resident Mem-
bers, the Hon. R. G. Hazard and Dr. Henry F. Walker: five have resigned
and five have been dropped automatically for arrears in dues. Mr. Wil-
liam Dutcher has been transferred from the Resident to the Honorary
List, and four new Resident and three new Corresponding Members have
been elected. The membership list now stands: Resident, 81; Corres-
ponding, 28; Honorary, 4; total, 113.

Eleven papers of some length have been presented before the Society, —
five on birds, three on the general zoology of expeditions to the tropics,
two on anthropology and one on whaling. In addition, there have been
eight brief papers, — seven on birds, one on snakes. The papers were
illustrated with lantern slides, Museum specimens, charts, etc.

On December 11 was issued the Society's "Abstract" Nos. 28-29 under
one cover, 114 pages and 6 plates, containing the minutes of the two years
ending March 13, 1917, and "Natural History Observations from the
Mexican Portion of the Colorado Desert," by Robert Cushman Murphy.

At the annual election of officers, the present President,
Vice-President and Treasurer were unanimously reelected to
serve for the ensuing year. Dr. Dwight thanked the Society
for its long-continued choice of him as President. The Secre-
tary was nominated for reelection, but declared his desire to
be relieved of the duties of that office owing to his imminent
liability to service in the Army and the many things to be done
before he should be called. He nominated as Secretary Mr. J.
T. Nichols. After discussion, the vote taken resulted in the
reelection of the Secretary.

The Secretary read a list of the four Corresponding and
eleven Resident Members known or believed by him to be
devoting all their working time to army or other war work.

Mr. Davis read extracts from a letter from Mr. Brower,
telling of the difficulty of collecting cicadas of several species
at Willard, Mo., last August, because the Yellow-bill Cuckoos
{Coccyzus a. americanus) would so often catch the insects
when flushed. Mr. Davis exhibited a box of one species
{Tihican auletes) from Willard, one of which had the thorax
nearly bitten away by a Cuckoo. Mr. Brower wrote that he

19

had had to throw stones at these birds, ordinarily so shy, to
drive them away from his chase. He saw one evidently going
in search of a cicada it heard singing. He had also seen a
Red-head Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus) catch
and eat one.

Mr. Rogers showed the cutting claw of an American Lobster
he had picked up on Long Beach, February 22, which measured
11.9 inches from the proximal spur, 12.2 in. over all.

Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson entertained the Society with an
account of some of the experiences of his boyhood in central
Florida. He spoke particularly of the changes wrought in
the bird-life by man. With the planting of Swamp Oaks about
houses and along the roads, the Loggerhead Shrike {Lanius I.
ludovicianus) became almost at once a common breeding
species. On a recent visit to the same spot, he found the
original, wonderful pine forest entirely swept away, and of the
once numerous birds of the pines — Sparrow Hawks (Falco
sparverius), Red-cockaded Woodpeckers {Dryohates horealis),
Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla), etc., — hardly an
individual remained, their places taken by the Shrikes, Brown
Thrashers {Toxostoma rufum) and other birds of the hammocks
in probably greater numbers than the former population; the
Florida Blue Jay {Cyanocitta cristata florincola) especially,
was in extraordinary abundance. The myriads of the heron
tribe that had inhabited the swamps had practically vanished.
Mr. Pearson closed with an account of the closing chapter in
the career of the last wolf of that region, who was brought to
justice after devouring all of Br'er Rabbit's children, as re-
lated by Uncle Remus.

20

Bird-Notes from Florida

By John Treadwell Nichols

March 28 to April 21, 1917, I had the pleasure of spending
in Florida as the guest of Mr. Herman Armour Nichols, of
Chicago. Almost this entire time (March 31 to April 20) we
were cruising among the keys between Miami on the east and
Sanibel Light on the west coast in an auxiliary ketch, the
" Yuma," and as a result there was little opportunity to ob-
serve land birds, and no great number of species were listed,
although it was a critical date in the spring migration. Never-
theless, after eliminating what is covered by available litera-
ture there remain among my notes observations on several
species which seem worth placing on record.

Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — About 20 south of Sani-
bel Light, April 10, almost or all in ju venal plumage. Pre-
sumedly they do not leave until early May, as at points
further north.

Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus. Florida Cormorant. —
Under date of April 2, off Man-of-war-hawk Bush, my notes
read: ''A school of porpoises breaking not far from our
anchorage. Three or four cormorants following them
closely, swimming and making short flights, diving close
after them." Mr. H. A. Nichols tells me this is a common
habit of the Florida cormorant. Perhaps in this manner,
they secure pieces of fish left by the porpoises.

Pelecanus occidentalis. Brown Pelican. — On a Key south-
east of Cape Sable, there were young peUcans of various
ages on April 14.

I quote an interesting note given me by Dr. Russell J.
Coles concerning the habits of this bird on the southwest
coast of Florida.

21

In his article, Harpooning Devilfish, Col. Theodore Roosevelt in
Sept., 1917, issue of Scrihneys Magazine, correctly describes the method
of diving of the Brown Pehcan when he says that they dive down wind
and come to the surface up-wind. The reason for this is that while the
Brown Pehcan is a very heavy bird, it is so exceedingly buoyant under
water (on account of its heavy and oily covering of feathers and a net-
work of air-cells under the skin of its breast) that it is necessary for it to
drop from a considerable height. \Mien these birds are feeding, the
distance of their flight above the surface of the water is carefully regu-
lated by the depth at which the fish are swimming and one, who has not
especially studied this point by many careful observations, does not
realize how accurately this is gauged. I have often seen a Brown
Pelican suddently dart forward and upward ten to fifteen feet higher and
circle back over his prey before making his plunge, indicating that the
fish was swimming at a greater depth than expected.

The plunge is interesting in that it is always headed down wind. As
it thrusts its neck down, its wings are three-quarters closed and extended
backward as far as possible, thus throwing the center of gravity in front
of any wing support, and the following wind instantly catches in the
partly closed wing tips and completes the inversion, then by deft manipu-
lation of its almost closed wings, it maintains its perpendicular position
as it volplanes downward.

It is necessary for such a heavy bird to rise against the wind, there-
fore it is only a case of instinctive preparedness that the Brown Pehcan
always rises to the surface headed up-wind, in order to be ready for
instant flight.

Owing to the buoyancy of the Brown Pehcan it bounds out of the
water so suddenly that it requires critical observation to note what part
of the bird first appears above the surface, but after many hundreds of
careful observations, I can say that no general rule will apply; frequently
the top of the head first appears, but rather more often a partly closed
wing, thrown forward (as if it had been used under water in heading the
bird up-wind) is first seen, and almost at same instant top of head is
seen. Only in very rare instances in which it is indicated that the
Pehcan tried to reach a greater depth than its plunge justified, have I
seen its tail rise above the surface first.

The feeding habits of the Brown Pelican differ greatly from those
of its somewhat larger and more attractive looking relative, the WTiite
Pehcan. The White Pehcan does not drop from aloft and plunge be-
neath the surface of the water, but its usual manner of feeding is much
like that of a Goose or Swan, by wading or swimming (usually in shallow
water) and finding its varied food among the weeds and sand of the
bottom, or by catching fish by suddenly darting its neck forward.

The Brown Pehcan roosts in trees usually. The White Pehcan
usually roosts on sand bars rising just above thie surface of the water.
The Brown Pelican is verv destructive to food fishes and a source of

22

great annoyance to fishermen** The White Pelican does very Httle
damage to food fishes.

Dr. Coles' principal claim against the Brown Pelican is
that they often scatter schools of fish around which the
fishermen are about to place their nets, and thus interfere
seriously with the fishing industry. This may prove a
serious indictment, although I do not believe that the actual
destruction of fish by a bird like the Pelican will ever be
found to interfere with the commercial supply.

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Mergansers
tolerably common, five flying northeast, Sandy Key, April
16. Probably all serrator, which species definitely identified
Sandy Ke}^, April 1, Lostman's River, April 4.

Ardea occidentalis. Great Vv^hite Heron. — Rather com-
mon among the Keys south and east of Cape Sable, strag-
glers as far away as the railroad northeast of Long Key, and
Ten Thousand Islands on the West coast. One or two
wuerdmanni with the Great White Herons, and one in
Marco Pass. Ardea herodias is frequently associated with
them, but they seem more specialized in their habits and
habitat than that bird, feeding on the extensive mostly
submerged sand-bars. The glaring white light over these
bars (which I have seen exceeded nowhere in the world) is
in keeping with their white plumage.

Their legs and feet are usually a strong dull yellow in
color, a conspicuous field mark in the right light or at close
range, but one does not often see them at close range for
they are extremely wary. A young fully feathered bird
not quite old enough to fly, April 15, had legs and feet dull
dark pinkish, bill dull yellow, lores grey-blue, iris yellow.
(Plate I, fig. 2.)

Pelidna alpina sakhalina. Red-backed Sandpiper. — Two
or three in lead-colored plumage with Sanderlings and small
plovers, beach about 12 miles south of Sanibel Light, April
9. There is no mention of Florida in the A. O. U. check-
list's statement of this bird's winter range.

* Studies by the National Association of Audubon Societies now in
progress do not seem to bear out this statement. — J. M.J.

23

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — Com-
mon. In keeping with my previous experience on actual
sea-coasts, no Black Vultures were seen among the Florida
Kej'S, etc. These latter were common at St. Augustine
and northward along the railroad.*

Myiarchus crinitus. Crested Flycatcher. — Sandy Key,
April 1, one, silent. Tolerably common, and noisy, later
on the west coast.

Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus. Florida Crow. — A few,
Sandy Key and elsewhere. No sign of the Fish Crow which
I think is the common crow further north in Florida, inland.*

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Marco, April 6, three
males; Sandy Key, April 16, two or three males. One or
two individuals seen or heard at other points. According to
the A. 0. U. check-hst ''occasional in southern Florida and
Cuba in spring migration." In view of my limited oppor-
tunity for observing land birds, and the different occasions
on which Orchard Orioles were noted, I believe the species
to be a common spring migrant on the Florida southwest
coast. Chapman's Handbook gives April 29 as the date of
its arrival at Washington.*

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. —
Beach about 12 miles south of Sanibel Light, April 9, two
or three.

Ammodramus savannarum australis. Grasshopper Spar-
row^. — One aboard the ''Yuma," Bay of Florida, April 1,
also one aboard at Lostman's River, April 4. Although not
taken, these birds were examined at as close range as de-
sired, and seemed identical with the species in the north,
the under parts full as buffy. They were certainly in mi-
gration, as otherwise their presence aboard a boat lying off
shore could not be accounted for. (See lighthouse records,
Cooke, Bird Lore, 1910, p. 14.)

Guiraca caerulea caerulea. Blue Grosbeak. — One, Sandy

Key, April 16. (Cooke gives April 14, Tortugas, Bird Lore,
1911, p. 198.)
* See note p. 26.

24

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — One or two,
Sanch^ Ke}-, April 16. (Arrives at Washington, April 17,
according to Chapman's Handbook.)*

Piranga rubra rubra. Summer Tanager. — Two or three,
Sand}^ Key, April 16. (Arrives at Washington, April 18,
according to Chapman's Handbook.)

Hirundo erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Keys southeast
of Cape Sable, April 14 and 15, three single birds flying
north.*

Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Bay about 12 miles
south of Sanibel Light, April 10, about 10 flying north.*

Vermivora pinus. Blue-winged Warbler. — One, Sandy
Key, April 16. According to the A. O. U. Check-list a
''very rare migrant in southeastern United States south of
Virginia." Perhaps, like the Orchard Oriole, less rare here
than supposed. So few warblers were observed that the
chances of there having been a rare one among them seems
slight.

Vermivora peregrina. Tennessee Warbler. — One, Sandy
Key, April 13 (Chapman, Warblers of N. A., gives April 26
for Rising Fawn, Ga.) According to the A. O. U. check-
list "occasional in Florida." See remarks under pinus.

Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. — One at Lower
Metacumbe April 18. This may be near the date of its
departure for the North.*

Dendroica palmarum palmarum. Palm Warbler. — Rather
common. Lower Metacumbe, April 18, 4 or 5. This may
be near the date of its departure for the North.* No Yel-
low Palms were observed.

Dendroica discolor. Prairie Warbler. — Common and gen-
erally distributed, in song in the Mangroves on the west
coast.*

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. — One, Lower Meta-
cumbe, April 18. The Check-list makes no direct reference
to this bird's status in Florida.
* See note p. 26.

25

Setophaga ruticilla. Redstart. — One, Sandy Kej^, April 1;
and Lower Metacumbe, April 18 (Chapman, Warblers of
N. A.; gives April 3 for the earliest date Southern Florida
Lighthouses.)

Troglodytes aedon aedon. House Wren. — One in song,
Miami, March 30. One heard singing, Long Key, March
31, Keys southeast of Cape Sable, April 15. One seen Marco,
April 7. As this bird arrives at Washington, April 13, the
time for it to leave this, its winter range, was probably
approaching.*

Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. Wilson's Thrush. — One,
Sandy Key, April 16. (Cooke gives April 28 as the earUest
at Key West, Bird Lore, 1907, p. 33.)

Birds observed which were hkely approaching the end of
their winter stay in Florida are Herring Gull (April 10), Red-
breasted Merganser, Savannah Sparrow (April 9), Myrtle
Warbler (April 18), Palm Warbler (April 18), House Wren
(April 15).

No indication of a wave of transients comparable to that
which reaches the latitude of New York in early May, was
noted until on April 16, at Sandy Key off Cape Sable. Here,
w^here a few daj^s before there had been comparatively few
birds, a large number of land species were listed in only a few
minutes available (including Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak,
Indigo Bunting {Passerina cyanea), both Tanagers, Red-eyed
Vireo {Vireosylva oUvacea), Prothonotary (Protonotaria citrea),
Blue-winged, Cape May Warblers {Dendroica tigrina), Wilson's
Thrush).

I would never have supposed that the Prairie Warbler
would be, as it was, the common noisy, migrant passerine bird
in the mangroves, though it both breeds and winters in the
state. It was also interesting to find the Crested Flycatcher
so much in evidence, probably southern nesting individuals.

Birds which from their check list range-status one would
scarcely have expected to find in so casual a survey, are the
Orchard Oriole, Blue-winged, Tennessee and Hooded Warblers.
Perhaps species whose ordinary northward route lies further

* See note p. 26.

26

west may be commoner in spring on outlying westerly Keys
than elsewhere in the state.

One's first meeting with a species of bird in nature always
has much personal interest, and is also often one's most vivid
impression of the bird. Perhaps I will be pardoned for speak-
ing here of some of the southern birds whose acquaintance I
made on this trip.

On March 29 there was a male Painted Bunting {Passerina
ciris), gaudy with blue hood, golden-green back and red rump
and under parts, about the shrubbery in front of the Royal
Palm Hotel at Miami, so excessively restless and active that
it was very difficult to get a fair look at him.

On April 1, while skirting the edge of some Mangroves at
Sandy Key, two Yellow-crowned Night Herons (Nyctanassa
violacea) flew out ahead for a short distance and disappeared
around a corner behind the trees. Their resemblance in build
and flight to the Black-crowned Night Heron accentuated the
foreignness of their uniform leaden plumage, and striped black
and white heads.

My first Pileated Woodpecker (Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus)
was on April 3 at the edge of a small isolated Key, Man-of-
war-hawk Bush, a splendid black, red-crested bird with white
stripes on the head and neck and extensive conspicuous white
pattern showing in the wing in flight. Later I saw them and

t

* Through the courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. G. Clyde Fisher, I am able to
compare the above with a table kept by them at De Funiack Springs,
northwest Florida, about twenty-five miles north of the Gulf of Mexico,
March to May, 1909. De Funiack Springs is situated in a sandy upland
pine-woods country more or less under cultivation. This table shows
Turkey and Black Vultures about equally common. Great-crested Fly-
catcher a common breeder arriving March 29. Crows not numerous, both
species (brachyrhynchos and ossifragus) present, C. brachyrhynchos the
more frequent. Orchard Oriole a common breeder arriving March 23.
Scarlet Tanager arriving April 10, Summer Tanager, April 2, Barn Swallow,
in greatest numbers on May 4, and Tree Swallow still present May 5.
Myrtle Warbler observed as late as May 4. The latest Palm Warbler
(D. p. palmarujn) on April 22. The Yellow Palm Warbler {D. p. hypo-
chrysea) about equally common with the above, latest April 17. Both
races wintered. The Prairie Warbler scarce, recorded only twice, in April.
The House Wren recorded only twice, April 15 and 16.

28

Bird Temperatures
By Jay A. Weber

Anyone who has experienced a temperature of 103 degrees
or more, is in a position to know the amount of suffering such an
abnormal temperature causes to the human body. I was
therefore, very much surprised some years ago when I took
the temperature of a warbler which registered 108.2 degrees.
At that time I was under the impression that the bird was dis-
eased and suffering dreadful pain and torture. I obtained
many temperature records since, and find that the temperature
mentioned appears to be quite normal among the perching
birds. Most of the records were obtained while collecting
birds for scientific purposes. To obtain a bird's temperature
the bulb of the thermometer was inserted through the mouth
well into the bird's body immediately after it had been shot.
In the case of live birds the bulb was inserted into the rectum.

When a five specimen is handled in order to obtain its tem-
perature considerable excitement is apparent in the bird,
which may have some effect on its temperature, and likewise
the shock at the time a bird is shot may have some effect.
Until satisfactory experiments have been completed, I cannot
rest assured that the temperatures hereafter stated represent
the normal temperatures of the species mentioned. No at-
tempt is made to draw conclusions from the records obtained,
as they are considered too incomplete.

Bird Temperatures. (Fahrenheit)

Thrushes

Bluebird (Sialia s. sialis) 107, 107, 108.5.
Robin (Planesticus m. migratorius) 108.2, 108.8, 109.2.
Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttata pallasi) 109.9.
Olive-backed Thrush {Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni) 109.2.
Grey-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla a. alicice) 110.4.

29

Veery {Hylocichla f. fuscescens) 108.2, 108.4, 109.
Wood Thrush {Hylocichla mustelina) 109.

Creej)ers
Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris americana) 106.4.

Wrens

Long-billed Marsh Wren {Telmatodytes p. palustris) 107.3,
107.3.

Thrashers, etc.

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 109.6.
Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis) 107.

Wood Warblers

Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 107.8.

Canadian AVarbler {Wilsonia canadensis) 108.8, 108., 108.6.

Hooded Warbler {Wilsonia ciirina) 107.1.

Yellow-breasted Chat {Icteria v. virens) 109.5, 108.6.

Yellow-breasted Chat, Juv. {Icteria v. virens) 108.2.

Maryland Yellowthroat {Geothlypis t. trichas) 108.2, 108.2.

Connecticut Warbler {Oporornis agilis) 108.6.

Water-thrush {Seiurus n. novehoracensis) 108.3, 108.9, 109.2.

Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea)

107.5.
Pine Warbler {Dendroica v. vigorsi) 109.1.
Black-throated Green Warbler {Dendroica virens) 109.4, 107.4.
Blackburnian Warbler {Dendroica fusca) 108.6.
Black-poll Warbler {Dendroica striata) 109.8, 108.5, 108.4.
Magnolia Warbler {Dendroica magnolia) 107.8.
Black-throated Blue Warbler {Dendroica c. ccerulescens) 108.2.
Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina) 107.6.
Blue-winged Warbler {Vermivora pinus) 107.7, 107.7.

Vireos

Blue-headed Vireo {Lanivireo s. solitarius) 106.8.
Red-ej^d Vireo {Vireosylva olivacea) 108.5, 108.1.

30

Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing {Bomhycilla cedrorum) 107.1.

Swallows
Tree Swallow {Iridoprocne hicolor) 106.5.

Ta7iagers
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga erythromelas) 109.2, 108.3, 107.8.

Sparrows

Indigo Bunting {Passerina cyanea) 108.2, 107.8.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludoviciana) 108.2, 108.2.
Towhee {Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus) 110.7, 109.5, 108.7.
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 108.4.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza 7n. melodia) 111.
Bachman's Sparrow (Peuccea cBstivalis hachmani) 106.8.
Slate-colored Junco (Junco h. hyemalis) 110.2, 109.6.
Field Sparrow (Spizella p. pusilla) 109.2.
Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Passerherbulus caudacutus) 109.2.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 108.5.

Blackbirds, etc.

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galhula) 108.7, 108.2.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius p. phceniceus) 109.3, 109.1,

109.
Cowbird (Molothrus a. ater) 108.4.

Crows and Jays

Crow (Corvus h. hrachyrhynchos) 106.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta c. cristata) 109.

Flycatchers

Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 108.6.
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) 107.
Wood Pewee (Myiochanes virens) 110.2.
Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 109.5.

31

Crested Flycatcher {Myiarchus crinitus) 109.6, 111.2, 108.6,

108.6.
Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 109.5, 108.4, 109.2.

Swifts
Chimney Swift {Chcetura pelagica) 106.1, 106.

Woodpeckers

Northern FUcker (Colaptes auratus luteus) 109.6.
Red-headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 108.
Yellow-belHed Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus v. varius) 107.4.

Cuckoos

Black-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) 109.1.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus a. americanus) 109.8, 108.2.

Owls
Barred Owl, Juvs. (Strix v. varia) 102.6, 102.6.

Hawks
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox) 108.2.

Shore Birds

Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) 108.9.
Yellowlegs {Totanus flavipes) 109.

Rails
Clapper Rail (Rallus c. crepitans) 104.2.

Members of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK.

MARCH, 1918.

Honorary Members.
Allex, J. A., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
DuTCHER, William, 939 Park Avenue, Plainfield, X. J.
MERRIA.M, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th Street, Washington, D. C.
Stone, Wittier, Ph.D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.

Corresponding Members.

Abbott, C. C, M.D., Bristol, Pa.

Agersborg, G. S., Vermilion, S. D.

Benner, Franklin, Minneapolis, Minn.

Burgess, Thornton W., Springfield, Mass.

Burroughs, John, West Park, N. Y.

Cory, Charles B., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111.

Cox, Philip, Newcastle, N. B.

DuRY, Charles, Cincinnati, Ohio.
tDuTCHER, B. H., M.D., U. S. Army.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. O.

Fox, Wm. H., M.D., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washington, D. C.

Grant, W. W., 600 Castle Street, Geneva, N. Y.
IHarper, Francis, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 818 Fifth Street, San Diego, Cal.

Langdon, F. W., M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio.

Latham, Mrs. F. E. B., Micco, Fla.

LooMis, Leverett M., California Acad, of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal.

Marshall, Alfred, 64 South Canal Street, Chicago, 111.

Mead, Theo. L., Oviedo, Fla.

Oberholser, Harry C, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Roose^'elt, Theodore, Oyster Bay, N. Y.

Sage, John H., Portland, Conn.

Seton, Ernest Thompson, Greenwich, Conn.
IShufeldt, R. W., M.D., 3356 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D, C.

Trotter, Spencer, M.D., Swarthmore, Pa.

Warren, B. H., M.D., Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa.

Williston, S. W., M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago, Chicago, lU.

t On military' or naval service, July, 1918.

32

33

Resident Members.

Abbott, Clinton G., Orchard Hill, Rhinebeck, N. Y.

Ad.'Lms, Benjamin, New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue & 42d S .

Beekman, Gerard, 7 East 42d Street,

Belmont, August, 43 Exchange Place.

Bishop, Louis B., 356 Orange Street, Xew Haven, Conn.

BowDisH, Beecher S., Demarest, X. J.

Breder, Charles M., Jr., 15 Humboldt St., Newark, X. J.

Bristol, Jno. I. D., 1 IMadison Avenue.

Cassebeer, H. a., Jr., 1095 Steinway Avenue, Steinway, L. I.
IChapin, James P., American Museum of Xatural History.

Chapman, E. A., M.D., 3 East 23d Street.

Chapman, Frank I\L, American Museum of Xatural History.

Childs, Hon. John Lewis, Floral Park, L. I

Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Xatural History.

Cleaves, Howard H., Public Museum, Xew Brighton, S. I.
fCROSBY, AL\unsell S., Rhinebeck, X. Y.
*Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, S. I.

DiETERiCH, Charles F., 2 Rector Street.

Dodge, Cleveland H., 99 John Street.
fDuGMORE, Captain A. Radclyffe, Xewfoundland, N. J.

Dwight, Jonathan, M.D., 134 West 71st Street.

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.

Fleischer, Edward, 539 Fourth Street, Brooklyn.

Gladden, George, 170 Vermilyea Ave.

Gotthold, Arthur F., 60 Wall Street.

Granger, Walter, American Museum of Natural History.
fGRiscoM, Ludlow, 20 Fifth Avenue.
IHalter, Clarence R., American ]\Iuseum of Natural History.

Hartshorn, H. Ira, 53 S. 12th St., Newark, N. J.

Heller, Max, Venice, Calif.

Helme, Arthur H., Miller Place, L. I.
jHelmuth, Willi a:m T., 774 ^Madison Avenue.

Herrick, Harold, 123 WiUiam Street.

Hix, George E., 100 West 91st Street.

HoLLiSTER, George Whiting, 521 Madison Avenue.
fHuBBELL, George W., Greenwich, Conn.

Hyde, E. Francis, 36 West 58th Street.

Hyde, Frederick William, 350 West 30th Street.

Ingalls, L. D., 676 Elm Street, Arhngton, N. J.

Irving, John, Glen Cove, L. I.

Janwrin, E. R. p., ]\I.D., 515 Park Avenue.

Johnson, Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.

Johnson, Julius M., 77 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn.
* Life Member.
t On military or naval service, July, 1918.

34

fKiERAN, John F., 3150 Kingsbridge Terrace.

KusER, JoHX Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J,

LaDow, St,\xley Vaughax, 622 West 113th Street.

Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History.

Langdon, Woodbury G., 131 East 40th St.

Lawrence, John B., 126 East 30th Street.

Lawrence, Xewbold T., 84 Wilham Street.

Leale, Charles A., AI.D., 604 Madison Avenue.

Lemmon, Robert S., Lafayette Avenue, Englewood, N. J.

Maitland, Robert L., 141 Broadway.

Marks, E. Sydney, 655 Kearney Avenue, ArHngton, N. J.
tIMc]\lAH0N, Walt F., Nat'l Ass'n of Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway.

IMerria^i, Henry F., Ph.D., 30 Chnton Avenue, Maplewood, N. J.
fMiLLER, Leo E., American Museum of Natural History.

Morris, Robert T., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.

Murphy, Robert Cushnian, Brooklyn Museum, Brookl3^n.

Nichols, John Treadwell, American Museum of Natural History.

Nichols, L. Nelson, N. Y. Pubhc Library, Fifth Avenue & 42d Street.

OsBORN, Prof. Henry F., American Museum of Natural History.

OsBORN, William C, 71 BroadwaJ^

Overton, Frank, M.D., Patchogue, L. I.

Pearson, T. Gilbert, 1974 Broadway.

Philipp, p. Bernard, 220 Broadwa5^

Porter, Louis N., Stamford, Conn.

QuARLES, E. A., Amer. Game Protective Ass'n, Woolworth Building.

Raven, H. C, Bayshore, L. I.

Reichenberger, Mrs. Victor M., American Museum of Natural History.

RiKER, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.
t*RoGERS, Charles H., American Museum of Natural History.

RuNDALL, Clarence A., Brewster, N. Y.

Stern, Benja:min, 542 Fifth Avenue.
IStreeter, Daniel D., Bergen Street & New York Avenue, Brooklyn.

Thayer, Gerald H., Monadnock, N. H.

Du ViviER, Edward F., 152 East 71st Street.
tWALSH, Lester, 65 WelUngton Court, Brooklyn.

Walters, Frank, Elmhurst, L. I.

W^EBER, Jay a., Moore & Grand Ave's, Leonia, N. J.

Wheeler, C. W. B., M.D., 17 East 38th Street.
T Wilcox, T. Ferdinand, 118 East 54th St.

Woodruff, Lewis B., 14 East 68th Street.

di Zerega, Louis A., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.
* Life Member,
t On military or naval service July, 1918.

INDEX.

Accipiter velox, 31.
JEgialitis meloda, 4.

semipalmata, 8.
Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus, 30.
Aix sponsa, 8, 10.
Aluco pratincola, 3.
Ammodramus savannaruin austra-

lis, 23.
Anns rubripes, 2, 15.
Antrostomus carolinensis, 27.

vociferus, 3.
Ardea herodias, 22.

Occident alls, 22.

wuerdmanni, 22.
Asio wilsonianus, 17.
Astur atricapillus atricapillus, 11.

Bseolophus bicolor, 15.

Beebe, William, Wild Life at

Kalacoon 7.
Blackbird, Red-winged, 30.

Rusty, 6, 14.
Bluebird, 15, 16, 28.
Bombycilla cedrorum, 30.
Bowdish, Beecher S., 17.
Bowdish, Mrs. B. S., 16.
Breder, Charles M., 17.
Brower, Mr., 18.
Bubo virginianus ^arginianus, 9.
Bunting, Indigo, 6, 25, 30.

Painted, 26.
Burgess, Thornton W., 4, 5.
Buteo borealis, 13.
Butterfly, Monarch, 8.

Cardinal, Red-crested, 2.
Catbird, 9, 29.

Cathartes aura septentrionahs, 23.
Certhia famiharis americana, 5, 6,

29.
Chaetura pelagica, 31.
Chapin, James P., 12.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 29.
Chickadee, 15.
Charitonetta albeola, 13.
Chubb, Samuel H., 7.
Chuck-wills-widow, 27.
Cicadas, 18.
Clam, Surf, 15.
Clangula clangula americana, 13, 15.

Cleaves, Howard H., 2, 3, on

a^dan intelligence, etc. 3, 9, 13.
Coccyzus americanus americanus,
18, 31.

erj1:hrophthalmus, 31.
Colaptes auratus luteus, 31.
Coles, Russell J., on the Brown

PeHcan 20.
Colymbus auritus, 10.

holbceim, 3.
Cormorant, Florida, 20.
Corvus brachyrh^mchos, 26.

brachjThjTichos brachy-
rhynchos, 30.

brachjThjTichos pascuus, 23.
Corvus ossifragus, 26.
Cowbird, 30.
Creeper, Brown, 5, 6, 29.
Crow, 26, 30.

Fish, 23, 26.

Florida, 23.
CrjTDtoglaux acadica acadica, 14.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 31.

Yellow-billed, 18, 31.
Cyanocitta cristata cristata, 6, 30.
florincola, 19.

Danaus archippus, 8.
Davis, Wilham T., 7, 11, 18.
Dendroica cserulescens cserulescens,
29.

castanea, 6.

coronata, 24.

dominica dominica, 4.

fusca, 6, 29.

magnoha, 29.

palmarum hypochrysea, 5, 6,
26, 29.

palmarum palmarum 24, 26.

striata, 6, 29.

tigrina, 6, 8, 25, 29.

\agorsi "\dgorsi, 29.

virens, 29.
Dryobates boreahs, 19.

pubescens medianus, 15.
Duck, Baldpate, 2.

Black, 2, 15.

Buffiehead, 13.

Canvasback, 13.

Goldeneye, 13, 15,

35

36

Duck, Scaup, 13, 15.
Wood, 8, 10.

Dumetella carolinensis, 9, 29.

Dutcher, William, 1, 17, 18.

Dwight, Jonathan, on Thayer's
Gull 5, 9, on species and sub-
species 16, 17, 18.

Eagle, Bald, 13.
Egret, American, 7, 8.
Empidonax minimus, 30.

virescens, 30.
Ereunetes pusillus, 8.
Euphagus carohnus, 6, 14.

Falco sparverius, 19.

sparverius sparverius, 13.
Fisher, G. Clyde, 1, 2, De Funiack

Springs, Fla. Notes 26.
Fleischer, Edward, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Fhcker, Northern, 31.
Florida cserulea caerulea, 8.
Flycatcher, Acadian, 30.

Crested, 6, 23, 25, 26, 31.

Least, 30.

GaUinago delicata, 3.
Geothljqjis trichas trichas, 29.
Gladden, George, 2, 4, 12.
Goadby, Arthur, 14.
Goshawk, 11.
Grackle, Nicaraguan, 11.
Granger, Walter, 2, 6, 10, 12.
Grant, W. W., 4, 5.
Grebe, HolboeU's, 3.

Horned, 10.
Griscom, Ludlow, 11.
Grosbeak, Blue, 23, 25.

Evening, 5.

Rose-breasted, 6, 30.
Guiraca cserulea caerulea, 23.
Gull, Bonaparte's, 3.

Herring, 5, 11, 13, 15, 20, 25.

Ring-billed, 3.

Thayer's, 5.

Vega, 5.

Yellow-legged Herring, 5.

Hahseetus leucocephalus leucocepha-

lus, 13.
Harden, Mrs., 16.
Harper, Francis, 4, 5.
Hartshorn, H. Ira, 17.
Hawk, Red-tailed, 13.

Sharp-shinned, 31.

Sparrow, 13, 19.
Hazard, Roland G., 18.

Herodias egretta, 7.
Heron, Great White, 22.

Little Blue, 8.

Yellow-crowned Night, 26.
Hersey, F. Seymour, on Alaskan

water-fowl 12.
Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina,

5.
Hirundo erythrogaster, 6, 24.
Hix, George E., 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12,

15.
Hornbills, African, 12.
Hovey, E. O., Cape York Region,

Greenland 17.
Hubbell, George W., Jr., 2.
Hylocichla aliciae ahcise, 28.

fuscescens fuscescens, 25, 29.

guttata pallasi, 7, 15, 28.

mustelina, 29.

ustulata swainsoni, 28.

Icteria virens virens, 29.
Icterus galbula, 30.
spurius, 23.

Iridoprocne bicolor, 24, 30.
Janvrin, E. R. P., 14, 16.
Jay, Blue, 6, 30.

Florida Blue, 19.
Johnson, J. M., 2, 5, 6, 22.
Junco hyemahs hyemahs, 6, 9, 15,

30.
Junco, Slate-colored, 6, 9, 15, 30.

Kingbird, 6, 31.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 15.
Ruby-crowned, 6.

Lagerberg, J. de, 16.
Lampropeltis triangulum tri-

angulum, 8.
Lang, Herbert, Native Dances in
the Belgian Congo,
2.
• Native Art in Congo
Land 14.
Lanius boreaHs, 11, 13, 15.

ludovicianus ludovicianus, 19
Lanivireo flavifrons, 6.

soUtarius solitarius, 29.
Lark, Horned, 15.
Larus argentatus argentatus, 5, 11,
13, 15.
argentatus thayeri,'5.
argentatus vegae, 5.
cachinans, 5.
delawarensis, 3.
Philadelphia, 3.

37

Liobagrus nigricauda, 10.
Lobster, American, 19.

McMahon, Walt F., 1.
Mactra solidissima, 15.
Mareca americana, 2.
Martin, Purple, 9.
Megaquiscalus nicaraguensis, 11.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 19, 31.
Melospiza georgiana, 30.

melodia melodia, 30.
Merganser, American, 12.

Red-breasted, 2, 22, 25.
Mergus americanus, 12.

serrator, 2, 22.
Miller, W. DeW., Field Notes on

the Birds of Nicaragua 11, 14.
Molothrus ater ater, 30.
Murphy, Robert C, 2, 4.
Mjdarchus crinitus, 6, 23, 31.
Myiochanes ^^rens, 6, 30.

Nichols, H. A., 20.
Nichols, J. T., 2, 8, 10, 11, 13, on
spring migration in Florida,
16, 18.

Bird Notes from Florida 20.
Nichols, L. N., 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 19.

Red-breasted, 9.

White-breasted, 15.
Nyctanassa violacea, 26.
Nyctea nyctea, 16.

Oidemia deglandi, 15.
Oporornis agihs, 29.

Philadelphia, 8.
Oriole, Baltimore, 30.

Orchard, 23, 25, 26.
Otocoris alpestris alpestris, 15.
Owl, Barn, 3.

Barred, 9, 31.

Great Horned, 9.

Long-eared, 17.

Saw-whet, 14.

Snowy, 16.
Oxyechus vociferus vociferus, 3.

Paroaria cucuUata, 2.

Parrot, Gray, 14.

Passer domesticus, 11, 15, 17, 30.

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna,

6, 23.
Passerella ihaca ihaca, 2, 11.
Passerherbulus caudacutus, 4, 30.
Passerina ciris, 26.

cyanea, 6, 25, 30.

Pavo cristatus, 5.

muticus, 5.
Peacock, 5.

Pearson, T. Gilbert, 19.
Pelecanus occidentahs, 20.
Pehcan, Brown, 20, 22.

White, 21, 22.
Pehdna alpina sakhahna, 22.
Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus,

15.
Peucsea sestivahs bachmani, 30.
Pewee, Wood, 6, 30.
Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus,

20.
Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola, 8.

pileatus, 26.
Phoebe, 30.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythroph-

thalmus, 30.
Piranga erji:hromelas, 6, 24, 30.

rubra rubra, 24.
Pisobia minutilla, 8.
Planesticus migratorius migratorius,

10, 11, 28.
Plover, Black-belhed, 8, 31.

Killdeer, 3.

Piping, 4.

Semipalmated, 8.
Progne subis subis, 9.
Protonotaria citrea, 25.

Quarles, E. A., 17.

Rail, Clapper, 31.

Rallus crepitans crepitans, 31.

Redstart, 25, 29.

Regulus calendula calendula, 6.
satrapa satrapa, 15.

Richardson, William B., 11.

Robin, 10, 11, 28.

Rogers, Charles H., 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,
8, The Colors of birds 9, 10, 14,
15, Secretary's Annual Report 17,
19.

Roosevelt, Theodore, 2f .

RjTichops nigra, 27.

Sage, John H., 17.
Sandpiper, Least, 8.

Red-backed, 22.

Semipalmated, 8.
Sapsucker, 6, 31.
Saunders, A. A., 14.
Sayornis phoebe, 30.
Scaphiopus holbrooki, 7.
Scoter, White-winged, 15.
Seiurus noveboracensis novebora-
censis, 29.

38

Setophaga ruticilla, 25, 29.
Shrike, Loggerhead, 19.

Northern, 11, 13, 15.
Siaha siahs sialis, 15, 16, 28.
Siskin, Pine, 9, 12.
Sitta canadensis, 9.

carohnensis carohnensis, 15.

pusilla, 19.
Skimmer, Black, 27.
Snake, Garter, 8.

Milk, 8.
Snipe, Wilson's 3.
Sparrow, Bachman's, 30.

Chipping, 6, 12.

Field, 15, 30.

Fox, 2, 11.

Grasshopper, 23.

House, 11, 15, 17, 30.

Savannah, 6, 23, 25.

Sharp-tailed, 4, 30.

Song, 30.

Swamp, 30.

Tree 15.

White-throated, 6, 9, 15.
Sphyrapicus varius varius, 6, 31.
Spinus pinus pinus, 9, 12.
Spizella monticola monticola, 15.

passerina passerina, 6, 12.

pusilla pusilla, 15, 30.
Squatarola squatarola, 8, 31.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 4.
Strix varia varia, 9, 31.
Swallow, Barn, 6, 24, 26.

Rough-winged, 4.

Tree, 24, 26, 30.
Swift, Chimney, 31.

Tanager, Scarlet, 6, 24, 25, 26, 30.

Summer, 24, 25, 26.
Terrapene carohna, 3, 13.
Telmatodytes palustris palustris, 29.
Thamnophis sirtaHs sirtalis, 8.
Thrasher, Brown, 15, 19, 29.
Thrush, Grey-cheeked, 28.

Hermit, 7, 15, 28.

Olive-backed, 28.

Wilson's, 25, 29.

Wood, 29.
Tibicen auletes, 18.
Titmouse, Tufted, 15.
Toad, Hermit Spadefoot, 7.
Totanus flavipes, 8, 31.

melanoleucus, 8.
Towhee, 30.

Toxostoma rufum, 15, 19, 29.
Troglodytes aedon aedon, 10, 25.
Turtle, Box, 3, 13.
Tyrannus tyrannus, 6, 31.

Vermivora peregrina, 24.

pinus, 24, 29.
Vireo, Blue-headed, 29.

Red-eyed, 6, 25, 29.

Yellow-throated, 6.
Vireosylva olivacea, 6, 25, 29.
Vulture, Black, 23, 26.

Turkey, 23, 26.

Walker, Henry F., 18.

Walsh, Lester, 5, 7.
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 6.

Blackburnian, 6, 29.

Black-poll, 6, 29.

Black-throated Blue, 29.

Black-throated Gr^en, 29.

Blue-winged, 24, 25, 29.

Canadian, 6, 29.

Cape May, 6, 8, 25, 29.

Connecticut, 29.

Hooded, 24, 25, 29.

Magnolia, 29.

Mourning, 8.

Myrtle, 24, 25.

Palm, 24, 25, 26.

Pine, 29.

Prairie, 24, 25, 26.

Prothonotary, 25, 27.

Tennessee, 24, 25.

Yellow Palm, 5, 6, 26, 29.

Yellow-throated, 4.
Water-thrush, 29.
Waxwing, Cedar, 30.
Weber, Jay A., 2, 3, 12, 13, 15, 16.
Bird Temperatures,
28.
Whale, Sperm, 4.
Whip-poor-will, 3.
Wilsonia canadensis, 6, 29.

citrina, 24, 29.
Woodpecker, Downy, 15.

Pileated, 8, 26.

Red-cockaded, 19.

Red-headed, 19, 31.
Woodruff, Lewis B., 2, 14, Treas-
urer's Annual Report 17.
Wren, House, 10, 25, 26.

Long-billed Marsh, 29.

Winter, 5.

Yellowleg, Greater, 8.

Lesser, 8, 31.
Yellowthroat, Maryland, 29.
Young, John P., 12, 15.

Zamelodia ludoviciana, 6, 30.
Zonotrichia albicoUis, 6, 9, 15.

PUBLICATIONS

[OF

The Linnaean Society of New York^

TRANSACTIONS.

olume 1, 1882, Royal Octavo, 168 pages. Out of print. Frontispiece. — Portrait

OP LiNNiEUS.

The Vertebrates op the Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York.
First Instalment. ^ Clinton Hart Merriam.

Is NOT THE Fish Crow {Corvics ossifragus Wilson) a Winter as well as a Summer
Resident at the Northern Limit of its Range? William Butcher.

A Review op the Summer Birds op a Part of the Catskill Mountains, with
Prefatory Remarks on the Faunal and Floral Features of the Region.

Eugene Pintard Bicknell.

)lume n, 1884, Royal Octavo, 233 pages. Price in paper, $2.00; cloth, S3.00.
Frontispiece. — ^Plate op Bendire's Shrew.

The Vertebrates op the Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York.
Second Instalment, concluding the Mammalia. Clinton Hart Merriam.

A New Genus and Species of the Soricid^. {Atophyrax Bendirii Merriam.)

Clinton Hart Merriam.

ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS.

Octavo, paper covers.

In illustrated numbers, most of the plates are photographic, with an average
of two photographs on each plate.

). 1, for the year ending March 1, 1889, 9 pages, 25 cents.
Former Abundance of Some Species of Birds on New York Island at the
Time op their Migration to the South. George N. Lawrence.

', >. 2, for the year ending March 7, 1890, 10 pages, 25 cents.

Notes on the Carolina Paroquet in Florida. Frank M. Chapman.

i . 3, for the year ending March 6, 1891, 11 pages, 25 cents.

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^ ^ " , J. A. Allen.

A Consideration op Some Ornithological Literature with Extracts from
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R 7, for the year ending March 26, 1895, 4! pages, 50 cents.

Notes ON Cuban Mammals. Juan Gundlach.

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Rajrmond L. Ditmars.

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1918-1919 No. 31

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINNyEAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending:
March U, 1919

CONTAINING

Bird-Banding by Means of Systematic Trapping
By S. Prentiss Baldwin

Date of Issue, December 23, 1919

/>

Officers of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

1918-1919

President -.--.... Jonathan Dwight

Vice-President -----.. Julius M. Johnson

Secretary - -- - - - - - Charles H. Rogers

Treasurer -- - - - - - - Lewis B. Woodruff

The Society meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings
of each month, from October to May inclusive, at the American
Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and Central Pjark West,
New York City.

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN/EAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK,

FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH ii, 1919.

This is the thirty-first in the series of Abstracts published
by the Linnsean Society of New York, and, like the preceding
issues, is prepared mainly as a brief review of the work of
the Society during the year closing with the date indicated
above. Papers presented before the Society and published
elsewhere (often enlarged or otherwise different in form) are
mentioned with proper reference to the place of publication.

March 26, 1918. — The President in the chair. One Corre-
sponding Member (Mr. Seton), twenty Resident Members
(Dr. Dwight, Dr. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder
(elected later). Cleaves, Davis, Gladden, Granger, Hartshorn
(elected later), Hix, F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Marks,
McMahon, Murphy, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers,
Thayer and Weber) and 209 (!) visitors present.

The President declined the Honorary Membership to which
he had been elected at the Annual Meeting, as the Society's
By-Laws allow only Resident Members to hold office.

Mr. H. Ira Hartshorn and Mr. Charles M. Breder, Jr.,
whose names had been proposed at the previous meeting,
were elected to Resident Membership.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Charles Johnston
recording his close observation of a singing male Pine Warbler

1

(Dendroica v. vigorsi) at Beachwood, two miles southeast of
Toms River, N. J., on March 19, an early date.

Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton gave the Society a lecture on
''Wild Animals at Home." He first illustrated the tracks of
various familiar birds and mammals and explained the dif-
ferences between the tracks of arboreal and terrestrial members
of both classes, and of wild and domesticated forms of Canidae
and Hominidse; and showed how stories of some length could
be read in detail from the records left in mud or snow. The
speaker also told some tales of experiences with a number of
western mammals, large and small. The lecture was illus-
trated with lantern-slides.

April 9, 1918. — The President in the chair. Eleven mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Gladden, Hartshorn, Hix,
F. W. Hyde, J. M. Johnson, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N.
Nichols, Rogers and Weber) and three visitors (Messrs.
Roger N. Baldwin, B. Talbot B. Hyde and Manson Valentine)
present.

The name of Mrs. Victor M. Reichenberger, now for two
years a volunteer worker in the bird department of the Ameri-
can Museum, was proposed for Resident Membership by Mr.
Rogers; it was referred to the Membership Committee.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported for a committee consisting of
himself and Mr. Granger, which had been appointed by the
President to audit the Treasurer's Annual Report, that the
Report had been ''examined and found correct as stated."

The President appointed the following committees to serve
for the ensuing year :

Membership, Messrs. J. M. Johnson, Hix and Weber.

Finance, Messrs. Woodruff, Granger and Weber.

Papers and Lectures, Messrs. Rogers, Granger and Murphy.

Publications, Messrs. Rogers, J. M. Johnson and J. T.
Nichols.

Bird-Banding, Messrs. Cleaves, J. T. Nichols and Rogers.

Bird-Census Blanks, Messrs. Weber, Cleaves, J. T. Nichols
and Rogers.

Mr. J. M. Johnson recorded apparently the first Old-squaw

{Harelda hy emails) from the Overpeck Creek, N. J., a male
seen there by him April 7. Thereabouts on the same day he
had seen a Rough-legged Hawk (Archihuteo lag opus sancti-
johannis) and a Short-eared Owl {Asio flammeus), — a late
date for each.

Observers who had been in the field agreed that the cool

weather had slowed up the migration and that birds were

now generally scarce. Mr. J. T. Nichols, however, had noted

,a Robin {Planesticus m. migratorius) gathering nest-material

as early as April 7.

Mr. Rogers exhibited the American Museum's collection,
recently acquired from the Massachusetts Agricultural College,
of domestic Mallards {Anas platyrhynchus) and Brown Leg-
horn Fowl {Gallus gallus) which had undergone experiments
in the way of removal or transference of their sexual glands,
and pointed out the remarkable results of such operations.
He also told of similar experiments on mammals and on insects.

April 23, 1918. — The President in the chair. Thirteen
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder,
Gladden, Granger, Hartshorn, Hix, J. M. Johnson, Lang,
Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols and Rogers) and nine
visitors (including Dr. Wm. K. Gregory, Dr. J. Bequaert,
Mrs. Granger, Mr. Charles Johnston, Mr. E. G. Nichols and
Mr. Manson Valentine) present.

Mrs. Victor M. Reichenberger, whose name had been pro-
posed at the previous meeting, was elected to Resident Mem-
bership.

Mr. J. T. Nichols told of a Duck Hawk {Falco peregrinus
anatum) which killed a Pigeon {Columba livia, domestic) in the
air between the fish department and bird department windows
of the American Museum on April 11; and Dr. Dwight told of
a recent attack by a Sparrow Hawk {F. s. sparverius) on a
Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris) in the same place, the latter
escaping, though well mauled.

Dr. Janvrin reported finding a Black Duck {Anas ruhripes)
nest with twelve eggs at Long Beach, Nassau County, L. I.,
on April 14.

Dr. Gregory gave the Society a lecture ''On the Motor
Apparatus of Land Reptiles." With lantern-slides and with
skeletons of reptiles fossil and recent, the speaker traced the
development of the musculature of the hind-limbs and of the
fore-limbs of reptiles from the earliest times to the present.
Considerable discussion followed.

May 14, 1918. — The Vice-President in the chair. Thirteen
members (Dr. Janvrin and Messrs. Breder, Gladden, Granger,
Hartshorn, J. M. Johnson, Lang, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols,
Rogers, Thayer, Weber and Woodruff) and five visitors
(including Mr. H. van Straaten of Holland and Java, and Mr.
William Beebe) present.

Mr. Weber reported collecting a singing male Bachman's
Sparrow (Peuccea aestivalis hachmani) at Fort Lee, N. J., on
May 9.

Mr. Johnson reported the following records for the Engle-
wood Region: in the Overpeck Marshes, — American Bittern
{Botaurus lentiginosus) , 1 on April 23, 1 on April 28, 4 on May
5; (Greater?) Scaup {Marila marila?), 9 on April 28; American
Pipit {Anthus rubescens), 36 on May 5; Merganser (probably
American, Mergus americanus) , 1 on May 12; and in the
Phelps Ruins grove a Long-eared Owl (Asia wilsonianus) on
April 28. He also recorded a Florida Gallinule {Gallinula g.
galeata) in Prospect Park on May 9.

Several of the members spoke of the arrival of Tennessee
and Cape May Warblers {Vermivora peregrina and Dendroica
tigrina) in numbers which indicated no diminution in their
comparative abundance attained in recent years.

Mr. Rogers told of seeing a Pigeon Hawk (Falco c. colum-
harius) in Central Park April 28; and, with Mr. van Straaten
on May 12, one of the white-winged Gulls {Larus hyperhoreus
or L. leucopterus) on the New Jersey side of the Hudson below
Dyckman Street, and many Least Sandpipers {Pisohia min-
utilla) scattered through the Overpeck Marshes.

Mr. J. T. Nichols recorded an exceedingly tame King Rail
{Rallus elegaiis) at Mastic, L. I., May 12.

Mr. Thayer started a discussion on the nude in ornithology.

He said it had been his experience that shy birds were often
easy to approach closely by a man without the customary
clothing. Several other members mentioned having had the
same experience or having read of such on good authority.

Mr. Thayer gave the Society a talk on his ''Field Notes on
the Birds of Trinidad." With his father, Mr. Abbott H.
Thayer, he had spent two and a half months on the island some
years ago, months crowded with the most active collecting
and observing. He told the Society of his adventures in an
Oil-bird {Steatornis caripensis) cave and of his experiences
with many other interesting birds, such as Nyctihius, Jacana,
Aramus, Hapalocercus (which he was the first to discover in
Trinidad), etc. The talk was illustrated with specimens.

May 28, 1918. — The President in the chair. Ten members
(Dr. Dwight and Messrs. Davis, Gladden, Granger, Hix,
J. M. Johnson, Lang, Marks, J. T. Nichols and L. N. Nichols)
and ten visitors present.

In the absence of the Secretary on war duty, the President
appointed Mr. J. T. Nichols Acting Secretary,

Mr. Johnson reported that the annual Mid-May Census by
Messrs. W. DeW. Miller and Charles H. Rogers in the Plain-
field, N. J., region, on May 18, and one by himself alone the
following day at West Englewood, N. J., had yielded a smaller
number of species than ordinarily, 87 and 71 respectively.
This spring, migrating mixed flocks of Warblers, etc., had been
notably absent. He explained this, at least partially, by the
uniform temperatures, with few really warm days until re-
cently, so that the birds had been neither stimulated to ad-
vance in waves, nor held up in our latitude by cold weather.
On May 26 at Long Beach, L. L, with Dr. Janvrin and Mr.
van Straaten, he had observed Black Ducks {Anas ruhripes)
breeding, a Short-eared Owl {Asio flammeiis), unusually large
numbers of Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres morinella)
and Black-bellied Plover (Sqiiatarola squatarola) — 200 of the
former by actual count, and probabl}^ 300 or 400 of each
present, ten White-rumped Sandpipers {Pisohia fuscicollis) ,
twenty Red-backed Dunlin {Pelidna alpina sakhalina), and
the common small shore-birds in moderate numbers.

6

Mr. L. N. Nichols had observed a (late) Hermit Thrush
{Hylocichla guttata pallasi) May 18, in Bronx Park, and a
Mourning Warbler {Oporornis Philadelphia) May 26 at Fort
Lee, N. J. He spoke of the scarcity of the Ovenbird {Seiurus
aurocapillus) and Chipping Sparrow (Spizella p. passerina)
in Bronx Park, — the abundance of the latter species at Hemp-
stead, where he had recently visited a colony of Purple Mar-
tins {Progne s. suhis), was in marked contrast.

The paper of the evening was by Dr. J. Bequaert on the
habits of social insects. The habits of insects can be divided
into two categories, the first having to do with self-preserva-
tion, the second with reproduction. In habits of the first
category, the emphasis is on individualism, in those of the
second, on altruism, which latter principle finds its highest
development and becomes the dominant force in social in-
sects. The habits of insects are not fixed, but in process of
change and evolution.

Social insects, the dominant insects of today, belong to
two unrelated groups, — firstly, the Termites, a very ancient
group known as fossils from the Eocene and probably de-
scended from the Roaches of the Cretaceous ; secondly, several
divisions of the Hymenoptera, namely. Ants, Wasps and Bees.
The Termites have no known living relatives, and their social
habits had probably a different origin from those of the
unrelated Hymenoptera; at least, there are important differ-
ences in their social relations, in that the sterile workers are
of both sexes instead of being all females as in the Hymenop-
tera. Of the Hymenoptera, the Ants are probably the most
ancient. In them, as in the Termites, there remain no non-
social species. In the Wasps, on the other hand, evolution
is traceable from non-social to decidedly social species by
gradual steps, easily explained. At the conclusion of his
paper. Dr. Bequaert showed lantern-slides of the nests of
Termites, Ants and Wasps, and pointed out interesting habits
of various species.

October 8, 1918. — The President in the chair. Eight mem-
bers (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs.
Breder, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols and Pearson)

and a former member (Mr. G. K. Noble) and two other visitors
present.

In view of the death of Mr. Walt F. McMahon, who left
the National Association of Audubon Societies on March 15
to enter the National Army, saw active service in a Machine-
Gun Company in France, and was the first member of the
Linnagan Society to fall in the present war, killed while on
scout duty August 28, Mr. Pearson proposed the following
resolution, which was adopted by the Society:

Whereas, by the death of Walt F. McMahon, while serving his country
in France, the Linnsean Society has sustained an irreparable loss, therefore

Be it resolved, that the Linnaean Society extend to the bereaved parents
its sincere sympathy, and that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the
minutes.

Dr. Fisher reported that on September 21, at Douglaston,
L. I., he and Mrs. Fisher had observed a male Chaffinch
{Fringilla ccelehs), probably an escaped cage-bird, and on the
same day, at Alley Pond, a female or immature male Wood
Duck (Aix sponsa), which was noted at the same place on
September 22 and October 6. On August 14 he had found a
Hermit Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrooki) in his cellar at Doug-
laston, which was still alive in captivity.

Dr. Dwight and others spoke of a flight of Hawks of dif-
ferent kinds reported from the neighborhood of New York
toward the end of September, and noted as far away as Wash-
ington, D. C, by Sgt. C. H. Rogers, the Secretary of the Soci-
ety, now stationed at Camp Meade, Md.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), which had
been almost completely absent during the season of 1917-'18,
had appeared this autumn, as noted by Dr. Janvrin and Mr.
J. T. Nichols. Dr. Janvrin had observed it in Central Park
on two occasions, the earlier being September 10, and at
Darien, Conn., September 22.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson,
''Notes on the Feeding-Habits of the Brown Pelican." Mr.
Pearson had made a trip during June to the Gulf coast of
Louisiana, Texas and Florida, to obtain first-hand informa-
tion on the economic status of this bird (Pelecanus ocddentalis) .

8

After careful counts, he estimated about 65,000 adult birds on
the entire Gulf coast of the United States, of which perhaps
two-thirds of those breeding were on islets near the mouth of
the Mississippi, and most of the remainder in Florida, there
being comparatively few on the Texas coast. There were
notably few fishes on the Texas coast, but Gulf Menhaden
{Brevoortia tyrannus patronus) were excessively abundant
about the mouth of the Mississippi. Samples of the fishes on
which the Pelicans were feeding were obtained from those
disgorged by adults and young, and later identified by the
United States Bureau of Fisheries. The Pelicans off the
mouth of the Mississippi were feeding exclusively on Gulf
Menhaden, those on the coast of Florida, south of Tampa, on a
variety of species. The Thread Herring {Opisthonema ogli-
num) greatly predominated, others being Gulf Menhaden,
Common Mullet {Mugil cephalus), Pigfish {Orthopristis
chrysopterus) , Pinfish {Lagodon rhomhoides) and Crevalle
{Caranx hippos).

Birds of particular interest which Mr. Pearson had observed
on this trip, were a colony of Reddish Egrets (Dichromanassa
rufescens), with unfamiliar, honking cries, on a chain of
islets off the Texas coast, and in the same vicinity the Scissor-
tail Flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) and Great-tail Grackle
(Megaquiscalus major macrurus), the latter with different
notes from the Boat-tail (M. m. major). Fishermen on the
Texas coast were discarding Mullet and shipping sea Catfish to
the Kansas City market, which would not take the former fish.

October 22, 1918. — The President in the chair. Twelve
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and
Messrs. Bowdish, Gladden, Hix, E. F. Hyde, Marks, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Pearson and Philipp) and two visitors
present.

A letter was read which the President had received from
Mr. S. P. Baldwin, of Cleveland, relative to the work that
gentleman had done in bird-banding, and the work of the
American Bird-Banding Association. Mr. Baldwin advo-
cated the extensive trapping of birds for banding purposes

9

as giving a higher percentage of return records than ordinary
casual banding, as most of it is carried on.

Mr. Pearson introduced a discussion of the note of the
Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsonianus) by imitating a short,
plaintive, near-whistled cry he had heard from a company of
four Owls at Essex, N. Y., about July 10, with which almost
none of his ornithological friends had been familiar, but which
Dr. Fisher had also heard. Dr. Fisher spoke of having first
heard this note at Branchville, N. J., on the evening of August
3, and of having found next morning a Long-eared Owl in
the tree where it had been heard, and another not far away.
Mr. Bowdish said that for five or six years he had had one or
more of these Owls near his house in Demarest almost daily
from about December first till the end of March, and had
never heard a note from them. The probability that the
note referred to was a summer call, possibly of the young,
was discussed.

Mr. Gladden spoke of having observed a Barn Swallow
{Hirundo erythrog aster) flying back and forth among the dead
limbs of a tree, apparently picking insects from their under
surfaces as it did so, near Tuxedo, N. Y., on August 4.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. P. B. Philipp, en-
titled ^'Nesting Warblers in New Brunswick." In a New
Brunswick locality with which he and Mr. Bowdish are
familiar, they had actually found the nests of sixteen species
of Warblers {Mniotiltidce) , and had noted as doubtless breed-
ing five other species:

Black and White Warbler {Mniotilta varia)

Nashville Warbler {Vermivora rubricapilla ruhricapilla)

Tennessee Warbler {V. peregrina)

Northern Parula Warbler {Compsothlypis americana usnece)

Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina)

Yellow Warbler (Z). cestiva cestiva)

Black-throated Blue Warbler (D. ccerulescens ccerulescens)

Myrtle Warbler (D. coronata)

Magnolia Warbler (D. magnolia)

Bay-breasted Warbler (D. castanea)

Black-poll Warbler {D. striata)

10

Blackburnian Warbler (D. fusca)

Black-throated Green Warbler {D. virens)

Yellow Palm Warbler {D. palmarum hypochrysea)

Ovenbird {Seiurus aurocapillus)

Northern Waterthrush (>S. noveboracensis novehoracensis)

Louisiana Waterthrush (S. motacilla)

Maryland Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas trichas)

Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla pusilla)

Canada Warbler (TF. canadensis)

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

The nests of the rarer species — Tennessee, Cape May, etc. —
were described in detail, and the talk was illustrated with
specimens of nests and eggs.

November 12, 1918. — The President in the chair. Ten
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and
Messrs. Gladden, Hix, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols,
Pearson and Weber) and five visitors (including Mr. William
Palmer) present.

A Boy Scout present, Albert Pinkus, who had captured a
Saw-whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica) in Central Park on
November 5 and brought it to the Museum, reported having
photographed another at the same place on November 11,
about six feet up in some bushfes, and showed the negative.
Mr. Gladden raised the question as to how well the Saw-whet
Owl could see in daylight. He was of the impression that it
could not see well. A general discussion followed on the
ability of Owls to see by day. It was generally agreed that
the Barn (Aluco pratincola), Barred {Strix varia), Screech
{Otus asio) and Horned {Bubo virginianus) Owls could see
very well in the day-time, the only adverse evidence being
contributed by Mr. L. N. Nichols who had boyhood memories
of Screech Owls which were much more readily alarmed at
night than by day. It was agreed that the Saw-whet Owl
was very inactive by day and allowed a close approach, so
that it sometimes could be taken in the hand, but the general
experience was that it seemed to see rather well and would
elude capture in most cases at the last moment. Mr. Weber

11

spoke of a Screech Owl he had had confined for about a year
in his cellar and for which he had merely set out liver about
once a week. At the end of the year the bird was in excellent
physical condition in spite of its continued residence in the dark
cellar, and was liberated.

Dr. Janvrin told of observing several Greater Shearwaters
{Puffinus gravis) at Long Beach, L. I., on October 20, two or
three of them very close to shore

Mr. Pearson said that in the South the farmers sometimes
had larger crops of peanuts than they cared to harvest and
after such times would frequently in winter turn the hogs into
the peanut fields to fatten on peanuts left in the ground, and
that Turkey Vultures {Cathartes aura septentrionalis) would
assemble and eat the excrement of the hogs. This observa-
tion was prompted by instances brought up by several mem-
bers, of birds in captivity apparently killing themselves by
over-eating, and the deduction that in a state of nature at
certain seasons birds were on very limited rations.

Mr. Weber spoke of a flight of the Pine Siskin {Spinus p.
pinus) at Fort Lee, N. J., about the middle of October,
flocks of a few to as many as twenty birds having been ob-
served, and Mr. J. T. Nichols reported a few Siskins at Mastic,
L. L, first noted November 2, later than the species custom-
arily appears there in autumns when it is abundant.

The paper of the evening was by Dr. Dwight on the Turn-
stones (Arenaria), illustrated by specimens of the European
Turnstone (A. interpres interpres), Ruddy Turnstone (A.
i. morinella) and Black Turnstone (A. melanocephala) . He
also showed a specimen of the related Surf bird (Aphriza
virgata). The Black Turnstone, quite a different species from
the others, has a much more limited migration and range, a
strip on the Pacific coast of America. Dr. Dwight took the
view-point that the European and Ruddy Turnstones were a
single species breeding in circumpolar regions and migrating
to the Southern Hemisphere, so that in the course of the year
its distribution was cosmopolitan. Adults of the American
form of A. interpres, in nuptial plumage, are decidedly redder
than the Old World form, and constitute a fair geographic

12

race, although there is sufficient variation of redness in birds
breeding in the same general locality to make it at times
difficult to determine to which race a specimen should properly
be assigned, and autumn and young birds are not readily,
if at all, distinguishable. Mr. Wm. Palmer, who had re-
vised the species several years ago, took a different viewpoint.
He considered that the Turnstone had been forced southward
by the ice of the Glacier Period, separating those birds that
had migrated down the Atlantic coast of Europe, Atlantic
coast of America, and Pacific coast of Asia (including those
that struck across the Pacific to Oceania) into three forms,
which, so far as known, were still isolated and did not in-
tergarde, and might well, therefore, be considered distinct
species. Considerable general discussion followed.

November 26, 1918. — In the absence of President and Vice-
President, Mr. Walter Granger took the chair. Eight mem-
bers (Dr. Janvrin and Messrs. Bowdish, Granger, Marks, J.
T. Nichols, Quarles, Weber and Woodruff) and six visitors
(including Dr. W. G. VanName) present.

Dr. Janvrin reported two Barn Swallows (Hirundo ery-
throgaster) flying westward at Long Beach on the day of the
meeting. One of the birds had been observed at close range,
and there could be no doubt of their identity.

Dr. Van Name had observed Shearwaters on the two oc-
casions when he had visited Long Beach this autumn. There
was a strong, steady inshore wind on both days. On October
6, he observed three or four; one came in very close over the
surf and was identified fairly satisfactorily as Cory's Shear-
water (Puffinus borealis). On the 27th, many Shearwaters
were observed, certainly more than a dozen and perhaps several
times that number; only one came in very near, identified with
reasonable certainty as a Greater Shearwater (P. gravis).

The Acting Secretary submitted a record which had been
handed him of a Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleator leucura)
observed at Sand's Point, L. I., November 23, by Mr. Laid-
law Williams; and also read data which he had received from
Mr. Wm. T. Helmuth, a member of the Society, now on Naval
Service, as follows :

13

"First. Mr. Helmuth and his brother (Mr. J. L. Hel-
muth) have furnished what seems to be the most southerly-
record of the Iceland Gull {Larus leucopterus) , a bird which
they observed at very close range from about ninety miles
off Cape Lookout down to off Cape Fear. This was in the
season of 1917-'18, about February 24.

''Secondly. At about 44° N., 32° W., October 22, about
480 miles northwest of the Azores, Shearwaters of the Puffi-
nus horealis-kuhli type tolerably common.

''Thirdly. At 41°22' N., 46° W., a point not far north
and west of midway between Montauk and Spain, about
600 sea miles southeast of Newfoundland, far outside of
soundings, and in the extreme northern edge of the Gulf-
Stream drift (just where the southward currents which sweep
around Newfoundland and its banks extend furthest to the
southeastward), on October 28 of this year Kittiwakes {Rissa
t. tridactyla) were abundant, more in juvenal than in adult
plumage; easily 200 Fulmars {Fulmarus g. glacialis) were
seen; Greater Shearwaters {Puffinus gravis) were tolerably
common in flocks and Mother Carey's Chickens (probably
the Leach's Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa) were abundant.
On the previous day a very few Kittiwakes and Fulmars had
been noted two or three hundred miles southeast of this
locality, and the Mother Carey's Chickens had been noted
in small numbers for two days and three or four hundred
miles to the eastward. On the succeeding day, three or four
hundred miles to the west-southwest, Kittiwakes and Mother
Carey's Chickens were present in diminished numbers; there
were no Fulmars. The Greater Shearwaters were seen only
on the 28th.

"Fourthly. On November 1, about 100 miles off the Vir-
ginia Capes (at the western edge of the Gulf Stream), about
150 Pomarine Jaegers (Stercorarius pomarinus) were seen.
The previous day, further east, there had been a few, and
with them a still smaller number of the Parasitic Jaeger
{S. parasiticus) , and a few Pomarines had been noted October
26 and 27 equidistant between Montauk and Spain. On
November 1 the most easterly Herring Gulls (Larus argen-

14

tatus), about ten, were noted, also the following land birds:
a Mourning Dove {Zenaidura macrura), Osprey {Pandion
haliaetus), Red-winged Blackbird {Agelaius phoeniceus), Mead-
owlark {Sturnella magna), Junco {Junco hy emails) and Robin
{Planesticus migrator ius).^^

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Beecher S. Bowdish,
''Notes from a New Jersey Feeding Station." Mr. Bowdish
showed photographs of a number of birds which he had been
accustomed to feed for a number of years at his home at De-
marest, N. J., and outlined the various methods of attracting
birds about the house. Among those that had visited his
feeding-shelf was a strange Fringillid, probably the European
Greenfinch (Chloris chloris), which had come to the shelf for
a month or more one summer. He had heard of the liberation
of some of these birds at White Plains, N. Y., and surmised
that this accounted for his unusual guest.

December 10, 1918. — The President in the chair. Ten
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs. Gladden,
Granger, J. M. Johnson, Marks, L. N. Nichols, Philipp,
Pearson and Weber) and eight visitors (including Messrs.
J. T. S. Hunn, G. K. Noble, Morris Pell and Valentine)
present.

In the absence of the Acting Secretary, the Chair appointed
Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson as Secretary pro tern.

Mr. Morris Pell stated that several American Egrets
{Herodias egretta) were noted at Shinnecock Bay, L. I., from
August 14 to September 1, and that in recent years they had
occurred there regularly each summer. He also spoke of a
number of Hudsonian Curlew {Numenius hudsonicus) and
Caspian Terns {Sterna caspia) observed at the same place.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Walter Granger, who
spoke of his observations on the birds of southern Colorado,
made especially in Huerfano Basin during the summer of
1918.

Following this very delightful presentation, Mr. Johnson
spoke at length on his observation of bird-life in the West,
and Mr. Pearson gave some miscellaneous notes on the birds

15

as he had observed them in the neighborhood of Tucson,
Arizona.

Abstract submitted by Mr. Granger

Observations were made in the Huerfano Basin, Col., mostly dm-ing
the breeding season (June 15 to August 31) and principally from one camp
which was occupied during this period. Huerfano Basin is some twenty
miles in diameter, lying at the eastern base of the Sangre de Christo Mts.,
and is nearly surrounded by mountains running up to 10,000 or 12,000
feet. The center of the Basin is at about 7,000 feet. The environment is
mostly arid cedar and pinyon country with cottonwoods, willows, etc.,
along the Huerfano River and some of its affluents. There is a narrow
strip of cultivation along these streams, devoted mostly to aKalfa.

Sixty-three species were noted, all land birds but one, the I\jlldeer
(Oxyechus vociferus). Turkey Vultures {Cathartes aura septentrionalis)
were observed in small flocks following a group of men engaged in poisoning
prairie dogs, the Vultures feeding on the dead animals without apparent
harm to themselves. Townsend's Sohtaires {Myadestes toivnsendi) were
seen in some numbers and in fuU song out in the open Basin in September
and October, having come down from their breeding range high in the
mountains. Mourning Doves (Zenaidura macrura carolinensis) were
observed nesting from early in June until the last week in August. A pecu-
Uar accident happened to a female Western Mockingbird {Mimus poly-
glottus leucopterus) which had a nest near the camp. It was observed one
day lying in distress on the ground near the nesting tree. Examination
showed that the lower mandible had been thrust down through the skin
of the breast, and the bird was unable to withdraw it because the incision
was so high up. The mandible was withdrawn by hand and the bird flut-
tered off into the underbrush and was not seen again. A suggestion of
the cause of this accident was that the bird while sitting in the nest and
preening its breast feathers had caught the tip of the needle-pointed bill
in the skin while the head was in a strongly-flexed position and had been
unable to free it, and that in strugghng the bill had been forced through
the skin.

January I4, 1919. — The President in the chair. Eleven
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and
Messrs. Bowdish, Fleischer, Gladden, Granger, Marks, J.
T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols and Philipp) and twelve visitors
(including Messrs. Bennett, C. L. Lewis, Jr., E. G. Nichols,
G. H. Stuart, 3d, of the Delaware Valley Ornithological
Club, and J. M. Valentine) present.

The following names were proposed for Resident Member-
ship by Mr. L. N. Nichols: Mr. Clark L. Lewis, Jr., of 524

16

West 184th Street, Mr. J. Manson Valentine of 118 East
79th Street, and Mr. Edward G. Nichols, of 1086 Amsterdam
Avenue; they were referred to the Membership Committee.

Mr. Fleischer spoke of the scarcity of birds, especially of
water-fowl, at Long Beach this winter. He and Mr. J. M.
Johnson had been there on January 1.

Mr. Lewis spoke of Pipits {Anthus ruhescens) associated
with both races of the Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris alpes-
tris and 0. a. pratincola) on the parade ground at Van Cort-
landt Park about November 15.

Mr. E. G. Nichols gave the following data for species winter-
ing this year: December 29, Van Cortlandt Park, Vesper
Sparrow {Pooecetes g. gramineus) ; January 3, Clason Point,
New York City, Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus) flock of six,
Cowbird {Molothrus a. ater), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius
phoenicus), Chipping Sparrow {Spizella p. passerina) and
Towhee {Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus) .

The paper of the evening was by Mr. L. Nelson Nichols:
''The Summer Birds of Cranberry Lake, N. Y." Cranberry
Lake is in St. Lawrence County in the outskirts of the Adiron-
dacks. The observations presented covered a period of
eight years, including dates between July 31 and September
13. As at that time of year transients must have been pres-
ent, there was no certainty that all the species mentioned
were breeding. Noteworthy items in the list were the scarcity
of Red-winged Blackbirds {Agelaius ph. phoeniceus) , although
it would seem to be a locality favorable for them. Swallows
are uncommon about the Lake until late in August and then
they may come in hundreds or thousands, to remain only
two or three daj^s before disappearing. A remarkable record
was of four Tree Sparrows (Spizella m. monticola) recorded
August 16, 1915. This species breeds much further north
and ordinarily does not arrive in migration until late in the
autumn.

In the discussion that followed the presentation of the
paper, the probability of error in the identification of the
Tree Sparrows was raised.

January 28, 1919. — The President in the chair. Eighteen

17

members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and
Messrs. Bowdish, Chubb, Davis, Gladden, Granger, Hix,
LaDow, Lang, Lewis, Marks, E. G. Nichols, J. T. Nichols,
L. N. Nichols, Philipp and Valentine) and fifteen visitors
(including Mr. W. DeW. Miller) present.

Messrs. Clark L. Lewis, Jr., Edward G. Nichols and J.
Manson Valentine, whose names had been proposed at the
preceding meeting, were elected to Resident Membership.

The Acting Secretary read correspondence with Mr. Howard
H. Cleaves relative to the publication of his report of the
American Bird-Banding Association. After some discussion,
a motion was passed empowering the Publication Committee
to print the report of Mr. Baldwin's records in the next
Abstract if Mr. Cleaves's complete report were not submitted
by the date when the Abstract was ready to go to press.

Mr. Wm. T. Davis showed a photograph of an Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) nest on the ground, occupied
in 1917 and 1918 on Long Beach, off Orient, L. I. This was
thought to be the only ground nest on record except those on
Gardiner's Island.

Mr. Granger showed the skull of a Woodchuck {Marmota
monax), brought to the Museum recently by Mr. Ernest
Ingersoll, in which the incisor teeth had undergone remarkable
abnormal growth from failure to meet and wear against one
another in the normal manner.

Mr. Hix reported three White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus vir-
ginianus), including two bucks, at Jones Road, near Engle-
wood, N. J., on November 17, 1918.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Waldron DeWitt
Miller, ''Remarks on the Woodpeckers." The speaker sug-
gested that the true Woodpeckers {Picidce) with stiffened tails
be divided into two subfamilies, the specialized Ivory-bills
{Campephilinoe) and the others iPicince) which are less spe-
cialized. In his opinion, the zygodactyl foot of the Picince is
not, as popularly supposed, a scansorial adaptation, but an
inheritance of a similar foot from birds of perching habits
similar to the Barbets (Capitonidce). In the Ivory-bills the
foot is not zygodactyl, but all the toes point more or less for-

18

ward or at least sideways (to the outside). This results in
a position of the small first toe unique among birds, directed
more or less forward on the outside of the foot. The speaker
had observed in Nicaragua that the local Ivory-bill {Phloeo-
ceastes guatemalensis) clung to the tree with the entire tarsus
appressed, and showed less tendency to stand upward or
outward on its legs than less-specialized Woodpeckers. The
different position of the toes in the Ivory-bills is reflected in
a different configuration of the lower end of the metatarsus,
showing it to be a deep-seated character. It is correlated
with other high specializations, as the very powerful bill,
and a different form of tail, the latter having four central
feathers (which are of the same length) with narrowed and
stiffened barbs. Dryohates, though belonging to the Picince,
shows an approach to the Campephilince; in life the second and
first toes are very movable and often spread so as to project
rather sideways than backward, but assume the backward
position completely when relaxed and shrunken in a prepared
skin. Mr. Miller reviewed the components of the Ivory-bill
group, and called attention to certain species in the New and in
the Old World which were mimicked in plumage by entirely
unrelated Woodpeckers, e.g., Phloeoceastes by Ceophloeus.
After adjournment, he demonstrated at close range and showed
to the members present the series of skins with which his
talk had been illustrated.

February 11, 1919. — The President in the chair. Sixteen
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder,
Gladden, Granger, Hix, J. M. Johnson, Lewis, Marks, R. C.
Murphy, E. G. Nichols, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers
and Valentine) and eight visitors present.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. T. G. Pearson, en-
closing a circular descriptive of the proposed Roosevelt
Memorial Fountain, and suggesting that the Linnaean Society
contribute toward it, as it was hoped that all scientific societies
would do. After discussion by the President and others,, it
was voted to lay the matter on the table.

Mr. Johnson remarked at the unfortunate jumping at con-

19

elusions which caused many nature-lovers to attack persons
apparently guilty of wanton destruction of wild life, without
first taking pains to learn the real facts. He had learned by
experience, and gave a noteworthy example, that a courteous
inquiry was likely to yield better results than an attack based
on one-sided evidence.

Mr. R. C. ^lurphy gave the evening's paper, ''New Develop-
ments in the Utilization of Fisheries Products." He took up
in turn a remarkable number of sharks, fishes and cetaceans,
already or becoming extensively used as human food and
in other ways. He spoke particularly of how the whaling
industry, which formerly wasted such a large percentage of
each animal captured, now, impelled by law, discarded hardly
more than is wasted of a hog in a modern packing-house.
The venture of putting the Spined Dogfish {Squalus acanthis)
on the market as food had proved successful, and other species
of shark were likely to follow it to the table. Leather was
being procured from an increasing number of kinds of shark,
and experiments were being made in the use of leather from
other sources, such as the skin of whale's intestine. Samples
of several of the new leathers were passed around in illustration.

February 25, 1919. — The President in the chair. Eighteen
members (Dr. Dwight, Dr. G. C. Fisher, Dr. Janvrin, and
Messrs. Bowdish, Breder, Cleaves, Granger, Griscom, Hix,
Lewis, Marks, E. G. Nichols, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols,
Philipp, Rogers, Thayer and Valentine) and twelve visitors
present.

Mr. J. T. Nichols proposed for Resident Membership the
name of Mr. Howarth S. Boyle, of the bird department of the
American ]Museum; it was referred to the ^Membership Com-
mittee.

Mr. Griscom recorded seeing an adult Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperhoreus) off the Battery, New York City, on
February 10. Mr. Thayer remarked that he had seen a Gull
of one of the white-winged species at Long Beach last year as
late as June 23, and spoke also of the increase in the number of
Piping Plover {^gialitis nieloda) nesting on Long Beach (he

20

had seen at least a dozen pairs on the date mentioned),
and of how the tiny chicks froze when alarmed, while those a
bit older ran. He had seen five Least Terns (Sterna antil-
larum) there on May 29. Both he and Mr. J. T. Nichols
mentioned the remarkable lateness of last year's northward
shore-bird migration, and the latter quoted Mr. E. P. Bicknell
as seeing the last northbound Semipalmated Plover {^gialitis
semipalmata) and the first southbound Least Sandpipers
{Pisohia minutUla) on the same date in early July.

Mr. L. N. Nichols recorded the Tow^hee {Pipilo e. ery-
throphthalmus) wintering in East Bronx as still present Feb-
ruary 13.

Mr. J. T. Nichols read notes comparing the birds seen at
Mastic, L .1., February 16 and 17, 1918, after an exceptionally
severe winter, with those seen February 22 and 23, 1919,
after an exceptionally open one, with remarks on the behavior
of certain species as winter residents and as transients.

Mr. J. T. Nichols also gave the paper of the evening, on
''The Voices of Shore-Birds." Years of taking advantage of
unusual opportunities for the study of this group as transients
on Long Island, N. Y., had made the speaker familiar with
the notes used under those circumstances. He now gave a
resume of what he had learned of the language of each of
our local species, — the use and significance of their various
cries, with speculation on homologies (cases of the evident
relationship of common origin between the notes of allied
species) and analogies (notes, of different species, having the
same significance though they may or may not be homologous) .
Whistled imitations of the notes discussed, illustrated the
talk.

March 11, 1919. — Annual Meeting. The President in the
chair. Twenty-three members (Doctors D wight, G. C. Fisher,
Janvrin, Morris; Mrs. Reichenberger; Messrs. Bowdish,
Boyle, Breder, Davis, Granger, Hartshorn, Hix, F. W. Hyde,
F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Lang, Marks, J. T. Nichols,
Pearson, Rogers, Tha3^er, Weber, Valentine) and thirteen
visitors present. This meeting followed immediately the

21

Society's Seventh Annual Dinner, held in the Mitla Room of
the American Museum and attended by twenty-four members
(as above, less Mr. Valentine and plus Mr. Murphy and Mr.
Woodruff) and fourteen guests.

Mr. Howarth S. Boyle, whose name had been proposed at
the previous meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

The name of Mr. Gladwyn Kingsley Noble, a former member
of the Society and now in the herpetology department of
the American Museum, was proposed by Mr. Nichols for
Resident Membership; it was referred to the Membership
Committee.

In the absence of the Treasurer, his Annual Report was
read by the Secretary; it showed a balance of $2,597.21 to
the Society's credit, which was about $150 greater than the
balance of a year ago.

The Secretary then read his Annual Report, as follows:

During the past year the Linnsean Society has held fifteen meetings —
the second December meeting was omitted owdng to its faUing on Christ-
mas Eve — with a total attendance of 525. The Sixth Annual Dinner was
attended by twenty-one Resident Members and seventeen guests, and these
members and eighteen visitors w^ere present at the Annual Meeting the
same evening. At the remaining fourteen meetings the total attendance
averaged thirty-five, that of members thirteen, both figures a decided in-
crease over those of the preceding year. The largest number present at
any one meeting was 230, on March 26 (of members, twenty-one); the
smallest was eleven.

The Society has during the past year lost by death one Corresponding
Member, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and two Resident Members,
Mr. Gerard Beekman and Mr. Walt F. McMahon; one has resigned, and
seven new ones have been elected. The membership list now stands:
Resident, 85; Corresponding, 27; Honorary, 4; total, 116.

Fourteen papers have been presented before the Society, chiefly on
birds. The papers were illustrated with lantern-shdes, museum speci-
mens, charts, etc.

On September 18 was issued the Society's Abstract of Proceedings No.
30, 38 pages and a plate, containing the minutes of the year ending March
12, 1918, and "Bird-notes from Florida," by Mr. J. T. Nichols, and ''Bird
Temperatures," by Mr. J. A. Weber.

Charles H. Rogers,

Secretary.

22

The question of making a contribution toward the Roosevelt
Memorial Fountain was taken from the table, and Mr. Pearson
was called upon to describe the project, which he did. Mr.
J. M. Johnson moved that a contribution of $200 be made from
the Society's Treasury. After considerable discussion, in-
cluding the proposal of an amendment to make the sum $100,
this motion was carried as made.

Mr. Hix reported the first Mourning Cloak (Euvanessa
antiopa) of the season on March 1 along the Palisades, and
Mr. Nichols another at Garden City the following day.

Mr. Bowdish spoke of the scarcity of Myrtle Warblers
{Dendroica coronata) in the Englewood Region during the
past winter; he had seen none till March 9.

The report of the bird-banding work of Mr. S. P. Baldwin
was read by title, '' Bird-Banding by Means of Systematic
Trapping."

The Secretary said he had tried to get several members
who had been in the Army or Navy to tell of birds seen while
in the Service, but had found only Mr. Boyle and himself
able to be present. The latter told about birds seen about
Augusta, Ga., during the summer of 1918-, including Red-
cockaded Woodpeckers {Dryobates borealis), Summer Tanagers
{Piranga r. rubra), Mockingbirds (Mimus p. polyglottus),
Brown-headed Nuthatches {Sitta pusilla) and others which
frequented the pines among the tents of Camp Hancock, and
a Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) on September 1 and
a Western Sandpiper {Ereunetes mauri) September 8, both seen
close to Camp. He also described a strange meeting-place
evidently used regularly by scores of Black Vultures {Cathar-
ista u. urubu) in the dense woods along the Big Horse Creek in
nearby South Carolina. Mr. Boyle said that while he had
been for sixteen months stationed at Naval Base Hospital
No. 1 at Brest, his work had been too confining to allow of
much natural-history observation. Among other things,
however, he mentioned the apparent complete lack of albinism
and melanism among the House Sparrows (Passer d. domesti-
cus) thereabouts, in contrast to their frequency in and about
New York City.

23

Bird-Banding by Means of Systematic Trapping

By S. Prentiss Baldwin

With Photographs by A. W. Moller, Thomasville, Ga., and

THE Author

About the year 1913 I began a diligent campaign against
the House Sparrow, on my farm, at Gates Mill, near Cleve-
land, Ohio, using the so-called Government Sparrow Trap,
which catches the birds alive and unharmed.

The Sparrows were destroyed in large numbers, and the
farm pretty well cleared of them, greatly to the comfort,
evidently, of the native birds; for it was verj^ noticeable that,
as the Sparrows decreased in number, the native birds greatly
increased. The result was most satisfactory, and the traps
should be recommended to all who are interested in attract-
ing native birds to their vicinity.

But, it was when I learned of the American Bird-Banding
Association that the traps acquired a new and much greater
significance, for, as the House Sparrows decreased, the traps
became the resort of various kinds of native birds.

In the spring of 1914 I began placing bands, not only upon
young birds in the nest, but upon many adults secured from
the traps, and by 1915 it became evident that this could be
done on a large scale, and with most interesting results in
returned birds.

Probably some members of the Banding Association have
been discouraged from banding young birds in the nest, when,
season after season, they get few reports from their birds;
and it has seemed to me that banding, itself, has failed to
attain proper recognition, from ornithologists, because the
results were necessarily few and scattering.

Much greater returns from trapping: During the last four
years I have placed nearly sixteen hundred bands, and, during
that time, I have received, from outside sources, only three
reports; one, a Robin, banded in Ohio and taken in South

24

Carolina; one, a Sparrow Hawk, taken fifteen miles away from
where it was banded; and one, a Flicker, taken two miles dis-
tant. But, during that time I have retaken by trap, from
one year to another, more than sixty birds, and some of those
have been taken not only the second, but also the third and
fourth years. In five weeks, in Thomas ville, Georgia, in
1917, I recorded 25 birds from 1916 and six from 1915.

Birds not frightened away by the trapping; "^Repeats ^\-
The birds regard the trap as a special feeding table, and come
to it day after day. I have released the same bird three times
in one hour; I have frequently released the same bird four or
five times in one day; and I coined the word ''repeats" to
distinguish, in my notes, these birds from ''new." "Re-
peats" are so numerous that of nearly seven hundred birds
handled in five weeks, in Georgia, two-thirds were "repeats"
and only one-third "new." One Brown Thrasher, on two
successive spring seasons in Georgia, spent most of every day
in the trap. And a Cardinal became such a nuisance, by
getting into the trap and keeping others away, that I moved
the trap to another location. In summer one may keep al-
most daily record of certain Song Sparrows nesting nearby,
and in migrations one may know the day an individual bird
comes, and the day he moves on. One learns to know the
characters of certain individuals, as I came to know a certain
White-throated Sparrow, who always identified himself by
fighting and biting my fingers; and another White-throat,
who distinguished himself as a squealer.

How much time or trouble? In presenting the following
report, as the result of four or five years' effort, it is only
fair to explain how little time and how scattering an effort
has been possible to the writer.

The work at Gates Mill, near Cleveland, has been carried
on during five summer seasons; but I do not go to the farm
until some time in the month of May, or first of June, after
all spring migration is over; then by mid- July I am usually
gone for an absence of six weeks; and then return to the farm
for September and October. This limits the work to six
weeks of nesting time in spring, and perhaps two months in

25

the autumn, at a time when many birds have formed flocks
or started southward. Not only is the Ohio work thus limited,
but when living on the farm, I am in the city three days a
week, so, with stormy days or other things to interfere, I
can run the traps only two or three days in a week.

The work at Thomasville, Georgia, has been carried on
for only three seasons, 1915, 1916 and 1917. From three to
five traps are run on every clear day, and I can give them very
regular attention, but my whole season at Thomasville is,
usually, only five weeks of February and March.

I explain with so much detail the rigid restrictions under
which these observations were made, because I have realized
so fully that my best opportunities for steady and consistent
observation are repeatedly lost by my long absences.
. I urge this upon the bird student who may consider these
methods of work, for it is certain that any person who lives
all the year in one place, in the country, or on the edge of
town, can obtain much greater scientific result with much
less effort, than my haphazard work costs me.

While this report includes only the "Returns" of birds
taken from one year to another, it is evident that not less
important, to a person who operates traps at the same place
all of a season, or all of a year, is the opportunity, by this
method, of keeping in touch with the daily life of birds living
in the vicinity; of knowing just when they come; just when
young leave the nest; just how long they remain in the vicinity;
and when they leave; and watching the exact movements of
individual birds during migration. Indeed, the careful ob-
server, in a fixed location, may obtain facts of greater scientific
value on the daily records than from the reports from year to
year.

How to trap: Bait the ordinary sparrow-trap with cracked
grain and bread. The grain should be ground fine, what is
usually sold as the finest or first chick food, and scattered
thinly to a distance of five feet from the trap. The soft
parts of the bread may be very finely divided by rolling in
the hands, but save the crusts and larger pieces and drop
them inside the trap.

26

My experience shows that a bird has a good eye for the
largest piece, and a group of birds, instead of picking up the
fine particles outside the trap, will push eagerly into the trap
to the large pieces. (See figure 1.)

Bait: Of course, many varieties of birds will not come to
a grain and bread diet, though I have been surprised to find
such birds as Myrtle and Palm Warblers, and even Red-
bellied Woodpeckers, coming freely to such a bait. I have
drawn Cedar Waxv/ings with Ligustrum berries, in Georgia,
but failed to trap them, probably because of a great abundance
of fruit on the bushes nearby. Robins we have not taken for
lack of proper bait, but, no doubt, they can be taken with
some care in the use of Mulberries or other fruits, when fruit
is not too abundant on the trees.

There is much to be done in providing proper baits to secure
other kinds of birds, but I have not had time to experiment
in it.

Speaking of baits, the best attraction to draw House Spar-
rows is to leave a couple of Sparrows in the trap; but I do
not leave other birds in the trap, to draw their fellows, be-
cause of the danger of injury to a bird remaining in the trap
long.

Guard fence: It is absolutely necessary to place a guard
fence around each trap to keep the neighbors' pet dogs and
cats at a distance. These animals will surely find the trap
and torment the captured birds if it is unprotected. A piece
of chicken net fence three feet high, and about 60 feet long,
will make a circular pen about 20 feet in diameter, in which to
place the trap. (See figure 1.)

Other trapping methods: Of course, many trapping methods
are well known, but I wish to call attention to a simple trap
door, which may be used on boxes, for Wrens, Bluebirds, and
other birds nesting in boxes or holes in trees. (See figure 2.)

A small piece of zinc is so bent upon a piece of wire, that
it serves as a perch; the wire is loosely tacked to the box with
staples, and is so bent that a thread may be fastened upon
the end of the wire. A pull on the thread closes the perch
up against the entrance. With a couple of staples this trap

Plate I

Fig. 1. — Scattering Bait at Station C, Thomasville, Georgia. (See page 26.

Fig. 2. — Perch Trap Door (Partly Closed), in Use on a Bluebird Box.

(See page 26.)

Plate II.

Fig. 3. — Brown Thrasher, Showing Method of Holding for Examination.

No. 40222. (See page 27.)

Fig. 4. — Brown Thrasher, Showing Method ok Holding for Placing a Band.

27

door may be attached temporarily to any box, or tree stump,
and used for all the hole-nesting birds.

The time to get these birds is when the young are hatched
and both parents are coming frequently to the nest to feed
them. It is best to get them before the young are manj^ days
old, for the young birds soon are old enough to crowd up to
the entrance, and the parents feed them without entering,
and so cannot be taken.

Placing of hand: Always use the smallest size of band that
will close around the leg of the bird, fitting it snugly so there
is no room for twigs or thorns to slip through and catch in
the band. According to my observation, the legs of young
birds are larger, more fleshy and soft than those of adults,
so no allowance for growth need be made in banding young
birds approximately full grown. In fitting snugly, however,
the band should be loose enough, and so shaped as to slide
easily up and down the leg without binding.

The Cardinal is the only species that, in my experience, is
so strong of beak as to bend or pinch his band, in attempting
to remove it, and he will, of course. I use on the Cardinal
a large-sized band, that will go twice around the leg and re-
sist pressure of the beak.

A bird in the hand: In the handling of many hundreds of
birds, one finds certain ways of holding a bird firmly, so that
it cannot flutter.

For examination, the bird is best held sitting upright, rest-
ing with his claws on the little finger, and with his neck be-
tween the first and second fingers. (See figure 3.) In this
position the bird will rest placidlj^, even with the hand left
open, so the entire body of the bird may be examined easily.
For placing a band, the bird is best held on his back, with
the little finger snugly over the throat (see figure 4) ; and the
thumb and first finger are thus in position to hold the leg
while the band is adjusted. (See figures 5 and 6.)

Visit the traps often: During the nesting season the traps
should be operated only w^hen they may be closely watched —
visited at least every hour to prevent the possibility of keeping
parent birds from the nest when eggs or young need attention.

28

At other times, one may visit the traps only four or five times
a day, or leave them for some hours, but at some risk of in-
jury to the imprisoned birds.

The entrance wires of these traps may be adjusted to ad-
mit larger birds, or set closely enough to the ground to ad-
mit only smaller ones. I have caught Catbirds, Brown
Thrashers, Blue Jays, and even Doves, but when the entrance
is set high for these birds, the smaller birds will learn to run
in and out of the trap without being caught. The first hours
of early morning, daybreak, are most fruitful, for all birds
hunt a breakfast soon after they wake in the morning. The
traps should, therefore, be set and baited the night before.
An early morning visit is wise, however, as I have sometimes
found a whole family of rats in the trap as an over-night
product.

The traps should be visited just at dusk, or after all the
birds have gone to roost, for a bird is sure to suffer cold, or
storm, or injury by mammals, if left over night in the trap.

Injuries: In considering the possible injury to an occasional
individual bird by reason of the trapping, it must be asked
by what other method may one study, actually in the hand,
hundreds, or thousands, of native birds, with so little harm to
them. Of some five thousand or more birds that I have held in
my hand, during the last four years, not two dozen have been
killed. And shrikes have been the cause of most of the fatali-
ties, so that actually not five birds, or one in a thousand, have
been killed by the trap or by my carelessness.

One bird was left in the trap over night, a night of storm,
and became chilled, and died. Who can tell how all the birds
protect themselves so well from storm and come out smooth
and dry immediately after? They come out like wet dish
rags if caught by a rain in the trap. One warbler was killed
when I set the gathering cage down, when his head was
pushed out through the mesh at the bottom of the cage. One
must watch that carefully.

Many birds in their efforts to escape from the trap scratch
the forehead just above the bill, and sometimes scratch it
enough to bleed, but this seems to be a necessary incident to

Plate III.

7 ;?=■-'- J ^'^^ -

g

Fig. 5. — Holding a Bird While Opexixg a Baxd with a Small, Taperixg
Instrumext Before Placixg the Baxd ox the Bird's Foot. (See page 27.)

/■-.'■ -

Fig. 6. — Pixchixg a Baxd Together over a Bird's Foot. (See page 27.)

29

trapping, and not more serious than a scratched finger to a
man. These scratched heads are completely healed in three
or four days, as I have had proofs many, many times.

The one really serious danger of injury is that a cat, or
one of the small hawks, or a shrike learn to get at the trap,
and infest the spot until destroyed. I have had little of this
trouble in Ohio; but the Loggerhead Shrike is so numerous
and destructive in Georgia, that at first sign of torn or injured
birds, diligent search must be made for one. These raiders
have repeatedly followed their prey into my traps, killed the
small birds, and then, being themselves caught, suffered the
just penalty for their murders. I do not know what the
official judgment is upon the shrike, but to me it appears, in
the South at least, very destructive to small birds, and it
should be systematically destroyed.

Home record system: In a small box which fits in my pocket,
or in the feed pail, I carry the bands, pincers, and pencil,
also a ''day card" as I call it, a card, of the size used in card
systems, upon which I enter every bird taken that day, just
the number, name, and trap location, as I keep a record of
which trap a bird is taken from. Then each day these entries
are posted into a card system, such as that kept by the Banding
Association, this being my permanent record. As the entries
of the day cards are posted back through the card system,
one really establishes a ledger account with each bird, so
that his card shows at all times all the different visits he has
made to the traps, and the card contains, in fact, a continuous
history of the individual. (See day card, figure 11.)

A very handy reference, convenient to use in the field, to
find back numbers of re-taken birds, can be made by taking
off, upon a few typewritten sheets, the completed season's
records. And this condensed tabulation gives a more com-
prehensive view of the entire season, than one may obtain
from examining a card system.

Law: While it is not probable that the game or bird pro-
tective organizations in any state would seek to interfere
with the scientific study of birds by this method, yet it is
possible that the taking of native birds, even for prompt

30

release, may constitute a technical violation of the State
Law. In some states it might happen that a local official,
either in spirit of revenge, or in too great avidity for fees, would
seek to take advantage of such technical violation.

It is well, therefore, to take up the question with the authori-
ties and to secure perhaps a collector's permit.

Consider also the Federal Migratory Bird Law.

The feeding and protection, that are much a part of this
work, so greatly overbalance any occasional injury caused,
that this form of study should have every encouragement.

What we may hope to learn by banding: This question is
asked many times, and it may be suggestive to others to point
out some of the questions for solution.

1. How long do native birds live? Many returns will,
in the course of time, give cumulative evidence as to this
point.

2. Birds do return to the same spot for nesting year after
year. The American Bird-Banding Association has a great
number of proofs of this, besides the proofs appearing in this
report.

3. Birds do return to the same spot to spend the winter
year after year. This report gives ample proof of this fact.

4. Not only are these two propositions true, but the re-
turns contained herein prove that, in migrating, birds stop
off at the same feeding places along the route.

5. Where several traps are operated not far from one
another, we may obtain some idea of how far birds wander in
their feeding, or to what extent do they come to the same
feeding table, day after day.

6. My experience is that migrants do not travel each day
and about the same distance each day, as some suppose, but,
on the contrary, they linger at places along the route, where
the feed is good, and while weather is suitable. On route to
the South, the next storm will remind them of approaching
winter and off they go. I have not been able to determine
whether they move ahead of the storm or during the storm,
but they are likely to be gone the morning after.

7. If birds do come back to the same place to nest year

31

after year, will they use the same nest box, and retain the
same mate? In my work I keep exact record of the tree or
box used by each bird for nesting, and of the trap location
where one is taken each time.

8. My experience indicates that when the j^oung birds
leave the nest, the family usuall}^ does not linger nearby,
but moves at once away from the locality. A pair of Wrens
moved their family of six young, three hundred yards across
my place, during the first day out of the nest, and toward
night, had all six lined up in a row on the top wire of a fence.

9. To what extent do birds raise the second brood in the
same nest, or same vicinity as the first brood?

10. We may hope that if birds come back to the same spot
to nest we may keep a faithful genealogical tree of an individual
with its mates and 3'oung, from year to year. This seems a
joke until you read the histor}^ of numbers 27739 and 27740
as given herein.

11. Do 3'oung birds return to the same spot another season?
I have two cases, a Song Sparrow, Number 44018 banded
July 4, 1917, and taken June 23, 1918. And just this week,
March 19, 1919, I have taken a Robin, banded as a young
bird in the nest iNIay 15, 1917, No. 32932.

This report alone is enough to prove that they do return,
not only to the same spot for summer for nesting, but to the
same spot to spend the winter. The scientist, rightly agnos-
tic as to it, must have the fact of return proved, and it is
amply proved.

But the popular opinion altogether too readily accepts
each pair of anj^ species that nests near last year's nest, or
in the last year's hole or box, as the identical individuals that
were there last j^ear. I have had, frequently, pointed out to
me, the same pair of birds that, according to my informant,
have nested on the same porch pillar for many years.

While my evidence does not go so far as to call it positive
proof, 5^et my experience is that, in such cases, the chances
may be one in five that one of the pair may be the same
individual, and, perhaps, the chances are one in twenty-five
that both individuals mav be the same.

32

This does seem discouraging to our ideals of the same old
friends coming back to our shelter so many years, but the
truth is interesting enough to be worth while.

To illustrate the point: In 1915 I banded 44 Wrens, every
Wren on my place, old or young. In 1916 there were six
adults on the place, only two of which I secured and one was
from 1915.

More to the point, in 1917 I banded 23 Wrens, old and
young, on the place; and in 1918 I caught 9 adults, every
adult I saw, and only one of the nine was from 1917.

An interesting illustration of the popular opinion occurs in
the report of Sparrow Hawk 21531, where Mr. Haylor, an
unusually intelligent observer, says, ''For the last few years
this same Hawk, so we think, has sat on the tip of a church
steeple for hours, each day." The Hawk was, in fact, at
that time only fourteen months old.

Banding at Thomasville, Georgia

Season of 1915

Two traps were operated, about 200 yards apart, during
one month, from February 26 to March 28.

Total birds banded during the month 90

Of these I classified as migrants 63

residents 27

In this classification I have considered as undoubted mi-
grants the White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow and
all Warblers; as probable all-year residents, Carolina Wren,
Towhee, Cardinal, Brown Thrasher and Blue Jay, though
I do not mean to imply that any individual of these may not
be in fact a migrant. The presumption in favor of permanence
of these birds consists in the fact that they appear, in March,
to be settled as to locality, in pairs, mated, and nesting, and
in case of the Thrasher at least, the eggs are laid by that time.

Within a week after placing the traps I noticed the dis-
position of certain individuals, either migrants or residents,
to come back to the traps day after day and, sometimes, two
or three times in one day.

33

15053, White-throated Sparrow: Made itself known by
appearing in the trap every day and several times a day until
I gave up the count of its appearance. This bird always
identified itself, in removal from the trap, by savagely fight-
ing the hands, a fact which was especially noticeable because
the other eleven, of the total twelve White-throated Sparrows
banded, showed no such fighting spirit at all. This bird is
of interest also for being taken again in the same spot in 1916.

164-86, Cardinal (female): Was conspicuous for the trap
habit, coming to the trap for all her meals and being released
several times a day, until I moved the trap 100 yards in order
to be free from her.

19246, Brown Thrasher: Living under our bed-room window,
at once formed the trap habit, and was released, often several
times a day, until it learned not to flutter upon my approach,
but to stand quietly at the door waiting for it to be opened !

19247, Brown Thrasher: Mate of 19246, but, while coming
often to the trap, it was always shy of entering and was taken
only twice, February 27 and March 13.

Season of 1916, Thomasville

During this active banding season of less than six weeks,
from February 19 to March 30, two traps were operated, but
four locations were used, the traps being moved from day to
day.

These locations were about 100 yards apart, strung across
open fields, mostly surrounded by pine woods; they were
mostly near buildings and shrubberies and were always kept
baited, whether the trap was present or not.

Total birds taken from two traps 654

Of this number, retaken or repeats 441

New birds banded 213

1915 birds taken in 1916, residents, 8 from a possible 27

1915 birds taken in 1916, migrants, 5 from a possible 63

Of 213 new birds, migrants were 169

residents were 44

"Retaken'' or "Repeats'': I have applied the term ''Re-
peats" to those birds which come into the traps, some of them

34

again and again, after they first receive a band. The great
extent to which they return to the traps will be seen from the
above number (441) of repeats out of a total 654 birds re-
moved from the traps. This will be further appreciated when
I say that more than half (115 individuals) of the 213 new
birds were taken a second time or oftener, in the month,
while some individuals form the ''habit/' and are taken every
day or several times a day.

Daily record of traps: A tabulation of daily records shows
only a very dull season from February 19 to March 7 of only
4 to 6 total birds per day from the two traps, perhaps half
being new birds. Then there was a sudden jump on March
8 to total 14. On March 9, total 29 birds; with varying totals
up to 65 birds on March 13, and 75 on the 15th; averaging
usually about one-third new. The sudden jump to high daily
records came when the Myrtle Warblers and Chipping Spar-
rows began suddenly to come in great numbers; chiefly War-
blers at first about March 8, then chiefly Chipping Sparrows
after March 13.

Limits of range: At Thomas ville, in 1916, I have faithfully
kept a record of the exact location where each bird is taken,
each time, this by lettering the stations and attaching the
letter each time with the date a bird is taken.

With the four Stations, ''A," ''B," ''C" and ''D," 100
yards apart, in a line, making a total length of field some
300 to 400 yards, it is interesting to note in retaking Brown
Thrashers 28 times, only two were retaken as far away as
the next Station. White-throated Sparrows never occurred
except at Station A. Towhees retaken ten times were never
so far away as the next Station. Blue Jays had wandered
to the next Station in two of the cases out of four, Wood-
peckers had strayed to the next Station in three cases out of
six. In case of the flocks of Myrtle Warblers and Chipping
Sparrows, we might expect more wandering, yet only a third
of those retaken were so far away as the next Station (on a
count of 150 cases).

35

We must bear in mind that the birds would wander further
in search of a scattered natural food, than under these arti-
ficial conditions where plenty is always to be found at one
spot, or rather at Jour spots or stations; yet, making all allow-
ances, these figures show what to me seems a surprising limit
of foraging range; the Thrashers, Towhees and White-throats
within a 100-3"ard radius; Blue Jays and Woodpeckers fur-
ther but within 200 yards; and, perhaps more interesting,
the fact that the Warblers and Chipping Sparrows, migrants
in flocks, come day after day to the same feeding station to
such an extent. In fact, these migrants do not wander about
carelessly over a wide area, but settle down where food is
good and stay there.

Returns in 1916 at Thomasville
These classed as Residents:

19246, Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum):

1915. Banded February 27, then taken on March 13

and two or three times a day every day until
the trap was moved on March 23, always at
Station A.

1916. Taken February 21, 22, 25, 27, 28 and March 1,

2, 16, 29.

This bird had the trap habit last year — came for all his
meals, became very tame, waiting always patiently at the
door to be let out; appeared promptly this year in exactly
the same spot, the second day the trap was put out, February
21, and at once fell into the same habit of constantly visiting
the trap. ,

Not taken in 1917 although the mate 19247 was taken then.

19247, Brown Thrasher:

1915. Banded February 27 and taken also March 13;

mate of 19246 always at Station A.

1916. Taken on March 4, 11 and 17. Mate of 19246

this year also.

36

This bird was quite shy of the trap both last year and this
year but came regularly to the trap with 19246, remaining
usually outside while 19246 would go promptly inside.

1917. Taken March 11 with 31783, probably the mate
of this year. 19246, its former mate, was not
found in 1917. Taken alone also March 12
and 13.

19252, Brown Thrasher:

1915. Banded March 18 and taken again March 25.

1916. Taken February 28.

17268, Brown Thrasher:

1915. Banded March 12 and taken again March 25.

1917. Taken March 28 and 29. *

19248, Blue Jay {Cyanocitta cristata cristata) :

1915. Banded March 16.

1916. Taken March 9 at B Station, 27th at A Station.

1917. Taken March 10 at A Station.

19254, Blue Jay:

1915. Banded March 20.

1916. Taken February 28.

19670, Cardinal (female) {Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis) :

1915. Banded March 24 with 1-a size band.

On March 28 I removed the 1-a size band and
placed a No. 2 size.

1916. Taken March 26 and 29 and band found in good

condition. This bird always at Station C.

15099, Carolina Wren {Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus) :

1915. Banded March 18 with its mate 15100.

1916. Killed by a cat March 14 at the same Station

(D) where it was banded last year.

These are classed as Migrants, and the White-throated
Sparrows and Myrtle Warblers must be supposed to have

Plate IV.

Fig. 7. — Station A, Thomasville, Georgia. (See page 37.)

Fig. 8. — Station B, Thomasville, Georgia. (See page 37.) Driving a Dozen
Chipping Sparrows from the Trap into the Gathering Cage.

37

spent the summer of 1915 in Canada, or, at least, far north
in the United States.

15053, White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia alhicollis) :

1915. Banded February 27 and taken many times

between that date and March 23, and always
identified itself by fighting and biting the hand
savagely.

1916. Taken March 1 and 11.

15058, White-throated Sparrow:

1915. Banded March 7.

1916. Taken March 28.

15076, Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata) :

1915. Banded March 26.

1916. Taken March 8.

17299, Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina passerind) :

1915. Banded March 27.

1916. Taken March 13, Station C.

38325, Chipping Sparrow:

(Former number 15096.)

1915. Banded March 18.

1916. Taken March 13.

The leg was found to be injured by pressure of
the band, so the old band was removed and new
band adjusted to the other leg.

Notes at Thomasville, 1916

White-throated Sparrows: During both years, 1915 and 1916,
in February and March, a flock of perhaps twenty have re-
mained constantly in the shrubbery about Station A (see
Fig. 7). I marked twelve in 1915, recovered two of these in
1916, and marked five new ones in 1916. These birds were
seldom seen as far away as Station B (100 yards) and never
caught so far away (see Fig. 8). More could have been
marked and perhaps more from last year recovered, but the
trap was, in 1916, run at Station A only occasionally.

38

Myrtle Warblers: A few were found in flocks about the
more open Stations, especially B and C, from February 19,
when the traps were first set out, but about March 8 they
became more numerous, then by March 20 they were mostly
gone. Some individuals, however, remained about the
place during the entire five weeks; as 38148 banded February
22 and taken very often to March 23; 38158 taken often from
March 4 to 22; 38168 taken often from March 8 to 29; and
38169 taken often from March 8 to 21.

Chipping Sparrows: First appeared on March 8, and abun-
dant within a day or two ; they continued to be taken in quan-
tities up to the end of March, when my observations ended.
Curiously, the Chipping Sparrows seem to be notable for
defects of the toes, one or the other foot being very commonly
swollen or club-footed. None of these cases seemed to be sore
or showed signs of recent injury or disease. This effect has
not, to my recollection, been seen on any of the many hun-
dreds of birds of other kinds handled during the last two years.

Cardinal: The Cardinal is, no doubt, an all-year resident.
In fact, I do not consider the Cardinal anywhere migratory,
as it is found in northern Ohio abundantly all winter.

In 1915 I banded a dozen or more Cardinals with size 1-a
bands, but as I got them back in the traps I found they had
pinched in the bands with their powerful beaks, so to pinch
and harm the leg. 1-a is correct in size, but as I have re-
covered the birds bearing that size I have replaced the band
with a heavier size and doubled the band upon itself to make
it still stronger.

The Cardinal fights the hand savagely, squeals loudly in
protest when handled and bites with such strength as to be
really painful.

Shrikes: The colored people mofetly know the ''Butcher-
bird," but by many white people, who are not bird observers,
they are mistaken for Mockingbirds. The Butcher-bird is
very numerous in Georgia and must be destroyed where
banding by trap is done, for a pair will establish themselves
near the trap and follow into it and destroy any small bird
that may be caught.

Plate V.

Fig. 9. — Inwood Plantation, Thomasville, Ga. Station A is at the House
ON the Left. Station B is Among the Pear Trees in the Center. Station
C is at the Cottage on the Right. (See page 39.)

Fig. 10.— Station D, Thomasville, Ga. The Trap is Among the Shrubs

39

Bait: I have baited uniformly with chick food or finely-
ground grain and bread.

The Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Towhee, Chipping Sparrow
and White-throated Sparrow, Cardinal, Myrtle Warbler and
Red-bellied Woodpecker come freely to that bait; Mocking-
birds seldom; and I have taken the Hermit Thrush, Palm
Warbler, Pine Warbler and Carolina Wren.

Healing of injury: Two cases occur of some interest :
38176, Myrtle Warbler: When taken on March 8 was en-
tirely without evident tail, but within a week the tail was
quite half-size or more.

31780 and 31779 Brown Thrasher: Were taken in trap to-
gether March 10.

31780 was badly torn about the neck and head, and the
skin much broken and torn from the rump, with some evi-
dence that it was the result of attack from 31779 while in
the trap. The bird was taken on March 12, 15 and 18, and
by that time was thoroughly healed and sound, and when
taken afterwards, several times up to March 30, it was quite
smooth and healthy in appearance.

Note: Since writing this paragraph in 1916, I have come
more and more to believe 31779 not guilty; and that
more likely 31780 was injured by the entrance wires
of the trap ; but I have never found other native birds
injured by the entrance wires. Domestic fowls
will have their heads caught in the entrance if the
guard fence is not kept up.

Season of 1917, Thomasville

During this season of six weeks from February 13 to March
27, five traps were operated, at the same four stations (see
figures 9 and 10) as in 1916, the stations being about 100
yards apart, and extending a total length of 400 or 500 yards.
The whole area is open fields, each station being located by a
cottage surrounded by shrubs.

Total birds taken in five traps 684

Retaken or repeats 414

New birds 239

40

Return of 1915 birds — migrants 4 from a possible 63

or 6.5 per cent.

residents 2 from a possible 27

or 7.4 per cent.

Return of 1916 birds — migrants 17 from a possible 169

or 10 per cent.

residents 8 from a possible 44

or 18 per cent.

Of new birds banded, migrants were 215

residents 24

The new birds were as follows:

Classed as migrants —

MjTtle Warbler 64

Yellow Palm Warbler 2

Hermit Thrush 3

TMiite-throated Sparrow 18

Chipping Sparrow 128

Classed as residents —

Mockingbird 3

Brown Thrasher 2

WTiite-eyed Towhee 1

Blue Jay 7

Cardinal 11

As to Migrants or Residents, we must again state that the
division is somewhat arbitrary, being based upon the fact
that those birds classed as Residents are at this time mostly
in pairs, and some at least nesting.

Among, so-called. Residents we had the following returns :

31766, Mockingbird {Mimus polyglottos polyglottos) :

1916. Banded February 20 and taken also Marcji 16.

1917. Taken on February 13 in same trap, Station A.

31773, Red-bellied Woodpecker {Centurus carolinus) :

1916. Banded February 27 and taken also March 6,

10 and 26, Stations B and C.

1917. Taken February 21 and March 13, at B and C.

31778, Red-bellied Woodpecker:

1916. Banded March 7 and taken also March 11, 19,

21, 22 and 24, at Stations A, B and C.

1917. Taken March 9 and 11, at B and C.

Plate VI.

Fig. 11. — Type OF Field Card Carried in the Baxdixg Box. (See page 29.)

Fig. 12. — Number 31770, To\\hee, Male. (See page 41.)

41

31783, Brown Thrasher:

1916. Banded March 11, Station A.

1917. Taken February 25, and March 11 and 21. On

March 21 this bird was with 19247, possibly
mate, which see, next. Always at Station A.

19247, Brown Thrasher:

Taken in 1915, 1916 and 1917.
See full statement in 1916 list.

40222, Brown Thrasher: (See figures 3 and 4.)

1916. Banded March 31, and taken also March 22, 26,

27, 29.

1917. Taken March 3, 6, 8, 15, always at Station C.

31779, Brown Thrasher:

1916. Banded March 10, with 31780, supposed to be

its mate.

1917. Taken March 6, leg seemed hurt by the band and

the band was removed to the other leg. Taken
also March 7 and on March 8 with 40796 and
alone on March 15, always at Station D.

19248, Blue Jay:

1915. Banded March 16.

1916. Taken March 9 and 27 at Stations A and B.

1917. Taken March 10, at Station A.

31775, Blue Jay:

1916. Banded March 1 and 4, Station C.

1917. Taken March 20, at Station D.

A very handsome bird.

31770, White-eyed Towhee, male {Pipilo erythrophthalmus
alleni) : (See figures 12 and 14.)

1916. Banded February 22, and taken also Feb. 25, 28,

March 1, 5, 16, 17. Taken with 31771 female
on Feb. 25, and with 29843 female March 1.

1917. Taken alone March 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19. Taken

with 16251 female several times, as follows:
Feb. 22, March 12, 14, 15, 17, and on March

42

8 taken with a female not marked. Taken
always in Trap A except on March 13 in D —
400 yards distant. It is very unusual to take
a bird so far away.

From Migrants we had the following returns :

38168, Myrtle Warbler:

1916. Banded March 8 in B station, and taken March

11 in B, 12th in D and C, 15th in C twice,
17th in C twice, 18th in B, 20th in C, 21st in
C, 23d and 25th in C, 28th in C, 29th in C.

1917. This bird resumed immediately the trap habit

appearing the first day of trapping February
13 in B. Then February 16 in C twice, 20th in
C, March 5 in C, 7th in D and C, 9th in D, 13th
in D, 14th in D.

38162, Myrtle Warbler:

1916. Banded March 7, B station, taken March 9 in

B and D, 10th in B, 12th in D, 13th in C, 14th
in B, 15th in B and C.

1917. Another known for its trap habit in 1916 ap-

peared the first day of trapping February 13
in C, then 14th in C, 15th in C twice, 16th in
C twice, 20th in C, 23d in C, 28th in C twice,
and March 2 in C, 3d in C and D, 7th in C,
8th in D.

38346, Myrtle Warbler:

1916. Banded March 14, and taken also March 17,

at C and B stations.

1917. Taken Feb. 15 and 16 at C Station.

38175, Myrtle Warbler:

1916. Banded March 8.

1917. Taken Feb. 16.

38196, Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hy-
pochrysea) :
1916. Banded March 9, B Station, and taken again
March 12, C Station.

43

1917. Taken Feb. 14, B Station.

These Warblers may remain through the winter, as they are
present in numbers when I first arrive at Thomasville, in
early February, but they increase in numbers about the
middle of February; after March first very few Warblers are
taken, and by March 15 all are gone except a few stragglers.

16481, White-throated Sparrow:

1915. Banded February 25, taken also Feb. 27 and

March 1.
1917. Taken Feb. 22, 27, March 19, 20.

38443, White-throated Sparrow: (See figure 13.)

1916. Banded March 29, taken also March 30.

1917. Taken Feb. 25, March 2, 4, 13, 15. Photographed

on March 15.

38435, White-throated Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 27.

1917. Taken March 2 and 4.

38160, White-throated Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 5, taken also March 6, 7 and 16.

1917. Taken Marjch 7 and 19.

38438, White-throated Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 27 and March 29.

1917. Taken March 7.

The White-throated Sparrows are always about Station A,
the same spot as in 1915 and 1916, and it seems reasonable
to call it the same group, coming each year with some accre-
tions of the year (as I banded 18 new birds out of the group).
This identification of the group as the same group is based
upon the fact that in 1916 I obtained two 1915 birds, and
this year I have had, as shown above, one 1915 bird and four
1916 birds.

These birds probably remain all winter, as they are settled
at Station A when we go south, in early February, and they
do not change location or move away before April.

u

38313, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 13. Taken also March 14 and 16.

1917. Taken March 3 and 20.

38439, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 28. Taken also March 30.

1917. Taken March 8 in D, 16 in C, 18 in C, 19 in B,

20 in D, 21 in C, 26 in B and C.

15098, Chipping Sparrow:

1915. Banded March 18.
1917. Taken March 12.

38428, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 21. Taken also March 29.

1917. Taken March 12.

38442, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 29.

1917. Taken March 14.

38318, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 13.

1917. Taken March 14.

38434, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 26.

1917. Taken March 14.

38337, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 14.

1917. Taken March 15.

17271, Chipping Sparrow:

1915. Banded March 19. Taken also March 26 and 28.
1917. Taken March 16.

17278, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 19.

1917. Taken March 17 and 19.

38409, Chipping Sparrow:

1916. Banded March 16. Taken also March 21, 24,
25, 28. One swollen foot.

45

1917. Taken March 19.

The Chipping Sparrows were not seen when we first came
south in February; none was taken until March 3, when they
appeared in great numbers. As they had evidently spent
the winter further south and were only stopping off at Thomas-
ville, en route, on the migration northward, it seems re-
markable that we should take, as shown above, three birds
of 1915 banding, and as many as eight of 1916.

Among Chipping Sparrows we found again this year many
birds having swollen toes, at least 10, or probably 12 or 13
birds out of 128, or about 10 per cent, of them.

Shrikes: We again had trouble with Loggerhead Shrikes,
as they quickly learn to perch near a trap and kill any bird
that is caught.

These birds are very abundant in Georgia and must de-
stroy an enormous number of small birds. We are convinced
that they do more harm than good and would favor a concerted
attempt to destroy them.

Sample Days at Thomasville

The following are daily records taken from the field notes;
every bird taken during the day is entered, the new birds
receiving a band, and the birds that have already received
bands this season marked ^'repeats" (see Fig. 11).

From these day-lists we compile for our convenience a sort
of ledger-list upon which each successive occurrence of a
bird is carried back to the original entry of that bird, thus
giving concisely the history of each individual for the season,
or for successive seasons. When banding on such a scale,
we find these lists very convenient for quickly hunting up
birds that are re-taken.

46

1917:

February 13. Sunny 50° Temp. Set traps A, B and C.

7824 Myrtle Warbler,

new^

7825

new

> Trap B

38168

of

1916

7826

new

7827

new

>- Trap C

38162

of

1916 _

31766 Mockingbird,

of

1916

Trap A

16246 Hermit Thrush,

new

A

7826 Repeat

7827

7829 Myrtle Warbler,

new

- Trap C

7830

Cl

new

7831

u

new^

First Day of this Season — at Thomasville

March 3. Sun 75°. Traps A, AA, B, C and D.

38313 Chipping Sparrow, of 1916 1
27442 " " new J ^^^

40222 Brown Thrasher, of 1916

38162 Myrtle of 1916, repeat

27440 Myrtle Warbler, repeat

15347 " " repeat

15669 White-throated Sparrow, repeat

27486 Chipping Sparrow, new

27440 Repeat D "^

38162 Repeat D

27487Chipping Sparrow, new 1

27488 " " new I

27489 '' " new]

Trap C

AA

A

C

Note both these this morning at C

D

Today is First Appearance of Chipping Sparrows

47

March 12. Sun 70°. Traps A, AA, B, C and D.
Blue Jay new j B

41897

15325 Myrtle Warbler, repeat
15340
7844
10253
38296
27441
10598

(C

38278
38428

38293
38294
38295
38291
38653
38654
41898
27499
16247
32193
27442
27500
16251
31770

15669
19247

Chipping Sparrow, new
Myrtle Warbler, repeat
Chipping Sparrow, of 1915

repeat
of 1916

u
(I
((
u
II
ii
li

Ic

D
D

new
new
new
repeat
new
new
new B

B

Cardinal female
Myrtle Warbler, repeat
Hermit Thrush, repeat !- C

Cardinal female, new

Chipping Sparrow, repeat

repeat, swollen right toe D
Towhee female, repeat

male of 1916, repeat A, taken together
several times.
White-throated Sparrow, repeat A
Brown Thrasher of 1916, repeat AA

March 15. Sun 75°. Traps A, AA, B, C, D.

On this day the traps were not visited until 11 o'clock
A.M., when the following birds were removed and photo-
graphs taken of some of them.

38665 White-throated Sparrow, new A

31770 Towhee male of 1916, a repeat, in AA (See Fig. 12)

31779 Brown Thrasher of 1916, repeat D

48

38271 White-throated Sparrow, repeat D-note station D,

not A.
27496 Chipping Sparrow, repeat D
38337 '' '' of 1916 D

40222
38664
38666
38667
38668
38669
38670
38671
37500
38289
38658
31770
16251

38443
15345
38672

Brown Thrasher of 1916 repeat C
Chipping Sparrow, repeat

new

new

repeat

C

B

B

Towhee male
" female

repeats in A, (Fig. 14) 31770 having
been removed from AA only half
an hour before.
White-throated Sparrow of 1916, repeat A, (Fig. 13)

repeat A
new A

a

Banding near Cleveland, Ohio
Season of 1914

During this season I became interested in banding, and
from June 15 to November 1 banded 117 birds, mostly young
birds in the nest, including six Yellow Warblers, 12 House
Wrens, 6 Chipping Sparrows, 15 Catbirds, 14 Robins and a
few Flickers, Song Sparrows and others. Not until October,
when I began to trap the House Sparrows, did I begin to
find out the value of trapping in the banding work.

Season of 1915

Banded from the nest 135

Banded from traps 192

Total 327

Fig. 13. — Number 38443, White-throated Sparrow. (See page 43.)

Fig. 14. — A Pair of Towhees. (See page 48.)
Nos. 31770 and 16251

49

After my experience in Thomasville, Georgia, in March,
1915, I realized the importance of the traps, not only for
banding adults but because of the immensely greater proba-
bility of getting returns. During the earl}^ part of the season
the traps were out only occasionally, for a few hours, and
this may partly explain why so few returns of birds banded in
1914 were obtained.

There were only two returns from last year :

15819, Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis) , adult:

1914. Banded July 5, and taken July 6 and August

12 with young 17388.

1915. Taken May 23.

15839, Song Sparrow {Melospiza melodia melodia) :

1914. Banded October 6.

1915. Taken May 31.

The Catbird had, no doubt, been south for the winter and
returned; but the Song Sparrow may have remained here
over the winter.

The Divorced Wrens: It was during this season that I dis-
covered that, in case of birds nesting in boxes, or holes in
trees, as the Wrens, or Bluebirds, or Woodpeckers, it is quite
easy to catch the adults, for banding, as they enter the nest
to feed the young.

A pair of House Wrens, Nos. 27739 and 27740, in a box on
the greenhouse, were banded in this way on June 19, 1915.
Their brood, banded at the same time, received bands 27723
to 27728 inclusive. After an absence from the farm for six
weeks I returned to find, in the same box on the greenhouse,
another young brood just ready to fly. I gave them bands
27783 to 27787 inclusive, and caught the parents, to discover
to my surprise that one parent was 27740, but the other was
a new mate, without band, and received band 27782. As
birds so quickly find a new mate, when a mate is lost by death,
I did not realize just what had happened until I found that
27739 had at the same time (August 14), a nest in a box only
100 feet away, with a new mate, and a brood ready to fly,
27772 to 27777 inclusive. I was unable to get this second

50

mate of 27739 because the young left the nest that day,
August 14.

No. 27739 has further distinguished itself by coming back,
in June, 1916, to the same box occupied by it for its second
brood in 1915, and I have marked the mate, but of course
cannot tell whether it is the same as its second mate of 1915.
This 1916 mate of 27739 is No. 38491 and with this mate
there were raised the young brood Nos. 38492 to 38496
inclusive.

Total Wrens banded in 1915 — 44.

All left the farm September 5 with the storm.

Song Sparrows: Total banded — 88. Of the 20 banded in
May and June, only one was taken after July, No. 27755,
taken on October 1. During six weeks in July and early
August, observations were omitted because of absence from
the farm. During the last two weeks of August, 34 were
banded, many young birds in family groups; and some of
these were frequently re-taken until September 5. On Sep-
tember 4 and 5, there was a drop in temperature accompanied
by storms, and the families of Song Sparrows departed; only
4 birds were taken after September 5, No. 27781, a young
bird, on September 22; No. 27800, on September 23 and 30;
No. 27806, on September 27; and No. 27822, on October 17.
A week after September 6, hardly a Song Sparrow was seen,
then new birds began to come in; 26 banded in September
and October.

All this means that after the first broods left the nests in
June, both old and young left that vicinity; then other parents
raised other broods in August and these mostly departed at
the first September storm.

White-throated Sparrows: Total banded — 43.

First appeared from the north on September 25, abundant
by September 30. The birds arriving and registered in Sep-
tember and the first week of October did not move on each
day, but many of them remained there as long as weather
and feed were good, to go, on October 15, when the next storm
developed; with that storm came new individuals, who, in
turn, remained through good weather and moved along at the
time of the next storm, about October 26, when all disappeared.

51

White-crowned Sparrows: These did not appear until Oc-
tober 1, and the early individuals, like the White-throated
Sparrows, remained about the farm until the storm of Oc-
tober 14, some late arrivals remaining until the next storm
on October 26, and a few stragglers until October 30.

Of the 28 individuals banded in October, only 7 were in
mature plumage.

Season of 1916 — May 1 to November 1, Cleveland

Total birds banded 280

Of these, young in nest 100

Banded from traps 180

Banded in previous years 444

1914 117

1915 347

Birds of previous years taken 1916 5

From these figures, it appears that 280 new birds were
banded during the summer; that during the two previous
seasons a total of 444 birds had received bands; and during
the summer of 1916 only five birds were taken of the possible
444 which had received bands in previous years.

This seems to bear out the conclusion I came to after the
season of 1915, that birds do not return to exactly the same
spot from year to year nearly so much as they are popularly
believed to return.

This conclusion is not wholly fair, however, as to the sum-
mer of 1916, because, for business and other reasons, I was
unable to make the same systematic study as during the sum-
mer of 1915.

At no time during the summer could I operate the traps
except occasional days, or parts of days, perhaps two or
three times a week; then I was absent the entire months of
July and August.

The five birds taken from 1915 birds were as follows:

27705, Song Sparrow:

1915. Banded May 26 and taken June 5.

1916. Taken June 20 on same spot.
1918. July 7, killed in trap by a Shrike.

52

27844, Song Sparrow:

1915. Banded September 25.

1916. Taken September 19, on same spot.

27845, Song Sparrow:

1915. Banded September 26.

1916. Taken dead August 28.

31741, Red-headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus) ,
male:

1915. Banded June 19. Mate of 31739.

1916. May 22, shot in same orchard because he in-

sisted upon appropriating a nest already oc-
cupied by a Bluebird family.

27739, House Wren {Troglodytes aedon a'edon):

Most interesting, one of the so-called "divorced Wrens"
of 1915. See this bird and 27740 of last year. Appeared
this year, and with a mate, 38491, had a brood, 38492 to
38496 inclusive in the same box which this bird occupied with
its second mate of last j^ear. As I was unable to catch and
band the second mate of last year, I am unable to say whether
this year's mate is the one taken as second mate last year.

This can be put down as a season of negative results, be-
cause of lack of time. During 1915 I had banded every
House Wren, old or young, on the farm but could not watch
them closely this season, so had only one return.

White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows: In 1915 these
came in distinct waves; with each storm the marked lot
would depart, and a new lot come down from the north. In
1916, during the whole of September and October, a uniform
condition of weather prevailed, at least the storm periods were
not severe, and the effect was noticed in the scattering arrival
and departure of these Sparrows.

White-croicned Sparrow: banded 15, of this number 12 in
immature plumage, all migrating.

So7ig Sparrow: banded 68, very few being retaken, but
again this was due to the traps being out so little during the
season.

53

Junco: banded 8 birds, and not before October 13, after
the White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows had mostly
gone.

Other birds taken in the traps are Field Sparrows (Spizella
pusilla pusilla) and Chipping Sparrows, with an occasional
Catbird or Brown Thrasher.

I wish to call attention again to the very great increase in
the number of native birds of all kinds about my farm during
the last three years since I have operated sparrow traps more
or less steadily all year, and thus kept the farm free of House
Sparrows.

Season of 1917, Cleveland

New birds banded — 167
Returns from previous years :

38645, Song Sparrow:

1916. Banded Sept. 14.

1917. Taken May 11.

38480, Song Sparrow:

1916. Banded June 18, and taken June 20.

1917. Taken May 15 and July 15.

38461, Chimney Swift (Chcetura pelagica):

1916. Banded June 6.

1917. Taken June 12. In both cases it came down

same bedroom chimney.

29867, Catbird:

1916. Banded June 25.

1917. Taken June 21 and 23 and on June 24 with

16254. Killed in trap by hawk June 24, 1917.

29863, Catbird:

1916. Banded June 22.

1917. Taken June 21.

1919. Taken June 21, tail missing.

1924, Brown Thrasher:

1916. Banded June 27; described as a brilliant bird.

1917. Taken July 3, with young, 20584, 40790, 21525,

21526.

54

1918. Taken June 22, with young, 53026, 53027, 53028,
and June 24 and 27.

31733, Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus):

1915. Banded June 3.
1917. Found dead May 15.

White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows: For some
reason the White-crowned Sparrows have, this autumn, far
out-numbered the White-throated, quite contrary to my
usual experience here.

This October the migration of these two species has been
in waves, again, as in 1915, arriving and departing with the
storms.

They came in about October first, then numbers of them
left about the 11th when the temperature dropped, and a
trace of snow fell; many new ones came down from the north
at the same time.

Then on October 20 there was another fall of temperature
and snow-fall, and more of these birds went South. They
all left at the time of the blizzard of November first. Be-
cause it is difficult to operate the traps during a storm, and
because the birds do not feed at such times, it is not easy to
say whether birds leave ahead of a storm, during the storm or
after it; but certainly many of them do feed at the traps right
up to the time of the beginning of the storm period.

Season of 1918, Cleveland

Banded young in nest 30

Adults 123

1918 total 153

Totals of previous years: 1914 117

1915 347

1916 280

1917 167

Total previous to 1918 911

Returns from previous years:
44008, House Wren:

1917. Banded July 4 with mate 44009 and brood
44010 to 44014 inclusive.

55

1918. Taken June 19 in the same nest box No. 51 in
the corner of the flower garden. New mate of
this year 44100. Brood with this mate 44508
to 44514 inclusive.

1924, Brown Thrasher:

See 1917 Hst for the history of this bird for three years,
and its young of two seasons.

44018, Song Sparrow:

1917. Banded July 4 and then marked young.

1918. Taken June 23.

Since the question is asked whether young birds
will return to the same spot another year, it
may be best to say that this was not banded in
the nest, but was banded with three others
taken from the trap at the same time and all
judged by appearance to be young of the same
brood. There is of course the possible error
of judgment of the age under the circumstances.

40241, Robin {Planesticus migratorius migratorius) :

1916. Banded May 28, young in the nest.

1917. March 3, taken at Langley, South Carolina, on

the farm of Mr. S. C. Holman; ''found wounded"
by Mr. Holman's young son.

21531, Sparrow Hawk {Falco sparverius sparverius):

1916. Banded June 18, young in the nest.

1917. July 12, shot by Roy Haylor, near Engine Co.

No. 11, East 91st Street and Walker Ave.,
Cleveland.

Additional data: In letter dated Aug. 9, 1917, Mr. Haylor
says, in answer to questions: ''For the last few years this
same hawk, as we think, has sat on the tip of a church steeple
for hours each day, and this church is in a small park w^hich
is a nesting place for lots of robins and other birds. This
hawk would rob the nests and eat all the young, so we de-
cided to shoot him, as the birds were in commotion whenever
he was around.

56

''He used to roost at night in the top of the steeple till a
pair of yellow hammers made their nest up there two years
ago. Then he went somewhere else at night. We have
never noticed a mate, but the next day a hawk of the same
kind soared around, and has ever since, as though it was look-
ing for him, but he never alights on the steeple."
27705; Song Sparrow:

This bird taken in 1915, 1916 and 1918.

For dates see 1916 list.

32932, Robin:

1917. Banded May 15, young in the nest.
1919. Taken March 19.

This, properly belonging to the experiences of this current
year (1919), is included, as it appeared in the greenhouse,
the first bird taken this season. And here is an absolutely
certain case of a young bird returning to the spot where it
was hatched. No doubt it was on the place in 1918 but I
have, as yet, no practical way of getting Robins by trap.

Notes in 1918.

Baltimore Oriole: One family of Orioles {Icterus galbula)
learned to come to the trap the day the young left the nest,
and came several times a day for a few days, then disap-
peared. Orioles had never come to the bait before.

White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows: For some
unknown reason, last October the White-crowned Sparrows
greatly predominated, while this year the White-crowned
were hardly to be seen. Banded 44 White-throated and only
3 White-crowned. White-throat, No. 45245, was marked as a
bird of extra fine plumage and an extra fine squealer when
handled. The migration of these birds has been this year
like that of 1916. Uniform mild weather without severe
storms has given little cause for the birds to come and go
in waves as in 1915 and 1917.

57

Members of the Linnaean Society

OF NJ]W YORK.

MARCH, 1919

Honorary Members.

Allen, J. A., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
DuTCHER, William, 939 Park Avenue, Plainfield, N. J.
Merriam, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th Street, Washington, D. C.
Stone, Witmer, Ph.D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.

Corresponding Members.

Abbott, C. C, M.D., Bristol, Pa.

Agersborg, G. S., Vermilion, S. D.

Benner, Franklin, MinneapoHs, Minn.

Burgess, Thornton W., Springfield, Mass.

Burroughs, John, West Park, N. Y.

Cory, Charles B., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, lU.

Cox, Philip, Newcastle, N. B.

DuRY, Charles, Cincinnati, Ohio.

DuTCHER, B. H., M.D., U. S. Army.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C,

Fox, Wm. H., M.D., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washington, D. C.

Grant, W. W., 600 Castle Street, Geneva, N. Y.

Harper, Francis, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 818 Fifth Street, San Diego, Cal.

Langdon, F. W., M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio.

Latham, Mrs. F. E. B., Micco, Fla.

.LooMis, Leverett M., California Acad, of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal.

Marshall, Alfred, 64 South Canal Street, Chicago, 111.

Mead, Theo. L., 0^'iedo, Fla.

Oberholser, Harry C, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Sage, John H., Portland, Conn.

Seton, Ernest Thompson, Greenwich, Conn.

Shufeldt, R. W., M.D., 3356 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D. C.

Trotter, Spencer, M.D., Swarthmore, Pa.

Warren, B. H., M.D., Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa.

Williston, S. W., M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.

58

Resident Members.

Abbott, Clinton G., State Conservation Commission, Albany, N. Y.
Adams, Benjamin, New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue & 42d St.
Bishop, Louis B., M.D., 356 Orange Street, New Haven, Conn.
BowDiSH, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.
Boyle, Howarth S., 62 Parcell Street, Elmhurst, L. I.
Breder, Charles M., Jr., 1824 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washing-
ton, D. C.
Bristol, Jno. I. D., 1 Madison Avenue.

Cassebeer, H. a., Jr., 1095 Steinway Avenue, Steinway, L. I.
Chapin, James P., American Museum of Natural History.
Chapman, E. A., M.D., 3 East 23d Street.

Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History.
Childs, Hon. John Lewis, Floral Park, L. I.
Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Natural History.
Cleaves, Howard H., State Conservation Commission, Albany, N. Y.
Crosby, Maunsell S., Rhinebeck, N. Y.

*DA^^s, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, S. I.
DiETERiCH, Charles F., 2 Rector Street.
Dodge, Cleveland H., 99 John Street.
Dugmore, Captain A. Radclyffe, Newfoundland, N. J.
Dwight, Jonathan, M.D., 43 West 70th Street.
Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
Fleischer, Edward, 539 Fourth Street, Brooklyn.
Gladden, George, 170 Vermilyea Avenue.
Gotthold, Arthur F., 60 Wall Street.
Granger, Walter, American Museum of Natural History.
Griscom, Ludlow, 37 Fifth Avenue.
Halter, Clarence R., 243 East 123d Street.
Hartshorn, H. Ira, 53 S. 12th Street, Newark, N. J.
Heller, Max, Occidental Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.
Helme, Arthur H., Miller Place, L. I.
Helmuth, William T., Jr., 774 Madison Avenue.
Herrick, Harold, 123 William Street.
Hix, George E., 100 West 91st Street.
Hollister, George Whiting, 521 Madison Avenue.
HuBBELL, George W., Greenwich, Conn.
Hyde, E. Francis, 36 West 58th Street.

Hyde, Frederick William, 340 Forty-third Street, Brooklyn.
Ingalls, L. D., 676 Elm Street, ArUngton, N. J.
Irving, John, Glen Cove, L. I.
Jan-vrin, E. R. p., M.D., 515 Park Avenue.
Johnson, Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.
Johnson, Julius M., 179 South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood, N. J.

* Life Member.

59

KiERAN, John F., 3150 Kingsbridge Terrace.

KusER, John Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J.

LaDow, Stanley Vaughan, 622 West 113th Street.

Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History.

fLANGDON, Woodbury G., 131 East 40th Street.

Lawrence, John B., 126 East 30th Street.

Lawrence, Newbold T., 84 WilHam Street.

Leale, Charles A., M.D., 604 Madison Avenue.

Lemmon, Robert S., 19 West 44th Street.

Lewis, Clark L., Jr., 524 West 184th Street.

Maitland, Robert L., 141 Broadway.

Marks, E. Sydney, 655 Kearney Avenue, ArHngton, N. J.

Merriam, Henry F., Ph.D., 30 CUnton Avenue, Maplewood, N. J.

Miller, Leo E., Ambler, Pa.

Morris, Robert T., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.

Murphy, Robert Cushman, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn.

Nichols, Edward G., 1086 Amsterdam Avenue.

Nichols, John Treadwell, American Museum of Natural History.

Nichols, L. Nelson, N. Y. Pubhc Library, Fifth Avenue & 42d Street.

Noble, G. Kingsley, American Museum of Natural History.

OsBORN, Prof. Henry F., American Museum of Natural History.

OsBORN, William C, 71 Broadway.

Overton, Frank, M.D., Patchogue, L. I.

Pearson, T. Gilbert, 1974 Broadway.

Philipp, p. Bernard, 220 Broadway.

Porter, Louis N., Stamford, Conn.

QuARLES, E. A., 2623 Equitable Building.

Raven, H. C, Bay shore, L. I.

Reichenberger, Mrs. Victor M., American Museum of Natural History,

RiKER, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

*RoGERS, Charles H., American Museum of Natural History.

Rundall, Clarence A., Brewster, N. Y.

Stern, Benjamin, 542 Fifth Avenue.

Streeter, Daniel D., Bergen Street & New York Avenue, Brooklyn.

Thayer, Gerald H., 2 East 81st Street.

Valentine, J. Manson, 118 East 79th Street.

Du ViviER, Edward F., 152 East 71st Street.

Walsh, Lester, 65 WelHngton Court, Brooklyn.

Walters, Frank, Elmhurst, L. I.

Weber, Jay A., Moore & Grand Ave's., Leonia, N. J.

Wheeler, C. W. B., M.D., 17 East 38th Street.

Wilcox, T. Ferdinand, 118 East 54th Street.

Woodruff, Lewis B., 14 East 68th Street.

di Zerega, Louis A., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.

* Life Member.

t Died in April, 1919.

ADDENDA

Page 29. — Law: To collect migratory birds, a permit is necessary under
the United States laws, and a form for application for such may be secured
by addressing a request to the Bureau of Biological Survey, Department
of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Inquiries as to the laws of any State
should be addressed to the State Game Warden.

Page 53.-29863, Catbird:

1919. Taken June 21 in the greenhouse; tail feathers

missing.
(This bird then has been taken in 1916, 1917, and 1919.)

Page 55. — i4008. House Wren (top of page) :

1919. On June 17 taken in Box on the greenhouse about
seventy-five yards from Box 51 occupied in 1917
and 1918. The mate this year, however, is
44100, the same mate as last year, this being an
interesting instance of faithfulness in marked
contrast to my "divorced Wrens" described
elsewhere in this report.

60

INDEX

^gialitis meloda, L. I.,19.

semipalmata, L. I., 20.
Agelaius phceniceus, at sea, 14;

N. Y., 16.
Aix sponsa, L. I., 7.
Aluco pratincola, sight, 10.
Ampelis cedrorum, food, Ga., 26.
Anas platyrhjTichus, sexual expe-
riments on domestic, 3.
rubripes, L. I., 3, 5.
Anthus rubescens, N. J., 4; N. Y.,

16.
Aramus, Trinidad, 5.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis,

N. J., 3.
Arenaria, distribution, 11.

interpres interpres, 11.

morinella, L. I., 5; 11.
melanocephala, 11.
Asio flammeus, N. J., 3; L. I., 5.

wilsonianus, N. J., 4; notes,
N. Y., N. J., 9.

Baldwin, S. P., 'Bird-Banding by
Means of Systematic Trapping,'
8, 17, 22, 23-56, 60.

Beekman, Gerard, death, 21.

Bequaert, J., 3; 'Habits of Social
Insects/ 6.

Bicknell, Eugene P., 20.

Bird-Banding, 1918- '19 committee,
2; by trapping, 8, 17, 22, 23-56,
60.

Bittern, American, 4,

Blackbird, Red-winged, 14, 16.

Bluebird, 26.

Botaurus lentiginosus, N. J., 4.

Bowdish, B. S., 8, 12; "N. J. Feed-
ing Station," 14; 15, 17, 19, 20, 22.

Boyle, Howarth, proposed, 19; 20;
elected, 21; 22.

Breder, C. M., Jr., elected, 1; 3, 4,
6, 18, 19, 20.

Brevoortia tyrannus patronus, GuK
Coast, 8.

Bubo virginianus, sight, 10.

CampephiHnae, 17, 18.
Caranx hippos. Gulf Coast, 8.

Cardinal, 24, 27, 32, 33, 36, 38, 39,

40, 47.

Cardinalis cardinalis cardinahs, 24,

27, 32, 33, 36, 38, 39, 40, 47.
Catbird, 28, 48, 49, 53, 60.
Catharista urubu urubu, roost,

S. C, 22.
Cathartes aura septentrionaUs, food,

11, 15.
Census, annual mid-May, 5.
Centurus carohnus, banding, Ga.,

26, 34, 35, 39, 40.
Ceophloeus, 18.

Chsetura pelagica, banding, Ohio, 53.
Chaffinch, 7.
Chloris chloris, N. J., 14,
Chondestes grammacus, Ga., 22.
Chubb, S. H., 17.
Cleaves, H. H., 1, 2, 17, 19.
Colaptes auratus luteus, banding,

Ohio, 24, 48, 54.
Compsothlypis americana usneae,

N. B., 9.
Cowbird, 16.
Crevalle, 8.
Cr\'ptoglaux acadica acadica, N. Y.,

io.

Curlew, Hudsonian, 14.
Cyanocitta cristata cristata, band-
ing, Ga., 28, 32, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40,

41, 47.

Da\ds, W. T., 1, 5, 17, 20.

Deer, White-tailed, 17.

Dendroica sestiva sestiva, N. B., 9;

banding, Ohio, 48.
cserulescens caerulescens, N.

B., 9.
castanea, N. B., 9.
coronata, N. B., 9; N. J., 22;

banding, Ga., 26, 34, 35,

36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 46,

47.
fusca, N. B., 10.
magnoUa, N. B., 9.
palmarum hypochrysea, N.

B., 10; banding, Ga., 26,

39, 40, 42, 43.
striata, N. B., 9.

61

62

Dendroica tigrina, 4; N. B., 9.
vigors! vigors!, N. J., 2.
wens, N. B., 10.
Dichromanassa rufescens, Tex., 8.
Dinner, Annual, Sixth, 21 ; seventh,

21.
Dogfish, Spined, 18.
Dove, Mourning, 14, 15, 28.
Dryobates, 18.

boreahs, Ga., 22.
Duck, Black, 3, 5.

Wood, 7.
Dumetella carolinensis, banding,

Ohio, 28, 48, 49, 53, 60.
Dunhn, Red-backed, 5.
D^sdght, J. D., 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10;
on Turnstones, 11; 14, 15, 17, 18,
19, 20.

Egret, American, 14.

Reddish, 8.
Ereunetes mauri, Ga., 22.
Euvanessa antiopa, first appearance,
N. J., L. I., 22.

Falco columbarius columbarius, N.
Y.,4.
peregrinus anatum, N. Y., 3.
sparverius sparverius, N. Y.,
3; banding, Ohio, 24, 32,
55.
Feeding Station, N. J., 14.
Fisher, G. C, 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 17,

19, 20.
Fleischer, E., 15, 16.
Fhcker, Northern, 24, 48, 54.
Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed, 8.
Fowl, Brown Leghorn, 3.
Fringilla coelebs, L. I., 7.
Fulmar, 13.

Fulmarus glacialis glaciaUs, at sea,
13.

Galhnula galeata galeata, L. I., 4.

Galhnule, Florida, 4.

Gallus gallus, sexual experiments on
domestic, 3.

Geothlypis trichas trichas, N. B., 10.

Gladden, Geo., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10,
14, 15, 17, 18.

Grackle, Great-tailed, 8.

Granger, Walter, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12;
on summer birds of Huerfano
Basin, Col., 14; 15, 17, 18, 19, 20.

Greenfinch, 14.

Gregory, Wm. K., 3; 'Motor Ap-
paratus of Land Reptiles,' 4.

Griscom, Ludlow, 19.
Grosbeak, Pine, 12.
Gull, Glaucous, 19.

Glaucous or Iceland, 4.

Iceland, 13.

Herring, 13.

Hapalocercus, Trinidad, 5.
Harelda hyemalis, N. J., 3.
Hartshorn, H. I., elected, 1; 2, 3, 4,

20.
Hawks, migration, 7.
Hawk, Duck, 3.
Pigeon, 4.

Rough-legged, American, 3.
Sparrow, American, 3, 24,
32, 55.
Helmuth, Wm. T., on birds" ob-
served at sea, 12.
Herodias egretta, L. I., 14.
Herring, Thread, 8.
Hirundo er3i^hrogaster, N. Y., 9;

L. I., 12.
Hix, G. E., 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 17, 18,

19, 20, 22.
Hyde, E. F., 8.

F. W., 2, 20.
Hylocichla guttata pallasi, N. Y.,

6; banding, Ga., 39, 40, 46, 47.
Hymenoptera, habits, 6.

Icterus galbula, banding, Ohio, 56.
Insects, social, 6.
Ivory-bills, 17, 18.
Ivory-bill, Guatemalan, 18.

Jacana, Trinidad, 5.
Jaeger, Parasitic, 13.
Pomarine, 13.
Janwin, E. R. P., 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20.
Jay, Blue, 28, 32, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40,

41, 47.
Johnson, F. E., 1, 20.

J. M., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 16, 18,
20, 22.
Johnston, Charles, 1, 3.
Junco hyemalis, at sea, 14; banding,

Ohio, 52.
Junco, Slate-colored, 14, 52.

Killdeer, 15, 16.
Kittiwake, 13.

LaDow, S. v., 17.

Lagodon rhomboides. Gulf Coast, 8.

Lang, Herbert, 3, 4, 5, 17, 20.

63

Lanius ludovicianus, food, Ga., 29,

38, 45.
Lark, Horned, 16.
Larus argentatus, at sea, 13.

hyperboreus, N. Y., 19.
hyperboreus or leucopterus,

N. J., 4.
leucopterus, at sea, 13.
Le"u^s, C. L., Jr., proposed, 15; 16;
elected, 17; 18, 19.

Mallard, domestic, 3.

Marila (marila?), N. J., 4.

Marks, E. S., 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12,
14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20.

Marmota monax, abnormal in-
cisors, 17.

Martin, Purple, 6.

McMahon, W. F., 1; death, 7, 21.

Meadowlark, 14.

Megaquiscalus major macrurus,
Tex., 8.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, band-
ing, Ohio, 52.

Melospiza melodia melodia, band-
ing, 24, 31, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
55, 56.

Menhaden, Gulf, 8.

Merganser, (American?), 4.

Mergus (americanus?), N. J., 4.

Migration, bird, 3, 5, 16, 20, 30, 35,
54 56.

MiUer, W. DeW., 5; on Woodpeck-
ers, 17.

Mimus polyglottus leucopterus,

strange accident. Col., 15.

polyglottus, Ga., 22;

banding, Ga., 39,

40, 46.

Mniotilta varia, N. B., 9.

Mockingbird, Eastern, 22, 39, 40,
46.
Western, 15.

Molothrus ater ater, X. Y., 16.

Morris, Robert T., 20.

Mourning Cloak, 22.

Mugil cephalus. Gulf Coast, 8.

Mullet, Common, 8.

Murphy, R. C, 1, 2, 18; /New
Developments in the Utilization
of Fisheries Products,' 19, 21.

Muscivora forficata, Tex., 8.

Myadestes townsendi, Col., 15.

Nichols, E. G., 3, 15, proposed, 16;
elected, 17; 18, 19.
J. T., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11,

12, 15, 17, 18, 19; 'Voices
of Shore-Birds,' 20; 21, 22.
L. N., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14,
15; 'Sununer Birds of
Cranberry Lake, N. Y.,'
16; 17, 18, 19, 20.

Xoble, G. K., 7, 14; proposed, 21.

Numenius hudsonius, L. L, 14.

Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 22.
Red-breasted, 7.

Nyctibius, Trinidad, 5.

Oceanodroma leucorhoa? at sea, 13.

Odocoileus virginianus, N. J., 17.

Oil-bird, 5.

Old-squaw, 2.

Opisthonema oglinum, Gulf Coast, 8.

Oporornis Philadelphia, N. J., 6.

Oriole, Baltimore, 56.

Orthopristis chrysopterus. Gulf

Coast, 8.
Osprey, 14, 17.

Otocoris alpestris alpestris, N. Y.,
16.
pratincola, N. Y., 16.
Otus asio, sight, 10, 11.
Ovenbird, 6, 10.
Owl, Barn, 10.

Barred, 10.

Horned, 10.

Long-eared, 4, 9.

Saw-whet, 10.

Screech, 10, 11.

Short -eared, 3, 5.
Oxyechus vociferus. Col., 15; N. Y.,
16.

Palmer, William, 10, 12.

Pandion hahaetus, at sea, 14;
ground nest, L. I., 17.

Passer domesticus domesticus, al-
binism and melanism, 22; trap-
ping, 23, 26, 48, 53.

Pearson, T. G., 6; 'Feeding-Habits
of Brown Pelican, '7; 8, 9, 10, 11,
14, 18, 20, 22.

Pelecanus occidentahs, feeding-
habits. Gulf Coast, 7.

Pehcan, Brown, 7.

Peldina alpina sakhalina, L. I., 5.

PeU, IMorris, 14.

Peucsea aestivalis bachmani, N. J., 4.

Petrel, Leach's? 13.

Phihpp, P. B., 8; 'Nesting Warblers
in New Bruns\\dck,' 9; 14, 15, 17,
19.

Phlceoceastes, 18.

64

Phloeoceastes guatemalensis, 18.
Picidse, structure and classification,

17-18.
Pigfish, 8.
Pinfish, 8.
Pinicola enucleator leucura, L. I.,

12.
Pinkus, Albert, 10.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni,
banding, Ga., 32, 34
35, 39, 40, 41, 47,
48; fig. 12 facing
p. 41; fig. 14 facing
p. 48.
erythrophthalmus, N.
Y., winter, 16, 20.
Pipit, American, 4, 16.
Piranga rubra rubra, Ga., 22.
Pisobia fuscicollis, L. I., 5.

minutilla, N. J., 4: L. I., 20.
Planesticus migratorius, late nest,
N. J., 3; at sea, 14; banding,
Ohio, 26, 31, 48, 55, 56.
Plover, Black-bellied, 5.
Piping, 19.
Semipalmated, 20.
Pocecetes gramineus gramineus, N.

Y., winter, 16.
Progne subis subis, L. I., colony, 6.
Puffinus boreaUs (kuhh), L. I., 12;
at sea, 13.
gravis, L. I., 11, 12; at sea, 13.

Quarles, E. A., 12.

Rail, King, 4.

Rallus elegans, L. I., 4.

Redstart, American, 10.

Reichenberger, Mrs. V. M., pro-
posed, 2; elected, 3; 20.

Reptiles, Motor Apparatus of Land,
4.

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla, at sea,
14.

Robin, American, 3, 14, 26, 31, 48,
55, 56.

Rogers, C. H., 1, 2; on sexual exper-
iments on poultry, 3; 4, 5, 7, 18,
19, 20; Secretary's Annual Report,
21; on birds about Augusta, Ga.,
22.

Roosevelt, Col. T., death, 21; Me-
morial Fountain, 18, 22.

Sandpiper, Least, 4, 20.
Western, 22.
White-rumped, 5.

Scaphiopus holbrooki, L. I., 7.
Scaup, (Greater?), 4.
Seiurus aurocapillus, N. Y., 6;
N. B., 10.
motacilla, N. B., 10.
noveboracensis noveboracen-
sis, N. B., 10.
Seton, E. T., 1; 'WHd Animals at

Home,' 2.
Setophaga ruticilla, N. B., 10.
Shearwater, Cory's, 12, 13.
Greater, 11, 12, 13.
Shore-birds, migration, 20; voices,

20.
Shrike, Loggerhead, 29, 38, 45.
SiaUa, banding, 26.
Siskin, Pine, 11.
Sitta canadensis, N. Y., Conn., 7.

pusilla, Ga., 22.
Sohtaire, Townsend's, 15.
Spadefoot, Hermit, 7.
Sparrow, Bachman's, 4.

Chipping, 6, 16, 32, 34, 35,
37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46,
47, 48, 53.
Field, 53.

House, 22, 23, 26, 48.
Lark, 22.
Song, 24, 31, 48, 49, 50, 51,

52, 53, 55, 56.
Vesper, 16.
White-crowned, 51, 52, 53,

54 56.
White-throated, 24, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 43,
46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 56;
fig. 13 facing p. 48.
Spinus pinus pinus, N. J., L. I., 11.
SpizeUa passerina passerina, N. Y.,
L. I., 6; N. Y., 16; band-
ing, Ga., 32, 34, 35, 37,
38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48;
banding, Ohio, 48, 53.
pusilla pusilla, banding, Ohio,
53.
Squalus acanthis, as food, 19.
Squatarola squatarola, L. I., 5.
StarUng, 3.

Steatornis caripensis, Trinidad, 5.
Stercorarius parasiticus, at sea, 13.

pomarinus, at sea, 13.
Sterna antillarum, L. I., 20.

caspia, L. I., 14.
Straaten, H. van, 4, 5.
Strix varia, sight, 10.
Sturnella magna, at sea, 14.
Surfbird, 11.

65

Swallows, autumn flocking, N. Y.,

16.
Swallow, Barn, 9, 12.
Swift, Chimney, 53.

Tanager, Summer, 22.
Termites, 6.
Tern, Caspian, 14.

Least, 20.
Thayer, G. H., 1, 4; 'Birds of

Trinidad,' 5; 19, 20.

Thrasher, Brown, 24; figs. 3, 4

facing p. 27; 28, 32, 33, 34, 35,

36, 39, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48, 53, 55.

Thrush, Hermit, 6, 39, 40, 46, 47.

Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovi-

cianus, banding, Ohio, 32, 36, 39.

Towhee, Red-eyed, 16, 20.

White-eyed, 32, 34, 35, 39,

40, 41, 47, 48; fig. 12

facing p. 41; fig. 14

facing p. 48.

Toxostoma rufum, banding: 24;

figs. 3, 4 facing p. 27; 28, 32, 33,

34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48,

. 53, 55.

Tracks of birds and mammals, 2.
Trinidad, Birds of, 5.
Troglodytes aedon aedon, banding,
Ohio, 26, 31, 32, 48, 49, 50, 52,
54, 60.
Turnstone, Black, 11.
European, 11.
Ruddy, 5, 11.

Valentine, J. M., 2, 3, 14, 15; pro-
posed, 16; elected, 17; 18, 19, 20,
21.
VanName, W. G., 12.
Vermivora peregrina, 4; N. B., 9.

rubricapiUa rubricapilla, N.
B., 9.
Vulture, Black, 22.

Turkey, 11, 15.

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 9.
Black and White, 9.
Blackburnian, 10.

Warbler, Black-poll, 9.

Black-throated Blue, 9.

Black-throated Green, 10.

Canada, 10.

Cape May, 4, 9.

Magnoha, 9.

Mourning, 6.

Myrtle, 9, 22, 26, 34, 35, 36,
37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 46, 47.

Nashville, 9.

Palm, Yellow, 10, 26, 39, 40,
42, 43.

Parula, Northern, 9.

Pine, 1, 39.

Tennessee, 4, 9.

Wilson's, 10.

YeUow, 9, 48.
Waterthrush, Louisiana, 10.

Northern, 10.
Waxwing, Cedar, 26.
Weber, J. A., 1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 12, 14,

20, 21.
WiUiams, Laidlaw, 12.
Wilsonia canadensis, N. B., 10.

pusilla pusilla, N. B., 10.
Woodchuck, 17.
Woodpeckers, Remarks on, 17.
Woodpecker, Red-beUied, 26, 34, 35,
39, 40.

Red-cockaded, 22.

Red-headed, 52.
Woodruff, L. B., 2, 4, 12; Treasurer's

Annual Report, 21.
Wren, House, 26, 31, 32, 48, 49, 50,
52, 54, 60.

CaroUna, 32, 36, 39.

Yellowthroat, Maryland, 10.

Zenaidura macrura, at sea, 14; Col.,

15; trapping, 28.
Zonotrichia albicolUs, banding, Ga.,
24, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
39, 40, 43, 46, 47, 48; band-
ing, Ohio, 50, 52, 53, 54,
56; fig. 13 facing p. 48.
leucophrys leucophrys, band-
ing, Ohio, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56.

r

PUBLICATIONS

OF

The Linnacan Society of New York*

TRANSACTIONS.

Volume 1, 1882, Royal Octavo, 168 pages. Out of print. Frontispiece. — Portrait

OP LlNN^US.

The Vertebrates op the Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York.
First Instalment. Clinton Hart Merriam.

Is not the Fish Crow {Corvus ossifragus Wilson) a Winter as well as a Summer
Resident at the Northern Limit of its Range? William Dutcher.

A Review op the Summer Birds op a Part of the Catskill Mountains, with
Prefatory Remarks on the Faunal and Floral Features of the Region.

Eugene Pintard Bicknell.

Volume n, 1884, Royal Octavo, 233 pages. Price in paper, $2.00; cloth, $3.00.
Frontispiece. — Plate op Bendire's Shrew.

The Vertebrates of the Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York.
Second Instalment, concluding the Mammalia. Clinton Hart Merriam.

A New Genus and Spectes op the Soricid^. {Atophyrax Bendirii Merriam.)

^ Clinton Hart Merriam.

ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS.

Octavo, paper covers.

In illustrated numbers, most of the plates are photographic, with an average

of two photographs on each plate.

No. 1, for the year ending March 1, 1889, 9 pages, 25 cents.

Former Abundance op Some Species of Birds on New York Island at the
Time op their Migration to the South. George N. Lawrence.

No. 2, for the year ending March 7, 1890, 10 pages, 25 cents.

Notes on the Carolina Paroquet in Florida. Frank M. Chapman.

No. 3, for the year ending March 6, 1891, 11 pages, 25 cents.

No. 4, for the year ending March 2, 1892, 8 pages, 2^ cents.

No. 5, for the year ending March 1, 1893, 41 pages, 60 cents.

Miucete" Indian N atrial History. Tappan Adney.

No. 6, for the year ending March 27, 1894, 103 pages. Out of print.
Recent Progress in the Study op North American Mammals.

J. A. Allen.
A Consideration op Some Ornithological Literature with Extracts from
Current Criticism. L. S. Foster.

No. 7, for the year ending March 26, 1895, 41 pages, 50 cenia.

Notes on Cuban Mammals. Juan Gundlach.

Salamanders Found in the Vicinity op New York City, with Notes upon
Extralimital OB Allied Species. Wm. L. Sherwood.

No. f , for the year ending March 24, 1896, 27 pages, 50 cents.

The Snakes Found within Fifty Miles op New York City.

Raymond L. Pitmars.

No. 9, for the year ending March 9, 1897, 56 pages. Out of print.

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No. 10, for the year ending March 8, 1898, 27 pages, 50 cents.

The Frogs and Toads Found in the Vicinity op New York City.

Wm. L. Sherwood.

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The Turtles and Lizards op the Vicinity op New York City.

Eugene Smith.

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Notes on the Mammals op Long Island, N. Y. Arthur H. Helme.

The Mammals of Westchester County, N. Y. John Rowley.

Some Food Birds op the Eskimos op Northwestern Greenland.

' J. D. Figgins.

No. 15, for the year ending March 10, 1903, \ ^^ ««««- o r^^„♦«» n,,* «p r..:^*
No. 16 " « « « « 8 1904 i P^ • Opiates. Uut of print.

Field Notes on the Birds and Mammals op the Cook's Inlet Region op
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Some Notes on the Psychology op Birds. C. William Beebe.

Some Apparently Undescribed Eggs op North American Birds.

Louis B. Bishop.

No. 17, for the year ending March 14, 1905, ]

No. 18, " " " " " 27, 1906, { 136 pages, 2 plates, 75 cents.

No. 19, " " '' " " 12, 1907, J

A List op the Birds op Long Island, N. Y. Wm. C. Braislin.

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No 21 " " " " " ft IQOQ I

No! 22, " " " " « 8 1910' r^^ P^S^' ^^ P^^*^' ^•^•^•

No*.23; " " " " " i4;i9ii;J

Bird's-nesting in the Magdalen Islands. P. B. Philipp.

The Bird Colonies of Pamlico Sound. P. B, Philipp.

A List op the Fishes ICnown to Have Occurred within Fifty Miles op New
York City. John Treadwell Nichols.

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The Red-winged Blackbird: A Study in the Ecology op a Catvpail Marsh.

Arthur A. Allen.
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Ludlow Griscom.

No. 26, for the year ending March 10, 1914, V^^ oc i.

No. 27 *' " " " " 9 1915 j ^^ pages, 35 cents.

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Natural History Observations from the Mexican Portion op the Colorado
Desert. Robert Cushman Murphy.

No. 30, for the year ending March 12, 1918, 38 pages, 1 jdate, 50 cents.

Bird-notes from Flohida. John Treadwell Nichols.

Bird Temperatures. Jay A. Weber.

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Bird-Bandinq by Means of Systematic Trapping. S. Prentiss Baldwin .

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For any information concerning the publications, address the Secretary op thb
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1919-1920 No. 32

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK

For the Year Ending
March 9, 1920

CONTAINING

A Revision of the Seaside Sparrows

By Ludlow Griscom and J. T. Nichols

Date of Issue, December 6, 1920

ABSTRACT

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

This is the thirty-second in the series of Abst7'acts
published by the Linnsean Society of New York, and,
like the preceding issues, is prepared mainly as a brief
review of the work of the Society during the year closing
with the date indicated above. Papers presented before
the Society and published elsewhere (often enlarged or
otherwise different in form) are mentioned with proper
reference to the place of publication.

March 25, 1919

The President in the chair. Seven members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder, Gladden, Marks, L. N. Nichols, and
Rogers) and seven visitors present.

Mr. G. K. Noble, whose name had been proposed at the previous
meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Mockingbird (Mimus p. polyglottos)
which had been seen on the east side of Bronx Park by him March
3, and by Mr. Hix and others several times since. A local gardener
had told him he had seen one about all winter, as he had almost
every winter, though he thought not in the exceptionally severe
season of 1917-1918. Mr. Nichols and others had noted a well-
marked return-flight of Pine Siskins (Spiniis p. piniis) this spring.

Dr. Janvrin said he had seen flocks aggregating 150 Canada
Geese (Branta c. canadensis) at Long Beach, L. I., on the day of
the meeting, but ducks were scarce, as they had been all winter.

Several members had noted an unusually early movement of
Hermit Thrushes (Hylocichia guttata pallnsi) ; Mr. Gladden had
seen a flock of six on March 1-5.

The speaker of the evening was Mr. George P. Englehardt, of
the Brooklyn Museum, whose title was "The Deserts and Plateaus
of Utah," which he had explored as a collector of reptiles and
batrachians. Air. Englehardt told about the many species of these
he had found in the different geologic regions of the State, and
also, to a less extent, of the birds and other animals. It was a
surprise to most of his hearers that such Mexican-border desert

forms as Gila Monsters (Heloderma suspectum) and Road-Runners
(Geococcyx calif ornianiis ) were to be found so far north, and espe-
cially that a species of Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma) occurred up
to 8000 feet in the mountains.

April 8, 1919

The President in the chair. Nine members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder, Granger, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N.
Nichols, Rogers, and Valentine) and two visitors (Mr. J. H. Flem-
ing and Mr. Morris Pell) present.

The President appointed the following committees to serve for
the ensuing year:

Membership

Messrs. J. T. Nichols, J. M. Johnson, Weber.

Finance

Messrs. Woodruff, Granger, Weber.

Papers and Lectures

Messrs. Rogers, Murphy.

Publications

Messrs. Rogers, J. T. Nichols.

Bird-Banding

Messrs. J. T. Nichols, Rogers.

Mr. Granger reported for the Auditing Committee that the
Treasurer's Report, submitted at the Annual Meeting, had been
examined and found correct.

Mr. Pell mentioned seeing some 300 Canada Geese (Branta c.
canadensis) on Shinnecock Bay, April 6, though other species of
the family were rather few.

Mr. L. N. Nichols recorded the continued presence of the Mock-
ingbird {Mimus p. polyglottos) in the Bronx.

Dr. Dwight gave the evening's paper, "The Wing-Patterns of
North American Gulls." With the aid of a full series of the
Larinae of this continent, the speaker gave a clear idea of the pat-
terns of the five outer primaries of the various species. This
character is of obvious importance in the classification of the
group, at least as to species and subspecies, as each form has its
diagnostic pattern, though in some there is considerable range of
individual variation.

April 22, 1919

The President in the chair. Twelve members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Bowdish, Gladden, Granger, Griscom, Hix,
Lang, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, and Valentine) and
nine visitors present.

In the absence of the Secretary, the Chair appointed Mr. J. T.

Nichols Secretary pro tern.

As regards the arrival of birds from the south, Mr. Bowdish
stated that in his opinion the spring migration was ahead of

schedule. The following early arrivals at Demarest, N, J., noted
in spite of the fact that he had not had an opportunity for con-
sistent observation, are evidence to that effect: Belted Kingfisher
(Ceryle alcyon), March 16; Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Reguhis c.
calendula), April 8; House Wren (Troglodytes a. aedon) April 20.
He had also found a Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) sitting on five eggs,
April 20, at Demarest; three young Woodcock (Philohela minor),
apparently hatched that morning, in Salem Co., N. J., April 6;
and a Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus v. vociferus) at Runison, N.
J., April 13. On the other hand, this year a Long-eared Owl (Asia
ivilsonianus) remained a little longer into the spring than pre-
viously at their winter station on his grounds at Demarest —
namely, until April 4.

Mr. Gladden recorded a Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica
dominica subsp.) seen in Central Park on April 17 by Scout Albert
Pincus, verified by Mr. W. DeWitt Miller. From discussion, it
appeared that this bird had also been seen by other observers on
April 15 and 17.

Mr. Hix mentioned the arrival of the Parula Warbler (Compso-
thlypis americana usneae) in Central Park April 21, and Cowbirds
(Molothrus a. ater) and a Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura
carolineyisis) — ^both species rare in the Park — observed there
March 20.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported for Mr. H. S. Boyle an Indigo Bunt-
ing (Passerma cyanea) observed by Mr. Boyle near Flushing, L,
I., April 19.

Mr. L. N. Nichols had seen: a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma
rufum) in Bronx Park April 8, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows
(Hirundo erythrogaster and SteJgidopteryx serripennis) in Van
Cortlandt Park April 13, Green Heron (Butorides v. virescens) in
Bronx Park April 21, and Green Heron and Black and White
Warbler (Mniotilta varia) in the Phelps Estate, near Englewood,
N. J., April 22.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Ludlow Griscom, who told
of field observations on birds in France, made this last summer,
when he was a member of the A. E. F.* After comparing French
with American birds in general, he described more in detail the
birds as noted on and near the battle-grounds and their behavior
under fire, and concluded with a description of a trip made, during
leave, to the delta of the Rhone, in southeastern France, where at
that season water-fowl and other birds concentrate, much as they
do on our Gulf Coast.

May 13, 1919

The President in the chair. Eleven members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Fisher, and Messrs. Breder, Gladden, Granger, F. E. Johnson,
Lang, Marks, E. G. and L. N. Nichols, and Rogers) and thirty-
seven visitors present.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported that while the warblers had for the
most part come very early, they were now in about their usual
respective numbers for the time of year.

Scout Pincus and others present had seen a Prothonotary
Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) in Central Park May 2. It had

See "War Impressions of French Bird Life," in Natural History, XIX, 411-415,

been seen also by Mr. W. DeWitt Miller, of the American Museum.
Dr. William K. Gregory gave the evening's lecture, "Some Facts
and Theories of Evolution, with Special Reference to the Origin
of Man."* He explained what is known of how evolution had
taken place as shown by the geologic record. It had been a gradual
change in form, frequently correlated with a similar and some-
times radical change in function. Intensification of function had
led to over-specialization, and the latter had finally caused the
extinction of the species. The origin of man from the lower
primates was discussed, with the evolution of the hand, foot, skull
and teeth in fossil and living primates used in illustration.

May 27, 1919

The President in the chair. Sixteen members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder, Granger, Griscom, Hix, F. E. John-
son, Lewis, Marks, E. G. Nichols, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols,
Noble, Rogers, Valentine, and Weber) and sixteen visitors present.

Mr. Rogers reported that on their annual "Big Day", May 18
he and Mr. W. DeWitt Miller had spent 18 hours afoot in the
country between Plainfield, N. J. and the Passaic River, and had
noted 101 species of birds.

Mr. J. T. Nichols recorded a party of six Northern Phalaropes
(Lobipes lobatus) seen by him and Dr. Janvrin in a pool on the
bay-side marshes at Mastic, L. I., May 17.

Mr. Hix started a discussion of the predatory habits of Quiscalus
by telling of a Purple Grackle (Quiscalus q. quiscula) he had seen
persistently persecuting a Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis Tnacularia)
in Central Park. Mr. Griscom. said he had seen a Grackle carrying
a House Sparrow (Passer doTJiesticus) in its feet, and Mr. Granger
described how, one season, the Grackles from Central Park regu-
larly and systematically robbed the House Sparrow nests in the
ivy on the American Museum, carrying off even well-fledged
young. Mr. Weber spoke of Bronzed Grackles (Q. q. aeneus)
robbing the nests of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius p. phoe-
niceus) .

The evening's lecture was by Mr. G. Kingsley Noble, on "The
Harvard Peruvian Expedition of 1916." The speaker gave a nar-
rative of the trip, which penetrated far into the Andes, and men-
tioned briefly some of the birds, reptiles, etc., of which he had
made good collections. Lantern-slides of scenery and towns illus-
trated the talk.

October 14, 1919

The President in the chair. Fifteen members (Drs. F. M. Chap-
man, Dwight, and Janvrin, and Messrs. Chapin, Cleaves, Griscom,
Hartshorn, Hix, Lang, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Pearson,
Rogers, and Weber) and five visitors (including Dr. Kunz, Mr.
W. L. Sclater, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Meade) present.

Mr. Hix reported Juncos (Junco h. hyemalis) at the Boy Scout
Camp at Bear Mt., N. Y., August 7, and a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus
I. leucocephalus) and abundant Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)
on the Hudson River near there, August 11. Dr. Dwight remarked
that this past season the Juncos had bred further south than ever

See same title in Dental Cosmos, March, 1920.

before, especially in southern New Hampshire, in considerable
numbers.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Spruce Grouse (Canachites cana-
densis canace) at Cranberry Lake, N. Y., this summer, and spoke
of a scarcity of Thrushes there, the Veery (Hylocichla f. fusce-
scens) being the only Hylocichla present. He also mentioned a
Hermit Thrush (H. guttata pallasi) that had visited Bryant Park,
Manhattan, October 13, and fed on the counter of a stand there.

Mr. Rogers remarked that the Hermit Thrush was one of the
most frequent birds to appear at unexpected spots in the city, and
mentioned a few of the occasions when he had so noted it or heard
of it. He also spoke of seeing a half-dozen White-crowned Spar-
rows (Zonotrichia I. leiicophrys) and several small flocks of Siskins
(Spinus p. pinus) in the Englewood, N. J., region, October 13, and
hearing a chorus of Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens).

Mr. Griscom reported seeing, with Dr. Janvrin, three Black
Skimmers (Rhynchops nigra) flying off the coast of Long Beach,
L. I., May 25; and, with Mr. W. DeWitt Miller, finding Northern
Water-thrushes (Seiurus n. novehoracensis) apparently breeding in
northwestern New Jersey this summer.

Dr. Chapman recorded the first-known successful nesting of
the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephaJus) in the
•Englewood region, this past summer. The nest was at Englewood,
and the young appeared and remained a month or so longer about
the spot, being last seen September 20.

Dr. Chapman then spoke of the unusual advantages possessed
by the Linnsean Society for the study of the bird-life about New
York City, and moved that the President be empowered to appoint
a committee who should begin collecting material for a new and
very comprehensive list of the birds of the Fifty-mile Region, with
detailed studies of the ranges of locally-distributed species (such
as the Kentucky Warbler), the factors influencing such distribution
and other local problems. The m.otion was carried.

Dr. Chapman also moved that the President be empowered to
appoint a committee who should draw up resolutions which should
express the Society's sorrow at the death of Mr. William Brewster.
The motion was carried.

The program of the evening was then taken up, in accordance
with which Dr. Dwight and Dr. Chapman gave addresses in the
nature of a memorial to Mr. William Brewster, who died at his
home in Cambridge, Mass., on July 11, at the age of sixty-seven.*
While Mr. Brewster's published works were not very extensive
(the most important being "The Birds of the Cambridge Region,"
probably the most excellent paper of the kind known), he will long
be remembered for his thoroughly sterling qualities of every kind,
for his inborn, consuming and ever-increasing love of birds, and
for the inspiration that he was to his contemporaries, to the young-
est and most amateurish of whom he was always free with kindly
assistance.

• See "William Brewster: In Memoriam," by Frank M. Chapman, in Natural
History, XIX, 738; also "William Brewster," by Frank M. Chapman, in Bird
Lore. XXI. 277-286.

October 28, 1919

The President in the chair. Eighteen members (Drs. Dwight,
G. C. Fisher, and Janvrin, and Messrs. Bowdish, Chubb, Granger,
Hartshorn, Hix, F. E. Johnson, Lang, Marks, E. G. Nichols, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Philipp, Rogers, Seton (Corresponding
Member), and Weber and thirty visitors present.

Mr. Chubb told of birds he had observed last summer near
Haines Falls, at an altitude of 2000 feet "in the Catskill Mts.
Warblers, of many species, were abundant, the most remarkable
being a male Cerulean (Dendroica ceriilea), an incessant singer,
which was observed repeatedly, once carrying food. It was wary,
however, and kept to the tree-tops, and no female was identified.
Many Robins (Planesticus m. migratoHus) were continuing the
sylvan existence of their ancestors, and Mr. Chubb believed that
some of the Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) were still nesting in hollow
trees. He had found two Veery (Hylocichla f. fuscescens) nests
well above the ground, 17 and 29 inches up, respectively, in tiny
maple saplings. He spoke particularly of the singing of the Winter
Wren (N annus h. hiemalis), notable not only for its melody and
volume, but also for its length, for the bird would sing a definite
song averaging ten seconds in duration (compared with the Song
Sparrow's (Melospiza m. melodia) of four seconds and the Bobo-
link's (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) of six), often at the rate of four
times a minute for hours together.

Mr. Bowdish recorded a Robin nest at Demarest, N. J., which
still contained young birds on September 15.

Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton gave a lecture on "The Kangaroo-
Rat of the Desert," an account of his field-studies of the habits
and structure of the large Heteromys of an arid part of south-
western North America. Mr. Seton had found only vegetable com-
ponents in the food these animals had eaten, but he had strong
circumstantial evidence that they fed freely on insects, and that
the juices of these w^ere the nearest approach to drink that the
rats had, as no water was available. A striking structural feature
was the enormous development of the bony labyrinth of the ear,
which, Mr. Seton believed, gave the possessor the delicate sense of
direction required to enable it to fly instantly to its nearest retreat
when danger threatened, and to find its way about the extensive
and complicated burrows. Lantern-slides illustrated these and
other points of interest.

November 11, 1919

The meeting was omitted owing to conflict with the Annual
Smoker of the American Ornithologists' Union.

November 25, 1919

The Vice-President in the chair. Eleven members (Dr. Janvrin,
and Messrs. Chubb, Granger, Hix, Kieran, Lewis, Marks, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Rogers, and Weber) and twenty visitors
present.

Mr. J. T. Nichols read the following resolutions prepared by him
and Dr. F. M. Chapman, who had been appointed by the President
as a committee for that purpose:

"Resolved, that the Linnsan Society of New York cause to be placed upon its
minutes an expression of its appreciation of the invaluable services rendered to

the science of ornithology by the late William Brewster, and its regret that he
was not spared to complete the work upon which he was engaged at the time
of his death, the finished portion of which this Society hopes may, in due time,
be published.

"Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mrs. Brewster."

The following were the more unusual records reported: By
Mr. Lewis, a Purple Martin (Progne s. subis) seen by him at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., November 9; by Mr. L. N. Nichols, a Tufted
Tit (Baeolophus bicolor), seen by him in Bronx Park, November
19; by Mr. J. T. Nichols, a male Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus)
taken by Mr. William Floyd at Mastic, L. I., November 3, and a
Purple Gallinule (lonomis martinicus) (juv.) taken on Church's
Island, Currituck Sound, November 12, by H. F. Stone and now
in a taxidermist's shop in this city, where the speaker had seen it;
and by Mr. Rogers, a Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) seen by him
and Mr. Weber at Englewood, N. J., November 4, and by Mr. Hix
at the same spot five days later, a Glaucous Gull (Larus hyper-
boreus) in adult plumage seen by him and Mr. S. V. LaDow at
Long Beach, L. I., November 16, and a flock of some 65 Mourning
Doves (Zenaidura macroura carolinensis) seen by him and Mr. D.
P. Gilmore at Princeton, N. J., November 23.

The evening's lecture was by Miss Althea R. Sherman, who spoke
on "Birds of an Iowa Door-yard." Miss Sherman had studied
birds with remarkable diligence, care and accuracy about her
country-place at National, Iowa, for many years, and had accumu-
lated a great amount of interesting, first-hand information. At
this time she spoke of many species, but particularly of Chimney
Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) and Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius
p, phoeniceus). Considerable discussion followed her talk.

December P, 1919

The Vice-President in the chair. Twenty-one members (Dr. F.
M. Chapman, Dr. Janvrin, and Messrs. Bowdish, Chapin, Gladden,
Granger, Griscom, Hartshorn, Hix, J. M. Johnson, Kieran, Lang,
Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Noble, Philipp, Rogers, Thayer,
Walsh, and Weber) and nine visitors (including Miss A. R. Sher-
man, Dr. J. Bequaert, and Mr. W. L. Sclater) present.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. E. W. Nelson, Chief of the
U. S. Biological Survey, containing an offer from the Survey to
take over the work of the American Bird-Banding Association. It
was voted that the Society gratefully accept this offer, but that
the records of past banding be kept at the American Museum until
the end of 1920, in order that they might be more accessible to Mr.
Cleaves (who still had his report to write), and also because all
the Association's bands now on birds request the finder to notify
that Museum. The Chair appointed Mr. J. T. Nichols as custodian
of all bird-banding records, etc., for as long as they should remain
in the American Museum.

Mr. Weber recorded an American Bittern (Botaurus lentigino-
8us) seen by him in the Hackensack, N. J., marshes, December 8.
Mr. Rogers reported seeing a Lapland Longspur (Calcarius I. lap-
ponicus) feeding with Horned Larks (Otocoris a. alpestris) at
Long Beach, L. I., November 30, and (with Mr, W. DeWitt Miller)
a flock of six Canada Geese (Branta c. canadensis) in a field in the
Washington Valley, near Plainfield, N. J., on the foggy morning
of December 7 — Mr. Miller's first record for that species alighted

in the Plainfield region. Mr. Bowdish had seen a flock of sixty
Canada Geese passing over Demarest, N. J., December 6, and there
were other reports indicating a flight of these birds at about that
time.

Mr. Granger recorded seeing at Princeton, N. J., a flock of
twenty-five Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus) November 29, which had
grown to thirty-three next day. Mr. Kieran said he had found a
Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura carolinensis) in Van Cort-
landt Park, December 4, eating gravel in a road,'and lots of Hermit
Thrushes (Hylocichla guttata pallasi) , a Brown Thrasher ( Toxo-
stoma rufum) and Fox Sparrows (Passerella i. iliaca) in the Hem-
lock Grove in Bronx Park on December 2.

Mr. Gladden told of watching a pair of House Wrens (Troglo-
dytes a. aedon) nest-building at Yonkers, N. Y. The female
brought material at the rate of thirteen trips in twenty minutes.
The birds seemed to have no idea of how to get long twigs through
the entrance hole and to succeed chiefly by chance, though the female
seemed less inadept than the male. He spoke also of a recent
deer-hunting trip in New Brunswick and of the characteristic
thievery of the Canada Jays (Perisoreus c. canadensis) about camp.
By way of reproof to one he cut off an inch of its tail, but the
bird appeared to like it. He mentioned that at a camp near
Yonkers the voice of the Wood Pewee (Myiochanes virens) and
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosylva olivacea) were regularly the first heard
on summer mornings, and Mr. Granger remarked that in the Huer-
fano Basin, Colorado, the Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta tha~
lassina lepida) had always been the first bird up, in his experience.

Mr. William Lutley Sclater gave the Society a lecture on **Bird-
Migration in South Africa." From his ten years' experience there,
he classed its birds under five heads — residents; partial migrants;
African migrants; European migrants; and oceanic species, mostly
Tubinares, which winter on the coasts and retire to distant antarc-
tic islands to breed. The European migrants include such well-
known species as the White Stork (Ciconia alba) and the Swallow
(Hirundo rustica), of each of which several individuals banded in
northern Europe had been taken in South Africa. The Bee-eater
(Merops apiaster), that breeds there commonly, has so far shown
not even subspecific differences from the Bee-eater that breeds in
the other half of the year in southern Europe, when none is to be
found in South Africa; but it is most improbable that the same
individuals breed in both regions, for there is no proof that any
species that migrates across the Equator breeds at both ends of
its range. The talk was illustrated with specimens and was fol-
lowed by considerable discussion by Mr. Chapin, Dr. Chapman and
others. It is noteworthy that passerine and picarian migrants
from the northern continents winter much farther south in Africa
than in South America, the much smaller expanse of tropic jungle
in Africa probably being the influencing factor.
December 23, 1919

The President in the chair. Thirteen members (Drs. Dwight,
G. C. Fisher, and Janvrin, and Messrs. Breder, Chapin, Davis,
Hartshorn, Marks, J. T. Nichols, E. G. and L. N. Nichols, Philipp,
and Thayer) and seventeen visitors present.

In the absence of the Secretary, the Chair appointed Mr. J. T.
Nichols Secretary pro tern. The Secretary pro tern read a letter

8

from Mrs. William Brewster acknowledging resolutions on Mr.
Brewster's death, sent her by the Society, and another letter, from
Mr. A. C. Bent, of Taunton, Mass., calling attention to specimens
of the Newfoundland race of the Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra
percna) received by him this season from Chatham, Mass., Rhode
Island, and Virginia, and requesting that local men be especially
on the lookout for this race.

Mr. E. G. Nichols spoke of a Christmas Census made December
22 in the Van Cortlandt and Bronx Parks region, including two
Robins (Planesticus m. migratorius), eight Creepers (Certhia
familiaris mnericana) ^ four Siskins (Spinus p. pinus) , a Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula subsp.), eight Red-wings (Agelaius p. phoeni-
ceus), and a Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus) (Clason Point).

Mr. Davis reported an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) ob-
served singing on the ground in Buckingham Co., Va. Dr. Janvrin
had been at Long Beach, L. I., on December 21, with Messrs. W. L.
Sciater and C. H. Rogers, and had seen two Lapland Longspurs
(Calcarius I. lapponicus) with Horned Larks (Otocoris a. alpestris),
two large flocks of Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax n. nivalis) ag-
gregating perhaps 250, and four Ipswich Sparrows (Passerculus
princeps) with three Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwich-
ensis savanna).

Mr. L. N. Nichols had looked up his November Catbird (Dume-
tella carolinensis) records on account of a reference to the status of
that species at a recent Linnasan meeting, and found he had seen
one at the upper end of Bronx Park on November 15, 1917. He
further reported 70 Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax naevius)
at Lake Agassiz, Bronx Park, December 7 of this year.

Mr. Griscom, who was to have spoken on Florida birds,* was
unable to be present on account of illness, and Mr. J. T. Nichols,
who had been associated with him on two recent trips to Florida,
filled in with remarks on the same subject. He spoke of the ab-
sence of the Black Vulture (Catharista u. uruhu) and Fish Crow
(Corvus ossifragus) among the Florida Keys, and the presence
there of the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis) and
the Florida race of the Common Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos
pascuus); though in certain Florida localities, inland and coastal,
the two former were the more abundant. This was explained on
the ground that the first-named pair were less adaptable species,
comparing among mammals to the Meadow Mouse (Microtus penn-
sylvanicus) contrasted with the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus
leucopus). In ordinary country, the White-foot is of the woodland
and the Meadow Mouse of open meadow, but it is the adaptable
Perotnyscus which occurs in the sparse grass on the open, coastal
sand-dunes, as also in the Hempstead Plains region at Garden
City and Floral Park, L. I.

The song of the Pine-woods Sparrow (Peiicaea ae. aestivalis)
suggested to his ear the unlike songs of Pine Warbler (Dendroica
v. vigorsi) and Hermit Thrush {Hylocichla guttata pallasi), as
heard in a similar piny locality on Long Island. A Swallow-tailed
Kite (Elanoides forficatus), poised in the wind, appeared to change
the plane of the blade-like phlanges of its deeply-forked tail in

* See "A Revision of the Seaside Sparrows," by Ludlow Griscom and J. T.
Nichols, pp. to 30 of this issue.

balancing. The abundance of the Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra
surinamensis) well off the coast from New York to the Carolinas,
as observed on a southward trip in early September of this year,
was mentioned. This species, observed on Long Island in autumn
migration, had seemed rather a marsh bird and was not expected
over the ocean.

Observation of a Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) in Florida in-
troduced consideration of possible relationships among our Scolo-
pacidae, indicated by their general characters and habits. It was

Sk.rt.

tr.o^r4ni.

Ktxf J«

Diagram of local Scolopacidae. showing habitats and supposed lines
of relationship. Distance from center indicates
deerree of specialization.

suggested that the Curlews and Godwits — with resemblances in
plumage, appearance in life, deflected (though oppositely so) bill —
might be related; that neither showed relationship to the Tattler
series (no plumage resemblance and lacking Tattler mannerisnis) ;
that of that series the Solitary Sandpiper (Helodromas solitarius)
was probably the most primitive, having resemblances alike to the
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia), Yellowlegs (Totanus) and
Willet (Catoptrophorus semipaltnatus) . Of the non-totanine series,
the Knot (Tringa canutus) or some similar bird was most primi-
tive. Possible correlation was pointed out between speciation and
tendencies toward four habitats — woodland, shore, marsh and up-

10

land. A line of development was suggested, wherein one division
of the group started with the Solitary Sandpiper in the woodland,
another with the Knot at the shore. Among the Tattlers, in one
direction the Spotted Sandpiper was less a woodland bird than
the Solitary, the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramm longicauda) an
upland bird; in the other direction marsh and shore species were
derived — the two Yellowlegs, especially the Lesser (T. fiavipes),
marsh species, the Willet comparatively of the shore. The non-
totanine series having originated its flexible bill for probing the
loose sand of the shore between waves, reached the woodland with
its most specialized Woodcock (Philohela minor), through the Do-
witcher (Macrorhamphus griseiis) and Gallhiago.

A general discussion followed, wherein Dr. Fisher stated that
the Common Crow (intermediate between C. b. brachyrhynchus
and C. b. pascuus) was the only one he had found at DeFuniak
Springs in western Florida; and Mr. Thayer said that in his ex-
perience non-breeding Terns had proved more pelagic, less littoral
than Gulls, contrary to the generally accepted statement.

January 13, 1920

The President in the chair. Eleven members (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Adams, Gladden, Granger, Marks, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Philipp, Rogers, and Weber) and seventeen
visitors (including Mr. Charles Johnston) present.

Mr. Weber recorded a King Rail (Rallus elegans) taken in a
muskrat trap at Leonia, N. J., December 13.

Mr. Gladden suggested that Canada Jays (Perisoreus c. canaden-
sis) found temporary camps, which they so constantly visited, by
smelling the smoke from afar. He had seen one of these birds,
while on the wing, drop food from its beak and catch it in its
claws. He also mentioned having twice heard an Ovenbird (Seiurus
aurocapillus) interpolate notes of the Red-eyed Vireo's (Vireosylva
olivacea) song into its night song.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported seeing on December 26 two Homed
Grebes (Colymbus auritus) on the big reservoir in Central Park,
and a Pipit (Anthus rubescens) on its margin.

Two records were mentioned of the Towhee (Pipilo e. erythroph-
thalmus) in New England this winter — one by Dr. Dwight from
Connecticut, January 1, and one from Maine (Dec. 3-28). The
latter had been finally found dead and sent to the American
Museum.

Mr. Granger told of a New Year's-time visit to Rutland, Vt.,
where he had found very few birds. A walk with another ob-
server, from ten A. M. to five P. M., through open country and
woodland had yielded twelve individuals of four species.

Mr. Rogers gave the following records of birds seen by him: A
flock of thirteen Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) feeding on
Sweet Gum seeds in the Moravian Cemetery at New Dorp, S. I.,
December 27; a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus caroliniis) and a flock
of ten Bronzed Crackles (Quiscalus quiscula aeneus) at West En-
glewood, N. J., January 11; Pine Siskins (Spiniis p. pinus) still
generally distributed in small numbers. He was then called on
for the evening's paper, which he called "An Ornithological Glimpse
of the Lesser Antilles." It was a description of a one-month trip

II

made by him in April and May, 1919, from New York to Demerara
and return, calling each way at the same nine islands from St.
Thomas to Barbados. First the speaker showed a series of lantern-
slides very kindly loaned him by Mr. R. W. Miner, Dr. E. O. Hovey,
Mr. G. K. Noble and the American Museum, illustrating the places
visited; then told of the birds seen, and exhibited specimens of
many of them. Considerable discussion followed.
January 27 y 1920

The President in the chair. Nine members' (Dr. Dwight, Dr.
Janvrin, and Messrs. Chubb, Davis, Granger, Marks, J. T. Nichols,
L. N. Nichols, and Rogers) and ten visitors (including Mr. Charles
Johnston) present.

Mr. Chubb told of winter birds at his feeding-station near Van
Cortlandt Park. Recently, snow conditions had been just right for
studying tracks, and Mr. Chubb had noted that Tree and Song
Sparrows (Spizella m. monticola and Melospiza m. melodia) ran
much, as well as hopping, the latter taking a running step of five
and a half inches; Juncos (Junco h. hyemalis) apparently did not
run at all, but could hop over eight inches.

Mr. J. T. Nichols recorded a *Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
recently taken on Long Island and now at a taxidermist's (Row-
land's) in this city; a Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) seen by
himself at Mastic, L. I., December 28 and January 17; and a
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erytkrocephalus) seen by his
brother at Syosset, L. I., December 27 and January 10. He also
described the roosting-place used regularly by a Brown Creeper
(Certhia familiaris americana) at Garden City, which was shown
to him by Mr. L. V. Morris. It was a depression in the trunk of
a Silver Maple, some seven feet from the ground, about the size
of a man's hand and hardly more than deep enough to hold the
bird. The Creeper was said to go to roost about four P. M., and
flash-light inspection at night had revealed it clinging in its usual
climbing position, but with head and bill concealed somewhere
about its person.

Mr. Rogers reported a flock of one adult male and three green
Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) and an adult male White-
winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) found by him and Mr. Davis
on January 25, feeding with a dozen Goldfinches (Astragalinus t.
tristis) on Cut-leaved Ragweed in an open field at Great Kills
Beach, S. I. The ice, which covered everything that day, probably
kept them from feeding in the Sweet Gums and Pitch Pines in the
woodland not far away. The flight-notes of the two species of
Crossbill sounded much alike. Dr. Dwight remarked that on its
breeding grounds the American Red Crossbill (L. c. minor) had a
whistled flight-note to which the White-wing's was similar, but
hoarser, — the relation being the same as between certain notes of
the American Goldfinch and the Pine Siskin (Spinus p. pinus).

The evening's paper, "The Plumages of Gulls in Relation to
Age," t was presented by Dr. Dwight. He showed how the members
of the Larinae could be divided roughly into three groups; — ^^small
species, of which our only representative is Bonaparte's Gull

* Since placed on exhibition in the local collection of the American Museum of
Natural History.

t See "The Plumages of Gulls in Relation to Age, as Illustrated by the Herring
Gull {Larns argentatus) and Other Species," The Auk, XXXVII, 262-268.

12

(Larus Philadelphia), — attaining fully adult plumage at the first
post-nuptial molt; middle-sized species, such as the Kittiwakes
(Rissa), Ring-billed (Larus delaivarensis) and Laughing Gulls
(L. atricilla), — attaining fully adult plumage at the second post-
nuptial molt; and species the size of the Herring Gull (L. argen-
tatus) and larger, which do not become fully adult in appearance
until the third post-nuptial molt. The speaker exhibited series of
specimens of Bonaparte's, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, which
showed clearly the different plumages passed through by each
species, each immature plumage more like that of the adult than
the preceding one had been. All Gulls known to Dr. Dwight had
a post-juvenal molt, and after that two molts each year, — ^the
pre-nuptial one (like the post-juvenal) involving more or less of
the head and body plumage, but not the wings or tail. First-year
Gulls could almost invariably be told from older birds by the
comparatively pointed, instead of rounded, tips of the primaries
and the rounded, instead of squarish, tips of the rectrices. The
speaker concluded by saying that all he had said applied to the
generality of Gulls, but that there w^as much individual variation
in the time taken to acquire adult plumage, and that males aver-
aged more precocious than females and could usually be dis-
tinguished by their greater measurements, particularly of the
bill. Considerable discussion followed.

February 10, 1920.

The Vice-President in the chair. Nine members (Messrs. Adams,
G. C. Fisher, Granger, Marks, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Philipp,
Rogers, and Weber) and four visitors (Mr. and Mrs. Charles John-
ston and Messrs. Laidlaw Williams and R. Friedman) present.

Dr. Fisher proposed for Resident Membership Mr. John B.
DeMille, now a student at Columbia University, and the name was
referred to the Membership Committee.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Mockingbird (Mimus p. polyglottos)
on February 9, in the north-east corner of the Botanical Garden,
Bronx Park, — the same spot where perhaps the same bird had
lived in previous winters. His son and Mr. Clark Lewis had seen
a Tufted Tit (Baeolophus bicolor) in the south-east corner of Bronx
Park February 8. Mr. Nichols also corrected an error made in his
"Summer Birds of Cranberry Lake, N. Y.," read before the Society
January 14, 1919. The Tree Sparrows (Spizella m. monticola)
therein recorded had since been shown to have been White-throated
Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis).

Mr. Rogers recorded an immature Iceland Gull (Larus leucop-
terus) seen by him and Mr. Hix along the New Jersey shore of
the Hudson River above Fort Lee on February 1.

The discussion of the erratic northern Finches, which had been
announced as the evening's program, was taken part in by those
present, and in addition the Secretary read letters on this subject
kindly written by Messrs. Eugene P. Bicknell, Beecher S. Bowdish,
Lee S. Crandall, Maunsell S. Crosby, and Frederick W. Kobbe.

The following records of occurrence this season were made: —
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona v. vespertina). — A female in

the northern part of Bronx Park, Feb. 1 (Kobbe) and 8th (E. G.

Nichols and Clark Lewis) ; a flock of 20 at Forest Hills, L. I.,

13

Feb. 3, — one of them injured and taken to the Bronx Zoo (Cran-
dall) ; a flock at Arlington, N. J., observed by Messrs. 0. P. Medsger
and G. A. King.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator leucura). — None further
south than Rhinebeck, N. Y., where 3 were seen Jan. 28, and 11
Feb. 4 (Crosby).

Purple Finch (Carpodacus p. purpureus). — A 'few individuals
wintering, but no flocks, at Rhinebeck (Crosby) ; a flock of 40-50
wintering at Demarest, N. J. (Bowdish).

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) . — A flock of 10 at Hewlett,
L. I., Nov. 18 (Bicknell) ; a flock of 13 at New Dorp, S. I., Dec.
27 (Rogers) ; a flock of 4 at Great Kills, S. I., Jan. 25 (W. T. Davis
and Rogers) ; flocks of about 7 and 2 at Garden City, L. I., Feb.
7 (J. T. Nichols).

White-winged Crossbills (Loxia leucoptera). — Three at Rhine-
beck, Jan. 29 (Crosby) ; 2 in Bronx Park, Jan. 1, (the male cap-
tured), and 5 more on Feb. 8 (Crandall) ; a male at Great Kills,
S. I., Jan. 25 (Davis and Rogers).

Redpoll (Acanthus I. Imaria). — Arrived Dec. 1 'at Cruger's
Island, N. Y., and seen almost daily since Christmas in various
parts of Dutchess County (Crosby) ; following the north-east
storm of Feb. 4-5, during which 22 inches of snow fell, nearly
everyone who went afield that Sunday (Feb. 8) found Redpolls
generally distributed, — Bronx Park (E. G. Nichols); Prospect
Park, 3 (Granger) ; the Palisades, N. J., 12-15 (Rogers) ; etc.

Pine Siskin (Spinus p. pinus). — Present throughout Nov. to Dec.
1 in various parts of Dutchess County, and a flock Jan. 10 and
11th at Poughkeepsie (Crosby) ; arrived in the vicinity of New
York City Oct. 13 (Long Beach, L. I., common, Bicknell; Engle-
wood, N. J., five flocks aggregating 40 or more, Rogers), and irregu-
larly abundant ever since (Bicknell, Bowdish, L. N. Nichols,
Rogers, etc.).

The following notes on the food of these species, from this and
former winters, were given. —

Evening Grosbeak. — The only bird that cracks the seeds of
Flowering Dogwood (Rogers) ; Hackberry (Fisher, — observed by
Medsger and King) ; Sunflower (Granger) ; buds of Maples
(Weber).

Pine Grosbeak. — Rose (Rosa rugosa) hips (Bicknell) ; seeds of
Ash and Ash-leaved Maple (Crandall) ; tips — rarely seeds — of Jack
Pine and buds of Spruce (Weber).

Purple Finch. — Tulip (Liriodendron) seeds, Giant Ragweed
seeds. Honeysuckle berries. Flowering Dogwood berries (pulp, not
seeds), Beech (Rogers).

Red Crossbill. — Evening Primrose, at Rockaway Beach (Weber) ;
Sweet Gum and Cut-leaved Ragweed seeds (Rogers).

White-winged Crossbill. — Evening Primrose, at Rockaway
Beach (Weber) ; Sweet Gum seeds (Crandall) ; Sweet Gum and
Cut-leaved Ragweed seeds (Rogers).

Redpoll. — Generally on birch, alder and weed seeds; both White
and Black Birch, and Evening Primrose; also scale insects
(Rogers).

Pine Siskin. — Seeds generally; of Seaside Goldenrod and Even-
ing Primrose (Bicknell) ; Seaside Goldenrod, Timothy, Sweet Gum
(Rogers) ; Burdock (L. N. Nichols) ; also on aphids on apple-trees
(Granger).

February 24, 1920.

The President in the chair. About eighty members and visitors
present; among the former being Dr. Dwight, and Messrs. Chapin,
Chubb, Davis, Gladden, Granger, Griscom, Hix, F. E. Johnson,
Kieran, Lang, E. G. Nichols, J. T. Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Noble,
Philipp, Thayer, and DeMille (elected at the meeting).

In the absence of the Secretary, the Chair designated Mr. J. T.
Nichols Secretary pro tern.

Mr. J. B. DeMille, whose name had been proposed at the pre-
ceding meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

Redpolls (Acanthis I. linaria) were reported from the vicinity of
Yonkers (Gladden, Johnson, Kieran) ; Bronx Park (Laidlaw Wil-
liams) ; Broadway and 246th St. (Chubb) ; western Long Island,
generally distributed (J. T. Nichols) ; Staten Island, Amagansett
and Montauk, L. I. (Griscom). Mr. Johnson had noticed them
apparently gleaning food by carefully going over maple twigs,
something after the manner of Chickadees (Perithestes a. atri-
capillus), and one or two others present had made a similar ob-
servation.

Evening Grosbeaks (Hesperiphova v. vespertina) were reported
from near Yonkers (Feb. 21, male and female at Napera Park)
and Van Cortlandt Park (Feb. 14, four reported to him by one
of his Boy Scouts), (Gladden); Ward's Hill, S. I. (Feb. 21, six,
W. T. Davis) ; and Amityville, L. I. (Feb. 23, about twenty, J. T.
Nichols).

Mr. Hix reported tracks of a covey of Bob-whites (Colinus v.
virginianus) at Van Cortlandt Park. The birds had been seen by
a Boy Scout.

Mr. E. G. Nichols had seen a Red-headed Woodpecker (Mela-
nerpes erythrocephalus) at North Tarrytown, N. Y., February 23.
Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) in the
Bronx, February 18, on which date he had also positively identified
as Kittiwakes (Rissa t. tridactyla) two small Gulls flying across
a peninsula in the East Bronx. They had pure white underparts
and tails, black feet, pale yellow bills, black markings at the end
of the wings and indistinct marks on the back of their heads. The
rarity of this species away from the actual sea-coast came in for
comment, but he felt sure of the identification.

Mr. Griscom had visited Bronx Park on February 14, observing
a Tufted Tit (Baeolophus hicolor). On February 15, in company
with Dr. Janvrin, he had found the remarkable number of 20 Long-
eared Owls (Asio ivilso7iia7ius) in the Moravian Cemetery, New
Dorp, S. I. On February 22 at Amagansett, L. I., also with Dr.
Janvrin, a number of Buffleheads (Charitonetta albeola), (a Duck
generally becoming rare), had been observed, and on the 23rd, at
Montauk, they had seen an exceptional number of American
Scoters (Oidemia a'tnencana) (about 400 birds just off the surf),
four Glaucous (Laims hyperboreus) and two Iceland Gulls (L. leu-
copterus),

15

The rarity of the Tufted Tit east of the Hudson River coming
up for discussion, Mr. L. N. Nichols said that he and Mr. E. G.
Nichols had never found it in Bronx Park until this season, during
which they had seen a single bird there several times.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. William Beebe, on work
at the tropical research station of the New York, Zoological Society
in British Guiana. The speaker's time had recently been occupied
with his Pheasant monograph, and before turning to South Amer-
ica, he sketched the history of the domestic fowl (the best-known
Pheasant), originally domesticated by the Chinese, and reaching
Egypt from Asia, through Europe. Slides bearing on interesting
subjects in natural science available in the British Guiana jungle,
from monkeys to termites through parrots and fish, were touched
on. Attention was called to the comparatively gentle transition in
such a tropical environment from the often mud-filled water to
the water-saturated air, as perhaps having bearing on the place
of origin of non-aquatic vertebrates. There was opportunity to
examine photographs and sketches of Guiana animals after the
meeting adjourned.

March 9, 1920.

Annual Meeting. The President in the chair. Twenty-three
members (Drs. D wight, G. C. Fisher, Janvrin, and Morris, and
Messrs. Adams, Bowdish, Chapin, Chubb, Davis, Fleisher, Granger,
Griscom, Hix, F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Marks, Murphy, J. T.
Nichols, L. N. Nichols, Noble, Pearson, du Vivier, and Woodruff)
present. The meeting was preceded by the Eighth Annual Dinner
in the Mitla Room of the American Museum, attended by thirty-
eight members and visitors.

In the absence of the Secretary, the Chair appointed Mr. J. T.
Nichols Secretary pro tern. The Treasurer read his Annual Re-
port, and the Chair appointed Messrs. Nichols and Chapin as
Auditing Committee.

The Annual Report of the Secretary was read, as follows: —

During the past year, the Linnsean Society has held fifteen meetings, — the first
November one was omitted owing to conflict with a meeting of the American
Ornithologists' Union, — with a total attendance of 461. The Seventh Annual
Dinner was attended by twenty-four members and fourteen guests, and twenty-
three members and thirteen visitors were present at the Annual Meeting the
same evening. At the remaining fourteen meetings, the total attendance aver-
aged thirty, that of members thirteen; — that is, the attendance of members equaled
that of the preceding year, but there were fewer visitors. The largest number
present at any one meeting was eighty (on February 24), of members twenty-
one; the smallest was eleven.

The Society has during the past year lost by death one Corresponding Mem-
ber (Dr. C. C. Abbott) and one Resident Member (Mr. Woodbury G. Langdon) ;
two Resident Members have resigned, three have been dropped for arrears in
dues, and three new ones have been elected. The membership list now stands: —
Resident, 81; Corresponding, 26; Honorary, 4; total, 111.

Sixteen papers have been presented before the Society, — nine of them primarily
on birds, three on the general natural history of distant expeditions, two me-
morials to William Brewster, one on a mamm.al and one on evolution. One
evening was devoted to a discussion of the erratic northern Finches.

The Society has issued its Abstract of Proceedings No. 31, 65 pages, con-
taining the minutes of the year ending March 11, 1919, and "Bird-Banding by
Means of Systematic Trapping," 35 pages and 7 plates (14 photographs), by
Mr. S. Prentiss Baldwin. This paper is one of the most important the Society
has published and has attracted widespread interest. Separates of it have been
sent to the mailing-lists of the American Ornithologists' Union, the Wilson
Ornithological Club and the Cooper Ornithological Club.

i6

The bird-banding work, so long carried on under the able management ot
Mr. Cleaves under the auspices oi the Linnsean Society, has, since the assump-
tion by Mr. Cleaves of other duties, been turned over to the United States
Biological Survey at the latter's request.

Your Secretary is heartily sorry that he is unable to be with you to-night,
and thanks you sincerely for having considered him, these last five years, worthy
to hold the position he has tried hard to fill.

Charles H. Rogers,

Secretary.

Mr. Bowdish spoke of the Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona v.
vespertina) at Demarest, N. J., March 5 and at Tenafly, N. J., a
week previous. He also spoke of alleged damage done to fruit
trees by the Purple Finch's (Carpodacus p. purpureus) eating
buds, which in some places was rather beneficial pruning, in others
probably too extensive to be beneficial.

Mr. Chubb had seen an Opossum (Didelphys virginianus) at
Broadway and 246th St., and Mr. Hix had observed the Rusty
Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) at Van Cortlandt Park.

Dr. Janvrin spoke of a single Evening Grosbeak at Amityville,
L. I., February 26; Dr. Fisher, of a Saw-whet Owl (Cryptoglanx
a. acadica) and a number of Long-eared Owis (Asio ivilsonianus)
in a grove of Spruce at Douglaston, L. I., February 29. Mr. Laid-
law Williams had observed the Tufted Tit (Baeolophiis bicolor) in
Bronx Park, February 28.

Following these notes, Mr. Robert Cushman Murphy spoke of
his recent trip to Peru; of the cold Humboldt Current, wherein
the water is coldest in a narrow belt close to shore; of the great
abundance of bird-life over this cold water; the guano islands of
this coast, et cetera.

17

*A REVISION OF THE SEASIDE SPARROWS
By Ludlow Griscom and J. T. Nichols

Introduction *

In the Auk for January, 1899, Dr. Chapman reviewed the Seaside
Sparrows. The bird of the southern Texas coast was kept as a
species, nomenclatural points of macgillivraii were discussed and
settled, and fisheri was described as new. For many years but
little additional material or information accumulated, and the only
change was the relegation of the Texas bird to subspecific rani
under maritimus, an action endorsed by Mr. Ridgway in his Birds
of North and Middle America, and sustained by the last A. O. U.
Check-List.

The last few years have seen a rapid accumulation of desirable
material from the Gulf Coast region, due chiefly to Mr. Arthur
H. Howell and his assistants in collecting for the Biological Survey.
This resulted chiefly in the acquisition of breeding material from
Mississippi and Alabama, and more recently the discovery of a
new species at Cape Sable; and a breeding series from Port Richey,
Fla., was the first definite proof that peninsulae bred in any part
of its known range.

In December, 1915, one of the authors (L. G.) during a brief
visit to the northwest coast of Florida, near St. Marks, collected an
anomalous Seaside Sparrow, which wiser heads than his shuffled
from one race to another. Both authors visited this locality last
spring and collected another anomalous bird, after which the first
serious effort was made to settle its affinities. Our studies of avail-
able material showed the necessity of acquiring more, so another
trip was made last September, the series then collected confirming
our suspicions that we had stumbled upon an undescribed race.

Shortly before our last trip to Florida, Mr. Howell visited the
American Museum of Natural History, and we had a little dis-
cussion about Seaside Sparrows. Mr. Howell informed us that
his bird from Alabama was apparently undescribed, and wanted
to know whether our Florida bird was the same. When he learned
our suspicions, and that we were about to make a second trip to
Florida to settle the question, he most generously offered us all
his material with the request that we work up the whole group,
and we cannot too strongly express our appreciation. Stopping
off at Washington on his way north, one of the authors (L. G.)
discovered that Dr. Oberholser had planned to revise the group.
He also most generously yielded the field to us, and further sup-
plied us with such MS. notes as he had written on the already
recognized races. At this point our acknowledgements are due the
authorities of the Biological Survey and the National Museum for
the loan of such material as we asked for, and again to Dr. Ober-
holser for his kind offices in expediting these loans. Dr. J. Dwight
has permitted us the use of his fine series of perfectly prepared

• Abstract read before the A. O. U., November, 1919.

i8

specimens, and Dr. Louis B. Bishop has also most courteously for-
warded over 130 specimens from New Haven.

With nearly 700 specimens at our disposal, probably the largest
series of these birds ever gathered together, we have spent over
two months in considering the problem, trying to arrive at some
sort of an orderly and logical interpretation of the facts. One
puzzling factor remains to be mentioned, and that is the well-
known wear of the plumage. The absolutely fresh plumage lasts
only a few weeks, after which a certain amount of fading takes
place. To speak very generally, little change takes place until the
breeding season is well under way, when abrasion becomes very
rapid and marked, in a comparatively short time wiping out prac-
tically all distinguishing characters. To be particular, however,
practically every individual shows a slight difference in degree
and rapidity of wear, and let no one suppose that it follows of
necessity that February specimens of two races are ipso facto com-
parable material. The distinguishing characters that we give, how-
ever, apply regardless of wear to comparable material, with the
exception of extremely worn breeding birds which frequently are
little more than dark above and lighter below.

Size, too, has been found to be of practically no value. Measure-
ments of our large series show such complete intergradation of all
races that even average differences of wing measurements are
rarely in higher figures than tenths of millimeters. The tail length
is, in our opinion, absolutely worthless, being purely a matter of
individual wear, as a series of birds from the same place on the
same day show a variation of nearly thirty percent.

In the following pages we recognize three species and seven races
of maritimus, two of which are described as new. We have not
investigated the generic value of Thryospiza, and retain Passer-
herbulus for the sake of uniformity with the A. 0. U. Check-List.
A description of the juvenal plumage is appended at the end of
the remarks on each species and race.

Systematic Account

Passerherbulus mirabilis (Howell)

Thryospiza mirabilis Howell, Auk, Jan. 1919, p. 86 (Cape Sable,
Fla.).

Range.

Cape Sable, Florida.

Remarks.

This well-marked species has the underparts whiter than any
other member of the group, except nigrescens, but the streaking
below is not so dark or so heavy as in that form. It is the lightest
and greenest of the Seaside Sparrows, and has more yellow around
the eye than any other. Only February specimens are known.
These are of great interest because of their plumage, which for
freshness cannot be matched by any other Seaside Sparrow taken
anywhere later than November. It is highly desirable that speci-
mens be collected at other seasons of the year, in order that its
plumage-wear can be studied.

20

had seen at least a dozen pairs on the date mentioned),
and of how the tiny chicks froze when alarmed, while those a
bit older ran. He had seen five Least Terns (Sterna antil-
larum) there on May 29. Both he and Mr. J. T. Nichols
mentioned the remarkable lateness of last year's northward
shore-bird migration, and the latter quoted Mr. E. P. Bicknell
as seeing the last northbound Semipalmated Plover {Mgialitis
semipalmata) and the first southbound Least Sandpipers
(Pisohia minutilla) on the same date in early July.

Mr. L. N. Nichols recorded the Towhee {Pipilo e. ery-
throphthalmus) wintering in East Bronx as still present Feb-
ruary 13.

Mr. J. T. Nichols read notes comparing the birds seen at
Mastic, L .1., February 16 and 17, 1918, after an exceptionally
severe winter, with those seen February 22 and 23, 1919,
after an exceptionally open one, with remarks on the behavior
of certain species as winter residents and as transients.

Mr. J. T. Nichols also gave the paper of the evening, on
"The Voices of Shore-Birds." Years of taking advantage of
unusual opportunities for the study of this group as transients
on Long Island, N. Y., had made the speaker familiar with
the notes used under those circumstances. He now gave a
resume of what he had learned of the language of each of
our local species, — the use and significance of their various
cries, with speculation on homologies (cases of the evident
relationship of common origin between the notes of allied
species) and analogies (notes, of different species, having the
same significance though they may or may not be homologous).
Whistled imitations of the notes discussed, illustrated the
talk.

March 11, 1919. — Annual Meeting. The President in the
chair. Twenty-three members (Doctors Dwight, G. C. Fisher,
Janvrin, Morris; Mrs. Reichenberger; Messrs. Bowdish,
Boyle, Breder, Davis, Granger, Hartshorn, Hix, F. W. Hyde,
F. E. Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Lang, Marks, J. T. Nichols,
Pearson, Rogers, Thayer, Weber, Valentine) and thirteen
visitors present. This meeting followed immediately the

21

Society's Seventh Annual Dinner, held in the Mitla Room of
the American Museum and attended by twenty-four members
(as above, less Mr. Valentine and plus Mr. Murphy and Mr.
Woodruff) and fourteen guests.

Mr. Howarth S. Boyle, whose name had been proposed at
the previous meeting, was elected to Resident Membership.

The name of Mr. Gladwyn Kingsley Noble, a former member
of the Society and now in the herpetology department of
the American Museum, was proposed by Mr. Nichols for
Resident Membership; it was referred to the Membership
Committee.

In the absence of the Treasurer, his Annual Report was
read by the Secretary; it showed a balance of $2,597.21 to
the Society's credit, which was about $150 greater than the
balance of a year ago.

The Secretary then read his Annual Report, as follows :

During the past year the Linnsean Society has held fifteen meetings —
the second December meeting was omitted owing to its falling on Christ-
mas Eve — with a total attendance of 525. The Sixth Annual Dinner was
attended by twenty-one Resident Members and seventeen guests, and these
members and eighteen visitors were present at the Annual Meeting the
same evening. At the remaining fourteen meetings the total attendance
averaged thirty-five, that of members thirteen, both figures a decided in-
crease over those of the preceding year. The largest number present at
any one meeting was 230, on March 26 (of members, twenty-one); the
smallest was eleven.

The Society has during the past year lost by death one Corresponding
Member, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and two Resident Members,
Mr. Gerard Beekman and Mr. Walt F. McMahon; one has resigned, and
seven new ones have been elected. The membership hst now stands:
Resident, 85; Corresponding, 27; Honorary, 4; total, 116.

Fourteen papers have been presented before the Society, chiefly on
birds. The papers were illustrated with lantern-sHdes, museum speci-
mens, charts, etc.

On September 18 was issued the Society's Abstract of Proceedings No.
30, 38 pages and a plate, containing the minutes of the year ending March
12, 1918, and ''Bird-notes from Florida," by Mr. J. T. Nichols, and ''Bird
Temperatures," by Mr. J. A. Weber.

Charles H. Rogers,

Secretary.

winter specimens of the same breeding bird from the same locality
fail to show the slightest approach to peninsulae in those respects
which we consider diagnostic or important, and we might add that
the dark form of mac gilliv rati is much more readily distinguished
in comparatively fresh winter plumage than in worn breeding
plumage. It is also significant that this specimen cannot be made
to match exactly any peninsulae in any plumage and to us it seems
unquestioned that its approach to penmsidae is cei-tainly a question
of wear and apparently individual.

It may be pertinent at this point to call attention to the fact
that Dr. Allen in his original description of peninsulae, actually
mentions the diagnostic character of this race, though at that time
there was not the slightest reason for emphasizing it. "Above the
feathers dull brownish, edged broadly with olive and gray . . .
rest of underparts suffused with brownish ash . . ." The
italics are ours. Can there be a better testimony to painstaking
accuracy and care?

Worn July specimens of viae gilliv rati may be told from mari-
timus only by the slight traces of streaks still present on the
crown; the darker auricular region and the blackish as opposed
to dark ashy malar stripe.

Juvenal.

Upperparts decidedly darker than in maritimus, blackish
streaked with gray and more or less washed with brown; super-
ciliary stripe varying from cream-buff to ochraceous-buff ; under-
parts white, the breast and sides washed with cream-buff to
ochraceous-buff, thickly and finely streaked with black or almost
immaculate, less buffy below than maritimus with the streakiflg
more variable.

Passerherbulus maritimus howelli subsp. nov.
Type.

No. 231131, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection; $
adult, Dauphine Isl., Alabama, Feb. 13, 1912; collected by E. G.
Holt.

Distinguishing Characters.

Close to maritimus and macgillivraii, the tone of the upperparts
most like maritimus, paler than macgillivraii, slightly more olive,
less grayish than either. The crown streaked like macgillivraii,
though less conspicuously so; the nape immaculate like maritimus.
The back with broad ill-defined markings. The underparts darker,
more extensively washed with gray than in either, and in fresh
specimens the breast is deep ochraceous-buff, deeper than in any
other race, except fisheri. In material examined the bill averages
slightly larger than any other Gulf Coast race. Bill measure-
ments: ^, 14-15.1 mm. (aver. 14.3 mm.) ; ? 13.8-14.5 mm. (aver.
14.1).

Description of type.

Center of crown and nape narrowly ashy gray; their sides olive-
rufous, streaked with black; back grayish olive, broadly streaked
with fuscous, the feathers margined laterally with ashy; rump

22

grayish olive; yellow mark before the eye, a broad greenish gray
stripe above and behind it; a pale buff stripe from the base of the
bill borders the grayish auricular region below, to turn upward
as an ochraceous-buff wash behind same; malar stripe slaty gray;
throat white; underparts grayish, strongly washed with ochra-
ceous-buff on the breast, diffusely and obscurely streaked with
darker gray; lower belly soiled white; under tail-coverts buffy,
streaked with gray; bend of the wing yellow, the exposed portion
of adjoining coverts rufous; primaries grayish brown, margined
externally with grayish green; inner secondaries blackish mar-
gined with pale rufous; tail grayish brown, the feathers margined
basally and externally with grayish olive.

Measurements.

Type (adult male), wing, 62; tail, 56.5; exposed culmen, 15.1;
tarsus 21. Average of 8 adult males: Wing, 60-64 (61.9); ex-
posed culmen, 14-15.1 (14.3) ; 7 adults females: Wing, 51.5-62
(59.2); exposed culmen, 13.8-14.5 (14.1). The tails are too worn
to make their measurements of any value.

Fully worn specimens (July) are uniform grayish olive-brown
above; the throat white; the underparts uniform ashy gray. Com-
pared with equally worn pe7iinsidae, they are slightly paler, less
slaty above and below. The size of the bill will usually be a clue
in separating this race from other Gulf Coast races in very worn
plumage.

Ranpe.

Breeding on the coast of Alabama (Dauphine Isl. ; Bayou La
Batre; Petit Bois Isl.) and Mississippi (Grande Batture Isl.; Horn
Isl.). Resident, but straggling in winter to East Goose Creek,
Wakulla Co., Florida, Dec. 31, 1915 (Cornell Univ. Museum; coll.
by L. Griscom) ; High Island, Tex., Oct. 30, 1916 (absolutely typ-
ical specimen, collection of J. Dwight, No. 44511). The Goose
Creek bird is not typical, being darker, especially on the crown,
with deeper rufous wing-coverts, as though an approach to the
bird breeding there.

Remarks.

We take pleasure in naming this new race for Mr. A. H. Howell,
who has added so much to the knowledge of Seaside Sparrows in
recent years.

He informs us that this race is not found in the typical salt
marshes, but prefers the Iva bushes on the outer islands. It is
comparatively tame and unsuspicious, and is much more readily
detected and collected as a result of its habits than other races.

Juvenal.

The single specimen is almost indistinguishable from a young
macgillivraii with pale, almost unmarked breast. Its crown is
more reddish olive, less black, and its bill slightly larger.

^3

24

Carolina; one, a Sparrow Hawk, taken fifteen miles away from
where it was banded ; and one, a Flicker, taken two miles dis-
tant. But, during that time I have retaken by trap, from
one year to another, more than sixty birds, and some of those
have been taken not only the second, but also the third and
fourth years. In five weeks, in Thomasville, Georgia, in
1917, I recorded 25 birds from 1916 and six from 1915.

Birds not frightened away by the trapping; ' ^Repeats ^\-
The birds regard the trap as a special feeding table, and come
to it day after day. I have released the same bird three times
in one hour; I have frequently released the same bird four or
five times in one day; and I coined the word ''repeats" to
distinguish, in my notes, these birds from ''new." "Re-
peats" are so numerous that of nearly seven hundred birds
handled in five weeks, in Georgia, two-thirds were "repeats"
and only one-third "new." One Brown Thrasher, on two
successive spring seasons in Georgia, spent most of every day
in the trap. And a Cardinal became such a nuisance, by
getting into the trap and keeping others away, that I moved
the trap to another location. In summer one may keep al-
most daily record of certain Song Sparrows nesting nearby,
and in migrations one may know the day an individual bird
comes, and the day he moves on. One learns to know the
characters of certain individuals, as I came to know a certain
White-throated Sparrow, who always identified himself by
fighting and biting my fingers; and another White-throat,
who distinguished himself as a squealer.

How much time or trouble? In presenting the following
report, as the result of four or five years' effort, it is only
fair to explain how little time and how scattering an effort
has been possible to the writer.

The work at Gates Mill, near Cleveland, has been carried
on during five summer seasons; but I do not go to the farm
until some time in the month of May, or first of June, after
all spring migration is over; then by mid-July I am usually
gone for an absence of six weeks ; and then return to the farm
for September and October. This limits the work to six
weeks of nesting time in spring, and perhaps two months in

25

the autumn, at a time when many birds have formed flocks
or started southward. Not only is the Ohio work thus limited,
but when living on the farm, I am in the city three days a
week, so, with stormy days or other things to interfere, I
can run the traps only two or three days in a week.

The work at Thomasville, Georgia, has been carried on
for only three seasons, 1915, 1916 and 1917. From three to
five traps are run on every clear day, and I can give them very
regular attention, but my whole season at Thomasville is,
usually, only five weeks of February and March.

I explain with so much detail the rigid restrictions under
which these observations were made, because I have realized
so fully that my best opportunities for steady and consistent
observation are repeatedly lost by my long absences.

I urge this upon the bird student who may consider these
methods of work, for it is certain that any person who lives
all the year in one place, in the country, or on the edge of
town, can obtain much greater scientific result with much
less effort, than my haphazard work costs me.

While this report includes only the ''Returns" of birds
taken from one year to another, it is evident that not less
important, to a person who operates traps at the same place
all of a season, or all of a year, is the opportunity, by this
method, of keeping in touch with the daily life of birds living
in the vicinity; of knowing just when they come; just when
young leave the nest; just how long they remain in the vicinity;
and when they leave; and watching the exact movements of
individual birds during migration. Indeed, the careful ob-
server, in a fixed location, may obtain facts of greater scientific
value on the daily records than from the reports from year to
year.

How to trap: Bait the ordinary sparrow-trap with cracked
grain and bread. The grain should be ground fine, what is
usually sold as the finest or first chick food, and scattered
thinly to a distance of five feet from the trap. The soft
parts of the bread may be very finely divided by rolling in
the hands, but save the crusts and larger pieces and drop
them inside the trap.

streaked with darker gray; a faint cream-buff tinge on the breast;
under tail-coverts buff y, marked with darker ; bend of wing yellow,
the exposed portion of adjoining coverts dark rufous; primaries
fuscous, margined laterally with dark grayish olive; inner sec-
ondaries black with narrow paler margins; tail fuscous with in-
complete darker bars, and dark grayish olive lateral margins
basally.

Measurements.

Type (adult male), wing, 60; tail, 48 (very worn); exposed
culmen, 12.9; tarsus, 20. Averages, 4 adult males, wing, 57.5-61.2
(59.2); exposed culmen, 12.3-12.9 (12.6). One adult female, wing,
58.2; exposed culmen, 12.1. The tails of these specimens are either
too worn or else not completely grown in, making their measure-
ments of no value. Three adults, unsexed (!) (coll. Biological
Survey) with fully grown tails taken in November measure as
follows: No. 268891, wing, 60; tail, 54; exposed culmen, 13; No.
268893, wing, 61 ; tail, 51 ; exposed culmen, 13.2 ; No. 268892, wing,
58.3; tail, 52; exposed culmen, 12.1. Very possibly the first two
are males and the last a female.

The absolutely fresh unfaded fall plumage is black above, the
crown with a few faint streaks of slate-gray and reddish olive, the
nape strongly washed with olive, and the back practically devoid
of olive tinge. Malar stripe and region below the eye black.
Streaking of underparts black. Fading takes place very rapidly,
the pure black becoming blackish or very dark gray in November
specimens, while the olive wash on the upperparts becomes
stronger. The March specimen (the type) differs from the No-
vember birds only in that the black on the upperparts has become
still more suffused and obscured with olive. Fully worn post-
breeding birds are unknown, but we doubt if they will prove dis-
tinguishable from comparable material of peninsulae or fisheri,
unless blacker.

Range.

Known only from the type locality, which is eight miles west of
St. Marks, and apparently at St. Marks. Dr. Bishop has forwarded
us six specimens, two of them juvenals, from St. Marks, collected
by John Williams in April, as breeding birds. Two of these birds
are absolutely worn, are indistinguishable from similar peninsulae,
but might be juncicola. The two young birds, however, are indis-
tinguishable from young peninsulae, but do not resemble young
juncicola in our collection, which is much the darkest of all the
maritimus races. Of the remaining two adults, one, the least
worn, and taken after the fully worn birds mentioned above, is
unquestionably juncicola. The other is apparently intermediate
between the two. It looks therefore as if St. Marks was some-
where near the boundary line of the two races, but the material
at hand is too scant to determine the question definitely. It is
possible from the evidence presented above, that the breeding-bird
is peninsulae or an intermediate, and that the juncicola in less
worn plumage was not actually breeding. Fresh material collected
in late August and early September can best settle this question.

Remarks.

The most remarkable thing about this race is its extremely local

si6

habits, being confined to dense patches of Juncus roemerianus, a
harsh and stiff plant about five feet high, which grows in dense
stools, forming large patches, which are almost impenetrable.
This Sparrow lives in the heart of these clumps and is excessively
shy and retiring in its habits, and we have never encountered a
more difficult bird to collect. In the breeding season it has a
song, which is recognizably different from that of Tnaritimus, im-
pressing one as being longer and more complicated. It also has
a flight-song not suggestive at all of the northern Seaside Spar-
rows, a few weak Song Sparrow-like notes.

Juvenal.

Upperparts as dark as fisheri; superciliary between cream-buff
and ochraceous-buff ; underparts soiled whitish, the breast and sides
more extensively washed with ochraceous-buff than in any other
race, and streaked with black, the streaks broader than in other
races, and a few black marks even present in the throat.

Passerherbulus nigrescens (Ridgway)

Arm^iodramus maritimus var. nigrescens Ridgway, Bull. Essex
Inst., V, Dec. 1873, p. 198 (Merrit Island, Florida).

This bird is too well known to require any review in this paper.
The Juvenal, however, has been collected, a description of which
is appended. Upperparts black, streaked with grayish brown
especially on the back; underparts grayish white, the breast and
sides extensively washed with pale grayish buff, and broadly
streaked with black.

KEY TO THE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF SEASIDE

SPARROWS

a. Underparts with the ground color pure white with distinct black
streaks.

b. Streaking of underparts comparatively light; above very

greenish; a yellowish postocular stripe (Cape Sable,

Florida) Passerherbulus mirabilis.

bb. Streaking of underparts very heavy; above chiefly black; no
yellow postocular stripe (Merrit Island, Florida),

Passerherbulus nigrescens.

aa. Underparts never as above, the ground color always gray,
grayish or buffy.

c. Upperparts without distinct black streaks (Atlantic coast).

P. maritimus maritim/as.

cc. Upperparts with distinct black streaks.

d. Paler; above with distinct black streaks on a greenish gray
ground; ground color below pale (coast of Texas).

P. m. sennetti.

dd. Darker; ground color above never greenish gray; grayish,

olive, or blackish; darker than pale gray below.

e. Chest, sides and flanks grayish, with little if any buff,

never deep buff.

/. A brownish cast throughout, especially noticeable on

the back, malar stripe and breast streaks; streak-

27

ing of underparts usually quite distinct. (Gulf
Coast of Florida, from St. Marks southward).

P. m. peninsulae.
ff. No brownish cast throughout ; streaking of underparts
diffuse, broader and rarely very distinct.
g. Paler; crown sharply streaked; edgings to wing-
coverts dull pale rufous; above chiefly olive and
gray with little blackish; breast usually notice-
ably tinged with light buffy (South Atlantic
States) P. m. macgillivraii

gg. Much darker; crown rather uniformly dark; edg-
ings to wing-coverts deep rufous; above heavily
washed with black or blackish; breast very
slightly or not at all tinged with buffy (NW.
Gulf Coast of Florida) P.m. juncicola.

ee. Chest, sides and flanks conspicuously deep buffy.

h. Paler; chiefly grayish and olive above; streaking below
diffuse and grayish (Alabama and Mississippi).

P. m. howelli.
hh. Much darker ; chiefly blackish above ; streaking below
fine and usually distinct (Louisiana and Texas).

P. m. fisheri.

RELATIONSHIPS AND DISTRIBUTION

A general survey of the races of maritimus shows one or two
interesting facts which are worth pointing out. With the excep-
tion of maritimus and macgillivraii on the Atlantic coast which
do intergrade, there is no logical progressive variation by races. It
would be hard to show that five different climates occurred on the
Gulf coast to account for the five races found there. Peninsulae
is succeeded by the very dark juncicola, followed by the lighter
howelli and much darker fisheri. So it is not possible to say that
as we go south or west the birds get lighter, smaller, or darker.

These facts call for an explanation, and it is surely within the
realm of legitimate speculation, though it would be ridiculous to
dogmatize. There are two possible points of view. One is to say
that there are two species, a light maritimus-sennetti type, and the
other a dark peninsulae- juncicola- fisheri type. Macgillivraii^ the
puzzling birds on the south Atlantic coast, are logically enough
explained as hybrids with all the well recognized phenomena of
Mendelian mutation. The Alabama howelli is another hybrid in
the other direction, and finally we remove the difficulty in the
possibility of sennetti and fisheri breeding ranges overlapping.
Unfortunately we do not consider this theory tenable, owing to
the fact that it is impossible to find good specific characters for the
two proposed species.

Much the more plausible theory to our minds is the application
of Matthew's law of dispersal and distribution, which, being
briefly stated, is that the more primitive forms occur on the peri-
phery of the range of a group and the most specialized at the center

28

of dispersal. Applying this point of view to the Seaside Sparrows
we have mirabilis, sennetti, and maritimus, the former at least
approaching the Sharp-tails, situated to the extreme north, west
and south. Nigrescens, the most peculiar form, in a central local-
ity, and those of intermediate darkness variously distant.

One more suggestive parallel is here pointed out for the benefit
of future workers in this interesting group. We have been struck
with the fact that color variation (from light to dark) has varied
in our field experience with the density of the marsh vegetation
in which the various races live. Take the well-known flora and
appearance of a Long Island or New Jersey salt marsh as typical.
No marked changes occur until we get south to South Carolina,
where the assemblage of species is slightly different and the vege-
tation in which the Seaside Sparrow lives is higher and more
luxuriant. There we find a darker macgillivraii. On the north-
west Gulf coast of Florida, the salt marsh flora is totally different,
principally dense stools of Juncus roemerianus. The Sparrow
found here is the darkest of all the races of maritimus. The Ala-
bama howelli is said by Mr. Howell to live mostly in the Iva bushes
of the outer islands. It is noticeably paler. Such Texas salt marsh
as one of the authors has seen impressed him as remarkably
open and sparse, so it is scarcely surprising that the Texas bird
should again be a pale form.

We have had no field experience with salt marshes in south
Florida, Mississippi or Louisiana, so can make no statements
regarding vegetative characters in them. This prevents our
making any flat assertion of fact, but we do claim that our evi-
dence is sufficiently striking to deserve further attention. It
is obvious that the amount of light that a group of plants is able
to stop, or the amount of shade they are able to create, is the factor
involved. Any botanist can see that there is less light in the heart
of a dense stool of Juncus than in the middle of an Iva bush or a
patch of Salicornia or Spartina patens. It is obvious, therefore,
that the question of light depends upon the habit of the plant,
making the species of the plant usually, though not invariably,
the ultimate cause. It seems reasonable to suppose that birds
would respond in some way to this factor of light, just as they
do to a humid versus an arid climate. At any rate we advance
this proposition for consideration in the hope that ornithologists
with some botanical knowledge and experience will be able to
throw further light on a dark subject, which is quite in line with
our suspicions.

MATERIAL EXAMINED

Passerherbulus mirabilis. — 5 specimens from Cape Sable.

P. maritimus maritimus. — 275 specimens — adults and young.
Breeding birds from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Long Island,
New Jersey, and Virginia. Fall, winter and spring birds
from Connecticut, Long Island, South Carolina, Georgia
and northeastern Florida.

29

p. m. sennetti. — 38 specimens — adults (every season of the year)
and young, from Texas.

P. m. macgillivraii. — 132 specimens. Adults (every season of the
year) and young from North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia and northeastern Florida.

P. m. howelli. — 22 specimens. Adults (May, July, August, Octo-
ber, December and February) and young, from Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.

P. m. fisheri. — 67 specimens. Adults (every season of the year)
and young from Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.

P. m. peninsulae. — 31 specimens. Adults and young from the
Gulf coast of Florida (March, April, May, October, Novem-
ber and February). No material in absolutely fresh un-
worn plumage in existence.

P. m. juncicola. — 13 specimens. Adults and young from north-
western Florida (September, November, March and April).

P. nigrescens. — 50 specimens from Merritt Island, Florida. Adults
and young (March and April). Apparently no material
ever collected in any other months.

JO

Members of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

MARCH, 1920

OFFICERS, 1919-1920

President Jonathan Dwight

Vice-President Walter Granger

Secretary Charles H. Rogers

Treasurer Lewis B. Woodruff

Honorary Members

Allen, J. A., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
Merriam, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th Street, Washington, D. C.
Stone, Witmer, Ph.D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Corresponding Members

Agersborg, G. S., Vermilion, S. D.

Benner, Franklin, Minneapolis, Minn.
Burgess, Thornton W., Springfield, Mass.
Burroughs, John, West Park, N. Y.

Cory, Charles B., Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111.
Cox, Philip, Newcastle, N. B.

DuRY, Charles, Cincinnati, Ohio
DUTCHER, B. H., M. D., U. S. Army.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Fox, Wm. H., M.D., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washington, D. C.

Grant, W. W., 600 Castle Street, Geneva, N. Y.

Harper, Francis, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 818 Fifth Street, San Diego, Cal.

Langdon, F. W., M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio
Latham, Mrs. F. E. B., Micco, Fla.

LooMis, Leverett M., California Acad, of Sciences, San Francisco,
Cal.

Marshall, Alfred, 64 South Canal Street, Chicago, 111.
Mead, Theo. L., Oviedo, Fla.

31

Oberholser, Harry C, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Sage, John H., Portland, Conn.

Seton, Ernest Thompson, Greenwich, Conn.

Shufeldt, R. W., M.D., 3356 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D. C.

Trotter, Spencer, M.D., Swarthmore, Pa.

Warren, B. H., M.D., Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa.
WiLLiSTON, S. V/., M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.

Resident Members

Abbott, Clinton G., State Conservation Commission, Albany, N. Y.
Adams, Benjamin, 155 Amity Street, Brooklyn.

Bishop, Louis B., M.D., 356 Orange Street, New Haven, Conn.
BowDiSH, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.
Boyle, Howarth S., 62 Parcell Street, Elmhurst, L. I.
Breder, Charles M., Jr., 1824 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Wash-
ington, D. C.
Bristol, Jno. I. D., 1 Madison Avenue.

Cassebeer, H. a., Jr., 1095 Steinway Avenue, Steinway, L. I.

Chapin, James P., American Museum of Natural History.

Chapman, E. A., M.D., 3 East 23d Street.

Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History.

Childs, Hon. John Lewis, Floral Park, L. L

Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Natural History.

Cleaves, Howard H., State Conservation Commission, Albany,

N. Y.
Crosby, Maunsell S., Rhinebeck, N. Y.

*Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, S. I.

DeMille, John B., Hartley Hall, Columbia University.

Dieterich, Charles F., 2 Rector Street.

Dodge, Cleveland H., 99 John Street.

DuGMORE, Captain A. Radclyffe, Sutton, Surrey, England.

DwaGHT, Jonathan, M.D., 43 West 70th Street.

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
Fleisher, Edward, 28 Beach 113th Street, Rockaway Park, N. Y. C.

Gladden, George, 170 Vermilyea Avenue.

GoTTHOLD, Arthur F., 60 Wall Street.

Granger, Walter, American Museum of Natural History.

Griscom, Ludlow, 37 Fifth Avenue.

Halter, Clarence R., 243 East 123d Street.
Hartshorn, H. Ira,, 53 S. 12th Street, Newark, N. J.
Helme, Arthur H,, Miller Place, L. I.
Helmuth, William T., Jr., 774 Madison Avenue.

* Life Member.

3^

Herrick, Harold, 123 William Street.

Hix, George E., 100 West 91st Street.

HUBBELL, George W., Greenwich, Conn.

Hyde, E. Francis, 36 West 58th Street.

Hyde, Frederick William, 340 Forty-third Street, Brooklyn.

Irving, John, Glen Cove, L. I.

Janvrin, E. R. p., M.D., 515 Park Avenue.

Johnson, Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.

Johnson, Julius M., 179 South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood, N. J.

KlERAN, John F., 3150 Kingsbridge Terrace.
KuSER, John Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J.

LaDow, Stanley Vaughan, 622 West 113th Street.
Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History.
Lawrence, John B., 126 East 30th Street.
Leale, Charles A., M.D., 604 Madison Avenue.
Lewis, Clark L., Jr., 524 West 184th Street.

Maitland, Robert L., 141 Broadway.

Marks, E. Sydney, 655 Kearney Avenue, Arlington, N. J.

Merriam, Henry F., Ph.D., 30 Clinton Avenue, Maplewopd, N. J.

Miller, Leo E., Ambler, Pa.

Morris, Robert T., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.

Murphy, Robert Cushman, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn.

Nichols, Edward G., 1086 Amsterdam Avenue.

Nichols, John Treadwell, American Museum of Natural History.

Nichols, L. Nelson, N. Y. Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 42d

Street.
Noble, G. Kingsley, American Museum of Natural History.

OsBORN, Prof. Henry F., American Museum of Natural History.
Osborn, William C, 71 Broadway.
Overton, Frank, M.D., Patchogue, L. L

Pearson, T. Gilbert, 1974 Broadway.
Philipp, p. Bernard, 220 Broadway.
Porter, Louis N., Stamford, Conn.

QUARLES, E. A., 2623 Equitable Building.

Raven, H. C, Bayshore, L. L

Reichenberger, Mrs. Victor M., American Museum of Natural

History.
RiKER, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.
♦Rogers, Charles H., American Museum of Natural History.
RuNDALL, Clarence A., Brewster, N. Y.

Stern, Benjamin, 542 Fifth Avenue.

* Life Member

33

Streeter, Daniel D., Bergen Street and New York Ave., Brooklyn.

Thayer, Gerald H., 2 East 81st Street. ^

Valentine, J. Manson, 118 East 79th Street.
DU ViviER, Edward F., 152 East 71st Street.

Walsh, Lester, 11 Walthery Avenue, Ridgewood, N. J.
Walters, Frank, Elmhurst, L. I.

Weber, Jay A., Moore and Grand Avenues, Leonia, N. J.
Wheeler, C. W. B., M.D., 17 East 38th Street.
Wilcox, T. Ferdinand, 118 East 54th Street.
Woodruff, Lewis B., 14 East 68th Street.

Di Zerega, Louis A., M.D., 616 Madison Avenue.

34

INDEX

Abbott, C. C, death, 16.
Acanthis linaria linaria, N. Y.,

14, 15; N. J., 14; L. I., 15;
S. I., 15.

Actitis macularia, N. Y., 4, 10.
Adams, Benjamin, 11, 13, 16.
Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus,

4; Iowa, 7; N. Y., 9.
Anthus rubescens, N. Y., 11
Antrostomus vocif erus vocif erus,

N. J., 3.
Asio wilsonianus, N. J., 3; S. I.,

15; L. I., 17.
Astragalinus tristis tristis, S. I.,

12.

Baeolophus bicolor, N. Y., 7, 13,

15, 17.

Bartramia longicauda, 11.

Beebe, Wm., on animals of Brit-
ish Guiana, 16.

Bee-eater, 8.

Bent, A. C, 9.

Bequaert, J., 7.

Bicknell, E. P., 13, 14, 15.

Bird-banding, 7.

Bittern, American, 7.

Blackbird, Red-winged, 4, 7, 9.
Rusty, 11, 17.

Bobolink, 6.

Bob-white, 15.

Botaurus lentiginosus, N. J., 7.

Bowdish, B. S., 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14,
16, 17.

Boyle, H. S., 3.

Branta canadensis canadensis,
L. I., 1,2; N. J., 7, 8.
leucopsis, L. I., 12.

Breder, C. M., Jr., 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.

Brewster, Wm., death, 5; me-
morial addresses, 5, 7.

Bufflehead, 15.

Bunting, Indigo, 3, 9.
Snow, 9.

Butorides virescens virescens,
N. Y., 3; N. J., 3.

Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus,

L. I., 7, 9.
Canaehites canadensis canace,

N. Y., 5.
Carpodacus purpureus purpur-

eus, N. Y., 14; N. J., 14, 17.
Catbird, 7, 9.

Catharista urubu urubu, Fla., 9.
Cathartes aura septentrionalis,

Fla., 9.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus,

10.
Certhia familiaris americana,

N. Y., 9; L. I., 12.
Ceryle alcyon, N. J., 3; N. Y.,

15.
Chaetura pelagica, N. Y., 6;

Iowa, 7.
Chapin, J. P., 4, 7, 8, 15, 16.
Chapman, F. M., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Charitonetta albeola, L. I., 15.
Chaulelasmus streperus, L. I., 7.
Chickadee, Black-capped, 15.
Chubb, S. H., on birds of Cats-
kill Mts., 6; 12, 15, 16, 17.
Ciconia alba, South Africa, 8.
Cleaves, H. H., 4.
Colinus virginianus virginianus,

N. Y., 15.
Colymbus auritus, N. Y., 11.
Compsothlypis americana us-

neae, N. Y., 3.
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachy-

rhynchos, Fla., 11.

brachyrhynchos pascuus,

Fla., 9, 11.
ossifragus, Fla., 9.
Cowbird, 3.
Crandall, L. S., 13, 14.
Creeper, Brown, 9, 12.
Crosby, M. S., 13, 14.
Crossbill, Red, 9, 11, 12, 14.
White-winged, 12, 14.
Crow, 9, 11.

Fish, 9.

35

Cryptoglaux acadica acadica,

L. I., 17.
Curlews, 10.

Davis, W. T., 8, 9, 12, 14, 16.

DeMille, J, B., proposed, 13
elected, 15.

Dendroica cerulea, N. Y., 6.

dominica subsp., N. Y., 3
vigors! vigors!, L. I., 9.

Didelphys virginianus, N. Y.
17.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus, N. Y., 6

Dove, Mourning, 3, 7, 8.

Dowitcher, 11.

Dumetella carolinensis, N. J., 7
N. Y., 9.

Dwight, J., 1; 'The Wing Pat-
terns of North American
Gulls,' 2; 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12
'The Plumages of Gulls in Re-
lation to Age,' 12 ; 15, 16.

Eagle, Bald, 4.

Elanoides forficatus, Fla., 9.

Englehardt, G. P., 'The Deserts

and Plateaus of Utah,' 1.
Euphagus carolinus, N. J., 11;

N. Y., 17.

Finch, Purple, 14, 17.

Fisher, G. C., 3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14,

16, 17.
Fleisher, Edward, 16.
Fleming, J. H., 2.
Floyd, Wm., 7.
Friedman, R., 13.
Frog, Leopard, 5.

Gadwall, 7.

Gallinago, 11.

Gallinago delicata, L. I., 12.

Gallinule, Purple, 7.

Geococcyx californianus, Utah,

2.
Gilmore, D. P., 7.
Gladden, Geo., 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11,

15.
Godwits, 10.
Godwit, Marbled, 10.
Goose, Barnacle, 12.

Canada, 1, 2, 7, 8.
Grackle, Bronzed, 4, 11.

Purple, 4.
Granger, Walter, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

Grebe, Horned, 11.
Gregory, Wm, K., 'Some Facts
and Theories of Evolution,' 4.
Griscom, Ludlow, 2; on birds in
France, 3; 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 16;
'Revision of the Seaside Spar-
rows,' 18-30.
Grosbeak, Evening, 13, 14, 15,
17.

Pine, 14.
Grouse, Spruce, 5.
Gull, Bonaparte's, 12, 13.
Glaucous, 7, 15.
Herring, 13.
Iceland, 13, 15.
Laughing, 13.
Ring-billed, 13.
Gulls, non-breeding, 11 ; molts,
13.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus leuco-

cephalus, N. Y., 4.
Hartshorn, H. I., 4, 6, 7, 8.
Heloderma suspectum, Utah, 2.
Helodromas solitarius, 10.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 9.

Little Green, 3.
Hesperiphona vespertina vesper-

tina, N. Y., 13, 15; L. L, 13,

15, 17; N. J., 14, 17; S. L, 15.
Heteromys, 6.

Hirundo erythrogaster, N. Y., 3.

rustica. South Africa, 8.

Hix, G. E., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 15,

16, 17.
Hovey, E. 0., 12.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamen-

sis, Atlantic Coast, 10; L. I.,
10.
Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens,
N. Y., 5, 6.

guttata pallasi, 1; N. Y.,
5, 8; L. I., 9.

lonornis martinicus, Currituck
Sound, 7.

Janvrin, E. R. P., 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17.

Jay, Canada, 8, 11.

Johnson, F. E., 3, 4, 6, 15, 16.

Johnson, J. M., 2, 7, 16.

Johnston, Charles, 11, 12, 13.

Johnston, Mrs. Charles, 13.

Junco, Slate,-colored, 4, 12.

Junco hyemalis hyemalis, N. Y.,
4, 12; N. H., 5.

36

Kieran, J. F., 6, 7, 8, 15.
Killdeer, 8, 9.
King, G. A., 14.
Kingfisher, Belted, 3, 15.
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned, 3.
Kite, Swallow-tailed, 9.
Kittiwake, 13, 15.
Knot, 10, 11.
Kobbe, F. W., 13.
Kunz, G. F., 4.

LaDow, S. v., 7.

Lang, Herbert, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 15.

Langdon, W. G., death, 16.

Larinae, 2, 12.

Lark, Horned, 7, 9.

Larus argentatus, 13.

atricilla, 13.

delawarensis, 13.

hyperboreus, L. L, 7, 15.

leucopterus, N. J., 13;
L. L, 15.

Philadelphia, 13.
Lewis, C. L., Jr., 4, 6, 7, 13.
Limosa fedoa, Fla., 10.
Liriodendron, 14.
Lizard, Horned, 2.
Lobipes lobatus, L. L, 4.
Longspur, Lapland, 7, 9.
Loxia curvirostra, L. L, 14;

5. L, 11, 12, 14.

curvirostra minor, 12.
curvirostra percna, Mass.,
R. L, Va., 9.

leucoptera, S. I., 12, 14;
N. Y., 14.

Macrorhamphus griseus, 11.
Marks, E. S., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,

11, 12, 13, 16.
Martin, Purple, 7.
Meade, C. W., 4.
Meade, Mrs. C. W., 4.
Medsger, O. P., 14.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus, N.

J., 5; L. L, 12; N. Y., 15.
Melosniza melodia melodia,N.Y.,

6, 12.

Merops apiaster, South Africa,

8.
Microtus pennsylvanicus, 9.
Miller, W. DeW., 3, 4, 5, 7.
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos,

N. Y., 1, 2, 13.
Miner, R. W., 12.
Mniotilta varia, N. J., 3.

Mockingbird, Eastern, 1, 2, 13.
Molothrus ater ater, N. Y., 3.
Monster, Gila, 2.
Morris, L. V., 12.
Morris, R. T., 16.
Mouse, Meadow, 9.

White-footed, 9.
Murphy, R. C, 2, 16; on recent

trip to Peru, 17.
Myiochanes virens, N. Y., 8.

Nannus hiemalis hiemalis, N. Y.,

6.
Nelson, E. W., 7.
Nichols, E. G., 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13,

14, 15, 16.
Nichols, J. T., 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8; on

Florida birds, 9; on the Sco-

lopacidae, 10, 11; 12, 13,14, 15,

16; 'Revision of the Seaside

Sparrows,' 18-30.
Nichols, L. N., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
Noble G. K., elected, 1; 'The

Harvard Peruvian Expedition

of 1916,' 4; 7, 12, 15, 16.
Nycticorax nycticorax naevius,

N. Y., 9.

Oidemia americana, L. I., 15.

Opossum, 17.

Otocoris alpestris alpestris, L.I.,

7, 9.
Ovenbird, 11.
Owl, Long-eared, 3, 15, 17.

Saw-whet, 17.
Oxyechus vociferus, N. J., 8;

N. Y., 9.

Passer domesticus domesticus,

N. Y., 4.
Passerculus princeps, L. I., 9.

sandwichensis savanna,
L. I., 9.
Passerella iliaca iliaca, N. Y., 8.
Passerherbulus maritimus fish-
eri, 24.

maritimus howelli, 22.
maritimus juncicola, 25._
maritimus macgillivraii,

20.
maritimus maritimus, 20.
maritimus peninsulae,

24.
maritimus sennetti, 20.
mirabilis, 19.
nigrescens, 27.

37

Passerina cyanea, L. I., 3; Va.,

9.
Pearson, T. G., 4, 16.
Pell, Morris, 2.
Penthestes atricapillus atrica-

pillus, 15.
Perisoreus canadensis canaden-
sis, N. B., 8; 11.
Peromyscus leucopus, L. I., 9.
Peucaea aestivalis aestivalis,

Fla., 9.
Pewee, Wood, 8.
Phalarope, Northern, 4.
Philipp, P. B., 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15.
Philohela minor, N. J., 3; 11.
Phoebe, 3.
Phrynosoma, 2.
Pincus, Albert, 3.
Pinicola enucleator leucura, N.

Y., 14.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus ery-

throphthalmus. Conn., 11;

Me., 11.
Pipit, American, 11.
Planesticus migratorius migra-

torius, N. Y., 6, 9.
Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis,

L. I., 9.
Progne subis subis, N. Y., 7.
Protonotaria citrea, N. Y., 3.

Quiscalus, predatory habits, 4.
Quiscalus quiscula ^neus, 4; N.
J., 11.

quiscula quiscula, 4.

quiscula subsp., N. Y., 9.

Rail, King, 11.

Rallus elegans, N. J., 11.

Rana pipiens, N. J., 5.

Redpoll, 14, 15.

Regulus calendula calendula, N.
J., 3.

'Revision of the Seaside Spar-
rows,' 18-30.

Rhynchops nigra, L. I., 5.

Rissa, 13

Rissa tridactyla tridactyla, N.
Y., 15.

Road-runner, 2.

Robin, American, 6, 9.

Rogers, C. H., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
9, 11 ; "An Ornithological
Glimpse of the Lesser An-
tilles," 11, 12; 13, 14, 15; Sec-
retary's Annual Report, 16.

Rosa rugosa, 14.

Sandpiper, Solitary, 10, 11.
Spotted, 4, 10, 11.
Upland, 11.
Sayornis phoebe, N. J., 3.
Sclater, W. L., 4, 7; "Bird Mi-
gration in South Africa," 8; 9.
Scolopacid^e, relationships and

habitats, 10, 11.
Scoter, American, 15.
Seiurus aurocapillus, 11.

noveboracensis novebora-
censis, N. J., 5.
Seton, E. T., ''The Kangaroo-
Rat of the Desert," 6.
Sherman, Miss A. R., "Birds of

an Iowa Door-yard," 7.
Siskin, Pine, 1, 5, 9, 11, 12, 14,

15.
Skimmer, Black, 5.
Snipe, Wilson's, 12.
Sparrow, Fox, 8.
House, 4.
Ipswich, 9.
Pine-woods, 9.
Savannah, 9.
Song, 6, 12.
Tree, 12, 13.
White-crowned, 5.
White-throated, 13.
Sparrows, Seaside, 18-30.
Spinus pinus pinus, 1; N. J., 5,
14; N. Y., 9, 11, 12, 14; L. I.,
14.
Spizella monticola monticola, N.

Y., 12, 13.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, N.

Y., 3.
Sterna hirundo, N. Y., 4.
Stone, H. F., 7.
Stork, White, 8.
Sv/allow, Barn, 3.
European, 8.
Rough-winged, 3.
Violet-green, 8.
Swift, Chimney, 6, 7.

Tachycineta thalassina lepida,

Col., 8.
Tattlers, 10, 11.
Tern, Black, 10.

Common, 4.
Terns, non-breeding, 11.
Thayer, G. H., 7, 8, 11, 15.
Thrasher, Brown, 3, 8.
Thrush, Hermit, 1, 8, 9.
Thryospiza, 19.

js

Tit, Tufted. 7, 13, 15, 16, 17.
Totanus, 10.
Totanus flavipes, 11.
Toxostoma rufum, N. Y., 3, 8.
Tringa canutus, 10, 11.
Troglodytes aedon aedon, N. J.,
3; N. Y., 8.

Valentine, J. M., 2, 4.
Veery, 5, 6.
Vireo, Red-eyed, 8, 11.
Vireosylva olivacea, N. Y., 8; 11.
du Vivier, E. F., 16.
Vulture, Black, 9.
Turkey, 9.

Walsh, Lester, 7.

Warbler, Black and White, 3.

Cerulean, 6.

Parula, Northern, 3.

Pine, 9.

Prothonotary, 3.

Yellow-throated, 3.

Water-thrush, Northern, 5.

Weber, J. A., 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14.

Whip-poor-will, 3.

Willet, 10, 11.

Williams, Laidlaw, 13, 15, 17.

Woodcock, 3, 11.

Woodpecker, Red-headed, 5, 12,
15.

Woodruff, L. B., 2; 16; Treasur-
er's Annual Report, 16.

Wren, House, 3, 8.
Winter, 6.

Yellow-legs, 10, 11.
Yellow-legs, Lesser, 11.

Zenaidura macroura carolinen-

sis, N. Y., 3, 8; N. J., 7.
Zonotrichia albicollis, N. Y., 13.
leucophrys leucophrys, N.
J., 5.

39

1920-1924 Nos. 33, 34, 35.

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

OF
NEW YORK

For the Four Years Ending
March 25, 1924

CONTAINING

Notes on the Winter Bird Life
of Southeastern Texas

By T. Gilbert Pearson

Date of Issue, November 1, 1924

mo.

— Vofc XXXIII, pp. 1-8 July 15, 1920

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

A NEW AMEIVA FROM NEVIS ISLAND,
BRITISH WEST INDIES

BY KARL PATTERSON SCHMIDT

A small collection in The American Museum of Natural
History from the island of Nevis, in the northern group of
the Lesser Antilles, contains a single specimen of an Ameiva.
This genus occurs in nearly all of the Lesser Antilles and its
occurrence on Nevis is not surprising, though the fact that
there have been no recent records of these lizards may indicate
that it is now extinct.

While closely related to the Ameivas of the neighboring
islands, the form on Nevis appears to warrant description as
a distinct species.

Ameiva nevisana, new species

Diagnostic Characters

Caudal scales straight and keeled ; ventral plates in twelve longi-
tudinal rows; nostril anterior to the nasal suture; four supraocu-
lars; antebrachials not continuous with the brachials; a band of
enlarged scales across the throat; nine scales border the vent
anteriorly, the outer minute, the two adjacent to the median
scale largest; a large oval preanal in front of this series; two
very large tibials; color pattern consisting of more or less trans-
verse rows of white spots on a darker ground color.

Range

Confined to Nevis Island, British West Indies.

Type

A. M. N. H. No. 1635, male; Nevis Island, British West Indies.
(An old specimen probably collected before 1890.)

Description of Type

Rostral forming an acute angle behind ; anterior nasals narrowly

in contact behind the rostral; nostrils in the posterior part of the
anterior nasal; frontonasal six-sided, nearly as wide as long, in
contact equally with the posterior nasals and the loreals; pre-
frontals as long as the frontal; anterior borders of the frontal
emarginate; four supraoculars, the first separated from the loreal
by the first supraciliary; eight supraciliaries separated from the
three posterior supraoculars by a double row of granules; frontal
in contact with the first and second supraoculars; two frontopari-
etals, separated from the supraoculars by a row of granules, double
posteriorly; five subequal occipitals in a transverse row; five upper
labials to center of eye, fourth largest; lower labials separated
from the chin shields by a row of small scales posteriorly expanded
into a group of four large flat scales; ventral plates in twelve
longitudinal and thirty-six transverse rows ; a wedge of the lateral
granules extends between the ends of the transverse rows; a broad
band of enlarged scales across the throat; enlarged scales on the
collar in three rows; brachials proximally in three rows, distally
in one, widely separated from the six large transverse ante-
brachials; a small group of postbrachials near the elbow; femorals
in ten or eleven rows; tibials much enlarged, two outer plates very
large; caudal scales straight, keeled, thirty-two in the fifteenth
verticil; femoral pores 21-22.

Color (much faded) bluish gray, anteriorly vermiculated with
black, more heavily on the arms; posterior part of dorsum and
upper surfaces of legs spotted with white, the spots on the back
arranged in irregular transverse rows; venter uniform bluish gray
with a small median black pectoral spot.

Measurements

Tip of snout to vent 135 mm.

Tip of snout to posterior edge of tympanum ... 34 mm.

Breadth of head 18 mm.

Arm r 50 mm.

Leg 84 mm.

This form is most closely allied to Ameiva pleii, which Barbour
and Noble (1915, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge, LIX, p. 447)
locate on St. Martin and St. Bartholomew. In the possession of
twelve rows of ventral plates it is intermediate between A. plu-
vianotata (Montserrat) and A. erythrocephala (St. Kitts) on one
hand, and A. griswoldi (Antigua) on the other. It may be distin-
guished most readily from Ameiva pleii by the fev/er occipitals,
the middle one entire, the much larger antebrachials, and the
presence of a median posterior preanal.

SOME NEW AND RARE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

FROM CUBA

BY KARL PATTERSON SCHMIDT

Among the collections of amphibians and reptiles from Cuba
in The American Museum of Natural History are several
species of interest, and two species of tree frogs of the genus
Eleutherodactylus which appear to be undescribed. The De-
partment of Herpetology is especially indebted to Mr. Barnum
Brovm for im.portant collections of amphibians and reptiles
from this island.

Eleutherodactylus gundlachi, new name
Sierra Maestra Range (A. M. N. H. Nos. 6445-47).
Eleutherodactylus plicatus Barbour, 1914, Mem. Mus. Comp.
Zool., Cambridge, XLIV., p. 244, is pre-occupied by E. plicatus
(Glinther), 1900, Biologia Centrali-Americana, Reptilia and
Batrachia, p. 228. I take pleasure in naming the species after
the distinguished Cuban naturalist.

Eleutherodactylus sierra-maestrae, new species (Plate 1, Fig. 1)
Diagnostic Characters

Toes without webs; digital disks well developed; belly smooth;
back coarsely tubercular, without folds or plic«; tympanum dis-
tinct; vomerine teeth in two long curved series, narrowly separated
on the median line, extending laterally beyond the choanje; head
broad; plantar and palmar tubercles well developed; hind limbs
cross-barred.

Range

Known only from the Sierra Maestra Range, in the Province of
Oriente, Cuba.

Type

A. M. N. H. No. 6450, male, Sierra Maestra Range, Cuba;
collected by R. H. Beck, August 1918.

Description of Type

Head as wide as body; heels overlap vrhen the legs are placed
at right angles to the body; heel reaches nearly to the tip of the
snout; nostril much nearer to tip of snout than to eye; upper
eyelids narrower than the interorbital space; tympanum two-thirds
the diameter of the eye, separated from it by half its diameter.
Disks of fingers and toes large, twice as wide as the digits; digits
entirely without webs; first finger shorter than the second by the
v/idth of its disk; first toe reaching a little beyond the first sub-
articular tubercle of the second ; plantar and palmar tubercles v/ell
developed. Belly entirely smooth ; skin of back coarsely tubercular,
but without ridges or plicae. Tongue broad, truncate behind; vom-

erine teeth in two long, curved series, narrowly separated on the
median line, and extending laterally beyond the outer borders of the
choanae.

Brownish gray above, mottled with very dark brown; throat
and chest uniform brown ; belly and under surfaces of legs lighter,
the legs spotted with brown; upper and outer surfaces of legs and
arms barred.

Measurements

Length from snout to vent 38 mm.

Head from snout to posterior border of tym-
panum 16 mm.

Greatest breadth of head 15 mm.

Foreleg from axilla 26 mm.

Hind leg from vent 68 mm.

Eleutherodactylus sierra-maestrae does not appear to be very
closely related to any other Cuban species. The large digital disks
distinguish it at once from the species with similar vomerine teeth,
while the absence of webs and the coloration amply distinguish it
from the following species.

Eleutherodactylus brevipalmatus, new species. (Plate 1, Fig. 2)

Diagnostic Characters

Toes with short but evident webs; digital disks well developed;
belly smooth in the center; back finely granular; tympanum dis-
tinct; vomerine teeth in two long transverse series, narrowly sep-
arated on the median line, extending laterally as far as the outer
borders of the choanae; head broad; plantar and palmar tubercles
well developed; hind limbs not barred; dark above with a light
dorsolateral line on each side.

Range

Known only from the Sierra Maestra Range, Province of Oriente,
Cuba.

Type

A. M. N. H. No. 6448, female, Sierra Maestra Range, Cuba,
collected by R. H. Beck, August 1918.

Description of Type

Head wider than the body; heels overlap when the legs are
placed at right angles to the body; heel reaches the tip of the
snout when the leg is extended along the body; nostril much nearer
to tip of snout than to eye; upper eyelid narrower than the inter-
orbital space; tympanum about half the diameter of the eye; its
distance from the eye about two-thirds its diameter. Disks of
toes large, twice as wide as the digits; toes with short webs,
reaching to the first joint; first finger slightly shorter than the
second; first toe reaching to the first subarticular tubercle of the
second; plantar and palmar tubercles well developed. Belly smooth
at the center, sides and femurs finely granular; skin of back finely
granular, without folds, tubercles, or plicae. Tongue narrow, oval
behind; vomerine teeth in two nearly straight transverse series
well behind the choanae, extending laterally as far the outer edges

of the choanae, separated on the median line by a narrow interspace.

Dark above with a light dorsolateral line on each side from the
orbit to the groin; limbs finely mottled beneath; tarsus with light
rings; under side grayish brown, mottled with darker brown.

Measurements

Length from snout to vent 37 mm.

Head from snout to posterior border of tym-
panum 16 mm.

Greatest breadth of head 16 mm.

Foreleg from axilla 25 mm.

Hind leg from vent 64 mm.

Notes on Paratype

The single paratype (A. M. N. H. No. 6449) is a male, measur-
ing 30 mm. from snout to vent. There is no evident vocal sac ; the
tympanum is larger; the dorsolateral lines are absent; and the
tarsi are more distinctly ringed.

This species appears to be very distinct from the majority of
Antillean species of Eleutherodactylus in the presence of webs be-
tween its toes.

Key to the Species of Eleutherodactylus in Cuba

1 5 Belly smooth, at least at center 2

/ Belly granular 5

2 \ Digital dilations large E. sierra-maestrae

} Digital dilations small 3

3 S No ventral disk; skin of back smooth. . .E. dimidiatus
} A ventral disk ; skin of back rough 4

4 \ Heels overlapping; thighs pink E. cuneatus

f Heels fail to meet; thighs not pink E. ricordii

5 S Digital dilations large 6

( Digital dilations small 7

g S Toes distinctly webbed E. brevipalmatus

i Toes without webs E. auriculatus

i Vomerine teeth in short oblique series ; back

7. ) granular E. varians

j Vomerine teeth in short oblique series ; back

V plicate E. gundlachi

Anolis cyanopleurus Cope

Sierra Maestra Range (A. M. N. H. Nos. 12884-91). Collected by
R. H. Beck, August 1918.

Tropidophis semicinctus (Gundlach & Peters)

Santa Clara (A. M. N. H. No. 7386). The single specimen was
taken under a rock, January 30, 1918, by Mr. Barnum Brown. The
dorsal scale rows are 23-25-19; ventrals, 212, subcaudals, 39.

Tretanorhinus variabilis Dumeril & Bibron

Santa Clara (A. M. N. H. No. 7387). Collected January 30, 1918,
by Mr. Barnum Brown. Taken under a rock, on land, this speci-

men affords an example of occasional terrestrial habits in this
species.

Arrhyton vittatum (Gundlach & Peters)

Santiago (A. M. N. H. No. 2949). Collected by S. H. Hamilton.

This specimen agrees fairly well in coloration and scale count
with A. vittatum, the median dorsal stripe being well defined. The
dorsal scales are 17-17-17, the ventral plates 127, the subcaudals 72.
The prefrontals are fused to form a single shield, but the beginning
of the normal median suture is present anteriorly.

The close correspondence of this specimen with A. redimituTn
might furnish additional reason for assuming that that species
was founded on an abnormal specimen. The subcaudals, however,
are said to be 120 in the specimen of A. redimitum at Museum
d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, and if this count is correct, the
species is probably a valid one.

A NEW CYCLURA FROM WHITE CAY,
BAHAMA ISLANDS

BY KARL PATTERSON SCHMIDT

In the course of the identification of the West Indian
amphibians and reptiles in The American Museum of
Natural History a specimen of Cyclura of an apparently-
distinct and undescribed species was found. This may
be known as follows :

Cyclura cristata, new species

Diagnostic Characters

Allied to Cyclura rileyi Stejneger; anterior head shields slightly
enlarged, flat, not at all swollen; frontal not tubercular, scarcely
enlarged; nuchal and dorsal sections of the dorsal crest subequal;
dorsal crest interrupted on the shoulders and rump; twenty spines
in the nuchal, sixty-six in the dorsal section of the crest; anterior
dorsal spines fully as high as the posterior.

Range

White Cay (north of Watling's Island), Bahama Islands.

Type

A. M. N. H. No. 7238 (skin and skull). White Cay, Bahama
Islands; T. B. Enders, donor, 1908.

Figure 1. Eleutherodactylus sierra-maestrae, new species.
Type, (A.M.N.H. No. 6450), natural size.

Figure 2. Eleutherodactylus brevipalmatus, new species.
Type, (A.M.N.H. No. 6448), natural size.

Description of Type

Rostral wider than mental, broadly in contact with the nasals;
nasals large, in contact on the median line; a pair of postnasals
in contact, followed by a series of four enlarged scales on each
side, the third the largest, separated by one or two rows of median
scales; the last two of these series in contact with a small frontal;
largest anterior head shields very slightly swollen ; remaining head
shields flat, rarely with a low tubercle; occipital slightly enlarged;
a patch of enlarged temporals, of which the lower posterior scale
is more or less tubercular; seven enlarged supralabials to the
middle of the eye; ten enlarged sublabials; sublabials separated
posteriorly from the enlarged chin shields by two rows of scales;
posterior chin shields bluntly keeled or tubercular; canthal scales
slightly enlarged ; eleven scales in a vertical row between the upper
labials and the last canthal; a large tubercular shield on each side
beneath the eye; four tubercular shields on the anterior border
of the ear opening; dorsal scales very small; a nuchal crest com-
posed of twenty spines, the median longest (12 mm.) ; a dorsal
crest, separated from the nuchal, of sixty-six spines, subequal, with
the exception of the few first and last (the longest 9 mm.) ; crest
on the base of the tail somewhat higher than on the back; tail
sharply verticillate, four spinose median scales to each verticil;
outer scales of limbs somewhat larger than the dorsals; keeled
"comb" on the second toe of three lobes each; femoral pores,
twenty-two.

Color dark gray, obscurely mottled with yellow, especially on
the limbs and throat.

Length 730 mm.

Tail 410 mm.

Head 70 mm.

This species is closely related to C. rileyi from the neighboring
Watling's Island, but appears to be readily distinguished by the
high dorsal crest of fewer spines (sixty-six as compared with
seventy-six) and the different arrangement of the anterior head
shields. It belongs to the carinata group of more primitive
Cycluras.

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN/EAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK,
FOR THE FOUR YEARS ENDING MARCH 11, 1924.

This is the thirty- third in the series of Abstracts published
by the Linnaean Society of New York, closing volume 33 of the
Proceedings of the Society, and is prepared mainly as a brief
review of the work of the Society during the year closing with
the date indicated above. Papers presented before the Society
and published elsewhere (often enlarged or otherwise different
in form) are mentioned with proper reference to the place
of publication.

March 23, 1920. — The President in the chair.

The President announced that the office of Secretary had
not been filled at the Annual Meeting on March 9, 1920, as
Mr. J. T. Nichols had not obtained the three-fourths vote
necessary for his election. The Council thereupon called on
Dr. Janvrin to act as Secretary during the ensuing year. By
the favorable action of the Society Dr. Janvrin 's appointment
was confirmed.

The President then appointed the following committees:

MemhersMp: Messrs. J. T. Nichols, Chubb and L. N. Nichols.

Finance: Messrs. Woodruff, Granger and Rogers.

Papers and Lectures: Drs. Janvrin and Fisher and Mr.
Rogers.

Publications: Messrs. Griscom and J. T. Nichols and Dr.
Janvrin.

1
1

Local Avifamm: Messrs. J. T. Nichols, Griscom and Rogers.

The subject of a local list of the birds of the New York City
region, to be published by the Society, was discussed at length,
and the Committee on Local Avifauna was asked to report on
the matter at the next meeting.

Dr. Dwight stated that most of the scientific journals and
magazines were overcrowded with material at the present
time, and suggested that the Linnaean Society might accept
short papers on vertebrate zoology and publish them from
time to time during the year as leaflets. The matter was
discussed and referred to the Committee on Publications for
consideration.

Mr. Granger told of a trip to Northport, L. I., which he and
Dr. Janvrin had taken on March 21. Golden-eye {Clangula c.
americatia) and Old Squaw {Harelda hy emails) dueks were
especially numerous. Six Red-headed Woodpeckers {Melaner-
pes erythrocephahis) were seen, — probably wintering birds.

Mr. Griscom reported that he had seen Fish Crows (Corvus
ossifragiis) and a melanistic Rough-legged Hawk {Archihuteo
lag opus sancti-johannis) in the Overpeck Marshes on March
21. He also spoke of a Woodcock {Philohela minor) reported
from Staten Island on March 14, and one on the 17th in New
York City.

Mr. L. N. Nichols had seen a drake Shoveller {Spatula cly-
peata) in the Baj^chester marshes. East Bronx, on March 22.

Mr. Hix had seen a Black-backed Gull {Lar%is marinus) on
the Hudson River near the 130th street ferry on March 14,
and a Red-headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephahis)
and a Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatiim) at Grantwood,
N. J., on March 21.

Mr. Crosby reported his first Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) for
the season on March 23, and Canada Geese {Branta c. cana-
densis) flying north on the 15th, although at that time the
Hudson was still completely frozen over.

Mr. Gladden reported a Bluebird {Sialia s. siulis) on March
3 in Van Cortlandt Park.

April 13, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Granger reported seeing a flock of 57 Evening Gros-
beaks {Hesperiphona v. vespertUm) at Rutland, Yt., on
April 4.

Mr. Rogers spoke of the scarcity of Golden-crowned Kinglets
{Reguhis s. satrapa) since Christmas. He had seen 2 at
Picton, N. J., on March 28, 2 at Teaneck, N. J., on March 31,
and 2 at South River on April 4. On the last date, with Mr.
Wm. DeW. Miller, he had observed Black Ducks {A7ias ruhri-
pes), Pintails {Dafila acuta), Baldpates {Mareca americana)
and Green-winged Teals {Nettion carolineiise) — also a solitary
Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea) .

Dr. Janvrin had seen 8 Ruddy Ducks {Erismatura jamai-
censis) on the Overpeck Creek on April 8, and, with Mr. Gris-
com, a pair in the same locality on April 11.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Alfred E. Emerson,
entitled ''Studies of British Guiana Termites." Mr. Emerson
had found about seventy species of ''white ants" within a mile
of the Guiana Experiment Station of the New^ York Zoological
Society, including a number of new genera and species. He
said that the Termites, forming the order Isoptera, were a
group of primitive insects that had developed social habits
and different castes of individuals very similar to those found
among the highly specialized order Hymenoptera. The indi-
viduals were divided into queens, males, soldiers and workers.
He described the mating flight of the queens and males, the
behavior of the soldiers and workers under different condi-
tions, and the building of the nests. He found that the species
that built arboreal nests used simply wood and a secretion
from their bodies in their construction, while those nesting
on or near the ground also used dirt.

Mr. Herbert Lang supplemented Mr. Emerson's paper with
a short talk on the Termites of the Congo region. He spoke of
the natives fighting for the possession of Termite hills, and
said that they used the insects as food.

Both papers were illustrated by lantern-slides showing the
country, insects and their nests. Mr. Lang also showed pic-
tures of ant-eaters and other mammals that feed on the Ter-
mites.

April 27, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Dr. Fisher reported 4 Evening Grosbeaks {Hesperiphona v.
vespertina) observed at Douglaston, L. I., from March 20 to
April 9. and 1 seen in the same locality on April 26. He had
also found a dead Common Shrew {8 or ex perso'natus) near
Douglaston on April 11.

Mr. Rogers reported the following records for the Engle-
wood, N. J., region: On April 18, with Mr. W. H. Wiegman,
a pair of Baldpates {Mareca americmm) on the Overpeck
Creek. On April 24, an early Nashville Warbler {Vermivora
r. ruhrieapilla) . On April 25, with Mr. Hix, 3 American
Mergansers {Mergiis americanus) and an adult Bald Eagle
(Haliceetus I. leucocephalus) . With Mr. Hix, he had seen
a Duck Hawk {Falco peregrinus anatum) in Central Park on
April 22.

Mr. Rogers also reported for Mr. Griscom a Kingbird
{Tyr annus iyr annus) in Central Park on April 23, and a list
of 49 species of birds observed by Mr. J. T. Nichols at Mastic,
L. I., from April 23 to 26, including a pair of American
Mergansers and one Lesser Yellowlegs {Totanus flavipes).

A most interesting paper was presented by Mr. Harold E.
Anthony, of the American Museum, entitled ''A Zoological
Reconnaissance of Jamaica, B. W. I.," illustrated by lantern-
slides and specimens. Mr. Anthony had spent four months on
the island investigating the mammalian fauna, both living
and fossil, with the object of determining whether Jamaica
had formerly been a part of a great Antillsean land mass or
had been connected with Central America. He described the
three main ecological areas of the island — the mountainous
region of heavy rainfall and almost impenetrable forests in
the north, the dry coastal plain in the southeast, and the
intermediate region of low hills and moderate rainfall, where
he had done most of his collecting. He described the many
caves of this area, where he had found innumerable fossils
imbedded in masses of conglomerate, and also spoke of the
many species of bats now living on the island, and of the
native Indian Coney {Geocopromys hrawnii). Although he

had not had time to work up his material thoroughly, he
thought that the theory that Jamaica had formerly- been con-
nected with Honduras was the most likely one.

May 11, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Lee S. Crandall, whose name had been proposed at the
preceding meeting, was elected a Resident Member of the
Society.

The report of the Committee on Publications was read by
the chairman, Mr. Griscom. It made the following recom-
mendations :

1. That all scientific papers be published immediately upon

presentation.

2. That the bid of Messrs. Clark and Fritts, of New York City,

be accepted, as reasonable in price and insuring speed.

3. That the issue of each paper be a minimum of 500 copies —

the author, whenever possible, to contribute toward the
publication expenses, and in any event to pay for all
copies in excess of 500 ; non-members to pay the entire
cost of publication.
A motion to approve and accept the committee's report,

with an amendment limiting the number of author's separates

to 25, and to give the committee full power of accepting and

publishing papers, was unanimously carried.

The report of the Committee on Local Avifauna was then

read by Mr. Griscom, in the absence of the chairman^ Mr. J.

T. Nichols. The Committee recommended :

1. That active preparation of the local avifauna list be started

immediately.

2. That the area included should be New Jersey, north of a

line running approximately east and west along the
Raritan River; New York State, from a line running
from the New Jersey boundary on the Hudson River
straight across to the Connecticut boundary, and in-
cluding all of Long Island.

3. That this area be further subdivided into seven regions

where bird-life is particularly abundant and which
have been investigated continuously for many years —
each region to be written up by a recognized authority.

A motion to accept the report and to urge the committee to
proceed with the work was carried unanimously.

Under field observations, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher {Poliop-
tila c. c(Eridea) was reported from Bronx Park on May 7 by
Mr. L. N. Nichols, and from Van Cortlandt Park on April 30
by Mr. Kieran, who also had seen a pair of Hooded Mergan-
sers {Lophodytes cucxdlatus) in the latter locality on March
25.

Mr. Hix reported two uncommon birds in Central Park — 2
Crows (Corvics spJ) on Maj^ 3, and a Cowbird {Molothrus a.
ater) on May 7.

Mr. Crosby, in a letter to Dr. Dwight, told of seeing 2
Caspian Terns {Sterna caspia) on the Hudson River near
Rhinebeck, N. Y., on April 30. He had had a good view of
the birds through field-glasses, had noted the large size and
red bills and was sure of his identification.

May 25, 1920. — The President in the chair.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. E. W. Nelson, Chief
of the U. S. Biological Survey, stating that the Survey had
taken over the work of the American Bird-Banding Associa-
tion, giving an outline of its plans for future work, and asking
for the continued eooperation of the Linnaean Society.

Mr. Chapin reported for the Auditing Committee that the
Treasurer's report had been examined and found correct.

Mr. Griscom told of his "big day" trip on May 16 in the
Englewood, N. J., region, in company with Mr. Granger and
Dr. Janvrin. They obtained a list of 97 species of birds —
among the more notable ones being a female Ruddy Duck
{Erismatura jamaicenms) and 3 Lesser Yellowlegs {Tot anus
flavipes) in the Overpeck marshes, and an Olivesided Fly-
catcher {Nuttallornis horealis). On May 23, at Jones Beach,
L. I., also with Dr. Janvrin, he had observed one Glaucous
Gull {Lams hyperhoreus) , one Black-backed Gull {Larus
marinus) . a Least Tern {Sterna antillamm) and a Little Black
Rail {Creciscus jamaicensis) . He also reported a female
Mourning Warbler {Oporornis Philadelphia) on May 22, and
a Gnatcatcher {Poliopfila c. ccBridea) on May 25, in Central
Park.

Mr. Rogers reported for Mr. Hix a Kentucky Warbler
{Oporornis formosus) near Coytesville, N. J., on May 16 and
a Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni) in Central Park
on May 19; and for Mr. J. T. Nichols a Lawrence's Warbler
(Vermivora ^'lawrencei") observed at Mastic, L. I., on May 18.
Mr. Rogers and Mr. W. DeW. Miller had made their "big day"
trip on May 16 in the Plainfield, N. J., region, recording 93
species of birds — among them an adult Bald Eagle {Halm-
etus I. leucocephalus) , a flock of 15 Rusty Blackbirds {Eupha-
gus carolinus) and a Gnatcatcher. Mr. Rogers also spoke of
an unusually large return flight of Siskins (Spinus pmus) and
many White-crowned Sparrows {Zonotriehia I. leuco-
phrys) observed by him in northern New Jersey the middle of
May.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Charles L. Camp, on
''Pteranodon and Other Flying Reptiles." The speaker
described the giant flying reptile discovered in the chalk
formation of western Kansas. It had a long, sharp-pointed
beak which was toothless, and a large, laterally-compressed
crest extending backward from the skull. The fourth digit
of the forelimb was greatly elongated for the attachment of
the wing membrance.

The Pteranodon and other flj'ing reptiles were shown on the
screen, and their probable appearance, method of flj^ing and
mode of life were described by the speaker. He thought that
thej^ must have been strictly pelagic — probably feeding on
smaller marine animals many miles from land, and resting on
cliffs along the shore.

October 12, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. H. H. Cleaves, of the State Conservation Commission
in Albany, showed the Society some moving-pictures of
mammals — mostlj' of the White-tailed Deer {Odocoileus
mnericanus) , taken in the Adirondack Mountains — and ending
with some "close-ups" of Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and
a Skunk (Mephitis putida) .

The program for the evening was a "Record of Summer
Observations by Members. ' '

8

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported seeing 2 Black Terns {Hydro-
chelidon nigra surinamensis) on the Hudson River, near
Christopher Street, July 12.

Mr. J. T. Nichols spoke of the early return flight of shore-
birds at Mastic, L. I., during the past summer. On June 27
he had seen one Lesser Yellowlegs {Totanus fiavipes) and one
Least Sandpiper {Pisohia minutilla), on July 4 eleven Lesser
Yellowlegs, and a Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) on July
17. A Wilson's Phalarope {Steganopus tricolor), taken on
August 23, was sent to him by Mr. Wm. S. Dana for identifi-
cation. On August 14 he and Mr. C. H. Rogers had had the
good fortune of seeing a Marbled Godwit {Limosa fedoa)
alight among their decoys.

Dr. Janvrin recorded an immature Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus) seen by Messrs. Granger, Rogers and himself
at Long Beach, L. I., on May 30 — probably a summering bird
— and on the same day a flock of about 60 Knots {Tringa canu-
tus) associating with about 200 Ruddy Turnstones {Arenaria
interpres morinella) and 20 Black-bellied Plovers {Squatarola
squatarola) . With Mr. Rogers, he had found three immature
Florida Gallinules {Gallinida galeata) in the marshes near
Kingsland, N. J., on July 29. With Mr. Griscom, on August
11, he had observed a Cory's Shearwater (Puffinus horealis)
just off Port Saunders, on the west coast of Newfoundland
(the northernmost record for the species).

October 26, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Drs. Myron P. Denton and Ralph W. Tower, whose names
had been proposed at the preceding meeting, were elected to
Resident Membership in the Society.

Mr. Weber reported a Yellow Rail {Coturnicops novel^ora-
censis) taken in the Overpeck marshes near Leonia, N. J., on
October 11.

Between June 1 and 8, at Santa Cruz in the Catskill Moun-
tains, at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, Mr. Chubb had found
a male Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica ceridea) — possibly the
same one that he had seen the previous summer in the same
locality. He had not seen the female bird, but supposed that
a pair were breeding there.

Mr. Walsh reported seeing Snow Buntings {Plectrophenax
n. nivalis) at Long Beach, L. I., on October 24.

The program for the evening was a talk by Mr. John T.
Nichols, entitled ' ' Shore Bird Migration Notes. ' ' Mr. Nichols
first described the chief physical characteristics of the south
shore of Long Island and enumerated the different types of
feeding-grounds — such as the ocean beach, sand-spits and
bars, mud flats, the shores of tidal creeks, salt meadows, etc. —
and spoke of the species of shore-birds characteristic of each.
He then took up the subject of the migrations of these birds —
especially the autumn migration — and said that in his ex-
perience the main migration route was from east to west over
the marshes and meadows back of the ocean beach. There was
also a subsidiary line of migration along the north shore of the
island, especially favored by the Hudsonian Curlew (Nume-
nius hudsonicus). He thought that most of the birds coming
from, the north reached the island near its eastern end, fol-
lowed the south shore westward for a variable distance and
then struck out in a southerly or southwesterly direction over
the ocean. The speaker closed his talk with an estimate of
the total numbers of the different species reaching Long
Island during the last six months of the year.

November 9, 1920. — The meeting was omitted on account of
conflicting with the Annual Meeting of the American
Ornithologists' Union.

November 23, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported for Mr. R. C. Murphy a flock of
about 200 Red Crossbills {Loxia curvirostra minor) seen in
Brooklyn on the day of the meeting, and for Mr. Laidlaw Wil-
liams 2 Ospreys (Pa<ndwn lialiceius carolinensis) seen at Mas-
tic, L. I., on November 11, and a Yellow-breasted Chat {Icteria
V. virens) on October 31, also at Mastic.

Mr. Weber reported an unusually large flight of Brant
(Branta hernicla glaucogastra) at Barnegat, N. J., on Novem-
ber 2 and 3. , With the Brant were a smaller number of
Cana^"'a Geese {Branta c. canadensis) .

Mv. Griscom and others spoke of the comparative scarcity of
Pur-nle Finches {Carpodacus p. pnrpnreus) and Black-capped

10

Chickadees {Penthestes a. atricapillics) in the New York City
region this autumn.

The program of the evening was a talk by Mr. T. Gilbert
Pearson, entitled ''Notes on Some of the Gulf Coast Bird
Colonies." The speaker first described the different types of
country found along the gulf coast in Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas, and then told of the colonies of water-
birds he had found on a number of trips to this region. His
most recent trip had been made in May of this year, when he
had investigated colonies in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
His most interesting findings were a colony of Reddish Egrets
{Dichromanassa rufescens) on some island's between Mesquite
and San Antonio Bays, Texas, and a small colony of White
Pelicans {Pelecaniis erythrorhynchos) on Little Bird Island,
about thirty miles south of Corpus Christi, Texas. He had
also found a very large colony of Herons and Egrets — among
which the Reddish Egret was the most common species — on
an island in the Laguna de la Madre, about thirty miles from
Point Isabel, Texas.

The talk was illustrated with a large number of lantern-
slides showing the different types of country explored and the
colonies of breeding birds.

December 14, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Pearson called the attention of the Society to the fact
that certain moneyed interests were trying to use the water
of the Yellowstone National Park for irrigation purposes, and
that a bill proposing to use about 8000 acres of the Park for a
reservoir had passed the U. S. Senate. He suggested that the
Linnaean Society should put itself on record as being strongly
opposed to the use of any of the National Parks by commer-
cial interests, and that the Secretary should notify the N. Y.
State senators to that effect. Such a resolution was thereupon
adopted by vote of the Society.

Mr. Griscom said he had been to Long Beach, L. L, on No-
vember 25, with Mr. Crosby and Dr. Janvrin, where they had
seen a Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis) , a Yellow Palm Warb-
ler {Dendraica palmarimi hypochrysea) , a Kittiwake Gull

11

{Rissa f. tridactyla) and a male Bufflehead Duck {Charito-
netta alheola).

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta
canadoisis) at Forest Park, Queens, on December 2.

Dr. Janvrin had been to Long Beach, L. I., on December 12,
with Mr. Laidlaw Williams, where they found an AmericaTi
Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus) , a Sharp-tailed Sparrow
{Passerherhuhis caudacutus) and about 12 Seaside Sparrows
(P. m. maritimus).

The paper of the evening w^as by Dr. Jonathan Dwight,
entitled ''The Metallic Colors of the Grackles, especially the
Purple Grackle {Quiscalus quiscida).^' After a preliminary"
discussion of the general principles of the physics of light and
the perception of colors, the speaker proceeded to explain how
the metallic colors of the grackles w'ere produced by "inter-
ference. ' ' He showed by means of specimens that the feathers
on the heads and backs of these birds ended in tips of a cer-
tain color — violet, blue, green or' j^ellowish — with bands of the
other colors higher on the shafts. The color of the tips gave
the general color effect for the area covered.

Taking up the three subspecies of Quiscalus qiciscula, Dr.
Dwight said that agJceus usually had violet heads, quisciila
blue and ceneus green. The coloring of the backs was bronzed
in ceneus, green in aglceus and purplish in quiscula. Speci-
mens of the three races were exhibited.

December 28, 1920. — The President in the chair.

Mr. 0. P. Medsger then gave the paper on the program —
"Some Experiences with Snakes and Turtles." Illustrating
his remarks with lantern-slides, the speaker told in an informal
w^ay about the habits of a number of the more common snakes
and turtles of the eastern United States as he had observed
them in the field — among them being the Blacksnake {Coluber
constrictor), Rattlesnake {Crotalus horridus), Copperhead
{Agkistrodon mokasen), Water Snake {Nairix s. sipedon var.
sipedon), Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina) and Snap-
ping Turtle {Chelydra serpentina). He spoke of the yevy
marked local distribution of the Copperhead, and gave some

12

figures that seemed to show that the bite of the common eastern
Rattlesnake (C horridus) was not as fatal as is usually sup-
posed.

January 11, 1921. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Griscom had been to Montauk and Montauk Point, L. I..
with Mr. Crosby and Dr. Janvrin, on January 1 and 2. On
the 1st they observed 2 Black Guillemots {Cepphus grylle)
(the second record for Long Island), 2 Dovekies {Alle alle), a
female King Eider {Soniateria spectahilis) , a pair of Ruddy
Ducks (Erismatura jamaicens-is) , one A^rkanisasj Kingbird
{Tyrannus verticalis) (the second record for Long Island), a
flock of a dozen Tree Swallows {Iridoprocne hicolor), 2 Cat-
birds {Dumetella carolinenm) and a Brown Thrasher {Toxo-
stoma rufuni). Mr. Griscom also reported for Mr. Crosby a
Coot {Fidica americana) seen near Hastings on the Hudson
River on January 7.

Mr. Weber reported an American Bittern {Botaiirus lenti-
ginosus) at Rosedale, L. I., on January 9.

Mr. Chubb had seen a Ruby-crowned Kinglet {Regidns c.
calendida) in the vicinity of Van Cortlandt Park on January
11.

The general scarcity of birds was commented on by mem-
bers.

Mr. S. H. Chubb then gave a talk on ''Wild Life and
Scenery of the Catskill Mountains," illustrated by lantern-
slides.

The speaker described the country in the eastern part of
the Catskills, where he had spent most of his time — principally
in the vicinity of Haines Falls, at an altitude of about 2,000
feet. He had listed 71 species of birds in this area, including
14 Warblers. Of the latter, the most interesting was the
Cerulean {Dendroica cendea), a male of which species he had
observed during two successive seasons. Among the Canadian
Zone birds found nesting were the Winter Wren (Nanmis h.
hiemalis), Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris americana),
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), Bicknell's and
Hermit Thrushes {Hylocichla alicice hicknelli and H. gu^^ata
pallasi).

13

The lantern-slides showed views of the country described, of
a number of the breeding birds and their nests, and of some
of the mammals and characteristic plants of the region.

January 25, 1921. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Alvah C. Bessie and Mr. Frank E. Barnes, whose names
had been proposed at the preceding meeting, were elected
Resident Members of the Society.

Mr. Charles Johnston said that he and Mr. E. P. Bicknell
had seen 10 Tree Swallows {Iridoprocne hicolor) at Long
Beach, L. I., on January 1.

Mr. Griscom reported for Mr. Crosby one Rusty Blackbird
{Euphagus carolimis) and 5 Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago deli-
cata) seen- at Rhinebeck, N. Y.. on January 15, and one Red-
winged Blackbird {Agelaius p. phoeniceus) and 25 Grackles
(Quiscaliis quiscida subsp.) in the same locality on January- 22.

The paper of the evening was presented by Mr. James P.
Chapin, entitled "Problems in African Ornithology." The
speaker had had field experience covering six years in Africa,
mostly in the Congo region, and told first of some of the
difficulties encountered in collecting and observing birds there,
and of some of the species characteristic of the forest and
others found in the savannah country.

Taking up the subject of the Weaver-birds, Mr. Chapin said
they could be divided into two groups: 1st, the Estrildina,
including the Waxbills, Java Sparrow and Widow-birds allied
to Vidua, and in which there were mouth-spots in the 3'oung
birds; and 2d, the Plocince or true Weavers {Hyphantorms,
etc.), Bishop-birds and Whydahs like Diatropura and Coliiis-
passer, in which the young had no mouth-spots. The speaker
thought that the Cuckoos {Ciwulidce) could also be divided
similarly into two groups : the parasitic species, in which the
young had no mouth-spots and no down; and those usually
non-parasitic, in which the young had characteristic spots on
the tongue or palate and a peculiar hair-like down.

Mr. Chapin s paper was illustrated with many lantern-slides.

Mr. de Lagerberg, a former member of the Society, exhibited
one of his medals of Linnaeus, together with halftones of others.

14

Mr. Franklin Benner, of Minneapolis, one of the founders
of the Linnaean Society, then told of the first meeting, at
which the Society was organized and named, and gave a list
of the original members.

February 8, 1921. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Charles Johnston and Mr. Ralph Friedman were elected
Resident Members of the Society.

Mr. Weber reported a Black-crowned Night Heron {Nycti-
corax nycticorax ncevius) at Rosedale, L. I., on January 27.

The Secretary read a letter, written to Mr. J. T. Nichols
by Mr. H. K. Munsie, telling of a "large white owl" he had
seen on November 28, 1920, while driving along Jersusalem
Avenue, near Hempstead, L. I.

Mr. W. DeWitt Miller then gave a talk on ' ' Possibilities in
Local Field Ornithology." He said that after the local list,
with migration dates for males, females and young, had been
compiled, the most important thing for the ornithologist to do
was to pay particular attention to the common birds of his
locality and to try to learn as much as possible about their
habits and life histories. There were a number of interesting
and important subjects to be studied, — such as nest-building,
the length of the incubation period, and especially the young
birds; feeding habits and the distribution of species depend-
ent upon feeding habits (such as the Myrtle Warbler
(Dendroica coronata) , Fox Sparrow {Pdsserella i. iliaca) and
Carolina Wren {Thryothoiis I. ludoviciamis)) ; the study of
songs and call-notes and their interpretation; and the study
of bathing and drinking habits. The subject of bird court-
ship was another interesting one; and very little was known
about the roosting habits of most species. Mr. Miller thought
that the moult eould be studied best by the collector or
museum-worker, and that bird-banding presented a great
opportunity for valuable work to those who lived much of the
time in the country.

In discussing Mr. Miller 's paper, Mr. Griscom spoke of the
lack of information concerning the different dates of arrival
of male and female migrating Warblers.

15

Mr. Chapin thought that field ornithologists should cooper-
ate with laboratory-workers in zoology and embryology, and
spoke of the importance of studying the young birds.

February 24, 1921. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Laidlaw 0. Williams, whose name had been proposed at
the preceding meeting, was elected a Resident Member.

Mr. Granger reported a recent northward flight of Fox
Sparrows {Passerella i. iliaca), and Mr. Williams had also
seen a number of the same species in Central Park.

Mr. Friedman reported a Flicker (Colaptes a. auratus)
seen recently by Dr. A. A. Allen at Ithaca, N. Y.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Chauncej' J. Hawkins,
entitled "Philosophical Ornithology." In the absence of the
author, the paper was read by Dr. Dwight. As its title indi-
cated, it was essentially a plea for a more philosophical presen-
tation of ornithological facts and problems by students of the
science. The author believed that the work of systematic
ornithologists in separating species into numerous subspecies,
defining their ranges exactly, making constant changes in the
nomenclature, etc., was not as important as explaining the
relationships of birds to the rest of the Universe.

In the discussion that followed, it was the opinion of the
members that Mr. Hawkins's paper was one of destructive,
rather than constructive, criticism.

March 8, 1921. — Annual Meeting. The President in the
chair. Twenty-eight members (Mrs. Reichenberger, Drs. Den-
ton, Dwight, Fisher, Janvrin and Murphy, and Messrs. Barnes,
Bessie, Bowdish, Chapin, Chubb, Crosby, Friedman. Gladden,
Granger, Griseom, Helme, Hix, F. E. Johnson, Johnston,
Kieran, Lang, Marks, L. N. Nichols, Noble, Pearson, Rogers,
and Williams) and seventeen visitors present. The meeting
was preceded by the Ninth Annual Dinner in the Mitla Room
of the Museum, attended by twenty-five members and nine
guests.

Owing to the absence of the Treasurer, his report was not
read.

The Secretary read his Annual Report, as follows :

16

During the past year the Linnaean Society has held fifteen meetings —
the first November one Avas omitted owing to conflict with the annual
meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union — with a total attendance
of 382. The Eighth Annual Dinner was attended by 38 members and
guests, and 23 members were present at the Annual Meeting the same
evening. At the remaining 14 meetings the total attendance averaged
25, that of members 14 — that is, the attendance of members w'as greater
than that of the preceding year, but there were fewer visitors. The
largest number present at any one meeting was 52 (December 28), of
members 17; the smallest was 12.

The Society has lost by death during the past year one Honorary
Member (Mr. William Dutcher) and two Eesident Members (Messrs.
Eobert L. Maitland and John L. Childs), and eight new Eesident
Members have been elected. The membership list now stands: Eesi-
dent, 87; Corresponding, 26; Honorary 3: total, 116.

Thirteen papers have been presented before the Society — six of them
on ornithological subjects, three on the natural history of expeditions,
two on entomology, one on herpetology and one on extinct flying
reptiles. Two evenings were devoted to a discussion of the proposed
Local Avifauna List and the new publication policy of the Society, and
one to records of summer observations.

The Society has issued its Abstract of Proceedings, No. 32, pages 39,
containing the minutes of the year ending March 9, 1920, and "A
Eevision of the Seaside Sparrows, ' ' 13 pages, by Ludlow Griscom and
J. T. Nichols.

The Society decided to continue its publications under the title of
Proceedings of the Linncean Society of New York and to issue an
abstract of its proceedings separately at the end of each year. Pages
1-7 of Vol. 33 have already been issued, containing three papers on
exotic herpetology by Karl P. Schmidt.

E. E. P. Janvrin,

Secretary.

Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson then presented the paper of the
evening, speaking on "The Fight for the National Parks."
He told first of some of the recent attempts by commercial
interests to make use of a part of the Yellowstone Park as a
reservoir for irrigation purposes, and of certain Congressional
bills in support of these interests. These bills had so far been
defeated by active work and propaganda instituted by the
National Association of Audubon Societies.

Mr. Pearson then showed a number of lantern-slides of the
Rocky Mountain, Glacier and Yellowstone National ParTss,

17

describing the scenery and wild life and telling of personal
experiences he had had on trips through these regions.

March 22, 1921. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

Dr. Jonathan Dwight was elected an Honorary Member of
the Society by acclamation, and Messrs. Charles A. Urner, T.
Donald Carter and Wilmer C. Van Duyne, whose names had
been proposed at the preceding meeting, were elected to resi-
dent membership in the Society.

The President appointed the following committees :

Membership : Dr. Dwight, Mr. Chubb, Mr. L. N. Nichols.

Finances: Mr. Pearson, Dr. Dwight, Dr. Murphy.

Papers and Lectures: Dr. Janvrin, Dr. Murphy, Dr. G. C.
Fisher.

PuMications: Mr. Griscom, Mr. J. T. Nichols, Dr. Janvrin.

Local Avifauna: Mr. J. T. Nichols, Mr. Griscom, Dr. Jan-
vrin.

Mr. Griscom reported the following field observations :
On the 22d of Feb., at Montauk Point,, L. I., with Mr. Crosby,
1 Black Guillemot {Cepphus grylle), 2 Glaucous Gulls {Larus
hyperhoreus) , a pair of Harlequin Ducks {Histrionicus his-
trionicus), 1 Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicensis) and 1
Coot {Fulica americana). On Feb. 27, an early migration of
ducks on the Overpeck Creek, including a pair of Baldpates
{Mareca americana), 16 Pintails {Dafila acuta), and 8 Lesser
Scaups {Marila affinis). On March 6, with Mr. Granger, a
pair of Hooded Mergansers {Lophodytes cuctdlatus), on the
Overpeck, with 70 Pintails {Dafila acuta) . On March 13, with
Dr. Janvrin, 200 Pintails {Dafila acuta) and 5 Mallards {Anas
platyrhynchos) in the same locality; also a male Cowbird
{Molothrus a. ater), the earliest local date for the species. On
March 20, also on the Overpeck Marshes, 1 male Baldpate and
1 male Bufflehead {Charitonetta alheola) (1st spring record),
one male and two female Green-winged Teal {Nettion caroli-
nense) (3d record in 20 years), and 6 Pipits {AntMcs ruhes-
cens) (earliest spring date). For Mr. W. DeW. Miller he
reported an early Chipping Sparrow {Spizella p. passerina) at
Plainfield, N. J., on March 20.
2

18

Mr. Friedman reported a Carolina Wren (Thryothoriu
I. ludovicianus) in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, on March 14.

The paper of the evening was by Dr. Robert C. Murphy,
entitled "Notes on South American Boobies {Sulid(e)," and
illustrated by lantern-slides and specimens.

The speaker first took up the differences between the Boobies
and the Gannets — ^such as the feathering of the face and
throat, the number rectrices, the reticulation of the feet and
the relative sizes of the sexes. The Boobies, he said, were
found in tropical and subtropical seas, which were usually
calm ; the Gannets, on the other hand, frequented colder and
more stormy seas. Some Boobies, such as Sula variegata and
Sula nabouxii, were littoral species, breeding along the coasts
of South and Central America, and never being found far
from the mainland, others, such as 8ida piscator, S. cyanops
and S. leucogaster, were almost world^vide in distribution in
tropical seas and bred on oceanic islands.

Dr. Murphy spoke of the Island of Trinidad off the coast
of Brazil, where for some reason, S. leucogaster was not found,
and where its place had been taken by a subspecies or phase
of 8. piscator that had acquired the dark bib and head of
leucogaster.

The speaker then described the habits of S. variegata and
8. nahouxii, as he had observed them on the coast of Peru.

April 12, 1921. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

Mr. R. H. Howland, of Upper Montclair, N. J., was elected
a Resident Member of the Soeiety.

By request of Mr. Harold E. Anthon}^, the speaker of the
evening, his paper, "A Zoological Reconnaissance of Southern
Ecuador," was next presented.

Mr. Anthony had just returned from a seven months collect-
ing trip with Mr. George K. Cherrie in the interests of the
American Museum of Natural History for birds and mammals.
His travels had taken him from sea-level to the ''paramo'.'
zone in the Andes above tree-line, and also over the divide
into the Amazonian forest. The speaker spoke very interest-

19

ingl}^ of the faunal life-zones visited, the effect of rainfall
upon the forest and the distribution of life, and the character-
isties of the native peoples encountered.

Considerable discussion followed.

Reports on field work were next given. Mr. Granger re-
corded a Towhee {Pipilo e. erythrophthalmns) at Red Bank,
N. J., on April 10. Mr. Griscom reported as follows from the
Englewood region : March 27, with Dr. Janvrin, the Pied-billed
Grebe {Podilym'bus podiceps), Fish Hawk {Pandion haliaetv^
carolinensis) , Vesper Sparrow (Poo&cetes gramineus) and
Tree Swallow {Iridoprocne hicolor), all being the earliest
arrival dates for the region. On April 3, also with Dr. Jan-
vrin, eight species of ducks on Overpeck Creek, including 7
Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) and a Drake
Shoveller (Spatula clypeata). Also a Horned Grebe (CoJym-
"bus auritus) in Spring plumage, the third local record — and
the Yellow Palm Warbler [Dendroica palmarum hypochry-
sea) — earliest date.

April 26, 1921. — The President in the chair.

In the absence of the Secretary, the chair appointed Mr.
Griscom Secretary- pro tem.

The Treasurer's report for the past year had been received
by the chair, and an abstract of it was read hj the Secretary
pro tem. The ehair appointed Messrs. Chapin and Griscom
as an Auditing Committee.

As there was no further business, the Society' proceeded to
the announced program of the evening, which was the dis-
cussion of the Spring migration. Every member present gave
the results of his recent observations and the dates on which
he had first noted the arrival of various species. It was the
consensus of opinion that up to date the migration was early,
but by no means as much so as the vegetation.

The more noteworthy records were as follows :

Mr. L. N. Nichols had noted the Fish Crow (Corvus ossi-
fragus) March 14th at Clason Point. Mr. Granger reported
as follows for Central Park: April 3d, Pine Warbler {Den-
droica vigor si) ; April 14th, Solitary Vireo {Lanivireo s. soli-

20

tmius) (earliest date) ; April 21st, Black-throated Green
Warbler {Dendroica virens) (earliest date) ; April 25th,
Black-throated Blue Warbler {Dendroica ccerulescens)
(earliest date) ; April 26th, Ovenbird {Seiunis aiirocapillus) .
At Princeton, with Mr. Charles H. Rogers, on April 17th,
he had seen a House Wren {Troglodytes a. aedon), and Mr.
Rogers had seen a -Northern Yellow-throat {Geothlypis t.
trichas) on April 10th. On April 24th in Westchester County,
2 miles northeast of Irvington, he had found a dead Opossum
{Didelphis virginiatia) — a rare mammal east of the Hudson.

Mr. Charles Johnston recorded a Towhee {Pipilo e. ery-
throphthahnus) and two Savannah Sparrows {Passercuhis
sandwichensis savanna) on April 16th in Washington Square,
and on the 17th in the same square, a Hermit Thrush {Hylo-
cichla gutlata pallusi) and three Chipping Sparrows {Spizella
p. passerina) . Mr. William T. Davis reported a Turkey Vul-
ture {Cathartes aura septentrionalis) and 5 Canada Geese
{Branta c. canadejisis)' on Staten Island, April 26th. Mr.
Crosby reported as follows for Rhinebeck, Dutchess County,
N. Y. : April 10th, with Mr. Griscom, Virginia Rail {Rallus
virginianus) (earliest date), and a Long-eared Owl's {Asio
wilsonianus) nest with 5 eggs ; April 14th, Hermit Thrush and
Louisiana Water-thrush {Seiunis motacilla) ; April 16th,
American Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosiis) and Black-crowned
Night Heron {Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius) ; April 17th,
Loon {Gavia immer) and Great Blue Heron {Ardea h. hero-
dias) ; April 21st, a wave, Little Green Heron {Btitorides v.
virescens), Florida Gallinule {Gallinida galeata), Brown
Thrasher {Toxostoma rufum) and House Wren {Troglodytes
a dedon) ; April 24th, Chimney Swift {Choetura pelagica),
Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythrogastra) and Black-and-white
Warbler {Mniotilta varia). Mr. Griscom had spent April 17th
with Mr. J. M. Johnson in the Englewood region. A total of
50 species was noted, including a Loon {Gavia immer), the
Virginia Rail and the Greater Yellow-legs {Totanus melano-
leuciis) — the last two being the earliest local spring dates.

The Chair then called upon Mr. S. Prentiss Baldwin, the
bird-banding expert, for some remarks, and Mr. Baldwin spoke

21

entertainingly of his results in trapping birds at Thomas-
ville, Georgia, during the past winter, which made his fifth
season of intensive work at that station.

May 10, 1921. — The President in the chair.

Mr. Griscom reported for the Auditing Committee that the
Treasurer's report had been examined and found correct, as
stated.

The Secretary was appointed Chairman of the Committee
on Publications, in place of Mr. Griscom who wished to de-
vote more of his time to the work of the Local Avifauna Com-
mittee.

The Secretary stated that he had received about 50 publi-
cations mostly in pamphlet form, from the British Museum,
which would be turned over to the Librarian of the American
Museum.

The paper of the evening wa-s then presented by Dr. G.
Clyde Fisher, entitled ''With John Burroughs in his Favorite
Haunts." The speaker told of several visits he had made to
the home of the famous naturalist and showed many lantern-
slides of Mr. Burroughs and the house "Riverby," on the
west bank of the Hudson, where he had spent so many j^ears
and had written most of his books. Pictures were also shown
of ''Slab-sides," a small cottage that the naturalist had built
in a secluded spot in the woods, and where he sometimes lived
for days at a time, reading and writing and observing the wild
life about him. Dr. Fisher also told of Mr. Burroughs' boy-
hood home in the Catskills, and showed pictures of the old
farm and "Woodchuck Lodge," the cottage where he lived
when revisiting the scenes of his early life.

May 24, 1921. — As both the President and Vice-President
were absent, the Secretary called upon Mr. Chapin to occupy
the chair;

The following, whose names had been proposed at the last
meeting, were elected to Resident Membership : Miss Blanche
Samek of 511 West 113th Street, Miss Gertrude Litchfield,
Mrs. Alice F. Mapes and Miss Mary K. Ruby, all of 56 West
75th Street, New York.

22

The program of the evening was the reporting of field
observations by members.

Mr. Chapin told of his experiences in Madison Square Park
on May 14th, when numbers of migrating birds, that had been
bewildered in the fog and rain of that morning, were to be
seen on the grass and in the bushes of the Park. There were
many species of Warblers — among them the Ovenbird {Seiurus
aurocapillus) was the most numerous. He also saw a Lincoln's
Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni) and 8 Grasshopper Sparrows
{Ammodramus savannarum australis). He estimated that
over 100 birds had been killed b}^ striking the light of the
Metropolitan Building.

Mr. Urner had found 8 young Short-eared Owls {Asio
flammeus) on May 14th in the marshes near Elizabeth, N. J.
Four of them were much larger than the others, and as there
were apparently three adult birds in the immediate vicinity,
the question arose as to whether the 8 young might not be
two broods united. He also reported a King Rail in the
same locality on May 21st.

Mr. Johnston reported for Central Park a Golden-winged
Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) on May 14th, a Connecticut
Warbler {Oporornis agilis) , Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
and Lincoln Sparrow on the 15th, and a Kentucky Warbler
(Oporornis formosus) on the 16th.

Mr. Chapin then spoke of some recent work he had been
doing on the anatom}^ of the throat of the male American
Bittern {Bofaiirus lentiginosus) . He thought that the Bittern
in making his characteristic '' booming" or "pumping"
sound probabl}" extends the oesophagus by forcing air into
it from the air-sacs; much as the Pectoral Sandpiper does
during its breeding season. He had found fleshy pads at the
sides of the lower jaw, which might help to hold the air in
the distended throat, and also a muscle running from the
glottis to the skin of the neck.

Mr. Chapin spoke of the importance of making careful field
observations on ''booming" Bitterns, to see whether they
kept their bills open or closed during the performance,

Octoher 11, 1921. — The Vice-President in the chair.

23

The Secretary read a letter from Mrs. Elizabeth G. Britton,
asking whether it would be possible for the Linnaeaii Society
to have an occasional joint meeting- with the Torrey Botanical
Club at times when the program of one of the Societies hap-
pened to be on a subject that would also be of interest to the
members of the other. A motion was thereupon passed, ap-
pointing Mr. Griscom a Committee of one to confer with the
Secretaries of the two Societies, with the object of arranging
for such joint meetings from time to time.

Mr. and Mrs. George D. Briggs, whose names had been pro-
posed at the meeting on May 24th, were elected Resident
Members of the Society.

The Secretary called the attention of the Society to the
fact that, if the "Abstract of Proceedings" for the year
ending March 8, 1921, should be published at the present
time, the cost of publication at present high rates would
probably leave very little in the Society's treasur3\ After
discussion by members, it was voted to omit publishing the
"Abstract" at the present time and to combine it with the
"Abstract of Proceedings" for the year 1921-1922.

At the suggestion of the Treasurer and on motion by Mr.
Griscom, the Society passed the following resolution :

WHEREAS: It had been found inexpedient and inconvenient to have

both President and Treasurer sign cheeks of the Linnaean Society, and

Whereas: This ruling has operated to delay the speedy transaction of

the Society's business; therefore

Be it Resolved: That this ruling be abolished, and that the Treasurer

(Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson) alone be authorized to sign the Society's

checks, and

Be it further Resolved: That a copy of this minute be sent to the

United States Mortgage and Trust Company, and another copy to

the Treasurer of the Society.

The program of the evening w^as the recording of summer
observations by members.

Mr. Griscom stated that the August migration in the New
York City region had been the earliest on record. From
September 18th on, however, continued warm weather turned
the migration into a late one, although a few early birds still
arrived. Amono: his ' ' earliest records ' ' were the following :

24

In Central Park, Myrtle "Warbler {Deridroica coronata), Nash-
ville Warbler {Vermivora r. rubricapilla) and Cape Ma}^
Warbler {Deridroica tigrina) on August 27th; White-breasted
Nuthatch {Sitta c. carolinensis) , Sept. 14th; Purple Finch
{Carpodacus p. piuyureiis) , Sept. 15th; Chickadee {Penthes-
tes a. atricapillus) , Sept. 24th; at Riverside, N. Y., Brown
Creeper {Certhia familiaris americana), Sept. 13th; Junco
{Junco h. hyemalis), Sept. 14th; at Englewood, N. J., Amer-
ican Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosiis) , Coot {Fulica amer-
icmia), Pipit (Anthus ruhescens) and Hermit Thrush {Hylo-
cichla guttata pallasa), Sept. 25th. (A Myrtle Warbler was
observed by Mr. W. DeW. Miller at Plainfield, N. J., August
13th.) Among Mr. Griscom's "latest records" were: Hum-
mingbird {Archilochus coluhris), at Riverdale, Sept. 22d; in
Central Park, Bay-breasted Warbler {Dendroica castanea),
Sept. 26th; Yellow Warbler (Deridroica cb. cestiva) , Yellow-
breasted Chat {Icteria v. virens), Prairie Warbler (Dendroica
discolor) and Wood Thrush (HyJocichla miistelina, Oct. 5 ;
at Englewood, Northern W'ater-thrush (Seiurus n. novehora-
censis) and Grey-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla a. alicioe), Oct.
9. He also reported the following interesting occurrences : In
Central Park, a Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorns) and Mock-
ingbird (Mimics p. polyglottos) on Aug. 27th; a Philadelphia
Vireo (Vireosylva philadelphica) , Sept. 15th and 16th; an
Indigo Bunting (Fasserina cyanea), Oct. 5th; in the Engle-
wood region, a Laughing Gull (Lariis atricilla), Sept. 25, and
a Redhead Duck (Marila americaria) , Oct. 9 ; finally, a Black
Tern (Hydrochelidon niger surinamerisis) , observed by Mr. J.
M. Johnson and himself at Jones Beach, L. I., May 29 (the
only spring record for Long Island), and a bird of the same
species at Swartswood Lake, Sussex County, N. J., Aug. 14
(the only inland record for the New York region).

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported finding about 20 breeding pairs
of Piping Plover (JEgialitis meloda) at Long Beach, L. L, May
26, and he and Mr. E. P. Bicknell saw a Glaucous Gull (Larus
hyperhoreus) on the same day. In the Bay Chester Marshes,
East Bronx, he had seen a Migrant Shrike (Lanius ludovi-

25

cianus migrans), Aug. 15. For his son, Edward G. Nkhols, he
reported a Canada Warbler {Wilsonia canudensis) on board
ship 800 miles east of New York on Aug. 20.

Dr. Janvrin reported a Willet {Catoptrophorus s. semipal-
matus) at Long Beach, L. I., on June 5, a Migrant Shrike
{Lankis liidovicmnus migrans) near Englewood, N. J., Aug.
9, and a Brown Creeper {Certhia familiaris americana) at
Darien, Conn., Sept. 14.

Mr. Friedman, at Long Beach L. L, had seen two Least
Terns {Sterna antillanim) on Aug. 14 and a Northern Phala-
rope (Lohipes lohatus) on Sept. 11; and in the Englewood
Region, an Osprey {Pandion lialia^tus carolinensis) on Oct. 9.

Mr. Pearson reported seeing 14 Canada Geese (Branta c.
canadensis) flying over the Oklawaha River in Florida on May
22, and finding Herring Gulls {Lariis argentatiis) breeding on
Muskeget Island in August.

Mr. Johnston reported two Henslow's Sparrows (Passer-
herhuhis h. henslowi) at Bridgehampton, L. I., Sept. 11, and
two Least Bitters {Ixohrychiis exilis) at Shinnecock, L. I.,
Sept. 12.

October 25, 1921. — Regular Meeting. — The Vice-President
in the chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved as corrected.

Mr. Cyril McDermott, whose name had been proposed at the
last meeting, was elected to Resident Membership in the
Society.

It was voted to omit the first November meeting, on account
of its conflicting with the annual meeting of the American
Ornithologist's Union.

Mr. Charles Johnston had been to Long Beach, L. I., on
Oct. 12, with Mr. Griscom and Mr. J. M. Johnson, where they
saw one American Widgeon {Mareca americana), 1 Green-
winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) , and 2 Sora Rails {Porsana
Carolina) .

Mr. Hix reported finding the Ruffed Grouse {Bonasa u.
umhelhis) common on the Harriman Interstate Park in

26

August, and Herring Gulls {Larus argentatus) and Common
Terns {St emu hirundo) common on the Hudson River, Aug.
16.

Mr. Griscom reported a late Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora
peregrina) at Riverdale, N. Y., Oct. 17.

Mr, L. N. Nichols had seen 8 Laughing Gulls {Lanes atri-
cilia) in Eastchester Bay, Oct. 17, and Mr. Timer had ob-
served the same species in the Newark Marshes, Oct. 23.

Mr. Chubb reported finding Red-breasted Nuthatches {SUta
canadensis) abundant on Matinieus Rock, Me., Sept. 9, climb-
ing around on the racks and on the lighthouse — there being
not a single tree on the rock. He also found one nestling
Leache's Petrel {Oceanodroma leucorhoa).

Mr. Ludlow Griscom then presented the paper of the eve-
ning, entitled "Notes on the Fauna and Flora of New Found-
land." He had made two trips to the Island — one in August,
1920, and again in July, 1921. The first had been in the
nature of an exploration — he and Dr. Janvrin travelling by
rail up the west coast as far as Humber Sound and Ba}^ of
Islands, and then by steamer up the rest of the west coast
and crossing the Strait of Belle Isle to the Labrador shore
On his second trip he had worked up more carefully the Bay
of Islands regions and then had spent some time in the
neighborhood of St. George's Bay.

Mr. Griscom told of the main geological features of the
west coast of the island, which was for the most part a hilly
or mountainous region — the rock formation being either of
granite, diverite, limestone or serpentine. The highest hills
were about 2,000 feet above sea level ; but the tree line being
about 1,400 feet, the tops of many of the mountains were bare.
The most varied and abundant flora was associated with the
limestone formations, while the "Serpentine barrens" fully
merited their name.

Among the interesting birds found breeding on the island

were a number of Warblers (Mniotiltidee) — among them

Mourning {Oporornis Philadelphia) and the Lincoln's Sparrow

{Melospiza I. lincolni) which was very abundant. During his

27

seeoud trip, Mr. Griscom had found the Welch's Ptarmigan
{Logopiis welchi), which is endemic on the island. Other
birds worth nothing were the Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enu-
cleator leucura) and White-winged Crossbill {Loxia leucop-
tera), and the Raven {Corvus corax principalis) .

Along the west coast the Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)
and Leache's Petrel {Oceanodroma leucorhoa) were fairly
common. Puffins {Fratercula a. arctica) were not observed on
the New Foundland shore, but became very numerous in the
cold waters of the Artie Current as the Labrador coast was ap-
proached.

Nov. 8, 1921. — Regular Meeting. Omitted on account cf
conflicting with the annual meeting of the American Ornithol-
ogists' Union. (See minutes of last meeting).

November 22, 1921. — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President
in the chair.

Under field observations, Mr. Griscom reported seeing
three Hooded Mergansers {Lophodytes ciicuUatus) in Central
Park on Nov. 17 and 18, and for Mr. Hix, a Purple Sand-
piper {Arquatella ni. )}ia)'itima) at Long Beach, L. I., on
Nov. 20; also for Mr. W. DeW. Miller, a Golden Plover
(Charadritis d. dominicus) at Plainfield, N. J., on Nov. 6.

Mr. Urner reported Laughing Gulls {Lams atricilla) on the
Newark Marshes as late as Nov. 6.

Mr. Johnston had been to Long Beach, L. I., on Nov. 8 and
11 — both times with Mr. E. P. Bicknell. On the former
date they had observed a Parasitic J^ger {Stercorarius para-
siticus) and a crippled Ringneck Plover {JEgialitis semi-
palmata) ; on the latter an Iceland Gull {Larus leucopterus)
and a Palm Warbler {Dendroica p. palmarum) and also more
than 50 Gannets {Sula- hassmia).

Mr. Crosbj' reported the Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleator
leucura) at Rhinebeck, N. Y., on Nov. 3 (1) and 17 (10) and
at Poughkeepsie, Nov. 13, 16, and 20.

The Northern Shrike {Lanius 'boreaJis) had been seen dur-
ing Nov. by several members : Mr. Williams reported it from
Mastic, L. I., on the 6th, and from Bronx Park on the 19th;

28

Mr. Crosby, from Rhinebeck, on the 18th; Mr. Nichols, from
Garden Cit}^, on the 20th, where it sang a song somewhat
resembling that of a Catbird {Dumetella caroUnensis) . Mr.
Bowdish had seen one at Demarest, N. J., Oct. 28th. On the
next day it followed a Fox Sparrow {Pesserella i. iliaca) into
the trap and killed it, w^as banded and turned loose. One or
two Shrikes w^ere seen around his trap from Nov. 4th to the
21st. He also stated that a party of about 30 members of the
A. 0, U. had observed 3 or 4 scattered Northern Shrikes ac
New Lisbon, N. J., on Nov. 12th.

Dr. Janvrin had been to Long Beach, L. I., Oct. 30, with
Mr. Johnston and Mr. Williams, where they put up a Wood-
cock {Philohela minor) from the sand dunes back of the
beach, and also saw two Black-bellied Plovers {Squat arola
squ^irtarola) , a Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura caro-
linensis) and 4 Snow Buntings {Plectrophenax n. nivalis).

Mr. Herbert Lang then gave a most interesting talk, entitled
''Notes on African Squirrels and the General Distribution of
the Sciurid^ and their Economic Importance." He said that
the Sciuridse were rather primitive rodents and that they
reached their maximum abundance in high northern latitudes,
extending as far as 70 degrees N., and that they were absent
from the Australian Zoological Region and from the southern
part of South America, and some parts of Africa.

Taking up the African species, Mr. Lang showed a number
of lantern-slides illustrating different faunal regions from the
east to the west coast of the continent and spoke of the squir-
rels to be found in each region. He then described some of
the different anatomical characteristics of the different
genera — especially the differences in the feet and toes
between the arboreal and terrestrial groups and the peculiar-
ities of dentition and of the skull bones in genera of different
habits. He showed how the incisor teeth were approx'mated
in the act of gnawing and how the gnawing apparatus was
thrown out of gear w^hen the food was being masticated by
the cheek teeth.

Following his talk, Mr. Lang exhibited skins of a number
of African species of squirrels.

29

Dec. 13, 1921. — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President in
the chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved. The secretary read excerpts from a circular published
by the Wild Flower Preservation Society of America, asking
for help in protecting the native plants, some of which are
becoming very rare. He also read a letter from a Mr. L. D.
Ingalls of Brandon, Vt., recording the recent capture of a
young male opossum {Didelphis v. virginiana) in a fox-trap
in Goshen, Vt.

Mr. J. M. Johnson said that he and Mr. Griscom in the
Englewood, N. J., region on Dec. 11 had observed a late Sap-
sucker {Sphyrapicus v. varius) and 4 Savannah Sparrows
{Passercxdus sandwichensis savanna) .

Mr. L. N. Nichols recorded a Winter Wren {N annus h.
hiemalis) in Bronx Park on Nov. 14, and a White-winged Gull
(possibly a Glaucous ( Lams hyperboreus) ) on Pelham Bay,
Dec. 7.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported seeing a Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola
enucleator leucura) at Garden City, Long Island, Dec. 3, and
a Saw-whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica) in New York City,
Dec. 9, and also stated that Mr. L. V. Morris had shot several
Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata) at Shinnecock, L. T.,
Dec. 3.

A Wilson's Snipe had also been seen on the Overpeck Creek
on Dec. 5, by Mr. Williams.

The Pine Grosbeak had also been seen by Mr. F. M. Brown,
who had observed 8 in Van Cortlandt Park, Dec. 5, and who
also recorded a male Northern Pileated Woodpecker {PhloeQ-
tomtis pileatus ahieticola) at Tuxedo, N. Y., Nov. 28.

Mr. Urner reported a Lapland Longspur {Calcarius I. lap-
ponicus) on the salt meadows near Elizabeth, N. J., Nov. 27
and on Dec. 11, near Elizabeth, had observed 5 species of
owls — 1 Barn {Aluco pratincola) , 1 Saw-whet {Cryptoglaux
a. acadica), 1 Long-eared {Asio xvilsonianus) , 3 Short-eared
{Asio flammeus) and 1 Screech {Otus a. asio).

The Northern Shrike {Lanius horealis) had been seen by

30

several members in different parts of the New York City
region.

Mr. G. Kingsley Noble then spoke on ''Problems in the
Study of Our Local Reptiles and Amphibians," emphasizing
the fact that the complete life histories of a number of our
common species were still unknown, and that all field natural-
ists could help the herpetologists bj' observing amphibians and
reptiles and recording their observations and all data as to
the first appearance of the adults of the different species in
spring, the length of the incubation periods, the development
of the larval forms, etc.

Mr. Noble showed numerous lantern-slides of frogs, toads,
salamanders, snakes and turtles, telling about the habits and
habitats of the various species, and ending his talk by exhibit-
ing several living specimens of salamanders and toads.

Dec. 27, 1921. — Regular Meeting. In the absence of the
President and the Vice-President, the Secretary called upon
Dr. Dwight to occupy the chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Dr. Chapman stated that the American Museum was willing
to defray the expenses of publishing the Linnsean Society's
proposed list of birds of the New York City region, and hoped
that the work of preparing the list would be started imme-
diately.

The Secretar}" was requested to insert a notice in the next
"Bulletin" of the New York Academy of Sciences, asking all
members of the Society to hand in their notes for the local
list as soon as possible.

Mr. Hix reported a Northern Shrike {Lanius horealis) and
a Pine Siskin (Spiniis pinus) at Long Beach, L. L, on Dee.
11, a Northern Shrike at Fort Lee, N. J., Dec. 18, and two of
the same species at Bronx Park, Dec. 26, also a Ruddy Duck
(Erismatura jamaicensis) on the last date in Jerome Park
Reservoir.

Further field notes were postponed until the next meeting,
and Dr. Frank M. Chapman gave a most interesting talk on
' ' Problems in the Distribution of South American Birds. ' '

31

Dr. Chapman first exhibited skins of 3 ver}' closely related
species and subspecies of South American Swallow belonging
to the genus Pygochelidon which had formerh^ been considered
one species, and showed on a colored map how one tropical
species inhabited the northwest coast, extending south until
it came under the influence of the cold Humbolt current,
another was restricted to the southern parts of Argentina and
Chile, while the third form had apparently come down from
the interior of the continent and then turned north along the
west coast, until it reached the tropical zone. The three forms
had unquestionably had a common ancestor, but no intergrades
had as yet been found between these three.

Taking up the Neotropical family Momotidae, Dr. Chapman
said that they had originated in southern Mexico and had
spread southward from there. They had apparently invaded
South America subsequently to the formation of the Andes,
or in other words, quite recently geologically speaking, but
probably before the most recent subsidence of the Panama
region.

On the map, he showed the extension of different species
southward along the west coast, eastward along the Caribbean
Shore, and attempted to explain the presence of species in the
Amazon region.

Dr. Chapman spoke of the altitudinal change from the
tropical, through the subtropical and temperate to the arctic
life zone on many of the mountain ranges of the Andes, and
of the origin of all animal and plant life in the tropical zone
and its gradual extension into the colder regions.

Jan. 10, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President in
the chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved as corrected.

The Secretary read letters from the New York State Librarj^
and the Zoological Society of London, asking for back copies
of the ''Abstract of Proceedings," and was requested to take
the matter up with Dr. Tower, Librarian of the American
Museum.

32

The Secretary read a letter from L. N. Nichols, addressed
to Mr. Griscom, suggesting that the Society's Local Avifauna
Committee be discharged and an Editorial Board be created,
consisting of six members, with Mr. Griscom as Editor-in-
Chief, to prepare and publish the proposed local list of birds.
He also read a letter from Dr. Frank M. Chapman to Mr.
Griscom, notifying him that the preparation of a local
avifauna list, to serve as a Museum Guide-book, had been
delegated to him, and expressing the hope that he would be
able to secure the fullest possible cooperation from the
Linnsean Society in his work of preparing the list.

After discussion it was agreed that the Local Avifauna
Committee could advantageously cooperate with the American
Museum in this matter, Mr. J. T. Nichols having withdrawn
from the committee, so as to place its chairmanship in Mr.
Griscom 's hands, and have the Society's and Museum's
interests in the local avifauna vested in the same person. Mr.
L. N. Nichols was later appointed a member of the Committee,
which stands as follows: Mr. Griscom (Chairman), Dr. Jan-
vrin and Mr. L. N. Nichols.

The program of the evening was the recording of field
observations by members.

The Secretary reported for Mr. Charles Johnston a Snow;*
Owl (Nyctea nyctea) observed at Long Beach, L. I., Dec. 26
— also about 100 Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax n. nivalis)
and 2 Lapland Longspurs {Calcarius I. lapponicus) , and at
Pelham Bay, N. Y., Dec. 31, a Rough-legged Hawk {Archihuteo
lagopiis Sanctis johwuis) and a Northern Shrike {Lanius
horealis) .

Mr. J. T. Nichols spoke of having seen about 170 Coots
(Fulica americana) at Mastic, L. L, Dec. 26, and reported for
Mr. L. 0. Williams a Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus v. varius) and
a Red-breasted Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis) at Princeton, N.
J., Jan. 5.

Mr. Urner, for the Elizabeth, N. J., region, reported 5 Cow-
birds {Molothrns a. ater) and a Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus) , Dec. 26, and a Snowy Owl on

33

Jan. 1. The latter had been first seen by some hunters on
Dec. 26.

Mr. Howland reported that six Vesper Sparrows {Pooecetes
g. gramineus) had been seen at Montclair, N. J., by
Mr. Robert Barbour, on Dec. 26, and then told of some of the
results of his own bird-banding work at Montclair during
1920-1921. Out of 193 birds banded he had had 7 returns,
these being Robins {Planesticiis m. migratorixis) , Song Spar-
rows (Melospiza m. melodia), Juncos {Junco h. hyemalis), and
White-throats {Zonotrichm athicollis).

Jan. 24, 1922, — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President in
the chair.

The following field observations were reported by members :

Mr. Carter had been to Long Beach, L. I., on the day of
the meeting, with Mr. Griscom, where they had seen two
Glaucous Gulls {Larus hyperhoreus) , one Iceland Gull
(Larus leucopterus), a Gannet {Sula hassana) and a Cowbird
{Molothriis a. ater) , and a total of 26 species.

Mr. Marks, for the Arlington, N. J., region, reported a
Northern Shrike {Lanius horealis), Jan. 2.

Mr. Hix had seen 25 Meadowlarks {Sturnella m. magna)
near Englewood, N. J., Jan. 15. Mr. Friedman and Mr.
Urner, on Jan. 15, near Elizabeth, N. J., had observed an
Iceland Gull, 1 Snowy Owl {Nyctea nyctea), 1 Red-headed
"Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus) , 1 Northern Shrike
{Lanius horealis), 25 Snow Buntings {Plectrophenax n.
nivalis), 1 Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Passerherhultis caudacuhis)
and 4 Cardinals {Cardinalis c. cardinalis) .

Mr. Crosby, at Rhinebeck, N. Y., reported a Redpoll (Acan-
this I. liTmria) on Jan. 12, 17 Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enu-
cleator leucura) on the 15th, and 4 more on the 20th. On the
22d, he had seen a Northern Shrike attacking a Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus v. variiis), which fell, crying out piteously,
after being knocked down in the snow by the Shrike. Mr.
Crosby also reported the following results of his bird-banding
work at Rhinebeck :

Junco (Junco h. hyenialis) , banded Feb. 28, 1920; recaptured
Dec. 5, 1921.
3

Juneo, banded Mar. 19, 1920 ; recaptured Jan. 22, 1922.
Junco, banded Jan. 21, 1920 ; recaptured Jan. 23, 1922.
Chickadee {Penthestes a. atricapillus) , banded Mar. 22, 1920 ;

recaptured Oct. 14, 1921.
Chickadee, banded Mar. 18, 1920; recaptured Jan. 23, 1922;

also Feb. 1921.

The paper of the evening was presented by Dr. Jonathan
Dwight, entitled ''Notes on the Geographical Distribution of
Pattern in the Gulls of the World."

The speaker first said that first' year gulls could be distin-
guished from older birds by their pointed, instead of rounded,
tips of the primaries, and the rounded, instead of square, tips
of the rectrices, and stated that the small species of gulls ac-
quire their adult plumage at the end of the first year, the
medium-sized ones at the end of the second year, and the
largest species not until they were three or perhaps four
years old.

Taking up the different plumage patterns. Dr. Dwight said
that all adult gulls had white tails, with the exception of five
species that had banded tails, Franklin's Gull {Larus framk-
lini) with the two middle rectrices gray and a species in the
Galapagos Islands with an entirely gray tail. These species
with banded or gray tail-feathers seemed to be mostly of
southern origin.

The black-headed gulls were found both in the northern
and southern hemispheres; and the same can be said of the
brown-headed species — Larus ridihundus being found in
Europe and Asia, two species in Argentina, one in India and
one on the Red Sea.

Taking up the patterns of the primaries, Dr. Dwight divided
the species into four groups — 1st, those with black primaries,
represented by Larus atricolla, L. heermani, L. modestus, L.
fidiginosus, L. crasirostris, etc., 2d, those with white pri-
maries, such as the Ivory, Glaucous, and Iceland Gulls; 3d,
Larus glaucescens, with gray primaries; and 4th, the largest
group, those with spotted or bicolored primaries. The species
with the spotted primaries were apparently confined to the
northern hemisphere.

35

With regard to the color of the mantle, there seemed to be
no definite correspondence between it and the ranges of the
species, for instance, of two black-backed gulls, one, Larus
mariniis, belonged to the northern hemisphere, and another,
Larus dominicus, to the southern. The darkness of the mantle
might, however, have something to do with the fogginess of
the region inhabited by the species.

After discussion by members, in which it was brought out
by Mr. Weber that the darker-colored gulls were more primi-
tive than the lighter ones, the meeting adjourned.

Feb. 14, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President in
the chair.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Howard H. Cleaves
to Mr. J. T. Nichols, saying that he intended to publish a
report on his bird-banding work and asking whether the
Linnsean Society would help him financially in the under-
taking. On motion, Mr. J. T. Nichols was appointed a com-
mittee of one to correspond with Mr. Cleaves and inform him
that the Society was in sympathy with his work, but was not
in a position to help defray his expenses at the present time.

The question of a dinner at the Annual Meeting of the
Society on March 14th was then taken up, and, all the mem-
bers present being in favor of it, the chair appointed the
Secretary, Treasurer and Mr. Griscom a Committee to make
arrangements for the dinner and to report at the next meeting.

Mr. L. N. Nichols read a report from his son, Edward G.
Nichols, in Ceylon, listing 45 species of birds he had observed
near Yaddukoddai in November and December, 1921. On
Dec. 21st he had made a Christmas census of 25 species.
Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Horned Lark {Otocoris a.
alpestris) at the Central Park Reservoir, Jan. 1st, and on
Feb. 9th at the head of Pelham Bay, a pair of European
Widgeons (Mareca penelope). He had a very good view of
the head markings of the drake and felt sure of his
identification.

Mr. Urner reported the Snowy Owl {Nyctea nyctea) still
present on the Newark Marshes on Feb. 11th, and on the
13th, in the same region, he had seen two Bluebirds {Sialia s.
sialis) and eight Pintails {Dafila acuta) .

36

Mr. J. T. Nichols then gave an informal talk entitled "Fur-
ther Notes on the Greater {Totanits melanoleucus) and Lesser
Yellowlegs {Tot anus flavipes),'' illustrated by skins and
skeletons of the two species.

He stated that in his opinion the two Yellowlegs were not
closely related as one might suppose from their similarity in
coloration, as they differed markedly in their structure,
Totanus melanoleucus having a relatively much longer bill,
smaller head and shorter legs than T. flavipes. In the latter
species the long legs were due to the lengthening of the tibiae.
In the latter species, also, nares extended much further down
the bill than in T. melanolencns.

The speaker thought that the Lesser Yellowlegs was the
more primitive species, on account of its structure and more
specialized migration route, and that the color of the Greater
was an example of mimicry.

The Lesser Yellowlegs resembled most closely the European
Redshank {T. totanus), while the Greater was apparently
closely related to the European Greenshank {T. nehularia).
In addition to these four species, Mr. Nichols placed the
Dusky or Spotted Redshank {T. fuscus) and the Marsh Sand-
piper (T. stagnatilis) in the genus Totanus, and arranged
them in the following order of relationship, beginning with
the most primitive form : Lesser Yellowlegs, Redshank, Green-
shank, Greater Yellowlegs, Marsh Sandpiper and Dusky Red-
shank.

Fel). 28, iP^^.— Regular Meeting. The Vice-President in
the chair.

The Vice-President read a telegram from Mr. Howard H.
Cleaves, asking whether the Society would" donate $50.00
toward his bird-banding report. No action was taken by the
Society.

Mr. William Chamberlain, of 538 West 114th Street, whose
name had been proposed on January 10th, was elected a
Resident Member.

Mr. Hix reported finding a moribund Dovekie {Alle alle)
washed up on the beach at Long Beach, L. I., on Feb. 19th.

37

He put it back in the water, but it was too weak to escape and
was washed ashore again. Its feathers were oil-soaked. Later
in the day the bird died and the body was presented to the
American Museum by Mr. Hix. Mr. Hix also found the
carcass of an Opossum {Didelphis v. virginian<i) at Engle-
wood, N. J., on Feb. 22d.

Mr. Bowdish spoke of a second Northern Shrike {Lanius
horealis) that had entered his trap at Demarest, N. J., and had
seen his first Fox Sparrow {Passerella i. iliaca) of the year
on Feb. 24th.

Mr. Friedman reported a Flicker {Colaptes auratus luteus)
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Feb. 26th.

Mr. Urner said that Feb. 19th was the last date on which
he had seen the Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) in the Newark
Marshes. On Feb. 25th, in the same locality he had seen a
female Hooded Merganser {Lophodytes cuciollatus) , 25 Red-
winged Blackbirds {Agelaius p. pho&niceiis) and 15 Pipits
{Anthus rtohescens).

The Secretary exhibited a specimen of Ammodytes ameri-
canus, the so-called Sand Eel, found washed up on the beach
at Long Beach, L. L, on Feb. 25, and presented it to the
Department of Ichthyology of the American Museum.

Dr. G. Clyde Fisher then gave a talk entitled ''Observa-
tions on Some of our Local Mammals, ' ' illustrated by lantern-
slides. He told of experiences he had had with Opossums
{Didelphis v. virgimana) that "played possum," of young
Eaccoons {Procyon I. lotor) he had taken from the nest in a
hole of a dead tree, and of a Florida Gray Fox {Urocyon
cinereoargenteus floridanus) that climbed a tree when pur-
sued by dogs. He also spoke of some of the habits of the
Ked Fox {Vulpes fulva), the Woodchuck (Marmota m. monax)
and other common mammals, and concluded his talk by telling
of a pet Gray Squirrel {Sciurus carolinensis lencotis) that,
when taken to Florida, acquired the unique habit of eatiug
his meals while reclining on his back.

March 14, 1922. — Annual Meeting held at the American
Museum of Natural History. In the absence of the president,

38

vice-president, and treasurer, the secretary called upon Mr.
J. M. Johnson to occupy the chair. Twenty-seven members
and fourteen visitors present.

(The meeting was preceded by the Tenth Annual Dinner in
the Mitla Room of the museum, attended by t^Ycnty-six mem-
bers and 11 guests.)

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved as corrected.

Mr. Clifford H. Pangburn of 299 Madison Avenue, proposed
at last meeting, elected a resident member.

The secretary read excerpts from two letters by H. H.
Cleaves to J. T. Nichols, asking whether the Linngean Society
would help finance his proposed report on bird-banding.

Moved, seconded, and carried that the Society should con-
tribute $50 to Mr. Cleaves.

Mr. Crosby read a letter to Mr. Howland from E. W. Nelson
of the United States Biological Survey, concerning Bird-band-
ing Association for Middle Atlantic States. Matter laid on
the table.

Treasurer 's report read by secretary ; accepted and referred
to auditing committee.

The paper of the evening by Mr. James P. Chapin was en-
titled '^ African Birds in the Museums of Europe" and was
illustrated by lantern-slides, showing various museums in Ger-
many, Austria, England, Belgium, and other European coun-
tries, as well as some prominent ornithologists of the Old
World, and a few of the African birds which aroused his
special interest. As a result of measurements and compari-
sons made during this trip, Mr. Chapin proposed to separate
the well-known Paradise Whydah (Steganura) into two dis-
tinct species which are represented in various parts of the
African continent by five geographic forms. The curious dis-
tribution of the large- and small-billed races of the "Weaver-
finch {Pyrenestes) was shown to be dependent upon the extent
of the West African forest, which harbors the small-billed
varieties, while those with very stout beaks are found only in
the neighboring grasslands. The variation in the horns of

39

African guinea-fowl was illustrated from sketches made in
various museums and was shown to depend largely upon geo-
graphic distribution. All the forms which live close to the
equatorial forest have very low protuberances, and the longest-
horned guinea-fowl are found in the open arid plains of east-
ern and southern Africa. The Congo Museum at Tervueren,
Belgium, was an institution of special interest and was found
to have made great progress in its zoological work since the
speaker had visited the new building, then just completed, in
May, 1909.

Secretary's Annual Eeport, 1921-1922

During the past year the Linnsean Society has held fifteen meetings,
the first November one being omitted owing to conflict with the annual
meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, with a total attendance
of 430. The Ninth Annual Dinner was attended by thirty-four members
and guests, and twenty-eight members were present at the Annual Meet-
ing the same evening. At the remaining fourteen meetings the total
attendance averaged 27.5, that of members 15 — that is, the total attend-
ance and the attendance of members were both greater than in the pre-
ceding year. The largest number present at any one meeting was 73
(May 10th), of members 28; the smallest was 12.

The society has lost by death during the past year one Honorary Mem-
ber (Dr. J. A. Allen), two corresponding members (Mr. John Burroughs
and Mr. Charles B. Cory) and one resident member (Mr. H. A. Casse-
beer, Jr.). One Honorary Member (Dr. Jonathan Dwight) and eleven
new resident members have been elected. The membership list now
stands: resident, 97; corresponding, 24; honorary, 3; total, 124. (Largest
since 1916 when membership was the same.)

Twelve papers have been presented before the society — five of them
on ornithology, three on the natural history of expeditions, two on mam-
malogy, one on herpetology and one on John Burroughs. Three evenings
were devoted to field observations.

Owing to the high cost of printing, the society decided to postpone
the publication of its ''Abstract of Proceedings" for the year ending
March 8, 1921, and to combine it with the ''Abstract" for the year
ending with to-night.

Your secretary, after holding office for two years, finds that, on ac-
count of increased professional and other duties, he will be unable to
continue in office any longer. He sincerely regrets this, inasmuch as the
work connected with the secretaryship has been a keen pleasure to him,
and he would gladly continue in office, if he had the time to devote to it.
He therefore begs you to elect another secretary at this meeting and

40

thanks you for the honor you have bestowed upon him during the past
two years.

E. E. P. Janvrin,

Secretary.

March 29, 1922. — Regular Meeting. .The President in the
chair.

The president appointed the following committees for the
year 1922-1923 :

Committee on Membership: Messrs. Dwight, Chubb, and
Pearson.

Committee on Finances: Messrs. Pearson, Dwight, and
Murphy.

Auditing Committee: Messrs. Murphy and Noble.

Committee on Papers and Lectures: Messrs. Chapin, Mur-
phy, and Fisher.

Committee on Publication: Messrs. Chapin, Griscom, and
Janvrin.

Comtnittee on Local Avifauna: Messrs. Griscom, Janvrin,
and L. N. Nichols. In each case the first-mentioned is the
chairman.

Messrs. Hix, L. N. Nichols, Marks, Urner, Howland, Wil-
liams, Crosby, and Bowdish reported on the progress of the
present spring migration. Amcng the many recent records,
the following seem to be of particular interest :

A Northern Shrike {Lanius horealis), at Leonia (N. J.)
railroad station, March 26, 1922, by Mr. Laidlaw Williams.
This shrike was seen to carry a mouse in its feet, and Mr. J. T.
Nichols remarked that he had seen these birds on several occa-
sions carry small birds in their claws.

A Pied-billed Grebe {Podilymhus podiceps), Rhinebeck,
Dutchess Co., N. Y., Mar. 22, 1922, and Hooded Merganser
{Lophodytes cumdlatus), Green-winged Teal {Nettion caro-
linense), and Pintail (Dafila acuta), at the same locality,
March 25, 1922, by Mr. M. S. Crosby.

One female Shoveler (Spatula clypeata), at Princeton, N. J.,
March 26, 1922, by Mr. G. E. Hix. This bird was first seen
by Mr. Charles Rogers on March 22d.

41

During the past winter, Mr. R, S. Williams had seen a
Cardinal {Cardinalis c. cardinalis) a few times in Bronx Park,
said Mr. L. N. Nichols.

Mr. R. H. Rowland reported the following returns of
banded Song Sparrows (Melospiza m. melodia), at Upper
Montclair, N. J. :

No. 47,150 ; banded May 10, 1921, and retaken May 15 ; re-
turned Feb. 13, 1922.

No. 44,699 ; taken Nov. 11, 1920 ; repeated twelve times to
March 6, 1921; returned Oct. 27, 1921, and repeated fifteen
times to March 4, 1922.

No. 48,475 ; taken May 30, 1921 ; repeated fifteen times to
Aug. 21, 1921 ; returned March 19, 1922, and repeated the
same day and that following.

No. 47,143; taken April 12, 1921; repeated twenty-eight
times to Oct. 16 ; returned March 23, 1922, and has repeated
March 26.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to an illustrated
lecture by Mr. 0. P. Medsger of Arlington, N. J., on "Wild
Flowers and their Insect Visitors. ' ' The insects which are of
most importance in the fertilization of flowers are bees, moths,
and butterflies. The Honey-bee is not a native of North Amer-
ica, but was introduced from Europe; so it is not surprising
that it should be better adapted to visiting European species
of flowering plants of which many of course have also become
established in our country. We do, however, have many other
kinds of bees, especially Bumble-bees, which are of importance
in this connection.

After a word on wind pollination and the parts of the flower
concerned in fertilization, the speaker proceeded to take up
special cases of insect pollination, illustrating each case with
beautiful photographs of the flowers discussed, and often with
various insects upon them. The Skunk-cabbage, though sel-
dom visited by bees, is served in much the same way by small
flies, as ill-smelling blossoms like the Trillium are apt to be.

Mr. Medsger thought that a great deal was still to be done
in our country in establishing the true relations between flow-

42

ers and insects. Certain results of work done in Europe have
not yet been borne out in the case of American plants; and
the National Research Council is promoting a cooperative plan
of work by botanists, entomologists, chemists, and physicists,
on this complex subject.

Many small flowers seem to be fertilized in ways as yet un-
recorded. The speaker has as yet seen no insect visiting the
Indian Pipe, and whereas the European species of Lillium
were said to be fertilized by bees, the red American species
may be dependent upon moths. Although, as is well known,
the violets produce most of their seed from cleistogamous
flowers, insects do nevertheless often visit the others. The
Purple-flowering Raspberry is probably frequently self-ferti-
lized, and the Trailing Arbutus has so many imperfect flowers
that for a long time the nature of its fruit was incorrectly
given even in manuals of botany.

The flowers of the Labiatae, or Mint family, often have an
elaborate mechanism for brushing the bees that enter them,
and Linaria (Butter-and-Eggs), among the Scrophulariacese,
is wonderfully fitted to receive bees, which, alighting on the
lower lip, bear it down, and the entrance opens. The Lady-
slipper Orchids are well arranged for cross-fertilization
through the same agencies. The opening is so small that the
insects find their way out with difficulty, and the speaker had
found a bumble-bee thus imprisoned, which could never have
made its exit. Milkweeds are visited by many different in-
sects, and the flower is so arranged as to hold them fast for
a while. Even the Closed Gentian is not self-fertilized, and
Bumble-bees have been seen working their heads into the top
and thus gaining entrance. In the case of the Fringed Polyg-
ala, nevertheless, which seemed so well constructed for the
convenience of the bees, Mr. Medsger and Dr. Lutz have not
found bees alighting on the lip. Instead, the Bumble-bees cut
holes in the back of the flower, and other bees then profit by
these same openings.

Among the plants which the speaker has found to be popular
with Honey-bees in the Eastern States may be listed: Iris,

4S

Linaria, Wild Geranium, Tulip-tree, Mountain Laurel, Ameri-
can Linden. Other small bees came to the True Solomon's
Seal, 2-leaved Solomon's Seal, White Baneberry, Bluet, Rose-
Mallow. Bumble-bees were mentioned as coming to the Lady-
slippers, Trillium, Mandrake, Wild Geranium, Red Clover,
Linaria, Gentians, Columbine, Folygala, and Thistles.

The Wild Carrot, in this country at least, is fertilized mainly
through the visits of flies, which were also attracted to Tril-
lium, the Skunk Cabbage, and White Baneberry. Besides the
lilies noted above, moths regularly fertilize flowers of Evening
Primroses (CE nothera) , which open in the evening. On these
yellow flowers, a yellow spider is often found lying in wait
for small moths. Butterflies, which of course pay short visits
to many different blossoms, were mentioned especially in con-
nection with Red Clover, Bluet, Joepyweed, and Thistles.

April 11, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

The auditing committee reported that it had examined the
report of the treasurer, and found it correct. The report was
thereupon accepted by the society.

Dr. G. C. Fisher told of a Woodcock {Philohela yninor)
picked up last autumn near the museum, which had been kept
captive, and allowed to probe for earthworms placed in a box
of earth. It would feed thus only in the evening, and after
each probing operation it would rinse its bill in a cup of water
which had been provided for it.

A Saw-whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica) was reported as
seen on Apr. 8 at the Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, by
Mr. W. C. Van Dyne.

At Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Messrs. Crosby and
Griscom had seen: On April 1st, 6 Mallards {Anas platy-
rhynchos), 6 Baldpates {Mareca americana), and a pair of
Ring-necked Ducks {Marila collaris). On April 2d, 1 Gad-
wall {Chaulelasmus streperus), 2 male Blue-winged Teal
{Querqtiednla discors), 1 female Bufflehead {Churitonetta
alheola), and 1 Saw- whet Owl.

Mr. Charles Johnston, at Long Beach, N. Y., on April 8th,
had noted one Iceland Gull (Lanes leucopterus).

44

The following new arrivals were reported by Mr. C. A.
Urner, at Elizabeth, N. J. : Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata)
(March 30), Greater Yellow-legs {Totanus melanoleucus)
(Apr. 8), Little Green Heron (Butorides v. virescens) (Apr.
9), Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythrogastra) (Apr. 9). On
April 1st a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) and an Iceland Gull
had still been observed in that vicinity.

On April 9th at Hempstead, Long Island, Mr. J. T. Nichols
saw a Northern Shrike (Lanius horealis), the date being a
late one for the neighborhood. He also noted 3 migrating
Barn Swallows.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to Doctor Fish-
er's address on Photographing our Native Birds. AVhile the
speaker had been working for the last nine years with .a
Graflex and even a motion-picture camera, he first showed how
pictures of ornithological interest could be made at times with
an ordinarj^ kodak, illustrating this with one of his own early
photographs of the nest of Bald Eagles {HalicBetus I. leucO'
cephahis) at Lewiston Reservoir, Ohio. As to whether the
Indians or White men had originated the custom of hanging
up gourds for the Martin to nest in the speaker was in doubt.
He told of a case at Gainesville, Florida, where of 13 gourds
thus offered as lodgings, 12 were occupied by Purple Martins
(Progne s. suhis), and of another group of 25 gourds, every
one of which was in use.

The habit of the Loggerhead Shrike {Lanius I. ludovix^ianus)
of impaling insects and even a tree-frog on the spikes of
barbed wire was illustrated, and the killing of English Spar-
rows by these shrikes was described. The fact that Jays in
feeding on acorns not only hold them with the toes, but also
attack the softer lower side. The work of Sapsuckers on apple
trees was commented on.

A Florida Cormorant {Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus)
found suspended from a telephone pole at Orange Lake, Fla.,
was believed to have lost its life by slipping on the glass insu-
lator where it had attempted to perch, and getting its neck
wedged between insulator and pole.

45

While living in Florida, from 1907 to 1910, Doctor Fisher
had often searched for Egrets, but never saw one. Not until
a visit in 1915 did he finally succeed in finding them ; and the
same summer, on returning to New York, he learned that three
American Egrets {Herodias egretta) were frequenting a pond
at Van Cortlandt Park. Photos of one of these fine birds
were shown, with subway station and apartment houses in the
background, and even as it was being watched at short range
by four ladies. Since that time Dr. Fisher has found both
species of Egret becoming much commoner in Florida, thanks
to protection.

April 25, 1922.— RQgulsiV :\reeting. The President in the
chair.

In the reports of recent observations of birds, Dr. Janvrin
mentioned a Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsoniamis) on April 24
in Central Park. This was the fourth occurrence on record
in the park, and the first since 1905. A Rubj'-crowned King-
let {Begulus c. calendula) at Englewood on April 2 repre-
sented the earliest date for that locality.

On the morning of April 25 at Bronx Park Mr. Pangburn
had seen four Lincoln Sparrows (Melospiza I. li7icohn) to-
gether. The number was especially surprising. A White-
breasted Nuthatch {Sitta c. carolinensk) nest also found there
the same day might be considered correspondingly early.

Mr. Griscom said that he had seen an Iceland Gull {Larus
leucopferiis) from the Weehawken Ferry on April 16 of this
year, and that a Saw-whet Owl {Crypioglaux a. acadica) at
Englewood on April 16 and a Northern Shrike {Lanius hore-
alis) in Central Park April 14 were the latest dates he knew
for the respective areas.

Mr. Wm. T. Davis reported that on April 10 he had watched
a male Maryland Yellowthroat {Geoihlypis t. trichas) for
about half an hour through a prism binocular, in a swamp
near the Moravian Cemeterj^, Staten Island. This is a very
early record. He also stated that the Turkey Buzzard
{Cathartes aura septentrionalis) , at one time but rarely seen
on Staten Island, is now becoming a more common visitor.

46

While he was watching the Yellowthroat, a Buzzard was seen
flying over in the direction of New Jersey, and they are now
quite often seen at Tottenville.

From Dutchess County, N. Y., Mr. M. S. Crosby mentioned
the following arrivals of interest :

April 14, at Poughkeepsie, Chimney Swift {Chcetura
pelagica) (2), Kough- winged Swallow {Stelgidopteryx serri-
pennis) (1). April 15, at Rhinebeck, House Wren {Troglody-
tes a. aedon), two have been seen almost dailj^ since then.
April 16, at Cruger's Island, Florida Gallinule {Gallmula
galeata) (1). April 22, at Cruger's Island, Shoveller
{Spatula clypeata) (3), and Solitary Sandpiper {Helodromas
s. solitarms) (1).

Among new arrivals for the Elizabeth region, Mr. C. A.
Urner reported on April 16 the Chimney Swift, Brown
Thrasher {Toxostoma rufum), Spotted Sandpiper {Actitis
maciilaria), and House Wren. On April 22 he had located
a Wood Duck nest.

At Garden City on April 19 Mr. J. T. Nichols had seen his
first House Wren and Mr. R. H. Howland reported that
while he had seen the same bird at Upper Montclair for the
first time on April 18, it had been reported from Islip, Long
Island, on April 14 by Miss Jenks.

Next followed the lecture by Professor W. K. Gregory
entitled ''Notes on the American Museum Australian Expedi-
tion." With Mr. H. C. Raven as his assistant, the speaker
had left last May for Australia, by way of Honolulu and
Samoa.

They had arrived in southeastern Australia during the
rainy season, and their trip to the mountains of New South
Wales had been delayed by the swollen rivers. The devasta-
tion of the forests has been a great factor in the destruction
of the mammalian fauna, and unfortunately the Eucalyptus
trees burn easily.

While the Marsupials were the dominant stock in Australia,
there were nevertheless some native placental mammals. The
Dingo ( Canis dingo ) is a well-known example, but the Muridse

47

must have been in Australia a long time, for they have under-
gone great adaptive changes, resulting in a development of a
water rat with the molars much reduced in number, a hopping
rat, as well as burrowing, and even semi-arboreal types. The
remains of one rodent have been found in the Pleistocene, and
these Australian rodents have their relatives in New Guinea
and even in the Philippines.

Ornithologists are numerous and active in Australia, the
movement in favor of conservation is a strong one, and enor-
mous government reservations have been set aside.

On Tasmania the speaker dwelt at some length, describing
its geology, some of its vegetation, and its aboriginal in-
habitants.

During the subsequent discussion Professor Gregory added
some details concerning fossil man in Australia, and the
present day scarcity of aborigines in S. E. Australia.

May 9, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

The Secretary was instructed to cast affirmative ballots for
Miss Ethel Adele Capen and Mr. Frederick Mortimer Capen,
and they were declared members of the Society.

Recent bird-records were presented by members. Mr. Hix
had observed at Long Beach: 1 Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago
delicata) (April 19), a flock of about 500 Canada Geese
(Branta c. canade7isis) , flying north (May 3), 14 Gannets
(Sula 'hassana), only one of them adult (May 7), one Mourn-
ing Dove {Zenaidura niacroura carolinensis) (May 7), and a
flock of 5 Geese, flying over (May 7).

The following had been seen by Mr. Crosbj^ at Cruger's
Island, Dutchess County, N. Y. : Shoveller {Spatula cly-
peata), Apr. 27 and 30; Pintail (Dafila acuta), Apr. 30;
Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense), May 1 ; Blue-winged
Teal (Querquedula discors), May 1; Fox Sparrow {Passerella
i. iliaca), May 1; American Merganser (Mergus americanus),
May 5; Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), May 5;
Canada Goose, May 5. At Rhinebeck, on May 4, Mr Crosby
saw a Brewster's Warbler (Vermivora pinus X V- chrysop-

48

tera) a Tennessee Warbler (Vermivorw peregrina), and a
Palm Warbler (Dendroica p. palmarum).

A White-crowned Sparrow {Zonotrichia I. leucophrys) in
Central Park, discovered by Miss Samek on May 3, was stated
by Mr. Griscom to be the earliest record for the park, as was
also a Magnolia Warbler he saw on the same day. A Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher {Polioptila c. ccerulea) was also in the park
on May 3, and a Mourning Dove on May 6. At Englewood,
April 30, Mr. Griscom noted the latest Pintail for that neigh-
borhood, and on May 7 he and Dr. Janvrin had witnessed an
important migratory flight in the same locality. 78 species
were seen, including 2 Golden-winged Warblers {Vermivora
chrysoptera), 1 Tennessee Warbler {Vermivora peregrina) ^ 1
Canada Warbler (earliest), and a Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hy-
locichla a. alicice). Mr. Griscom also reported that at Long
Beach a Purple Sandpiper (Arquatella m. maritima) had
been seen on May 4 by Mr. Bicknell, and an Iceland Gull
{Larus leucopterus) and a Common Tern {Sterna hirundo)
on May 6 by Mr. Charles Johnston. On May 6, from Wash-
ington Square, New York City, Mr. Johnston had watched 4
Canada Geese flying over.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Palm Warbler, with 7 or
more Yellow Palms, {Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea) in
Bronx Park, May 1. On the same day he also saw a Magnolia
Warbler {Dendroica magnolia) there, and on May 8 at a pond
east of Bronx Park, a Solitary Sandpiper {Helodromas s.
solitariiis) .

Among the birds seen by Mr. Friedman at Long Beach on
April 30 were 1 Glaucous Gull {Larus hyperhoreus) , 1 Semi-
palmated Sandpiper {Ereimetes pusillus), 1 Red-backed Sand-
piper {Felidna alpina sakhalina), and 1 Black-throated Green
Warbler {Dendroica virens) .

In the region of Elizabeth, N. J., Mr. Urner noted 64
species on April 29 and 30, including 12 new arrivals. One
Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsonianus) , on the 30th, was the latest
recent record, and a Parula Warbler {Compsothlypis ameri-
cana usnece) and Wilson's Thrush {Hylocichla f. fuscescens),

49

on the same day, were new early records for Elizabeth, he
believed. On May 6 and 7 he counted 83 species, including
24 new arrivals, and on the first of these days watched a male
Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus) display his white plumes
before two females. On May 6 he also saw 9 Pipits {Aiithiis
ruhescens), and a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls {Larus Philadel-
phia). Two White-crowned Sparrows were there on the 7th.

From Upper Montclair Mr. Howland reported a Yellow-
breasted Chat {Icteria v. virens), April 30; and a Red-eyed
Vireo {Vireosylva olivacea) and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus v. varius), May 6.

Mr. Carter told of a colony of Black-crowned Night Herons
{Nycticorax nycticorax ncBvius) he had recently visited at
Boonton, N. J. About fifty nests were found.

The details for the regional lists were given as f ollow^s :

Orient, Long Island, 281 species ; Mastic, Long Island, 229 ;
Long Beach, 244 ; Central Park, 185 ; Bronx region, 222 ;
Englewood, New Jersey, 235. These local lists showed what
intensive observation over a considerable period of years
could accomplish.

Especial pains had been taken to work out the flights of
the rarer northern finches and it was found that the Pine
Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleator leucura) had occurred in num-
bers ten times in 95 j^ears and the White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera) 11 times in 74 years, showing that it was
slightly the commoner species of the two.

May 23, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

Miss M. C. Rich, Mrs. H. W. Smith and Mrs C. W. Mead
were elected active members of the Society.

The program of the evening consisted of reports on the
spring bird migration.

Mr. Crosby reported an exceedingly good spring migration
in Dutchess County. On May 14, his party, including Dr.
R. C. Murphy, had found 114 species, including a pair of
Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea).

Upon inquiry, by Mr. L. N. Nichols, as to whether the Ceru-

4

50

lean Warbler wa§ moving eastward, Mr. Griscom said that
there was considerable evidence that this was the case. The
bird was steadily increasing eastward in western New York,
as a summer resident, and had recently been found summering
in the Catskills.

Mr. Hix (in litt.) and Mr. Fleischer, on May 17 and 21
respectively, reported unusual numbers of shore birds at Long
Beach. Both had seen the Dowitcher {Macrorhamphus g.
griseus), Knot (Tringa canutus). Pectoral {Pisohia maculata)
and Red-backed Sandpipers {Pelidna alpind sakhalina), and
also some very late Brant {Branta hernicla glaucogastra) .

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a large flock of warblers in the
Bronx region on May 15, which included a Gold-winged
(Vermivora chrysoptera). He had also seen the Lincoln's
{Melospiza I. Uncolni) and White-crowned Sparrows (Zono-
trichia I. leucophrys) on the same day.

The chair then presented a brief summary of the migration
by rea4ing his article for the season's report in Bird-Lore.
Favorable weather caused a steady migration throughout the
first week in May, culminating in a great wave on May 10,
after which transient species dwindled rapidly in numbers
and the migration was practically over. Most of the birds
had passed through very rapidly and the rarer species were
scarcely recorded.

Mr. Griscom remarked that this summary was in exact ac-
cord with his experience. The big wave of May 10 yielded no
less than 66 species in Central Park, there were less than 20
on May 12, and barring May 21 there had been practically no
migration during the rest of the month. In other words, the
migration ended at just about the time when birds normally
were beginning to become common. At Englewood, on May
14, his annual try for a big day had been a total failure.

Mr. Urner reported 96 species as a combined week-end list
for May 13-14 near Elizabeth, N. J. Of special note were the
Short-eared Owl {Asio flammeus) and Pipit {Anthus ruhes-
cens) on May 13 and on May 21 an Acadian Sharp-tailed
Sparrow {Passerhertulus nelsoni subvirgatus) (with the or-
dinary species).

51

Mr. Crosby's mention of several Brewster's Warblers {Ver-
mivora pinus X ^- chrysoptera) seen this season led to a dis-
cussion of the Mendelian theory of hybridization, and a brief
summary of this theory was presented by the Chair.

October 10, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

Miss L. E. Woodward, Dr. George B. McAuliffe and ]\Iiss
Caroline Plant were declared elected active members of the
Society.

The publication of the abstract of proceedings was discussed,
Mr. Griscom calling attention to the advisability of publishing
an annual summary of local conditions with regard to birds.
On motion by Mr. Crosby, it was decided that the abstract
should be published, with or without a summary of the year's
ornithological conditions, at the discretion of the committee on
publication.

The program of the evening was a discussion by the mem-
bers of their observations during the past summer.

Dr. Janvrin described a visit he had made to Jones' Beach,
Long Island, with Messrs. Griscom, Crosby, and J. M. John-
son, on May 27 and 28, 1922. On the first day Mr. Crosby
flushed a Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus) from its nest, which
contained 5 young; and a Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and
three White-rumped Sandpipers {Pisohia fuscicollis) were also
noted. On the 28th a Savannah Sparrow's (Passerculus sand-
wichensis savanna) nest was discovered, with 4 eggs. The
other birds of special interest seen on the second day were :
Iceland Gull (Larus leucopterus), 1; Least Tern, 2; Least Bit-
tern {Ixohrychus exilis), 2; Little Black Rail {Creciscus ja-
maicensis), 2; White-rumped Sandpiper, 16; Red-backed
Sandpiper (Pelidna alpina sakhalina), 4.

Mr. G. E. Hix reported a Migrant Shrike (Lanius ludo-
vicianus migrans) from Englewood, N. J., on August 27 and
a number of other birds from Long Beach, L. I., especially a
Bittern (July 12), a Least Tern (July 16), a Duck Hawk
{Falco peregrinus anatum) (Oct. 8), 12 Brant {Branta her-
nicla glaucogastra) (Oct. 10), and a Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria v. virens) (Oct. 10).

52

Mr. S. H. Chubb had spent the period from June 13 to July
13 on Matinicus Island, 20 miles off the coast of Maine, and
mentioned the smaller land birds breeding there, Savannah
Sparrows being very abundant. On neighboring islands there
were colonies of water birds, Tenpound Island having at least
2,000 nests of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) . These nests
contained from 1 to 3 eggs, in a single case 4. The Northern
Raven (Corvus corax principalis) also bred there, but the sin-
gle nest seen was already deserted. Matinicus Rock was
visited on July 10th, and was found to be occupied by Arctic
Terns {Sterna paradiscea), whose young were faring badly,
according to lighthouse keepers, as a result of the cold, damp
weather. A few Black Guillemots (Cepphus grylle) also nest
there.

Mr. L. N. Nichols, on May 24, had observed a Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata) on the back of Long Beach, near Nassau-
by-the-Sea. On June 26 he had found 4 Seaside Sparrows
{PasserherhuUis m. maritimus) and 2 Sharp-tailed Sparrows
{Passerherhuhis caiodacutus) singing in the Bay Chester
Marshes, Bronx, where they must therefore breed. In this
same marsh the Long-billed Marsh Wrens (Telmatodytes p.
palustris) are found only along the southwest side; and the
Short-billed Marsh Wrens {Cistothorus stellaris) only near the
eastern corner, closest to the Sound.

Mr. Griscom also spoke of the trip to Jones' Beach in late
May, with Dr. Janvrin and other members. As for the pres-
ent autumn migration, he had found a slight movement early
in August, culminating on the 12th, but little more until Au-
gust 27 and 28, when the Tennessee {Vermivora peregrina)
and Cape May Warblers {Dendroica tigrina) were present,
the first in unusual numbers. The months of September and
October, to date, had been disappointing, the warm weather
preventing any important waves, and marked flights occurred
only on Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 4. On the whole, the birds had
been late in arriving, and well below normal in abundance,
the only exception being the Palm Warbler, which was more
numerous than usual.

53

Recent records of note from Central Park, mentioned by
Mr. Griscom, are as follows :

Common Tern {Sterna hirundo) Aug. 22 (1st record)

Gnatcatcher (Polioptila c. ocsruLea) Aug. 28

Connecticut Warbler {Oporornis agUis) Sept. 22 and Oct. 5

Dickcissel {Spiza americana) Oct. 4

With Mr. S. V. La Dow, over Sept. 4, he visited Montauk
Point, and observed the following :

Eoseate Tern (Sterna dougalli) 25

Golden-eye (Clangula clangula americana) 1

Little Blue Heron (Florida cceruea) 2

Baird's Sandpiper (Pisobia bairdi) 2

Migrant Shrike (Laniiis ludovicianus migrans) 1 adult.

Mr. Ralph Friedman, during the montlis from May to
August, had visited Cuba. Porto Rico, the Virgin Islands, as
well as many of the Lesser Antilles. He had identified 21
species of the birds seen; but noted a number of others as
doubtful, including a crow, of the same appearance as the
American Crow {Corvus h. hrachyrhynchos) , on the islands
of Antigua and St. Kitts, where no crow is known to occur.

Mr. Urner reported on the seasonable abundance and oc-
currence of a number of species near Elizabeth, N. J., this
summer and autumn, as follows :

Short-eared Owl {Asio flammeus). — Nest with eggs nearh^
hatched found on salt marsh about May 22. Nest with 2
young about ten days old found July 4.

Savannah Sparrow. — First local summer records this year.
A pair seen on the salt marsh, June 17, were apparently feed-
ing young; others seen on July 4 and 23.

Little Blue Heron. — Nine seen on July 28, two on Aug. 10.

American Egret {Herodias egretta). — Three on Aug. 2;
five on Aug. 9 ; four on Aug. 10.

Ring-billed Gull {Larus delawarensis) . — Two on Aug. 2.

Upland Plover {Bartramia longicauda). — From Aug. 2 to
Sept. 3 ; maximum number seen, 4.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanussa violacea). — One
immature specimen seen Aug. 16 and Sept. 3.

54

Bonaparte's Gull {Larus Philadelphia). — Eight seen on
Aug. 20.

Mr. Crosby told of the nesting of the Cerulean Warbler
{Dendroica cerulea) , and of their occurrence this summer in
Dutchess County, N. Y. They were first seen, a pair together,
on May 14. Near Poughkeepsie two pairs nested. The first
pair built two successive nests, both of which had been de-
stroyed by natural causes.

The second pair was apparently more successful, since a
male was seen feeding two fledged young on July 7. Others
noticed in the vicinity were : two at Hyde Park, June 22 ; 1 at
Rhinebeck, May 25, 26 ; 1 at Rhinebeck, June 23, 24 ; another
at Rhinebeck, June 23 ; and the last at Poughkeepsie, Aug. 18.
There were only 3 previous records of the Cerulean Warbler
for Dutchess County, 1 on July 4, -1894, and 2 others on May
14 in different years.

Other bird records of especial interest, given by Mr. Crosby,
were as follows: Cardinal (Cardinalis c. cardinalis), an adult
male, Hyde Park, July 10, seen by Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt ;
Solitary Vireo {Lanivireo s. solitarius) , nest and four eggs, in
a hemlock, Turkey Hollow, June 8, 1922; Knot (Tringa canu-
tus), immature bird, Halcyon Lake, Pine Plains, July 30:
Willet {Catoptrophorus s. semipalmatus) , five, at Pough-
keepsie, Sept. 1, by Allen Frost ; Black Tern {Hydrochelidon
nigra surinamensis) , Cruger's Island, Sept. 9; Baird's Sand-
piper {Pisohia hairdi), one collected by Ludlow Griscom,
Poughkeepsie, Sept. 9; Philadelphia Vireo {Vireosylva phila-
delphica) , one at Rhinebeck and one at Pine Plains, both Sept.
10; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a female collected by L. Griscom
at Rhinebeck, Sept. 10; Red-breasted Nuthatch {Sitta cana-
densis), Cruger's Island, Sept. 29; Pine Siskin {Spinus
pinns), Cruger's Island, Sept. 30; Mourning Warbler
{Oporornis Philadelphia), Rhinebeck, Sept. 23.

October 24, 1922. — Regular Meeting. In the absence of
the President and Vice-President, the Secretary requested Mr.
S. H. Chubb to preside.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap~

55

proved. The presentation of records was postponed until the
next meeting.

Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson spoke on ''The Impressions of a
Bird-Lover in Europe, ' ' and described his experiences during
a trip in behalf of the project of international protection for
birds. He visited France, England, and Holland, and en-
joyed many exceptional opportunities for visiting famous
breeding colonies of birds.

In France he had been entertained especially by Monsieur
Jean Delacour, one of the best-known aviculturists in Europe :
and Mr. Pearson described a number of the common song-
birds he found in that country, as well as the work of the
French League for the Protection of Birds.

In England, Mr. Pearson was the guest of the Hon. Eeginald
McKenna and Viscount Grey, and a World Committee was
formed in London for the protection of birds, whose activities,
it is hoped, will soon be extended to the Far East. Mr. Pear-
son visited the Norfolk Broads in search of water fowl; and
went to Selborne. A stained glass window has recently been
placed in Gilbert White's church, depicting St. Francis and
the birds, and including all the species mentioned in the
works of Gilbert White. On the Farn Islands, off the coast
of Northumberland, Mr. Pearson studied the colonies of Kitti-
wakes (Rissa tridactyla),M.xiTres {TJria troille)^ and Puffins
{Fratercula arctica graba), and told of the commercial value
of the down from eiders' nests, which is only taken after the
young have left, and, after cleansing, is sold.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, in England,
is the largest organization of its sort in Europe. In Holland
the birds are looked after both by the Dutch Society for the
Protection of Birds, and the Society for the Preservation of
Natural Monuments. Dr. Burdett, well known for his photo-
graphs and motion pictures of birds, entertained Mr. Pearson
at Haarlem ; and he was taken to various colonies of water
birds, especially those on the Island of Texel, where the num-
bers of individuals are astonishing. Slides were exhibited from
photographs by Dr. Burdett, showing the Curlew {Numenius

56

arquutus), Long-eared Owl {Asio otus), Marsh Harrier
{Circus (Brugirwsus) , Montagu's Harrier {Circus pygargus)
and Sparrow Hawk {Accipiter nisus).

The scarcity of White Storks {Ciconia ciconia) in Holland
during the two years past was believed by some of the Dutch
ornithologists to have resulted from their dying in South
Africa, during their sojourns there, after eating grasshoppers
poisoned by farmers.

In another Dutch bird sanctuary expenses were met b}*
cutting rushes that could be sold, and even by renting the
shooting rights for ducks in the autumn. Protection was
therefore still partial; but the debt on the property would
soon be paid off, and no molestation would be permitted at
any season. Photographs of the Spoonbill {Platalea leuco
rodia) were shown, the two colonies in Holland being all that
remained in western Europe. Other slides showed the Purple
Heron {Pyrrherodia purpurea), Little Grebe {Podiceps rufi-
collis), Common Gull {Larus canus), Snipe, Kentish Plover
{Charadrius alexandrinus) , Avocet {Recurvirostra avosetta),
and Oyster-catchers {Hcbrnatopus ostralegus) . At one place
Mr. Pearson had counted 83 Oyster-catchers in sight at once ;
and he estimated that there were more of them on the single
island of Texel than of the American species on the whole
Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the United States. From another
island there were pictures of the Redshank {Totanus totanus),
Black-headed Gull {Larus ridihundus), and a colony of Sand-
wich Terns {Sterna sandvicensis) .

Mr. Pearson told of his experiences with the Ruff {Pkilo-
machus pugnax) and its spring dances. One could almost say
that no two males in breeding dress are entirely alike. In
one Dutch museum an exhibit of 22 mounted specimens showed
no two identical in color. The birds come year after year
to the same spots exactly for their mating performances. If
the place be drained or even plowed, they do not desert it;
indeed, Mr. Pearson was conducted to one such spot, over
which a road had been built, and the birds still came. Seated
in an automobile, he could watch them sparring fearlessly, as

57

many as 13 at a time. The male birds pair off, lunging at
each other, jumping or flying up, and then changing partners,
to begin anew. They would sometimes ''freeze," remaining
motionless for a minute or a minute and a half. Now and
again, one bird quits the assemblage, and flies off to feed.
Females are seldom present; and even when a female is in
sight, the males pay little attention to her.

A discussion followed on the protection of the larger water
birds of various countries, Mr. Pearson calling attention
especially to the gloomy future for the egrets in North
America.

November 14, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in
the chair.

Mr. Crosby suggested that the Linnaean Society, in view of
the present activity in bird-banding, take some action toward
retaining its early prominence in such investigations. Messrs,
Bowdish, Davis, and J. T. Nichols told of the origin of the
American Bird Banding Association, whose function of cen-
tralizing records has now been assumed by the U. S. Biological
Survey. On motion by Mr. L. N. Nichols, it was voted that
the President be empowered to appoint a committee on bird
banding.

A Junco (Junco h. hyemalis) (No. 27137) which had been
banded by Mr. Crosby on Jan. 21, 1920, and recaptured in
February and March of that year, was absent from the traps
in the winter of 1920-21, but was caught again on Jan. 23,
1922, repeating on Feb. 3, 1922. It has returned once more
and was trapped on Nov. 6, 1922, being again released.

Mr. Woodruff reported the capture of a White-footed Mouse
{Peromyscus leucopus) in Central Park, New York City.

The announced program consisted of an illustrated lecture
by Dr. G. K. Noble, on "Recent Observations on the Habits
of Local Frogs and Toads. ' '

Experimental studies on the relations between sound and the
activities of frogs, by Professor Yerkes and others, had pro-
duced conflicting evidence ; but laboratory workers were apt
to doubt that female frog-s were reallv attracted bv the voices

58

of the males. Dr. Noble was inclined to believe that there
was a connection between calling and mating, as a result of
his prolonged observations on Hyla a'tidersoni in the wild
state.

The rapidity of overland migrations by frogs was illus-
trated by the croaking of Bull Frogs {Rana cateshiana) from
some tanks in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the night after
they were opened, though the nearest body of water was many
blocks away, and the frogs were believed to have come from
Prospect Park.

It was at Lakehurst, N. J., Dr. and Mrs. Noble had studied
the habits of the Anderson Tree Frog, and taken the splendid
flashlight photographs exhibited on the screen, which showed
the males with fully distended vocal sacs, and all their activ-
ities leading up to the laying of the eggs by the female.

The Spade-foot Toads (Scaphiopus holhrookii) near Patch-
ogue, Long Island, as discovered by Dr. Frank Overton, make
short appearances almost every year, in temporary pools of
water. Dr. Noble had remarkable flashlight pictures of them,
showing how the ''squawk" of the male is given as the air
from the lungs is forced out into the throat. The squawking
is done in concert, while the males lie floating on the water.
The noise seems to attract the males, and this is why they
gather in numbers in a single pond or part of the same pond,
yet the reaction of the female to it is not known with certainty.

The embrace of the male spade-foot is not pectoral, but
pelvic. The eggs are laid in a string, which is not wound
around the grasses in the water, but back and forth across
them. Reproductive activities continue through the night ; but
in the morning the "toads" disappear, some digging into the
earth at the bottom of the temporary pool where the eggs
have been laid.

A short discussion of Dr. Noble's work followed, and the
story told of the rediscovery of the Anderson tree-frog at
Lakehurst by Mr. W. T. Davis, who first showed how common
a species it was in southern New Jersey.

November 28, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The President in
the chair.

59

The Secretary read extracts from a letter of Mr. H. H.
Cleaves, dated Nov. 14, 1922, in which he stated that his
report on the work of the American Bird Banding Associa-
tion from 1912 to 1920 was well advanced, but that it had been
suggested that if the report Avere published by the U. S.
Biological Survey, it would assure free distribution to all
now^ associated in the work of banding birds.

Mr. Griscom and Dr. Chapman spoke in favor of allowing
the report to be published by the Biological Survey, and on
motion by Dr. Chapman the meeting voted that the Society
favored publication by the Government, if the Biological
Survey were desirous of so doing.

The Secretary read a paragraph from a letter of Mrs. H.
W. Smith to the President, in which she told of finding an
adult and a j^oung Herring Gull {Larus argentatus) , at Point
of "Woods, Long Island, Oct. 16 and 23, in such weakened con-
dition as to be unable to fly. They later recovered and were
liberated on Nov. 13. Some of her neighbors thought that
the birds had eaten poison.

Mr. Hix said that he had frequentlj' found Herring Gulls
in such a state, on the Long Island beaches.

The President appointed the following members to the
Committee on Bird Banding: Messrs. Howland (Chairman),
Crosb}', and Bowdish.

Mr. Griscom told of a Gray-cheeked Thrush {Hylocichla a.
alicice) which Mr. Court enaj'" Brandreth had collected near
Ossining, N. Y., on Nov. 28, a very late date. When the bird
v^-as dissected to determine the sex, at the American Museum,
it was found to have a very large tumor-like growth in the
fore part of the abdomen, which may have been the cause of
its lagging so far behind the normal migration of its species.

Mr. Hix reported a number of migratory birds
which offered special interest because of the locality or
the date when they were seen. A few of them may be cited :
Kingbird {Tyrannus tyrannus), Van Cortlandt Park, Oct.
14; Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina), Van Cortlandt
Park, Oct. 14; Green-\Wnged Teal {Nettion carolinense) (8),

60

Englewood Region, Oct. 15 ; Bobolink {Dolichonyx oryzi-
vorus), Englewood Region, Oct. 15; Lesser Yellow-legs
{Tot anus flavipes) (10), Englewood Region, Oct. 15; Ameri-
can Scoter {Oidemia americana) (1 male), Englewood Region,
Oct. 15; Turnstone (Arenaria interpres morinella) (1 imma-
ture), Long Beach, L. I., Oct. 18; Golden-eye {Clangula clan-
gula americana) (1 male), Englewood Region, Nov. 12; Bald
Eagle {Haliwetus I. leiicocephalus) (1 immature), Long
Beach, L. I., Oct. 20.

Mr. Weber mentioned having seen 2 Purple Sandpipers
{Arquatella m. maritima) at Barnegat, N. J., on Nov. 22.

Mr. Marks told of a Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsonianus)
seen in the streets of Arlington, N. J., on November 12.

Dr. Chapman had observed a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea)
at the Englewood Golf Links on November 4, and seven Horned
Larks {Otocoris a. alpestris).

The announced program consisted of an address by Dr.
F. M. Chapman, on "A Summer in Ecuador," in which he
described his ornithological exploration of Ecuador, especially
during the past summer. The climate of Ecuador was not a
very hot one, and especially not during its dry season, which
comes at the same time as our northern summer. Though the
smallest of South American republics, Ecuador probably has
the largest bird fauna, in point of species, of any similar area
in the world.

Few Ecuadorian birds were named by Linngeus or his con-
temporaries. About 1846, Jameson, a Scotch professor of
botany at Quito, sent many birds home, and some ten years
later Dr. Sclater sent Louis Eraser on the first real ornitho-
logical expedition into Ecuador. But none of the early col-
lectors gave the localities where they worked with sufficient
exactness. To understand the zonal distribution of birds in
the Andes, it is necessary to visit the country in person, and
only then can the earlier collections be understood.

The species of birds living in Ecuador must number close
to 2,000, or twice as many as in North America north of
Mexico. It is a center for humming-birds, of which there are

61

over 150 species. Some of the mountains have peculiar species
of hummers, living high up near the snow, as does Oreotro-
chillis jamesoni on Mt. Pichincha. The Condor likewise is
confined to the higher levels in the mountains.

The climate is very different in various parts of Ecuador.
The northern half is very humid, as is the eastern portion,
toward the Amazon valley. The southern half of the Pacific
slope is arid, forming a transition to the desert conditions a
little farther south. Dr. Chapman's party was fortunate in
securing a large launch with which to investigate the Gulf of
Guayaquil. There a number of North American shore-birds
were found, during the northern summer, when one would
have expected them to be on their breeding grounds in the
north. There were Dowitcher {3Iacrorhamphus g. griseus),
Willet (Catoptrophorios s. semipalmatus) , Hudsonian Curlew
{Numenius hudsonicus), and Black-bellied Plover {Squatarola
sqioatarola) , as well as the Common Tern (^Sterna hirundo).
Dissection showed all the shore-birds to be in non-breeding
condition, and this maj^ explain why the impulse to migrate
was lacking. The creeks of this region are bordered with
mangroves; and about the Santa Rosa River, Limpkins,
Jacanas, Herons, Ducks, and other waterfowl are very
abundant.

It was through this region that Mr. George K. Cherrie made
his heroic journey, after accidentally shooting himself in the
arm; and Dr. Chapman gave a vivid description of the
fortitude shown by Mr. Cherrie in pursuing the river steamer,
Avhich alone could carry him to Guayaquil and save his life.

Just to the northwest of Guayaquil at a distance of 20 miles
there are hills little known to the city-dwellers, which have, as
Dr. Chapman found, luxuriant tropical vegetation and a
considerable fauna, including monkeys. But it was the rail-
road journey up to Junto in the Andes, and travels by mule-
train, in these rugged mountain regions, which offered the most
magnificent scenery. On the way a stop w^as made at the
Chimbo valley, where the life zones come far lower down
than in Colombia, as a result, it is believed, of the effect upon

62

the climate of the cold Humboldt current off the coast. It
causes fogs, and the continual humidity does away completely
with any dry, quiescent period for the vegetation. In the
isolation of this valley, new forms of birds appear to arise,
as for instance a finch of the genus Buarremon, remarkably
similar to another wide-ranging mountain species, but lacking
entirely the black band across the chest.

Native collectors of birds are very active in the Quito
region, but their material thus far has not had great scientific
value, because they failed to label it carefully as to locality.
They were apt to use a single name of a village for all the
specimens secured over a long trip across country, up and
down the mountains. But they know the birds well, and have
invented their own names for the majority of species. As
an example of their efficiency. Dr. Chapman told of the
liberation of 5 California Quail {Lophortyx c. calif arnica)
near Quito, the • birds having been brought from Chile.
Within a week, four of them had fallen victims to the native
collectors, and had been brought to Mr. Suderstrom, for he
often purchased specimens of the native birds, and had sent
many of them home to European museums.

A further account was added of trips into the mountains
from Quito, and the difficulties of travel amusingly described,
with anecdotes concerning local revolutions, pack mules, and
all that rendered life in Ecuador so picturesque.

December 12, 1922. — Kegular Meeting. The President in
the chair.

There being no business to transact, the presentation of
bird records was first taken up. Mr. Griscom spoke of a
Northern Shrike (Lanius horealis) he had seen in the Engle-
wood region on December 3, which was in full song.

A Towhee (Pipilo e. erythrophfhalmus) was noted by Mr.
Williams at Englewood on December 9.

Mr. Pangburn found a Catbird {Diimetella carolinensis) in
Bronx Park on December 1.

The migration dates of Bonaparte's Gull {Larus Philadel-
phia) in the neighborhood of New York were discussed by Mr.

63

J. T. Nichols, who questioned whether the species was truly a
winter resident, in view of its rarity from January to March.

Mr. Urner reported the Long-billed Marsh Wren {Telmato-
dytes p, palustris) from Elizabeth, N. J., on December 3.

Mr. L. N. Nichols read extracts from a letter from his son,
Edward, now in Ceylon, describing and listing some 50 species
of birds observed there, with remarks on the habits and voices
of many of them.

The announced program for the meeting was a discussion of
f aunal zones in the region adjacent to New York ; and it was
opened by Mr. Griscom reading a portion of the chapter in
his new work on the local avifauna which deals with the ques-
tion of zonal distribution. Detailed discussion followed by
Mr. Miller, J. T. Nichols, W. R. Boulton, Dr. G. K. Noble, Mr.
Chapin, and other members.

December 26, 1922. — Regular Meeting. The Vice-President
in the chair.

The Committee on Bird Banding, through Mr. Howland,
chairman, suggested that one of the April meetings of the
Society be devoted to the subject of banding, and that Mr.
S. P. Baldwin be invited to address it. The Committee has
development of local bird-banding activities in hand, and does
not feel that the organization of a new bird-banding associ-
ation in the region of New York is necessary or advisable. On
motion by Mr. L. N. Nichols, it was voted that Mr. Baldwin
should be invited to address a meeting in April.

At Demarest, N. J., Mr. Bowdish said that Fox Sparrows
{Passer eUa i. iliaca) and White-throated Sparrows {Zono-
trichia alhicollis) were seen far more regularly than usual
during the month of December past. Two Towhees {Pipilo e.
erythroplithalmus) have also been wintering in that vicinity,
and have both been banded. Two Tree Sparrows, banded in
January and February, 1922, were again captured on Decem-
ber 9 and 18 last.

Summaries of Christmas censuses were read by Messrs.
Marks (Arlington, N. J., Dec. 25, 13 species), R. Friedman
and L. N. Nichols (Bronx, N. Y., Dec. 23, 32 species), Hix

64

(Bronx, N. Y., Dec. 24, 28 species), and Urner (Elizabeth,
X. J., Dec. 24, 39 species, Dec. 26, 37 species). Among the
birds Mr. Urner had seen this year, but not in his Christmas
census of last year, were the Pine Siskin (Spiniis pinus), Fox
Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow (Pa^serculus sandwichensis sa-
vanna), Snow Bunting {Plectrophenax n. nivalis), Long-eared
Owl {A^io wilsonianus) (1), Harriers {Circus hudsonius) (2,
calling), and Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) ,

In Bronx Park Mr. Hix had seen a Catbird {Dumetella caro-
liiiensis) on Dec. 16 ; and Mr. Griscom reported that it had
been observed as late as Dec. 24 by Mr. Pangburn, in the same
place.

Mr. Griscom told of the Christmas census he and Mr. Boul-
ton had made at Montauk, L. I., including 42 species, among
them the Dovekie {Alle alle), Iceland Gull (Larus leucop-
terus), Double-crested Cormorant [Phalacrocorax a. auritus),
Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicensis) , Coot {Fulica ameri-
cana), and Cedar Waxwing (BomhyciUa cedrorum) .

The general scarcity of Chickadees was discussed by Messrs.
Bowdish, Griscom, Rogers, and Hix. The Black-capped Chick-
adee {Penthestis a. atricapillus) was agreed to be rare this
winter in the vicinity of New York.

The talk by Mr. S. H. Chubb on Herring Gull {Laru^ ar-
gent atus) Colonies off the coast of Maine was illustrated with
many colored lantern-slides, from photos made during his visit
of a month, this past summer, to Matinicus and the neighbor-
ing islands. The weather had been unprecedentedly bad, rain
fog, and high seas all combining to render trips to the bird
colonies difficult.

On Matinicus Island, reached by motorboat from Rockland,
Me., there is a community of 75 souls, fishermen and lobster-
men. It is 2 miles long by one mile wide, but has no bird
colonies. On the neighboring ''No Man's Land" there used
to be a gull colony, and the Audubon Society had paid a
warden to protect them. This man, however, started a fox
farm there, hoping that he might sell the island to the Society .•
in this he was disappointed, and the gulls meanwhile moved to

65

Ten-pound Island. There they now have approximately 2,000
nests.

In grassy parts of the islands there were Savanna Sparrows,
and on a rocky cliff Mr. Chubb saw a Raven's {Corviis coraz
principalis) nest, already deserted in June, which measured
at least 3 feet in diameter.

Matinicus Rock, a quarter of a mile in length, was occupied
by Arctic Terns {Sterna paradiscea), which had fared badly
this year because of the cold, wet weather. Many dead young,
still in the down, were found scattered about ; and Mr. Chubb
saw only one alive, though a few other pairs had again laid
eggs. There were also Black Guillemots {Cepphiis grijUe),
laying their eggs in the cracks of rocks, without SLuy nesting
material.

January 9, 1923. — Regular Meeting, The President in the
chair.

In the absence of the Secretary the chair appointed Mr.
Bowdish as secretary pro tern.

Two names proposed at the last meeting for membership,
Mr. Charles A. Philhower, Supervising Principal of Public
Schools of Westfield, N. J., and Mr. W. R. Boulton, Jr.,
Beaver, Pa., were favorably reported by the Membership
Committee ; and on motion, the SecretarA' cast the unanimous
electing ballot of the meeting.

Mr. Pangburn reported four Lapland Longspurs ( Calcarius
I. lapponicus) and an Ipswich Sparrow {Passercidus princeps)
at Long Beach, December 23 ; a Catbird (Dumetella caro-
linensis) in Bronx Park December 31, and a Towhee {Pipilo e.
erythrophthahmis) at Gunhill Road January 7. Discussion
followed regarding the northern status of the Kingfisher
{Ceryle alcyon) in winter. Mr. Johnson stated his belief that
enough open water to afford feeding opportunities was the
one requisite. He cited a record in Northern Massachusetts in
the week preceding New Year, with very little open water
available ; and ^Ir. John T. Nichols mentioned one seen from
Harvard Bridge in the first week of January.

Mr. Howland gave a Christmas bird census taken by himself
and Mr. Carter at "Wyanokie," N. J., December 30, 10:45 A.
5

66

M. to 4:15 P. M., showing 19 species and about 166 indi-
viduals.

Mr. Urner reported five Red Crossbills {Loxia curvirostra
minor) from the Elizabeth region, January 7. Mr. Bowdish
stated that Song Sparrow (Alelospka m. melodia) 14757 was
banded at Demarest, X. J., Juh' 29, 1922, and repeated De-
cember 17 and 30, which he cited as a nearly perfect record of
a permanent resident. He also mentioned a Tree Sparrow
(SpizeUa m. mantieola) feeding in the trap on the morning of
January 9, which was so interested that although the trap
failed to work, it permitted close approach. Then becoming
confused, it fluttered about. the back of the trap instead of
its open front, until it could be closed. As a result the bird
was banded.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Julius M. Johnson,
entitled "Notes on Bermuda Birds." The paper was based
on Mr. Jolinson's personal experiences in the Bermudas in
August, 1922, where he made his headquarters at the Harvard
Marine Biological Laboratory. In introducing his subject,
the speaker referred to the geographical, geological, topo-
graphical, and ethnological charaeteristics of the Bermudas,
their probable volcanic origin and early history. Ten species
of land birds were stated to comprise the resident bird life of
the islands, as noted by the speaker. The White-eyed Vireo
{Vireo griseus hermudianus) was considered as the most
abundant and reported to remain and continue in full song
through the winter. It frequented mostlj' the mangroves
which lined the shores. The Bermuda Ground Dove (C/icemc-
pelia passerina hermudia^ia) was ranked second in abundance
and the Catbird third. The Crow {Corvus h. hrachyrhyii-
chos) was not abundant, owing to a sixty cent bount}^ which
had resulted in almost exterminating it. The Quail or Bob-
white {Colinus v. virginiaiius), introduced, had been exter-
minated at one time and again introduced, but was not
abundant. The Florida Gallinule {Gallinula galeata) was
another bird which was classed as not abundant. Bluebirds
(Sialia s. sialis) were fairly abundant and Mr. Johnson said

67

that any tendency to development of a geographical race was
counteracted by annual new accessions from the mainland.
The European Goldfinch {Carduelis carduelis) had been intro-
duced and had developed a race which the speaker believed
was recognized. The European House Sparrow {Passer
domesticus) was abundant and efforts to reduce its numbers
or exterminate it had proved as fruitless as similar efforts
in this country. Eight hundred pounds sterling had been
expended vainly in bounties. It was introduced from New,
York. A race of the Cardinal {Cardinalis c. cardumlis) was
mentioned. The Belted Kingfisher occurred as a migrant
visitant after the breeding season. . The birds incurred local
enmity because of their fondness for squid, which the fisher-
men use as bait. The Mockingbird {Mimus p. polyglottos)
had been introduced but did not seem to thrive. A few were
noted by Mr. Johnson.

The total list of Bermuda birds up to 1884 included 186,
many being water birds with practically the status of strag-
glers. Such species as Golden {Charadrius d. dominicus) and.
Black-bellied Plovers (Sqioatarola squat arola) and Spottej.
Sandpiper {Actitis macidaria) are of frequent occurrence.
Many of our Warblers occur as migrants, including the
Black-throated Blue {Dendroica c. ccendescens) , Cape May
{Dendroica tigrina), and Yellow Warblers {Dendroica a.
(Estiva) .

Mr. Johnson referred to the Yellow-billed Tropic Bird
{Phaethon americanus) as one of the striking breeding birds of
the Islands. A nest discovered by Mr. Johnson was at the back
of a small cave, about two and one half feet in diameter. Crawl-
ing into this as far as he could, about the length of his body, he
found the bird sitting very closely on its one egg, at the
back of the cave, just out of arm's length. The birds are
present about the Islands from about the first of April to
the first of October. They nest twice m a season, soon after
arrival and again in July or August, lajdng only a single egg.
The nest sites are easily accessible to cats, which Mr. Johnson
believes to be responsible for great destruction. The Red-

68

billed Tropic Bird {Phaethon cethereus) also occurs in the
Bermudas, but has not been found to breed. There are stories
of a bird known as the Cahow, formerly occurring in great
numbers, and which, serving as food in a desperate emergency,
some two centuries ago averted wholesale starvation. This
bird has been described as of a brownish-white plumage. Mr.
Johnson referred to the finding by Mowbray of plumage of
such character, partially imbedded in stalactite deposits, from
which it was deduced that the mysterious bird, the Cahow,
was close to the Petrels.

The President stated that Mowbray found feather and
skeletal remains of three Petrels in the Bermudas, one fairly
close to Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus Iherminieri) , another
to Manx Shearwater {Puffinus puffinus) and the third, be-
lieved to have been the Cahow, approaching the Scaled Petrel
{^strelata scalaris).

January 23, 1923. — Regular Meeting. The President in the
chair.

On motion by Mr. Marks, it was voted that the President be
empowered to appoint a Dinner Committee to take charge of
arrangements for the coming annual dinner of the Society.

Mr. Weber reported that he had seen two Night Herons
{Nycticorax nycticorax nwvius) which had been killed on
January- 12 at Merrick, Long Island, from a flock.

At Bronx Park, on January 20, Mr. Griscom had seen a
flock of White-winged Crossbills {Loxm leucoptera) , a few
of them being present on the following day, as well.

A male Red-winged Blackbird {Agelaius p. phoeniceus) and
three Long-eared Owls {Asio wilso7imnus) were observed by
Mr. Marks at Arlington, N. J., on January 6.

Mr. L. N. Nichols told of seeing a number of Ring-billed
GulLs (Larus delawarensis) , Januarj^ 21, on the Hudson River
near 125th Street ; and Mr. Boulton at Amity ville. Long Island,
had found Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator leucura), a
Cedar Waxwing {BomhyciUa cedrorum) and Fox Sparrows
(Passerella i. iliaca) , on January 16.

Mr. Urner remarked that he had seen Bonaparte's Gulls
{Larus Philadelphia) on Newark Bay the day of the meeting,

69

and that this was his latest winter record for the species. Mr.
J. T. Nichols agreed with him as to their wintering this year.

On January 19, Dr. Janvrin spent four hours at Long
Beach without seeing a single duck of any kind, a most un-
usual experience for that locality. The pond near the eastern
end of the boardwalk, he regretted, is being filled in; about
it many bird records have been made by members of the
Linnaean Society.

The Chair read some notes sent in by Mr. Pangburn, who
had observed a male Hooded Merganser {LopJiodytes cioculla-
tiis) and 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets {Reg id us c. calendula)
at Kensico Reservoir on January 14, and a Catbird {Dume-
tella carolinensis) and a flock of about 15 White-winged Cross-
bills at Bronx Park on January 20. He also told of Mr.
Frank Novak, at Fairfield, Conn., reporting two Catbirds and
a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma riifum) as wintering there.

Mr. J. T. Nichols had found a Brown Thrasher on January
15 at Garden City, L. I.

The Secretary read some notes contributed by Mr. Bowdish,
from Demarest, N. J. A Junco {Junco h. hyemalis) (No.
50021), which he had banded on February 28, 1921, returned
on January 15, 1923. Purple Finches {Carpodacus p. pnr-
pureus) had been taken in his trap on January 12 and a few
times since, these being the first of their species to visit his
feeding station. On January 21, one of Mr. Bowdish 's neigh-
bors brought him one of the Towhees {Pipilo e. erythroph-
thalmits) he had banded in December. It was in good con-
dition, well fed, and from a little blood found beneath the
skin of the head, was thought to have met death by flying
into an obstacle during a storm. Miss Florence Bunce had
reported to Mr. Bowdish that a Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla
guttata pallasi) was seen at Ridgewood, N. J., on January 12.

In commenting upon the return of Mr. Bowdish 's Junco,
the Chair compared a Montclair record by Mr. Howland,
which offered a close parallel in dates, though the localities
are far apart. Mr. Crosby suggested that the coincidence might
be determined by weather, as heavy snow encourages birds

70

like the Junco and Tree Sparrow {Spizella m. monticola) to
come to feeding stations and traps.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. W. R. Boulton, Jr.,
on ''Avifaunal Comparisons of Cold Spring Harbor (L. I.)
and Beaver, Pa.'' At Cold Spring Harbor the speaker had
spent the past summer, and Beaver was his home. The
latitude of the two places was nearly the same, but in one case
the climate was maritime, in the other inland, and the mean
annual temperature was one or two degrees higher at Beaver.
Mr. Boulton considered especially the presence or absence of
certain birds and the ecological conditions which seemed to be
responsible.

Geological conditions and vegetation were contrasted for the
two regions, and their local subdivisions were listed. It was
shown that some of the ecological niches or plant associations
were common to both, whereas others were restricted to one
or the other locality, as show^n by the following tabulation :

Cold Spring Harbor Beaver

1. Salt Bay

2. Sand Beach

3. Salt Marsh and Mud Flats

4. Pine Woods

5. Fresh Water Lakes

6. Fresh Water Marsh 1. Fresh Water Marsh

7. Deciduous Woods 2. Deciduous Woods

8. Scrubby Pastures 3. Scrubby Pastures

4. Precipitous Streams

5. Eiver

6. Hemlock Groves

7. High Upland Pasture

The birds characteristic of the beaches, salt bay, and salt
marshes at Cold Spring Harbor were shown to be largely
absent from Beaver, where even the fresh water marsh birds
were only represented by the Red-winged Blackbird. At
Cold Spring Harbor the deciduous woods have few charac-
teristic birds, though one might list as such the Acadian Fly-
catcher (Empidonax virescens), Great Crested Flycatcher
{Myiarchus crinUiis), Purple Finch, and Blue Jay (Cyano-
citta c. cristata), Brown Thrashers and Catbirds being found

71

around their edges. At Beaver, the deciduous woods are the
richest in birds, all of them harboring Cerulean Warblers
{Dendroica cerulea) . Hooded Warblers {Wilsonia citrina) are
found especially about the bluffs on the south side of the
Ohio River. The Kentucky Warbler {Oporornis formosus) is
abundant near Beaver. The Blue Jay however is distinctly
rare.

Such differences can scarcely be explained by an appeal to
life zones. Questions of distribution are better approached
through environmental factors than through isotherms or
other peculiarities of temperature. At Beaver Cardinals
{CardinaUs c. cardinalis) are common, a walk of only a few
miles will reveal 15 or 20 of them. Tufted Titmice {Bceolo-
phus hicolor) are common, and likewise Blue-Gray Gnat-
catchers {Polioptila c. cceriilea), the latter especiall}'
among white oaks or beeches. These are all rare at Cold
Spring Harbor, though it lies, we are told, in the same life
zone. Ruffed Grouse {Bonasa u. umhellus) are common at
Beaver, the Red-bellied Woodpecker {Centurus carol inns) less
so; and Bewick's Wren {Tkryomanes 6. hewicki) becomes
commoner at a little distance from Beaver, both toward the
east and the west, as a result of its environmental require-
ments.

The bird fauna of scrubby pastures is not the same at the
two localities. At Cold Spring Harbor the Chestnut-sided
Warbler {Dendroica pennsylvanica) and the White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo g. griseus) nest in them, but neither of these breeds at
Beaver. The Blue-winged Warbler {Yermivora pinus), com-
mon at Cold Spring Harbor, is exceptionally rare at Beaver,
where the Golden-winged Warbler {Vermivora chrysoptera)
replaces it. The latter is more fond of hilly places.

Due to its fondness for precipitous streams, the Louisiana
Water-Thrush (Seiuriis motacilla) is very common at Beaver,
though rare at Cold Spring Harbor. The Ohio River has a
few wandering gulls at times, and not many ducks, the only
resident heron being the Little Green (Butorides v. virescens).
The Coot {Fidica americana) is more common than ducks.

72

At Beaver the hemlock groves always harbor Worm-eating
Warblers {Helmitheros vermivorus) , and the Tufted Titmouse
also frequents them. Prairie Horned Larks {Otocoris alpes-
tris praticola) seek the high upland pastures, near Beaver,
and both the Field {Spizella p. piisilla) and Vesper Sparrows
{Pomcetes g. gramiineus) live in them, as well as in the lower
scrubby pastures.

Subsequent discussion by Mr. Griscom and other members
brought out the difficulty in explaining faunal differences
even by appealing to ecological conditions. They will not
entirely clear up the reasons for the varying status in the
two regions of the Blue Jay, Acadian Flycatcher, Black-
throated Green Warbler {Dendroica virens), Prairie Warbler
{Dendroica discolor), Purple Finch, Chestnut-sided Warbler,
and White^eyed Vireo.

The insufficiency of the life zone idea was pointed out by
Mr. Griscom. Why do some Carolinian birds go farther north
at Beaver, others farther on Long Island? It is partly a
question of range. Some species like the Red-bellied Wood-
pecker are of more western distribution, others such as the
Prairie Warbler inhabit the coastal plain. Breeding ranges
are only expanded gradually, and their borders are not apt
to coincide for many species.

Mr. J. T. Nichols discussed the occurrence and abundance
on Long Island of the Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Yel-
low-breasted Chat {Icteria v. virens), and Warbling Vireo
(Vireosylva g. gilva).

February 13, 1923. — Eegular Meeting. The President in
the chair.

The Membership Committee reported favorably on the
names proposed at the last meeting, and the Secretary was
instructed to cast one ballot for Mrs. Caril Tucker and Mrs.
Francis Garvan, who were then declared elected members of
the Society.

The Chair announced the appointment of the following
members as members of the Dinner Committee: Dr. Dwight,
Mr. Pearson, Mr. Griscom.

73

Mr. Pangburn stated that there was still a Catbird {Dume-
tella carolinensis) in Bronx Park on Feb. 11 and 12.

Mr. L. N. Nichols had observed a flock of 12 Redpolls
{Acanthis I. linaria) in Bronx Park on Jan. 29, and a Red-
breasted Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis) at Pelham Bay Park,
Feb. 5.

From Englewood, on Feb. 4, Mr. Griscom reported 2 Barred
Owls {Strix V. varia), 1 Long-eared Owl {Asia ivilsanianiis) ,
1 Saw-whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica), 2 White-winged
Crossbills (Loxia leiicoptera), 40 Redpolls.

Redpolls were seen at Leonia, N. J., by Mr. Weber during
the last two weeks of January, and a Carolina Wren {Thryo-
thorns I. ludovicianus) at the same time.

Mr. Griscom said that Mr. R. D. Moffat told him of having
a pair of Evening Grosbeaks {HesperipJionn v. vespertina)
visit his feeding station, near Ridgewood, N. J., on Feb. 12.

Mr. J. T. Nichols, in company with Messrs. Boulton and
Griscom, had visited Amityville, Long Island, on Jan. 27,
where they had seen 2 or 3 Bald Eagles {Haliceetus I, leuco-
cephalus), 3 Long-eared Owls, a Night Heron {Nycticorax
nycticorax n<Bvhis), 3 Fox Sparrows {Passerella i. iliaca),
some 10 Savannah Sparrows {Passer cuius sandivichensis
savanna), and a Brown Thrasher. On Feb. 12, with Mr. Gris-
com, he had gone from Amityville to Babjdon, and they had
noted 3 Mourning Doves {Zenaidura macronra carolinensis) ,
a Savannah Sparrow, and upward of 11 Vesper Sparrows
(Pooecetes g. gramineu^), along roadside and railwa}^ track.
5 of the last-named being the largest number in any one place.

Mr. Griscom gave the special paper of the evening, which
dealt with the birds of the coastal prairies of southeastern
Texas. This extreme corner of the United States, along the
lower Rio Grande, is the richest spot for birds in our whole
country. Brownsville lies in the same latitude as Key West,
and has a considerable number of tropical and subtropical
species, as well as many migrants from the north. Jacanas
(Jacana spinosa), for instance, occur casually on the lower
Rio Grande, but nowhere else in the United States. The

74

Chachalaca {Ortalis vetula mcoalli) is a representative of a
Neotropical family of game-birds. The Green Jay {Xan-
thoiira luxuosa glaucescens) , which seems so strangely colored
to northern eyes, the Mexican Grebe (Colynibiis dominiciis
hrachypterus) , the Mexican Cormorant (Phalacrocorax vigua
mexicanus), the Black-bellied Tree Duck {Dendrocygiic
autunuialis)^ the Red-billed Widgeon {Columbia flavirostris)
(with a bill which is reallj^ yellow), the White-fronted Ground
Dove (Leptotila fidviventris hrachyptera), Groove-billed Ani
{Crotophaga sidcirostris) , Texas Kingfisher (Ceryle americana
septentrio'nalis) , Parauque, Vermilion Flycatcher {Pyroceph-
alus ruhinus mexicanus), Audubon's Oriole {Icterus melanc-
cephalus audaboni) , Sharpe's Seed-Eater {SporopMla morelleU
sharpei), and Texas Sparrow {Arremonops) are among the
other tropical birds found there.

From the lower Rio Grande have been reported about 350
species of birds. It is in the winter that the avifauna there
is most varied, for approximately 210 species are to be found
in any winter month, the largest winter list that could be cited
for any place in the United States.

During their recent trip to the district, Messrs. Griscom and
Crosby observed 146 species in 12 daj^s, a record which could
not he equalled in Florida.

Southeastern Texas is still relatively wild, the land being
owned in large blocks ; and ducks are abundant along the rail-
way tracks. Even a flock of Wild Turkeys {Meleagris
gallopavo intermedia) and a Coyote {Canis latrans) were seen
from, the train. Mr. Pearson has already described the breed-
ing colonies of herons and terns.

Mr. Griscom took up in turn the ecological subdivisions of
the region, beginning at Bro\\Tisville. First, there are coastal
plains inhabited by Meadowlarks {Sturnella) , Sprague's Pipit
{Anthus spraguei), and Long-billed Curlew {Numenius ameri-
canus) . Further east came the lagoons, increasing in salinity
to the Laguan Madre. Terrus {Sterna), Laughing Gulls
{Larus atricilla), White {Peleca/iius erythrorhynchos) and
Brown Pelicans {PeJecaniis occidentalis) , several kinds of

75

Herons, and the Vermilion Fiyeatcher, were met with here-
abouts. Then there is the scrub country further inland, with
no large trees, but thorn scrub that is extremely difficult to
traverse, yet full of birds particularly about the ' ' resacas ' ' or
remnants of former courses of the Rio G-rande, many con-
taining water, and surrounded with more abundant scrub.
Here dwell the Chachalaeas, and in nearby cactus-grown spots
are the Road-runner {Geococcyx calif ornianus) , Cactus Wren
{Heleodytes hrunneicapillus couesi), and Verdin {Auriparus
/. flaviceps).

A single Solitary Sandpiper {Helodromas s. solitarius) ob-
served by Messrs. Griscom and Crosby constitutes the first
winter record of any Iwjality in the United States.

On the more northern prairies of the region, the Killdeer
{Oxyechu^ vooiferiis) is extremely abundant. The ducks vary
in number with the amount of rain that falls, for shallow
ponds are formed, which literally fill with ducks. In one such
body of water, Messrs. Griscom and Crosby noted every spe<iies
of North American fresh-water duck except the Wood Duck
{Aix sponsa) and the Black Duck {Anas rubripes).

Hawks were abundant, and among them many Western
Ferruginous Roughlegs {Archihuteo femigineus), alighting
customarily on the ground. Among the geese, the most
abundant is the Snow Goose {Chen h. hyper'boreus) , a very
conspicuous bird. White-fronted Geese {Anser alhlfrons
gamheli) are also common, as are the Canada {Branta c. cana-
densis) and Hutchins' Geesie {Branta canadensis hutchinsi) .
The Blue Goose {Chen ccerulescens) is less so, and associates
with the Snow Goose.

Sandhill Cranes {Grus mexicana) are now more numerous
in winter in southern Texas than anywhere else in Nortli
America. In the * ' shin oak ' ' prairies they are common, eating
the fniit of the small trees, which is not an acorn. The
Whooping Crane {Grus americana), now on the verge of
extinction, is a typical prairie species, which used once to
migrate down the eastern coast of the States. There may not
be one hundred Whooping Cranes still alive. Mr. Pearson

76

recently found a few wintering at Laguna Laga in southern
Texas, where not more than 9 are to be found together, and
Canadian ornithologists found two nests last year in Sas-
katchewan. Messrs. Griscom and Crosby were fortunate in
seeing four whooping cranes, and remarked on the pure white
color of birds on the ground, the wing tips being entirely
covered.

February 27 , 1923. — Regular Meeting. The President in
the chair.

The dinner committee reported that the annual dinner
would be held in the Mitla Restaurant at the American
Museum. Methods of early announcement of the dinner were
discussed by Messrs. Griscom and Janvrin and on motion by
Mr. L. N. Nichols it was voted that the committee be em-
powered to continue its activities.

Messrs. Crosby and Griscom at Rhinebeck, N. Y., on Feb-
ruary 25, saw 1 Saw- whet Owl (Cryptoglaux a. acadica) and
found the feathers of a Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsonianiis)
which had probably been the victim of a Barred Owl {Strix
V. varia) .

Mr. Pangburn saw a flock of Redpolls {Acanthis I. linaria)
in Bronx Park on February 22d; and I Hermit Thrush
{Hylocichla guttata pallasi) was seen there by Mr. R. S.
Williams. The Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis) which had
frequented the vicinity earlier in the winter seemed to have
disappeared. Mr. Pangburn further remarked that Crossbills
{Loxia curvirostra minor) had not been seen in Bronx Park
for several weeks when on Feb. 22 a Hawk was seen to droj)
the front of a Crossbill head, showing the unmistakable shape
of the mandible.

The occurrence of the Duck Hawk {Falco peregrinus and-
tuni) among the high buildings on lower Manhattan Island
was discussed by Messrs. Pangburn, Hix, and Chapin. They
seemed to be more common in winter and are not positively
known to nest there.

The Secretary read a message from Mr. Bowdish by
whom Purple Finch {Carpodacus p. purpureus) No. 66137,

77

banded by Frank J. Novak, at Fairfield, Ct., on Jan. 22, 1923,
was retaken at Demarest, N. J., on Feb. 12 among large num-
bers of Purple Finches, daily visiting and revisiting the traps.

A Razor-billed Auk {Alca torda) recently brought to the
American Museum by Dr. Frank Overton was shot in early
February offshore to the south of Great South Bay, L. I.

The stated program of the evening was a discussion by Dr.
Jonathan Dwight of the "Plumages, Molts, Pattern, and
Variations in the Kittiwakes (Bissa tridactyla and Bissa
hrevirostris).'' Bissa tridactyla exhibits a very simple se-
quence of molts. Among the gulls the great majority of
downy j^'oung are spotted, but the Kittiwake and the Ivory
Gull {Pagophila alba) have young devoid of markings. The
series of specimens in the American Museum shows very
adequately the gradual progress of the plumages. After the
down the juvenal plumage comes graduallj^, but instead of
differing from the first winter plumage as is usual in the
Laridse it is very similar. They might indeed be mistaken for
one and the same plumage were the growing feathers not
found which prove that there is a post-juvenal molt. Dr.
Dwight knew of no other gull in which these two plumages
were so precisely similar. In all gulls the first set of remiges
and rectrices is kept for a year, so the post-juvenal molt is
only partial.

Dr. Dwight discussed the entire range of plumages of the
Kittiwakes, illustrating his remarks with specimens from his
remarkable series of this family.

March 13, 1923. — ^Annual Meeting. The Annual Dinner of
the Society was held in the Mitla Restaurant of the American
Museum, at 7 :15 p.m. 34 members and 19 guests were present.

At 9 :10 P.M. the Annual Meeting was called to order, with
the President in the ehair.*

36 members and 26 guests and visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

The Secretary read his Annual Report, as follows:

78

During the past rear the Linnaean Society has had 16 meetings at
which the total attendance was 483. The Tenth Annual Dinner was
attended by 37 members and guests, and 27 members were present at
the Annual Meeting on the same evening. At the 15 other meetings
during the year the total attendance averaged 32.2, that of members
17.9 — a slight increase over the previous year. The largest number
present at one meeting was 60, on November 28, when Dr. Chapman
spoke on "A Summer in Ecuador." 22 were members; the smallest
attendance was that of the meeting of October 10, with 14 members and
2 visitors.

3 resident members have resigned, and 9 have been dropped for non-
payment of dues, many of them having removed their residence from the
neighborhood of New York City. 13 new resident members have been
elected; so that the membership now stands: resident, 98; corresponding,
24; honorary, 3; total, 125.

14 papers have been presented before the Society — 9 on ornithology,
2 on the work of zoological expeditions, 1 on adaptations between
insects and floAvers, 1 on herpetology, and 1 on faunal zones in the
region of New York. 2 evenings were devoted entirely to field observa-
tions.

In view of the expense of printing, the Society has not published its
Abstract of Proceedings since March, 1920. It is now planned to issue
the Abstract for the three years elapsed, together with a paper by Mr.
T. Gilbert Pearson on "The Winter Birds of Southern Texas."

James P. Chapin,

Secretary.

The Secretary also read the Annual Report of the Treaisurer,
who could not be present. There was a Balance on Hand,
March 5, 1923, of $3,074.28. The Auditing Committee, al-
ready appointed by the chair, consisting of Dr. Dwight and
Mr. Griscom, reported that it had examined the accounts of
the Treasurer and found them correct. The Report of the
Treasurer was thereupon aecepted by the Society.

The next order of business was the annual election of offi-
cers. The Vice-President took the chair. The name of Mr.
J. T. Nichols, being the only one proposed for President, he
was unanimously re-elected, and resumed the chair.

For Vice-President the nominations were :

J. P. Chapin (proposed by Mr. Griscom),
Ludlow Griscom (proposed by Mr. Crosby).

79

Mr. Griscom withdrew his nomination and Mr. Chapin was
elected to be Vice-President.

For Secretary the nominations included : .

Mr. Pangbiirn (proposed by Mr. Rowland),
Mr. Howland (proposed by Mr. Griscom),
Mr. Breder (proposed by Mr. Marks),
Mr. Carter (proposed by Mr. Janvrin),
Mr. Crosby (proposed by Mr. Carter).

Several of the nominees gave reasons wherefore it would be
difficult for them to serve, and in the balloting which followed
Mr. Carter was elected Secretary.

There was but a single nomination for Treasurer, and Mr.
T. Gilbert Pearson was reelected.

The Membership Committee, having reported favorably the
name of Miss Naomi Howells, 113 W. 76th Street, New York
City, she was elected an active member of the Society.

The presentation of records and observations was omitted,
so the announced program could be taken up. Mr. Edward
Chance's film, "The Cuckoo's Secret," was to be shown for
the first time in America, and the Secretary wished to make
some prefatory remarks, illustrated by lantern-slides, and
explain the pecular interest of the film as well as the manner
of its preparation.

The Cuckoo of Europe was famous, of course, for its para-
sitic egg-laying; while many other members of its family,
especially in the Old "World, share this habit. Although botli
the Yellow-billed {Coccyzus americanus) and Black-billed
Cuckoos (C. erythrophthalmus) of the eastern United States
construct their own nests, the eggs or j^oung of one species of
our Cuckoos are occasionallj^ found in the nest of the other.
The young can be distinguished by the color of the hair-like
downs, or * ' trichoptiles, " which precede the juvenal feathers.

This unusual type of down is found still better developed In
the nestlings of the Old World Coucals, but it is lacking in the
parasitic Cuculinae, which form the majority of the Old World
Cuckoos. In Africa, Mr. Chapin had studied cuckoos of the
genera represented in Europe, Cucuhis and Clamatar, as well

80

as the Golden Cuckoos Chrysococcyx, the Coucals Centropus,
and others of their relatives. Chrysococcyx capriiis, for
example, lays its eggs commonly in the swinging nests of
Weavers, entering only from below.

The methods were explained by w^hich Mr. Chance, working
in England with Cuckoos which nearly always laid their eg^s
in Meadow Pipit's {Anthus pratensis) nests, discovered that
successive layings by the same bird took place at intervals of
approximately 48 hours. The eggs of the same Cuckoo were
uniform enough in color and pattern to be easily recognizable.
One female Cuckoo was known to dominate the area in which
Mr. Chance specialized. Thus, because she layed only in
Pipit's nests with incomplete or unincubated sets, it was
possible, after three years observation, to predict in what
Pipit's nest, and on which afternoon, she would lay.

In this manner Mr. Chance and his cinema operator were
able to post themselves in "blinds" near the Meadow Pipits'
nests, and to take the pictures. In these pictures the female
Cuckoo was seen to come flying, and then to hop about the
low vegetation searching for the Pipit's nest. As she sat upon
the nest, laying, she was largely hidden; but when she flew
up she carried off in her beak one of the Pipit's eggs, taken as
she first approached the nest. To illustrate this point slides
were shown from more recent photos by Mr. Chance.

Perhaps the most striking scene in the film was that where
the newly hatched Cuckoo pushes the two young Pipits up
and over the rim of the nest, to die outside. Later pictures
of the young Cuckoo, almost ready to fly, show how it is still
fed by its diminutive fosterers, who alight on its back to offer
food.

Mr. Chance's remarkable film is well entitled "The Cuckoo's
Secret"; but now the secret is out, and it seems certain that
these discoveries as to the ways of "Meadow Pipit" Cuckoos
apph^ equally to the Cuckoos laying in the nests of other
species of birds. The theory that the Cuckoo carries her own
egg in her mouth or her throat is altogether abandoned by
Mr. Chance, and with orood reason.

81

March 27 , 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :30
P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Nineteen members and nineteen visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

A communication from the New England Bird Banding
Association was read and referred to the Bird-Banding Com-
mittee.
The President appointed the following Committees:

Membership: Dr. Dwight, Messrs. Pearson and L. N.
Nichols.

Entertainment: Mr. Lang, Dr. Fisher and Mr. Carter.

Publishing : Mr. Pangburn, Dr. Janvrin and Mr. Carter.

Bird Banding: Messrs. Rowland, Bowdish and Crosby.

Mr. Bowdish reported that more than 400 bands had been
placed on Purple Finches (Carpodaciis p. purpureus) since
January 12, 1923: No. 12879, banded Jan. 12, repeated as
late as Mar. 15. Song Sparrow (Melospiza m. melodia) No.
50045, banded July 13, 1921, was retaken Mar. 6, 1923 ; Song
Sparrow No. 14771, banded as a juvenile Aug. 22, 1922, was
retaken Mar. 25, 1923 ; Purple Finch No. 66146, banded by
Mr. Frank J. Novak, Fairfield, Conn., on Jan. 22, 1923, was
taken at Demarest, N. Y., Mar. 12, 1923. This is the second
of Mr. Novak's birds to be taken by Mr. Bowdish. A Sparrow
Hawk (Falco s. sparverius) commenced raiding the traps and
was captured, banded, and kept for a day or two and re-
leased; it again returned and was again trapped, kept for
two weeks and released, wearing band No. 217616. A Gold-
finch {Astragalinus t. tristis) No. 46516 trapped and banded
Feb. 23, repeated Feb. 25.

First Fox Sparrow (Passerella i. iliaca) (4) noted Mar. 3.
Birds trapped and banded Mar. 5, 8, and 11.

Mr. Urner reported for the Elizabeth, New Jersey
region a Black-backed Gull {Lariis marintis) on Mar. 5, which
is a new record for the region. Nine Long-eared Owls {Asio
wilsonianns) were observed on Mar. 4, ten on Mar. 11, and
seven on Mar. 18.

82

The paper of the evening, by Mr. Clifford H. Pangburn,
was entitled "A Few Days in Porto Rico."

Few people appear to realize that Porto Rieo is in reality
a part of the United States. This island, though only four
days from New York, is truly tropical. It is about "100
miles long and 40 miles wide. A narrow coastal plain ex-
tends around the island. In this plain conical limestone
hiUs, rising to sharp points, are frequent. The highest point
on the island is El Yunque, 5,500 ft. above sea-level. The
northeast trade winds are the prevailing winds, and in the
northeast section of the island there is a yearlj- rainfall of
135 inches. In the southeast there is very little rain, and
irrigation is carried on.

On the entire island the native population is about 1,500,-
000, and in addition to this there are 20,000 coming from the
United States. San Juan is the largest city, with 60,000
inhabitants. Most of the natives are poor — a foreman re-
ceiving about $9.50 per week and a laborer $8.00 per week.
Although birds are often shot, the poverty of the natives
saves many, since they cannot afford to buy ammunition.

There are only about 160 species and subspecies of birds
occurring on the island, but it makes up in numbers what it
lacks in variety. In the fifteen days' visit to the island Mr.
Pangburn saw 52 species of birds ; his best daj^ was 27 species.

One of the most common birds appeared to be the Porto
Rican Honey Creeper {CoBreha portoricensis) . This bird
commonly enters a house to feed from a dish containing
sugar and water which is placed on a t^ble for the purpose
of attracting it. The Porto Rican Oriole {Icterus portori-
censis) is another common bird. The thrush family is
represented by the Porto Rican Thrush {Mimocwhla ardosi-
ace-a portoricensis), a slatish bird with a coral red bill.

Four Flycatchers were observed, — among them the Gray
Kingbird {Tyrannus dominicensis) , the Porto Rican Petchary
{ToiniOrrchus taylori), and the smaller Antillean Elainea
{Elainea m. martinica) ; three Hummingbirds, one of which
is very minute; the Porto Rican Blackbird {Holoquiscalics
hrachypteriis), in size between a Crackle {Quisculus q.

83

qiiisciihis) and a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolimis).
This bird is noisy and is generally found around the Palm
trees. Around Ponce the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Age-
laius xanthomus) was common. Two small Finches, or
Grassquits, were noted, and three doves — the small Ground
Dove (Chwniepelia passerina trochila), the Zenida Dove
(Zenaida zenaida hicida), and the White-crowned Pigeon
(Columha leucocephala). The Ani {Crotophaga ani), a bird
related to the cuckoos, was found in the pastures with the
cattle.

The Porto Rican Spindalis {Spindalis p&rtoricensis) and
the Porto Rican Grosbeak (Loxigilla portoricensk) were both
noted. There is but one woodpecker found in Porto Rico,
the Porto Rican Woodpecker {Melanerpes portoricensis) , an
attractive bird with a rosy breast.

There are several owls found on the island, but the only
one seen was the Bare-legged Owl {Gymnasio nudipes),
which was a fairly common bird. Its call is similar to our
Screech Owl {Otiis a. asio). The Jamaican Yireo {Vireo-
sylva c. caXidris) was also noted. On the island itself sea
birds were scarce. The birds appeared to be away breeding
on some of the smaller outlying islands. The Bridled Tern
{Sterna anoetheta) was found to be common south of Porto
Rico, however.

While on shipboard Mr. Pangburn observed a Booby {Sida
leucogastra) that had alighted on the canvas cover of a
life-boat on the deck. It allowed a near approach before it
flew away.

The Porto Rican Parrot {Atnazona vittata) is rapidly ap-
proaching extinction, although still found in small num-
bers on the slopes of El Yunque. Mr. Pangburn was anxious
to see the small Porto Rican Tody {Todus mexicamis), but he
was unsuccessful, although it is claimed to be a fairly com-
mon bird. Mockingbirds {Mimics polyglottos orpheus),
Yellow-crowned Night Herons {Nyctatiassa violacea), Egrets
{Herodias egretta) and Brown Pelicans {Pelecanus occi-
dentalis) were observed. The pelican of Porto Rico appears

84

to lack the habit of the Florida birds in that it does not toss
the fish into the air preparatory to swallowing it.

Among the migrants noted were the Redstart (Setophaga
ruticilla) and Ovenbird {Seiurus aurocapillus) .

Originally there appeared to be no large mammals on the
island. The common rat (Epimys norvegicus) soon intro-
duced itself and became a scourge. The Mongoos (Herpestes
hirmanicus) was introduced and although killing some rats
lives on poultry and birds as well. The Turkey Vulture
{Cathartes aura septentrionalis) has also been introduced but
does not seem to be increasing.

Mr. Bowdish remarked that he had visited the island
twenty years ago and had then found the Honey Creeper,
Grassquits and Ground Doves common, as well as the wood
rats {Epimys rattus alexandrinus) .

The meeting adjourned at 10 :11 p.m.

April 10, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :15
P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Seventeen members and four visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting w^ere read and ap-
proved, as corrected.

The Membership Committee reported favorably on the
names of Mr. Ir\dng K. Taylor, 33 West 67th St., New York
City, and Mr. Allen Frost, in care of Trussell Mfg. Co.,
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and they were elected active members
of the Society.

Mr. Rowland, in giving the Report of the Bird-Banding
Committee, thought it a good plan to have the Minutes and
other business at the next meeting dispensed with. He also
stated that the Committee had a bill of a little over $90.00.
He suggested that it be paid for b}^ individual subscription.
Mr. Griscom made the motion "That the Society reimburse
the Bird-Banding Committee for its expenditures to date,
and that further policy be left to the judgment of the Com-
mittee." This motion was seconded by Mr. L. N. Nichols
and was passed unanimously.

Mr. Hix reported for Overpeck Creek region, 12 Green-

85

winged Teal {Nettion carolinense), 15 Golden-eye {Clangula
clangula americana) , and one Bald Eagle {HaliceeUis I. leuco-
cephalus) on Mar 31st.

Mr. Bowdish, at Demarest, reported Song Sparrow {Melo-
spiza m. melodia) No. 14779, banded Sept. 2, 1922, retaken
April 8, 1923.

Mr. Crosby reported for Dutchess County, N. Y., Mar.
29, Saw- whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica) ; April 6, Ring-
billed Gull {Larus delawarensis) ; April 7, Green-winged Teal ;
April 9, a total of 53 species, including 11 species of ducks,
the more important of which were Hooded Merganser
{Lophodytes cucidlahis), one female, Baldpate {Mareca
americana) 3, Green-winged Teal 3, Shoveller {Spatula cly-
peata) one male. Ring-necked Duck {Marila coUaris), one male,
Bufflehead (Chaiitonetta alheola), one female; also Tree
Swallow (Iridoprocne hicolor) and Yellow Palm Warbler
{Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea).

Mr. Griscom reported from the Overpeck Creek, Englewood,
N. J., on March 25, with Mr. J. M. Johnson, 9 species of
ducks, including 3 Baldpate and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks ;
April 8, seven species of ducks, including 8 Baldpate and 4
Green-winged Teal, with Mr. J. M. Johnson and Mr. C. H.
Pangburn.

On April 7, Mr. Pangburn saw 16 Baldpate and 1 Bittern
{Botaurus lentiginosus) (earliest date).

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported a Little Blue Heron {Florida
cceridea) , a.dult. Mastic, Long Island, on April 7.

The paper of the evening was by Mr, Charles A. Urner,
and entitled '^ Field Notes from Elizabeth, New Jersey."

By the use of a map Mr. Urner showed this interesting
section of country, which is ideal for the bird lover. The
region, which extends from Newark Bay to the Orange Moun-
tains, contains both upland and lowland. On the east is
the Great Salt Marsh, originally five miles long and about
three miles wide, while westward the land gradually rises
until it reaches the Orange Mountains. This diversity of
environment is favorable for a large variety of birds, and
over 230 species have been recorded from this section.

86

At the present time the marsh is undergoing a change, as
it is being drained to a considerable extent. The ground is
drying, the vegetation changing, this in turn affecting the
birds.

Migrating birds appear to follow a fixed route over this
section, and Mr. Urner has observed that every spring
this identical course is taken. He observed at one time
Crows {Corvus h. hrachyrhynchos) , lost in a fog, appeared to
be scattered, but as soon as the fog lifted they immediately
returned to the accustomed route. At another time during
the migration, a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds {Agelaius
p. phoeniceus) was seen fljring in a southerly direction
over the marsh. Mr. Urner thought possibly the birds were
retracing the general route by which they originally entered
the region from a former nesting site further north. A large
tree in which Grackles (Quisculus q. quisciUa) had nested
for years was cut down. The second year after, during
the migration, some of the grackles returned to the spot.

Mr. Urner compared this locality with other places he
had visited with regard to the density of the bird population.
Having spent two weeks at Green Pond, N. J., and noting
54 species, he returned home and the next day accounted for
76 species in this region. The reasons for so many birds
in this territory are diversity of the locality, birds being
crowded out of the cities to the outlying districts, and con-
centration in migration on remaining favorable areas.

Mr. Urner also showed a chart on which he had figured
the numbers of the various families as seen per field hour.
On the uplands sparrows predominated; the blackbirds were
second on the salt marsh.

Pied-billed Grebe {Podilym'hiis pocliceps), formerly bred,
now rare.

Gulls — 6 species, Herring {Larus argentatus), tending to
increase, Ring-billed {Larus delawarensis) Laughing {Larus
atricilla), Bonaparte {Lanes Philadelphia), Iceland {Larus
leucopterus) and Great Black-backed {Larus marinus).
Bonaparte Gull dates in 1922, Jan. 20, 50 seen, Jan. 27, 40
seen, Feb. 17, 35 seen, Feb. 18, 3 seen. Mar. 3, 18 seen.

87

Terns — Common {Sterna hirundo) and Black (Hydro-
chelidon nigra surinamensis) ^ increasing. Petrel {Oceanites
oceanicus), one instance.

Wood-Duck {Aix sponsa) decreasing; on Sept. 30, 1916, 50,
and but one or two pairs this year. Increase in Black {Anas
ruhripes), decrease in Blue-winged Teal {Querquedula dis-
cors) ; increase in Pintail {Dafila acuta) in spring, rare in
fall; no Ring-neck, Scoter or Canvasback {Marila valisi-
neria) ; one Redhead {Marila americana) ; one Lesser Snow
Goose {Chen. h. hyperhoreus) shot.

Herons — Breeding records of Bittern {Botaurus lentigin-
osus), Least Bittern {Ixohrychus exilis), Little Green Heron
{Butorides v. virescens), Black-crowned Night Heron {Nycti-
corax nycticorax ncevius). Migrants seen, Great Blue {Ardea
h. herodias), Little Blue {Florida cceridea), American Egret
{Herodias egretia), Yellow-crowned Night Heron {Nyctanassa
violacea). The Herons are barely holding their own.

Rails — Virginia {Rallus virginianns) and Clapper {Rallus
c. crepitans) , both bred. The migrants are the King {Rallus
elegans), Yellow {Coturnicops novel) or acensis) (one old
record) and Sora {Porzana Carolina). They are all decreas-
ing. The Coot {Fidica americana) was never common, but
the Florida Gallinule {Gallinula galeata) formerly was com-
mon, now rare.

Phalarope — The Northern Phalarope {Lohipes lohatus) was
formerly not uncommon — no recent records, however.

Shore birds — The breeding snipe and sandpipers are the
following: AVoodcock {Philohela minor) and Spotted Sand-
piper {Actitis macularia). The migrants — "Wilson's Snipe
{GalUnago delicaia), now rare, decreasing; Dowitcher {Mac-
ingly abundant; Sanderling {Calidris leucophcea), rare;
Pectoral {Pisohia macidata), rare, Least {Pisohia minutilla) y
decreasing; Red-backed {Pelidna alpina sakhaUna), irregu-
larly common; Semipalmated {Ereunetes pusilhos), increas-
ingly abundant; Sanderling {Calidris leucophcea) , rare;
Greater Yellowlegs {Totanus melanoleucus) , increasing in
spring; rare in fall; Lesser Yellowlegs {Totanus flavipes), rare

88

in spring, irregular in fall; Solitary {Helodromas s. soli-
tarms), common; Willet {Cafoptrophorus s. semipalmatus) ,
rare; Upland Plover {Bartramia loiigicauda) , sl few.

Plover — Breeding, Killdeer {Oxyechus vociferus), no
marked change. Migrants — Black-bellied (Squatarola squa<-
tarola), never common ; Golden {Charadrius d. dominicus), de-
creasing; Semipalmated {JEgialitis semipalmata) , increasing.

Grouse {Bonasa n. iimhellus) and Quail {Colinus v. vir-
ghiianus), almost gone; Pheasants, well established.

Mourning Doves {Zenaidura macroura carolinensis) , in-
creasing.

Birds of prey — Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura septentrio-
nalis), rare; Hawks — Breeders, Marsh {Circus hudsonius),
Red-shouldered {Buteo I. lineatus), Sparrow {Falco spar-
verius), Sharp-shinned {Accipiter velox) (?). Migrants —
Rough-legged {Archihuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), Fish
{Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) , Cooper (Accipiter cooperi),
Pigeon {Falco c. columharius) and Duck Hawk {Falco pere-
grinus anatum), latter only on meadows. Barn Owl {Aluco
pratincola), rare; Long-eared Owl {Asio wilsonianus), irreg-
ular; Short-eared {Asio flammeus), breeding; Barred Ow^l
(Strix V. varia), nesting; Snowy {Nycteanyctea), 1921-1922;
Saw- whet {Cryptoglaux a, acadica) and Screech {Otus a.
asio).

Kingfisher {Ceryle alcyon), decreasing as breeder.

Woodpeckers — Besides common ones, Red-headed {Melaner-
pes erythrocephalus) , breeding.

Whip-poor-will {Antrostomus v. vociferus), rare; Night-
hawk {Chordeiles v. virginianus) , decreasing; Hummingbird
{Archilochus coluhris), decreasing as breeder.

Crested Flycatcher {Myiarchus crinitus), increasing; Least
{Empidonax minimus) and Wood Pewee {Myiochanes virens)^
decreasing; Alder Flycatcher {Empidonax trailli alnorum),
holding its own

Horned Lark [Oiocoris a. alpestris), common in winter;
Prairie {Otocorn alpestris praticola), rare; Jay {Cyanocitta
c. cristata), increasing; Crow {Corvus h. hrachyrhynchos) , de-
creasing; Starling {Sturnus vulgaris), increasing; Bobolinks

89

{Dolichonyx oryzivorus) , Redwing {Agelaius p. phoeniceus),
decreasing; Orchard Oriole {Icterus spurms), not common;
Baltimore (Icterus galhula), common; Grackle {Quiscalus
quisc'ula subsp.), on migrations, common.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax n. nivalis) and Lapland
Longspur {Calcarius I. lapponicus), occasional in winter;
Vesper Sparrow {Pooecetes g. gramineus), increased, 1919-
1920, decrease since; Savanna Sparrow {Passerculus sand-
yjichensis savanna), breeder, 1922; Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum australis), irregular, invading salt
marsh; Sharp-tailed Sparrow {Passerherhulus caudacutus),
abundant; Seaside Sparrow {Passerherhulus m. ruaritimits) ,
breeds; Chipping Sparrow {Spizella p. passerina), local; Tow-
hee {Pipilo e. erythrophthalnius) , common; Cardinal {Cardi-
nalis c. cardinalis) , found locally on upland; Rose-breasted
Grosbeak {Zamelodia ludoviciana), decreasing.

Tanager {Piranga erythromelas) , irregularly distributed;
Purple Martin {Progne s. suhis), rare; Cliff Swallow {Petro-
chelidon I. lunifrons), not common; Bank Swallow {Riparia
riparia), not common; Cedar Waxwing {Bomhycilla cedro-
rimi), increasing.

Warbling Vireo {Vireosylva g. gilva), has decreased;
White-ej^ed Vireo {Vireo g. griseus), holding its own.

Warblers, — breeders; Black and White {Mniotilta varia),
occasional; Worm-eating {Helmitheros vermivoriis), locally;
Blue Wing {Vermivora pimcs), common; Yellow {Dendroica
a. CBstiva), decreasing, Chestnut-sided {Dendroica pensylva-
nica) sparingly; Ovenbird {Seiurus aurocapillus) , irregular
Louisiana Water Thrush {Seiurus motacilla), local; Chat
{Icteria- v. virens), decreasing; Hooded {WilsoJiia citrina),
one record; Redstart {Setophaga ruticilla), irregular; Mary-
land Yellow-throat {Geothlypis t. trichas), abundant.

Mockingbird {Mimus p. polyglottos), one record; Thrasher
{Toxostoma rufum), common; Carolina Wren {Thryothorus
I. ludovicianus) , not since 1918; Long-billed {Telmaiodytes p.
palustris), decreasing, formerly common; Titmouse {Bceolo-
phus hicolor), breeder; Chickadee {Penthestes a. atricapil-
lus), few breed; Wood Thrush {Hylocichla mustelina), de-

90

creasing; "Wilson's Thrush (Hylocichla f. fuscescens), decreas-
ing; Bluebird {Sialia s. sialis), decreasing.

April 24, 1923. — The regular business was dispensed with in
order to allow time for the Bird-Banding Program.

The Chair read the following Report of the Bird-Banding
Committee.

The Linnsean Society, by authorizing the reappointment of its Com-
mittee on Bird Banding, reaffirmed its belief in bird-banding as an im-
portant method in ornithology, signified its interest in bird-banding
activity as conducted by the Biological Survey, and manifested its pur-
pose of again assisting in the development of bird-banding as a con-
tributory science by an endeavor to extend and coordinate the "vvork in
the New York region.

As indicated in previous reports, this meeting of April 24th has been
arranged by the Committee with the following purposes in prospect :

(1) To give present bird-banders and recruits an opportunity of

hearing Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lincoln, and receiving the benefit
of their experience with banding methods.

(2) To demonstrate to others, who have sufficient knowledge of birds,

the possibilities of bird-banding, arouse in them a desire to
take up the work, and make it possible for them to do so with
adequate ideas of purposes and methods.

(3) To effect some plan of organization wjiich will make feasible a

closer contact between banders in the region, better cooperation
with the Biological Survey, an increase in the number of bird-
banders, and the publication of results.

We feel that it should be made plain to the guests present at this
meeting that the Linngean Society, without any ulterior motive, has in-
vited them to confer with it regarding this organization, and that
participation in bird-banding activity does not entail membership in
the Society. The Committee wishes to make it plain to the members
of the Society that its recommendations of the move toward organizing
the work in New York and Northern New Jersey are that the movement
be quite apart from the regular activities of the Society. In particular,
we make the following recommendations:

That present and future bird-banders residing in New York and
Northern New Jersey join in a cooperative movement. If this move-
ment is to be fostered by the Linnsean Society and guided by its Com-
mittee on Bird-Banding, it is suggested that banders affiliate by enroll-
ing as "cooperators" with the Committee. ''Bird-Banding Cooperators
of New York and Northern New Jersey" is suggested as a title.

It is further suggested that the Society make available reasonable

91

space in its Abstract of Proceedings for the publication of results se-
cured by the cooperators, and that at least one meeting a year be de-
voted to bird-banding for the benefit of cooperators in particular; that
cooperators^ be requested to contribute $1.00 per annum toward the
expenses of printing, postage, etc.

In explanation of this we should state that, after mature thought, we
believe that the formation of an entirely new organization to conduct
the work would not facilitate or expedite the enterprise until such time
as enthusiastic, experienced and active banders, outside the Society
membership, appear to direct and support a separate organization.

Mr. S. P. Baldwin, President of the Inland Bird-Banding
Association, was introduced. His paper was followed by re-
marks from Mr. F. C. Lincoln of the U. S. Biological Survey.

May 8, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :15 p.m.
in the American Museum of Natural History.

Twenty-four were present. The Membership Committee
reported favorablj' on the name of Miss Mary Tower, Mil-
brook, N. Y. Miss Tower's election was seconded and carried.

Recent observations of interest were reported as follows:

M. S. Crosby, Dutchess Cotcnty, New York — April 27,
Black-throated Blue Warbler {Dendroica c. c(Brulescens) ;
April 29, Kingbird {Tyr annus tyr annus) ; May 4, Barn Owl
{Aluco pratincola) ; May 7, Cerulean Warbler {Dendroica
cerulea).

Dr. Janvri7i, Englewood Region — April 28 (late records),
one Tree Sparrow (Spizella m. monticola), one female Ameri-
can Merganser {Mergns americanus) four Green-winged Teal
(Nettion carolinense), one male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
(first recorded in this region for ten years).

Laidlaw Williams, Grassy Sprain Reservoir — May 6, about
50 American Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra minor).

Clifford Panghurn — Apr. 13, Barrow's Golden-eye (Clan-
gnla islandica) at Lynn, Mass. ; Apr. 28, Prairie Warbler
{Dendroica discolor) at Bronx Park, Blue-winged Warbler
{Yermivora pinus) at Bronx Park, Kingbird at Bronx Park;
Apr. 29, Veery {Hylocichla f. fuscescens) ; Mar. 3, Glaucous
Gull {Lams Jiyperhoreiis) at junction of Harlem and Hudson
Rivers.

92

The paper of the evening was by Mr. P. Bernard Philipp.
It was entitled ''Notes on New Brunswick Nesting Birds."
Mr. Philipp gave a graphic description of the remarkable
region around Tabucintac in the Province of New Brunswick.
In this region Mr. Philipp has himself found the nests of
eighty-eight different species of birds, including those of nine-
teen species of Warblers, many of them birds whose nesting
habits, prior to the study of this region by Mr. Philipp and
some of his associates, were little known. Of these Warblers
as many as one hundred and fifty nests of the Tennessee
Warbler {Vermivora peregrina) have been found in one sea-
son within a radius of nine miles from Mr. Philipp 's head-
quarters, and in the same region he has found as many as
fifty nests of the Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina) and
the Bay-breasted Warbler {Dendroica castanea). Of the nine-
teen species of Warblers nesting in this region, all but the
Blackburnian (Dendroica fusca) are very common.

There are also six species of woodpeckers nesting in this
area, including the Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker {Picoides
arcticiis) and the Pileated Woodpecker {PhloRoiomus pileatus
ahieticola) .

When Mr. Philipp first started to visit this region, the vicin-
ity of his camp was heavily forested, but a few years ago an
area ten miles by twenty-five miles was swept by a forest fire.
The result has been that the tree-nesting warblers have almost
all disappeared; but there has been a great increase in the
nesting of woodpeckers and the various bog-nesting warblers,
such as the Tennessee.

This region is located about fifty miles from the mouth of
the Nemishee River and is within fifteen miles of salt water.

Mr. Philipp illustrated his remarks with numerous slides
showing nests and birds, as well as giving an idea of the coun-
try covered.

May 22, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :25 p.m.
The President and Vice-President being absent, the Secretary
called upon Mr. Griscom to occupy the Chair.

Fifteen members and fourteen visitors were present.

93

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

The Membership Committee reported favorably on the names
of Mr. Ira Barrows, 14 Maiden Lane, New York Cit}', and Mr.
Courtenay Brandreth, Ossining, N. Y., and they were elected
active members of the Society.

At Elizabeth, N. J., on May 11, Mr. Urner found 101 species,
including a Turke}^ Vulture {Cathartes aura- septenfrionulis),
Palm Warbler (Dendroica p. palmarum) and Ruddy Duck
(Erisynatura' janiaicensis). He also found a Short-eared
Owl's {Asio flammeus) nest.

Miss Woodward reported at least two, and perhaps more.
Cerulean Warblers {Dendroica cerulea) from the Wyanokie
region on May 20.

Mrs. Mead observed a Kentucky Warbler {Oporornis for-
mosus) at Mt. Kisco, N. Y., and Mr. Pangburn reported a
Prothonotary Warbler {Protanotaria citrea) at Bronx Park.
This bird was first observed on May 13, and was seen for four
succeeding days.

Mr. Williams stated that in Dutchess County, on May 13.
129 species of birds were observed, the most noteworthy birds
being an Old Squaw {Harelda hyemaUs), Scaup {Marila sp.),
and Lesser Yellowlegs {Totanus flavipes). On May 20, 120
species were observed,* the most interesting bird being the first
County record of the Lawrence's Warbler (Vermivora pinus
X V chrysoptera), also six Cerulean Warblers, one of which,
a female, was building her nest.

Mr. Hix reported from Long Beach, May 16, a Greater
Shearwater {Piiffinus gravis) (his earliest date). On this
same day he also observed 23 Northern Phalarope {LoUpes
lohatm), 2 Black Terns {Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) ,
and 75 Black-bellied Plover {Squatarola squatarola) . Mr.Hix
also stated that the Ruffed Grouse {Bonasa u. umhellus) in
E[arriman Interstate Park had had a bad winter, while the
forest fires this spring had destroyed many nests and eggs.

Mr. Griscom found a White-crowned {Zonotrichia I. leu-
cophrys) and two Lincoln's Sparrows {Melospiza I. lincolni)
in Central Park on May 12. On the same day at Englewood,

94

he obtained the second record of the Ring-necked Plover
{JEgialitis semipahnata) for that region. On May 13, with
Mr. J. M. Johnson (Dr. Ellsworth, Dr. Elliott and Dr. Janvrin
part time), a total of 99 was observed: two Black Terns
adults, the first spring records for New Jersey; a pair of
Mallards {Anas 'plat yrhy7ichos), latest date; White-rumped
Sandpiper {Pisohia fuscicollis), new to region; White-
crowned Sparrow, one; Worm-eating Warbler {Helmitheros
vermivorus), two; Orange-crowned Warbler {Vermivora c.
celata), four; Tennessee Warbler {Vermivora peregrina),
two.

On May 16, in Central Park, a Least Sandpiper {Pisohia
minutiUa) was seen, which is new to the Park, as was also
a Seaside Sparrow {Passerherhulus m. maritimus). The last
bird was seen by many others. On May 18, a male Cape May
Warbler {Dendroica tigrina).

On May 19, together with Messrs. Pangburn and Howland,
a day 's census was made at Newton, Sussex Co., N. J. A total
of 106 species was noted. Birds of note were: Black {Anas
ruhripes) and Wood Duck {Aix spo7isa) , Woodcock {Philohela
minor), Least Sandpiper, Bald Eagle {Haliceetus I. leuco-
cephalus), Pileated Woodpecker {Phloeotomus pileatits aMeti-
cola), 25 Pine Siskins {Spinus pinus), 2 Savannah Sparrows
{Passer cuius sandwichensis savanna). The presence of
many rare and local summer residents makes so large a list
possible, and in a favorable year, with better knowledge of
the territory, a list of 120 species is a possibility.

October 9^ 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :20
P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Fifteen members and eleven visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

The Secretary read a letter from the Chairman of the Pro-
gram Committee of the Torrey Botanical Club, in which a
desire was again expressed to hold a joint meeting in the near
future. The letter was referred to the Program Committee.

The Membership Committee reported favorably on the

95

names of Mr. James B. Stewart, 268 East Third Avenue,
Roselle, N. J., and Mr. Harry L. Ferguson, Fisher's Island,
N. Y., and they were elected resident members of the Society.

The Publication Committee reported that work had been
begun on Number 33 of the Proceedings. This number will
include the proceedings of the Society from March, 1920 to
March, 1924; also Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson's paper, "Notes on
the Winter Bird Life of Southeastern Texas. ' '

For the Avifauna Committee, Mr. L. N. Nichols reported
that Mr. Griscom's book, ''Birds of the New York City
Region" had been published and was now on sale at the
American Museum of Natural History.

Mr. Howland moved that suitable commendation be ex-
tended to Mr. Griscom and the Committee, expressing the
gratitude of the Society for their work on the book, and that
the above motion be inscribed in the Minutes. Motion carried.

During August and September Mr. Pangburn spent some
three weeks in the Adirondaeks and observed 86 species, 20
of these being warblers, one of which was an adult male
Prairie {Dendroica discolor). He also observed an immature
male Hairy Woodpecker {Dri/ohates villosus viUosus) with a
yellow crown. Other interesting birds noted were a Pileated
Woodpecker {Phloeotomus pileatiis abieticola), Black Tern
{Hydrochelidon nigra siirinximensis) , Saw-whet Owl {Crypto-
glaux a. acadica).

Mr. Howland reported a White Throated Sparrow {Zo^io-
trichia alhicollis) about his yard at Upper Montclair, N. J.
This bird was first seen on July 14 and was observed almost
daily until July 31st.

Mr. Friedman reported Willets (Catoptrophorus s. semi-
palmatus) at Jones Beach on August 6th.

Mr. J. T. Nichols observed a Forster's Tern (Sterna
forsteri) at Mastic, about Labor Day.

Mr. Helmuth reported having seen at least 22 Baird's Sand-
pipers {Pisohia hairdi) ; on Watermill, Long Island, a BuflP-
breasted Sandpiper {Tryngites suhriificolUs) ; on Aug. 24, a
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus), and on Sept. 8,
a Curlew Sandpiper {Erolia ferruginea) ; two Mocking-birds

96

{Mimus p. pohjglottos) were observed at Montauk, Long
Island.

Mr. Nichols said that at Mastic, L. I., the Jack Curlew
{Numenius hiidsonicns) was at least 50 per cent, more com-
mon this year, and that there were easily five times as many
Willet passing through as in other years.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported that on May 29, at Long Beach,
L. I., with Dr. Chas W. Miller and W. Eanes, he observed two
Least Bitterns {Ixohrychus exilis). Chats {Icteria v. virens)
were breeding in the Saw-Mill Lane district of the Bronx, in
spite of the building of cottages. Mr. Nichols also gave some
interesting notes from Western Massachusetts and the Adiron-
dacks.

Mr. Hix reported a flock of 53 Knots {Tringa canutus) with
other shore-birds at Long Beach, on June 3. At the same
place, on Aug. 14, a male Purple Martin {Progne s, suhis),.
and on Aug. 26, 7 Short-eared Owls {Asio flammeus). At
Bronx Park, on Sept. 16, an Olive-sided Flycatcher {Nuttal-
loniis horealis), and on Sept. 23, at Van Cortlandt Park, a
Pied-billed Grebe (PodUymhus podiceps), a Florida Gallinule
{Gallmule galeata), and a Philadelphia Vireo {Vireosylva
philadelphica) ; on Oct. 6, at the same place, three juvenile
Cape May Warblers {Dendroica tigrina), Tennessee {Vermi-
vora peregrina) and Palm Warbler {Dendroica p. palmarum) ;
on Oct. 7, near Englewood, three White-crowned Sparrows
{Zonotrichia I. leucophrys) .

On May 27, Dr. Janvrin, in company with Mr. Crosby, Mr.
Griscom, and Mr. Johnson, at Jones Beach, saw a Red-throated
Loon {Gavia stellata) (latest date for Long Island, except
May 29, 1919, at Long Beach, by Mr. Bicknell) ; Common
Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carho) (two other records for south
shore of Long Island) ; Little Blue Heron (Florida coBvidea),
one immature ; also seen on May 26 by Crosby and Griscom,
15 Hudsonian Curlew, Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow [Pas-
serherhidus nelsoni subvirgatus) (1 collected by Griscom;
earliest spring re<iord for Long Island).

On July 18, at Hunts Point, Bronx, with Dr. Denton, 9
species of Limicolas were observed; two Dowitcher {Macro-

97

rhamphus g. griseus) , only Bronx record, and the earliest fall
migration records for the Bronx region for the following :
Pectoral Sandpiper {Pisohia macidata), Least {Pisol)ia minu-
tilla), Semipalmated {Ereunetes pusilUis), Greater Yellow-
legs (Totanus melanoleucus) , Lesser Yellowlegs {Totanus
flavipes). Semipalmated Plover {^gialitis semipalmata) ,

From the Elizabeth region, Mr. Urner reported: Mallard
{Anas platyrhynchos) , new early Fall date, July 27 — 1; Sept.
12 — 1; American Egret {Herodias egretta), Aug. 23 — 1;
Aug. 30—1 ; Little Blue Heron, July 21—1 ; Northern Phala-
rope {Lohipes lohatus), Aug. 10 — 1. Woodcock {Philohela
minor), June 27 — 1 adult, 2 young. Baird's Sandpiper, Sept.
6 — 1 (probably correct but not collected). Hudsonian Cur-
lew, Aug. 23 — 1. Golden Plover {Charadrius d. dominicus),
Aug. 23—1 ; Aug. 30 ; Sept. 3 ; Oct. 7. Short-eared Owl, 5
nests this season. Bank Swallow {Riparia riparia), breeding.
Tennessee Warbler, Sept. 29, first local record. Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus I. ludovicianus) , frequently seen since Aug, 10.
Short-billed Marsh Wren {Cistothorus stellaris), June 17, first
local record. Hermit Thrush {Hylocichla guttata pallasi), a
bird with conspicuous whitish wing-bars, seen last year, found
at same spot Oct. 7.

October 23, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :25
P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Thirteen members and six visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Mr. Urner reported a Lesser Yellow-legs {Totanus flavipes)
from the Elizabeth, N. J., region on Oct. 14, 16, and 18. These
are the latest New Jersey dates for that species, as also a Ruby-
throated Hummingbird {Archilochus coluhris), on Sept. 30,
for New Jersey. Other latest New Jersey dates are, a Mag-
nolia Warbler {Bendroica magnolia) on Oct. 14, and a House
Wren {Troglodytes a. aedon) on the same date. Mr. How-
land also reported a House Wren on the same date, from Up-
per Montclair.

A Whip-poor-will {Antrostomus v.vociferus), heard on July
7

98

19, is the first summer record in many years for Elizabeth, N.
J. A Henslow's Sparrow {Passerherhulus h. henslowi) on
Oct. 12 is the first record as a transient in this region. On
this same date a Goldfinch {Astragaliniis i. tristis) was ob-
served feeding a young bird. Fox Sparrows {Passerella i.
iliaca) on Oct. 12 and Tree Sparrows {Spizella m. monticola)
on Oct. 14 were early, A Pine Siskin {Spinits pinus) on
Oct. 21 was the earliest for that region. A Golden Plover
{Charadrnis d. dominicus) was killed by a hunter on Oct. 19.

Abstract of Paper on Human and Natural Designs, by William

K. Gregory.

The speaker defined a design as any construction, of either human
or natural origin, having its parts so arranged that the thing as a
whole is useful or beautiful. He showed that living matter is forever
dealing with a future by means of a present which has grown out of a
past; that in animals the nervous system constitutes the organ by which
the organism effects its adjustments to objectives in the near and in
the remote future. Consciousness, using this term in its widest sense,
reflects the purposive or anticipatory activities of life and the activities
of the human mind are adapted primarily for the needs of the future.
The human mind, equipped with associative memory and the records of
tradition, learns to foresee more and more remote events and to construct
master patterns or designs, often involving many successive stages of
operation.

Nature also abounds in processes and arrangements having the ap-
pearance and complexity of human designs and often embodying many
successive stages and grades of development The speaker then exhibited
lantern slides, drawings by Miss Isabel Cooper and others, illustrating
natural designs. Natural designs show a considerable list of features
in common with human designs. For example, they often involve the
orderly juxtaposition of large numbers of relatively small units; they
serve similar functions as do human designs, that is, they favor certain
forces or systems at the cost of others, or they balance one set of forces
against another so as to produce the equilibrium and stability necessary
for some special operation, or they tend to limit, direct, or otherwise
modify the struggle of contending forces.

The sense of beauty seems to be a response to the elements of design
as described above; the orderly juxtaposition of large numbers of rela-
tively small units will offer to the eye a recurrence of rhythm of light
and dark spots or to the ear a repetition of similar and contrasting
sounds. The most effective human designs probably please us through
their mass effect and through the super-position of large movements

99

against a simple repetitive background as do also many of nature 's
masterpieces. The beauty and orderly arrangement of the parts of a
natural design was often the direct result of the operation of atomic and
molecular forces, as in the case of snow crystals, or of the rhythmic
forces of growth, as in the beautiful forms of shells, diatoms, etc.

The speaker was inclined to attribute the marked resemblances be-
tAveen human and natural designs to the fact that the human mind, from
his viewpoint, is only a more or less perfect reflector of the designs and
order of nature and is able to put together the elements of nature's
designs in ways and with results that parallel those of nature. After
tracing the evolution of the human mind from that of lower organisms,
he concluded that both human and natural organic designs had evolved
through the process of natural selection, operating upon favorable varia-
tions. The greater part of the paper was concerned with the elabora-
tion of this view.

Nov&mher 13, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at
8 :20 P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Twenty members and fifty-one visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

A communication was received from ]\Ir. Howard H.
Cleaves, in which he expressed the desire to present to the
Society his latest illustrated lecture, '^Camera Shots from the
Far Southwest. ' ' Mr. Cleaves could give us but a few days in
December, and it was decided that as the second meeting of
the month fell on Christmas, this meeting be held on the previ-
ous Tuesday, Dec. 18, thus giving Mr. Cleaves a chance to ap-
pear before the Society.

Mr. Pearson spoke about the proposed plan of Mr. Edward
A. Mcllhenny to establish a shooting club of 4,000 members,
on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, immediately adjoining the
Rockefeller and the Sage Wild Life Reservations, and the
Louisiana State Reservation. Mr. L. N. Nichols moved that
the President name a committee of three to draw up a resolu-
tion stating that the Society disapproved of the above plan,
and that copies of the resolution be sent to Mr. Edward A.
Mcllhenny, President of the Louisiana Gulf Coast Club, to
Governor John M. Parker, of Louisiana, and to Mr. T. Gilbert
Pearson of the National Audubon Societies. This motion was
seconded and carried.

100

Mr. Howland reported for the Bird-Banding Committee
that the movement for a local association initiated by the Lin-
nsean Society's meeting of last April had recently resulted in
the organizing of the ''Eastern Bird-Banding Association."

Mr. Helme reported an Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona v.
vespertina) near Medfor, on Oct. 27, and on Nov. 2 Laughing
Gulls {Larus atricilla) and an adult Iceland Gull {Larus len-
copterus). During September he had seen a Carolina "Wren
{Thryothorus I. ludovicianus) near Mt. Sinai, Long Island.

On Sept. 10, at Bronx Park, Mr. L. N. Nichols obtained the
first fall record of a Chestnut-sided Warbler {Dendroica pen-
sylvanica) for that region and on Sept. 24, another. Sept. 10
was also the earliest record for a Sharp-shinned Hawk {Ac-
cipiter velox), and Sept. 17 for a Pied-billed Grebe {Podilym-
hus podiceps) ; Sept. 30, for Ruby-crowned Kinglets {Regulus
c calendula). This same date was also the lastest fall record
for Canadian Warblers {Wilsonia canadensis) and Magnolia
Warblers {Dendroica magnolia), both of which were seen on
that day, as was also a green flycatcher that may have been
an Acadian (E^npidonax virescens).

The paper of the evening, by Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, was
entitled "Rambles of a Bird Protectionist in Europe." Mr.
Pearson described his experiences during a trip he took to
Europe this summer in behalf of the project of international
protection of birds. He visited France, England, Holland,
Switzerland, Austria and Italy. While in Paris he addressed
the National Convention. Later he showed slides from pic-
tures he had taken while on a trip down the Kissimmee River
to Lake Okechobee in Florida; also pictures taken while on
Andros Island. His visit here was too early for the breeding
season of the Flamingos {Phoenicopterus ruber) and he saw
but one bird. His next visit was at the Wells Bird Reserva-
tion, off the coast of southern Texas, where he obtained re-
markable photographs of the Reddish Egret {Dichromanassa
rufescens) in both the dark and white phases.

101

Eesolutions Drawn up by Committee Appointed by the President

Whereas, it has come to the attention of this Society that a plan is
on foot to establish a club of 4,000 members on a territory of approxi-
mately 100,000 acres on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, immediately ad-
joining the wild life reservation established by the Rockefeller Founda-
tion, and in the neighborhood of the Sage Wild Life Eeservation and
the State Wild Life Eeservation, and

Whereas, we learn that this proposed Louisiana Gulf Coast Club will
permit shooting privileges to 2,000 of its members, and

Whereas, the Sage Foundation representing the heirs of Mrs. Eussell
Sage, and also the Eockefeller Foundation, has filed strong protests
against the establishment of this club on the grounds that by means of
baiting and other inducements wild fowl may be brought from the reser-
vations to be shot on this proposed club territory, and

Whereas, in the opinion of this Society such action on the part of the
promoters of the Louisiana Gulf Coast Club is not in the highest inter-
ests of conversation of wild life ;

Therefore, he it resolved that the Linnaean Society of New York
hereby protests against the establishment of this large shooting club
in the midst of these wild life reservations, and urges that those re-
sponsible for the undertaking seriously consider the proposition put for-
ward by the National Association of Audubon Societies; that all unite
in an effort to make a bird reservation of the territory, and that copies
of these resolutions be sent to Edward A. Mcllhenny, President of the
Louisiana Gulf Coast Club, to Governor John M. Parker, of Louisiana,
and to the daily papers published in the city of New Orleans.

T. Gilbert Pearson,
Jonathan Dwight,
T. Donald Carter,

Committee.

November 27, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at
8 :20 P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Twenty-one members and thirty-four visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved, as corrected.

The resolution, drawn up by the Society and protesting
against the proposed plan of Mr. Edward A. Mcllhenny to
make a shooting preserve immediately adjoining the Rocke-
feller and the Sage "Wild Life Reservation, and the Louisiana
State Reservation, on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, w^as read.
The motion was made that this resolution be also sent to the

102

Louisiana Game Commission and any other prominent, inter-
ested men in Xew Orleans.

A letter was received from four boj's of the Walden School
who expressed a desire to have their Nature Club a Junior
Branch of the Linnaean Society. The following motion was
made and adopted : That the Linnaan Society approves of the
formation of local Junior Bird Study Clubs, which may, if
they so desire, be known as Auxiliaries of the Linngean So-
ciety, and consider ornithological observations submitted by
such clubs at its regular meetings.

For Central Park, Mr. Griscom reported 8 Mourning Warb-
lers {Oporornis Philadelphia) between Aug. 14 and 29; Phila-
delphia Vireo {Vireosylva philadelphica) , Sept. 16-17; a
Cerulean Warbler {Deiidroica cerulea), Sept. 15, seen by Mr.
Boulton; a pair of Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense)
(1st record), Oct. 26; 2 Pine Grosbeaks {Pinicola enucleator
leucura), Nov. 19, by Mr. Charles Johnson (1st record in
20 years), and a flock of Scaup Ducks flying over.

At Jones Beach, Aug. 25-26, with Messrs. Boulton, Carter,
and Urner. 60 species: 15 species of shore birds, Glaucus
{Larus hyperhoreus) and Black-backed Gull {Larus mari-
7ius) ; Terns abundant, including Roseate {Sterna dougalli)
and Least {Sterna antillarum) ; Gadwall {Chaidelasmiis stre-
perus) and Ruddy Duck {Erismatura jamaicensis) , Baird's
{Pisohia hairdi) and Western Sandpiper {Ereunetes mawri)
and Mockingbird {Mimus p. polyglottos) . Sept. 1-2, with
Carter, 64 species: 8 species of ducks, 16 species of shore
birds, positively, and 3 doubtful; Parasitic Jaeger {Stercora-
rim parasiticus) , 5; Gadwall. 2; Little Blue Heron {Florida
ccerulea), 1; Dowitcher {Macrorhamphus g. griseus), Stilt
Sandpiper {Micropalama himantopus) , Knot {Tringa canu-
tus), Baird's, White-rumped {Pisohia fuscicollis) and West-
ern Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl {Asio flamiiieus) .

Bronx region : Aug. 31, Double-crested Cormorant {Phala-
crocorax a. dm'itus), flying over Riverdale from Hudson to
Sound; new to region.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported the earliest fall record of the

103

Tree Sparrow (SpizeUa m. moniicola) for Van Cortlandt Park,
on Nov. 5, when 4 birds were seen.

Mr. Pangburn mentioned that an Arctic Three-toed Wood-
pecker (Picoides arcticus) had been reported to him as having
been seen in Bronx Park. Although he did not see the bird,
he believed the informant was reliable.

Mr. Crosbj^ said that the Pine Grosbeaks had arrived in
Dutchess County on Nov. 2. On Sept. 30 the first Dutchess
Count}" record for the Double-crested Cormorant was secured.

For the Elizabeth region Mr. Urner had observed a Barn
Owl (Aluco pratincola) on Nov. 4, and a Saw-whet {Crypto-
glaux a. acadica) on Nov. 5 and 17.

Mrs. H. W. Smith told of her finding sick Herring Gulls
{Larus 'argentatus) on the beach at Fire Island, and after
feeding them fish for a few days restored the majority to
health and liberated them.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Oliver P. Medsger
and was entitled "Birds of the Catskill Mountains."

Mr. Medsger had spent at least two months every summer
in the Southern, Eastern, or Northern Catskills, and has made
some very interesting observations in regard to the bird life
of this countr3\ He had found 15 species of warblers breed-
ing, among these the Blackburnian {Dendroica fusca), the
Magnolia {Dendroica magnolia), and the Black-throated
Green {Dendroica virens). The Phoebe {Sayoniis phoehe)
proved to be one of the commonest birds of the region, build-
ing about the buildings and the rocks near the many water-
falls. He found evidence of the Pileated Woodpecker
{Phloeotomiis pileatus ahieticola) in the same spot where four
years before it had been observed by Mr. John Burroughs.
He spoke of the variety of trees that were attacked by the Sap-
sucker {Sphyrapicns v. varius), and had found 19 species
which this bird had fed upon.

Many interesting slides were shown, among which was the
nest of the Mourning Dove {Zenaidiira macroura carolinen-
sis) taken on the 20th of March, a very early record ; the nest
of a Robin {Planesticus m. migratorius) . the owner of which
had the stranoje habit of feeding the young small snakes. The

104

bird successfully fed the young a nine-incli snake, but au
eleven-inch garter snake was more than the young bird could
handle. Another slide showed a Chimney Swift {Chwtura
pelagica) that had built its nest on the side wall of the interior
of an old barn, where interesting observations were made, as
the birds were easily studied. The young birds when they
were but a little over a week old left the nest but still clung to
the walls nearby. It was not until they were forty days old
that they flew from the barn. Many interesting slides of Mr.
John Burroughs were also shown.

December 11, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at
8 :15 P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Fourteen members and twenty-two visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Dr. Janvrin reported American Golden-eye {Clangula clan-
gula americana) at Long Beach, on Dec. 1st.

Mr. Wheeler reported the following imitative notes of the
Starling as observed by him: the whistle of a boy and that
of a mill ; the bark of a dog, call of a Quail, Crow, Flicker,
Wood Pewee, Meadowlark, Cowbird, Purple Grackle, Chick-
adee, House Sparrow, Red-shouldered Hawk, Goldfinch, Rose-
breasted Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Blue Jay, Phoebe, Robin,
Veery, Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler, Barn and Tree Swal-
lows, Chewink, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Baltimore
Oriole, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Bluebird, Night-
hawk, Kingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Scarlet Tanager,
and the peeping of a small chicken.

The paper of the evening was by Dr. E. W. Gudger, entitled
''The Life History of the Whale Shark."

The Whale Shark, Bhinedon typus, was first made known to
science in 1828, when a species was captured at the Cape of
Good Hope and described by Dr. Andrew Smith. Since that
time there have been thirty-two definite records of the taking of
this fish in widely separated portions of the world; but the
chief habitat appears to be in the waters in or contiguous to
the Indian Ocean. This is the largest existing fish and cap-

105

tured specimens have ranged from fourteen to forty-five feet,
while there have been reports of specimens seen that were as
long as seventy feet. In color above and on the sides this fish
is a mouse-gray, covered with white spots about the size of a
half dollar, becoming smaller and more numerous on the head.
The belly is white. The jaws are exceedingly large, with very
minute teeth. It appears to be omnivorous in feeding, and
both fish and plant life have been taken from its stomach. Al-
though this shark is so large, it appears to be very inoffensive,
and even when attacked makes no particular resistance.

Dr. Gudger then described the taking of a 31%-foot Whale
Shark off the coast of Florida this summer, and a five-foot
model of this fish was shown. Some of the teeth, a section
of the skin, and numerous photographs of this shark* were
exhibited.

Decemher 18, 1923. — The meeting was called to order at
8 :15 P.M., with the President in the Chair.

Sixteen members and fiftj^-nine visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Mr. Griscom reported an Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker
{Picoides arcticus) observed by himself and Mr. S. V. LaDow
at Englewood on Nov. 29. The bird was later collected by
Mr. Weber and is now in the collection of the American Mu-
seum of Natural History.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Howard H. Cleaves,
entitled *' Camera Shots from the Far Southwest."

For about a year Mr. Cleaves had been connected with the
San Diego Museum at San Diego, Calif., this giving him an
excellent opportunity for securing some remarkable photo-
graphs of that interesting country. Many interesting views
were shown of the wild life near the Museum, as for example
a wild cat (Lynx rujfiis calif ornicus) shot in the yard of the
Museum; a Burrowing Owl {Speotyto cunicularia hypogcBCk)
living in a culvert under the street; nests of Linnets, House
Finches {Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis) and Humming-
birds; also pictures of Mockingbirds {Mimus polyglottos leu-

106

copferus) ; Ash-throated Flycatchers {Myiarchiis c. cineras-
cens), Gambeirs Sparrow {Zonotrichia leiicophrys gam'beli),
and the AVestern Meadowlark {Sturnella neglecta). Numer-
ous mammal pictures were also shown, including the California
ground squirrel {Citellus grammurus) (a rodent which does
great damage to the grain fields of this district), young rac-
coons (Procyon Jotor californicus) and skunk {Mephitis occi-
denialis hoJzneri). There were manj^ views of the different
types of country, from the desert with its sage, to the forested
mountain parks. There were also photographs of Enos Mills,
known as the Burroughs of the West, and of Ernest Harold
Baynes in the act of riding an ostrich.

Mr. Cleaves also showed slides and described a trip taken to
the Coranados Islands with Messrs. A. W. and H. E. Anthony.
Farallon Cormorants {Phulacrocorax auriiiis alhociliatus) and
Brown Pelicans {Pelecaniis californicus) were found breeding
there. The only native mammal, besides the Sea-lions {Zalo-
phus calif ornianus), was a White-footed Mouse {Peromyscus
nmniculatus dubius).

January 8, 1924. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :30
p.M._, with the President in the Chair.

Fourteen members and twenty-four visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Mr. Rowland reported five Rudd}^ Ducks [Erismatura
jamaicensis) observed on the Reservoir at Boonton, N. J., by
Mr. Cleaves and himself on December 19th.

Mr. Crosby, in Dutchess County, obtained 30 species of
birds for his Christmas census, the more notable of which were
the American Widgeon {Mareca americana), Towhee {Pipilo
e. erythrophthaUnns) , and fourteen Crackles {Quisculus quis-
cida subsp.).

In the Christmas census at Elizabeth, N. J., Mr. Urner ob-
served 29 species, the most interesting being the Carolina
Wren {Thryothorus I. ludovicianus) .

Mrs. Mead spoke of her feeding station in Central Park
where a Chickadee (Penfhestes a. atricapillus) and Red-

107

breasted Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis) feed from her hand.
A White-throat (Zonotrichia alhicollis) was a constant visitor
and up to a few days previous a Fox Sparrow {Passerella i.
iliaca) was seen daily.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Harry Raven and was
entitled ''Australian Marsupials and Their Environment."

Mr. Raven had spent nearly two years in Australia and
Tasmania collecting the rapidly disappearing forms of mam-
mals found on these islands for the American Museum of
Natural History. Mr. Raven stated that it is believed that
formerly South America and Australia were connected, thus
accounting for the similarity of certain groups of marsupials
inhabiting both countries. Others maintained that the Aus-
tralian marsupials had migrated into Australia from India.

Mr. Raven showed many interesting slides picturing the
type of country that he collected in. and also many slides of
the mammals, including Kangaroos, Wombats, Bandicotts, and
Phalangers.

January 22, 1924. — The meeting was called to order at 8 :20
P.M. In the absence of the President and the Vice-President,
Mr. L. N. Nichols took the Chair.

Eleven members and eighteen visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

It was voted that the President appoint a Committee to make
arrangements for the Annual Dinner.

Mr. Urner, on Jan. 12, observed a small flock of Brant
{Branta hernicla glaucogastra) in the Elizabeth region. This
was the first local record in 25 years.

At Long Beach, on Jan. 13, with Dr. Elliott, Dr. Janvrin
recorded a Double-crested Cormorant {Phalacrocorax a. auri-
tus) ; this is the latest date for that locality.

Mr. Edward Spingarn reported a Pileated Woodpecker
{Phloeotomus pileatits ahieticola) at Aminia, Dutchess County,
N. Y.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. S. H. Chubb and was
entitled ''Sea Birds of the Matinicus Islands."

108

Matinicus lies about twenty-one miles southeast of Rock-
land, Maine, and is reached by a motor-boat. A few fisher-
men live on this island. On a neighboring island, Ten Pound
Island, a large colony of Herring Gulls {Larus argent'atus)
were found breeding. At the time of the visit, the middle of
June, the breeding season appeared to be at its height, as both
eggs and well-grown young were observed.

Many interesting slides were shown of this colony, and also
of a colony of Arctic Terns {Sterna paradiscea) which were
found on still another island, Matinicus Rock. Other birds
of note were Black Guillemot {Cepphus grylle), Leach's Petrel
{Oceanodroma leucorhoa), the nest of a Northern Raven
(Corvics corax principalis), and another nest which was be-
lieved to belong to the Common Cormorant {Phalacro corax
carho). The common 'land bird was the Savannah Sparrow
{Passerculus sandwichensis savanna), which was very abun-
dant.

Mr. Chubb also obtained some very interesting photographs
of whales.

Regular meeting of the Linnsean Society for Feb. 12, 1924,
posponed on account of its conflicting with Lincoln's Birthday.

February 26, 1924. — The meeting was called to order at
8 :20 p.M._, with the President in the Chair.

Seventeen members and fifty-five visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and ap-
proved.

Mr. Urner reported a large flock of Canvasback Ducks
{Marila valisineria) on the Bay near Elizabeth, N. J., having
been observed for a month; and at Bamegat, N. J., on Feb.
16, with Mr. Carter, a European Widgeon {Mareca penelope)
and great numbers of Gannets {Sula hassana) on the 17th.

Mr. J. T. Nichols also spoke of seeing about 400 Canvas-
backs at Mastic, Long Island, on Feb. 23.

Mr. L. N. Nichols, for the Bronx region, reported an adult
Bonaparte Gull {Larnis Philadelphia) on the Harlem River
near Baker Field, on Feb. 3. He had observed Redpolls
{Acanthis linaria) on Feb. 4 and 25 at Pelham Bay, as also
on the 11th at Bronx Park.

109

Mr. Hix had observed a Duck Hawk {Falco peregrinus ana-
tum) in Central Park on Feb. 9; on Feb. 28 a Bob White
(Colinus V. virginianus) in Van Cortlandt Park.

At Long Beach, with Mr. F. E. Watson, Mr. Carter observed
a Kittiwake Gull {Bissa t. tridactyla) on Feb. 10, and on the
12th an Iceland Gull {Larus leucopterus) .

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Herbert Lang and
was entitled "In the Interior of British Guiana, with Ke-
marks on the Fauna and Flora as Compared with that of the
West African Rain Forest. ' '

Mr. Lang had taken a six months' trip into the diamond
fields of British Guiana. On the way south he had spent a
short time on the Island of Granada and at Trinidad, where
he had visited the famous Asphalt Lake. After arriving at
Georgetown, British Guiana, his journey was resumed up the
Mazaruni River by power boat; after about a week's journey
he reached the diamond fields, 180 miles inland.

Many interesting slides showed the process by which the
diamonds were obtained from the gravel. The diggers, mostly
negroes, hold elaims, and either use toms to separate the
diamonds or else pan for them by the same process that is
done for gold. The stones were sold to diamond merchants
by these laborers.

Mr. Lang showed many interesting slides of the fauna and
flora, perhaps the most interesting among the former being
a small marsupial which has heretofore never been described,
and a large tree-toad {Hyla evansi), carrying twenty-four
well-developed eggs on its back. This proved to be the second
time one of these frogs was ever captured in this condition ;
the other specimen, captured some twenty years ago, going
to Europe.

Mr. Lang also showed some very interesting views of the
forests of both Africa and South America. The American
forest proved to be much more open, without the thick under-
brush for which the African is noted. The outline of the top
of the American forests is remarkably even — very few trees
towering up above their neighbors — while the African forest
presents a more varied outline. Other interesting pictures

110

showed the native Akawoi Indians. These Indians are very
short of stature, many of them being even smaller than the
famous Congo Pygmies.

The lantern slides were followed by a reel of interesting
motion pictures, after which a general discussion followed.

March 11, 1924. — The Annual Dinner of the Society was
held in the Mitla Restaurant of the American Museum of
Natural History, at 7 :00 p.m; 48 members and guests were
present.

At nine o'clock the Annual Meeting was called to order,
with the Vice-President in the chair.

Thirty-two members and 30 guests and visitors were present.

The minutes of the preceeding meeting were read and
approved.

In the absence of the Treaurer the Secretary read the An-
nual Report. There was a Balance on Hand, March 5, 1924,
of $3,362.64. The Auditing Committee, already appointed by
the chair, consisting of Dr. Dwight and Mr. Granger, re-
ported that it had examined the accounts of the Treasurer
and found them correct. The report of the Treasurer was
thereupon accepted by the Society.

The Secretary then read his Annual Report as follows:

During the past year the Linnaean Society has held 15 meetings —
the first meeting of February being omitted as it fell on Lincoln 's Birth-
day. The total attendance was 705. This is the largest attendance in
the history of the Society with the exception of the year" 1912, during
Avhich year a joint meeting was held with the Audubon Society, bring-
ing the total attendance for that year up to 824.

The Eleventh Annual Dinner was attended by 53 members and guests
and 36 member were present at the Annual meeting on the same evening.
At the remaining 14 meetings the total attendance averaged 45.9, that
of members 16,9.

The largest number present at any one meeting was 110, the Bird
Banding Meeting of April 24; the smallest attendance was that of
October 23, with 19 present.

Three members have resigned and eight new members have been
elected, so that the membership now stands; resident, 103; correspond-
ing, 24; honorary, 3; total, 130; the largest since 1915.

Twelve papers have been presented to the Society, 1 on Ornithology, 7
on Travel, 1 on Ichthyology, 3 Faunal, 1 meeting, which fostered the

Ill

formation of the Eastern Bird Banding Association, was on Bird Band,
ing, and two evenings were devoted entirely to field observations.

Abstract of the Proceedings Nos. 33, 34, 35, for the years 1921, 1922,
1923 together with Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson's paper, ^'The Winter Birds
of Southern Texas," is now in the hands of the printer.

Eespectfully submitted,

T. Donald Carter,

Secretary.

The report of the Secretary was accepted by the Society.
The next order of business was the annual election of offi-
cers. The following were elected :

President, John T. Nichols.
Vice-President, Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin.
Secretary, C. A. Urner.
Treasurer, T. Gilbert Pearson.

The paper of the evening b}^ Mr. Walter Granger was en-
titled ' ' Fossil Collecting in China and Mongolia. ' '

Mr. Granger had spent the last two years as a member of
the Third Asiatic Expedition. Interested chiefly in verte-
brate fossils, and on account of the coming winter, being un-
able to proceed into Mongolia, it was decided that during the
cold weather the work would be carried on somewhere in
southern China. After much inquiring, it was found that
numerous fossilized bones were brought out of the mountains
of southern Szechuan Provence. These bones were sold to the
apothecaries, who ground them up and used them for medicine.

After an interesting voyage up the Yangtze River, a river
which in some places has a yearly rise and fall of over 138
feet, he arrived at his destination. Upon inquiry, he was sur-
prised to find that the bones came from the top of a limestone
ridge, some 1,700 feet above sea level. This ridge was about
75 miles long and about 1 mile wide. Along the apex were
numerous pits, some many feet deep. It was from these pits
that the fossils were dug. Most of the pits had been filled
up with mud and dirt, and the farmers of the district spent
their winter months digging out and collecting the bones,
which were sold to the apothecary. Mr. Granger bought his

112

specimens from these excavators. Two winters were spent in
this locality.

Mr. Granger 's summer months were spent in Mongolia with
Mr. Andrews. Many interesting specimens were obtained, the
most interesting of which were the dinosaur eggs. These eggs
were supposed to have been laid by an ancestor of Triceratops,
a three-horned dinosaur that has been found in North Amer-
ica. Besides the egg numerous young of the dinosaur of vary-
ing ages were found.

Many interesting slides and motion pictures illustrated the
paper.

Meeting adjourned at 11 :10 p.m.

113

Notes on the Winter Bird Life of Southeastern

Texas

By T. Gilbert Pearson

The observations recorded in the following pages were made
between November 23 and December 25, 1921. The terri-
tories visited covered different sections of the country between
Brownsville and Point Isabel on the south and Kingsville and
Laureles Ranch on the north, covering portions of the counties
of Cameron and neighboring counties. A considerable por-
tion of the time was spent on the great King cattle ranch.

During much of my field trip 1 was accompanied by R. D.
Camp of Brownsville and also received many courtesies and
assistance from Caesar Kleberg at Norias and Richard ^L
Kleberg of Kingsville.

Larus argentdtns. Herring Gull. — Four seen at Point
Isabel November 25 and 26. Two were in evidence at ]\Ioro
Island on December 20.

Sterna maxima. Royal Tern. — Several were flying about
the islands and bars in Laguna Madre near Point Isabel,
November 26. Others were seen at Moro Island December 20.

Stertia forsteri. Forster 's Tern. — ^A specimen was collected
by Camp on Moro Island near the mouth of Arroya Coloral
on December 20. It was shot from a flock of perhaps 100
Terns that were resting on the shoals.

UyncJiops nigra. Black Skimmer. — A flock estimated to
contain from 200 to 300 Black Skimmers was flying about the
waters inside the Inlet at Point Isabel on November 24.

Phalacrocorax vigim mexicanus, Mexican Cormorant. —
Seen at various points along the Laguna Madre and five were
noted flying over the Rio Grande at Brownsville, November 24.

Pelecamis erythrorhynchos. White Pelican. — On the morn-
ing of December 13 eleven White Pelicans claimed our atten-
tion for some time as they circled overhead near the El Sauz
ranch-house. Six others were seen previously at Point Isabel
on November 24.

Anas platyrhyncJios. Mallard. — A common duck about the
water-holes and sloughs on the King Ranch.
8

114

ChaiUelasmus streperus. Gadwall. — Seen frequently. One
pair was frightened from a ditch not over a yard wide on
Laureles Ranch.

Mareca americana. Baldpate. — One of the ducks often
found throughout the entire region.

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Found to be a
common winter visitor, usually going about in small flocks.
A female was found resting in a small earthen tank near
Laguna Larga, December 22.

Querquedula cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal. — A full plum-
aged male was shot from a flock of fourteen at the overflow
pond near El Sauz, November 30.

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — This handsome, but poor
table duck, was seen on many occasions. Usually they were
in pairs.

Dafila acuta. Pintail. — A very common winter resident,
that is much shot and highly esteemed for the table.

Marila americana. Redhead. — Redheads were observed in
great numbers resting on the ^Aiater of Laguna Madre neai
Point Isabel, November 23 and 24. Late in the evening many
thousands were seen flying from points inland to the Laguna.
The species was common on most of the ponds visited on the
King Ranch.

Marila valisineria. Canvasback. — The only two Canvas-
backs noted were a pair observed at close range swimming
near the bridge over the resaca in the Fort Brown reserva-
tion at Brownsville. This was on December 21.

Marila affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. — The roar of wings as
great flocks of these birds swept down from the sky to the
quiet waters of the pond at the El Sauz ranch-house will long
live in my memory. These birds also were seen at many other
places.

Harelda hyemdlis. Old Squaw. — One of the surprises of
my visit to south Texas was to find the Old Squaw. At least
a dozen apparently lived continually on the pond at El Sauz
ranch-house, during the first three weeks of December. Four
specimens were taken. Two others were secured during this
time at a pond perhaps fifteen miles to the northward.

115

Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. — Ruddy Ducks were
taken at El Sauz and identified at three other points on the
great King Ranch.

Chen hyperhore^is hyperhoreus. Snow Goose. — Numerous
flocks of Snow Geese were seen feeding on the prairies about
Laguna Larga on December 23. At least 400 were seen in a
field near the railway 15 miles north of Kingsville on Decem-
ber 24. They are common winter residents in South Texas.

Chen ccerulescens. Blue Goose. — Although the coast coun-
try of Louisiana is the main winter home of the Blue Goose in
the United States, it does occur to some extent along the Texas
coast, often as far south as the Rio Grande if reports of local
gunners m.ay be considered reliable. One specimen was seen
and positively identified in a flock of Snow Geese at Laguna
Larga December 23.

Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. — Canada
Geese are reported to be not uncommon, but at a distance.it
was impossible to distinguish between this and the Hutchins'
Goose, and only on one occasion where there was opportunity
for comparison was I sure of the identification of this sub-
species. This was at Laguna Larga, December 23.

Branta canadensis hutchinsi. Hutchins' Goose. — The
Hutchins' Goose ranters in great numbers in the South Texas
country. At least twenty flocks were in sight in a drive across
the prairies to Laguna Larga, December 23. They appeared
more nimierous than the Snow Goose, which is an extremely
abundant species. I also' saw flocks on two occasions during
the first week in December at El Sauz, and others were found
feeding on the prairies near there during the same period.
None was seen in the water.

Ardea herodi^as ivdrdi. Ward's Heron. — This large southern
form of the Great Blue Heron was seen on perhaps half a
dozen occasions. They were especially noticed about the salt
lagunas near the mouth of the Aroya Coloral.

Herodias egretta. Egret. — On December 19 three Egrets
were found roosting on trees about two miles up the Rio
Grande River from Brownsville. These were the only ones
seen during the entire period.

116

Dichromandssa rufescens. Reddish Egret. — Reddish Egrets
were seen on the shores and about the salt water marshes at
Point Isabel the last week in November. A few were noted
near Moro Island, December 20.

Nycticorax nycticorax ncBvius. Black-crowned Night Heron.
— Eight Black-crowned Night Herons were seen at Resaca de
la Palma, December 17. They were roosting in trees near the
water at the time they were disturbed.

Grus americana. Whooping Crane. — On December 23 a^
guest of Richard M. Kleberg, in charge of Laureles Ranch,
east of Kingsville, I had the great pleasure of seeing four
specimens of the Whooping Crane {The Auk, July 1922, p.
412). Mr. Kleberg informs me that they have been coming
to the coastal prairies of his ranch for a number of years, but
that during the past sixteen years he had not seen more than
eight during any one season.

Grus mexicaoia. Sandhill Crane. — Sandhill Cranes were
extremely abundant o'n the King Ranch. They were to be
met wdth almost any place on the coastal prairies as well as
open places in the cactus territories and the prairies farther
West. They are usually seen in flocks ranging from 10 to 25
individuals. In driving with Mr. Kleberg from Laureles to
Kingsville on the afternoon of December 22, at least two
dozen flocks of these birds were seen flying in a southerly
direction. Mr. Kleberg explained they were going to a favor-
ite roosting place about ten miles to the southward.

Fulica americdna. Coot. — In the resaca pond at Fort
Brown in Brownsville 200 or 300 Ducks of various species
were finding sanctuary on December 21. Swimming among
them or resting on the shore were Coots to the number of 14.
No others were discovered.

Becurvirostt^a mnericana. Avocet. — A few miles west of
Laureles ranch-honse in a little salt water bay large numbers
of water fowl were found on the morning of December 23.
Among these was a flock of over 30 Avocets. They entertained
us by continually flying here and there over the water and
surrounding shore-lines. The species was not seen again.

117

Hinmntoptos mexicanus. Black-neckod Stilt. — Several
Black-necked Stilts were observed about the small sloughs on
the coastal prairies of El Sauz Ranch, during- the first week
in December. Others were seen east of Laureles on Decem-
ber 23.

Gallinago delicdta. Wilson's Snipe. — ^Along the little ditch
s<?arcely a yard in width that conveys the water from the
tank at the El Sauz ranch-house to the pond 200 yards away
some Wilson's Snipe were finding what must have been a
precarious living during our stay in the neighborhood. We
flushed one or more of them here at least six times between
November 30 and December 14.

Macrorhamphus griseus scolopdceus. Long-billed Dow-
itcher. — Two flocks were seen on the beaches near Point
Isabel, November 23.

Pisohia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Of the small Sand-
pipers found near Point Isabel December 23-25 only one
specimen was taken. This proved to be a Least Sandpiper.

Totaniis melanoleiicus. Greater Yellow-legs. — Several speci-
mens were collected at El Sauz in early December. Others
were seen about sloughs on the nearby coastal prairies.

Totamts fldvipes. Yellow-legs. — This species was taken in
December on the shores of the same pond where the Greater
Yellow-legs were found at El Sauz.

Catoptrophorus sernipalmahis iiwniatiis. Western Willet. —
Western Willets were seen at various points on the coastal
prairies during our visits in December. It was not an abun-
dant species, only 8 or 9 specimens were discovered.

Nunienius americdnus. Long-billed Curlew. — On the
prairies at many points visited between Point Isabel and
Laguna Larga, Long-billed Curlews were found. They were
seen flying in flocks varying from 6 to 40. When feeding they
would often scatter out so that the company of birds would
take wing only a few at a time as the intruder invaded their
feeding grounds.

Squutdrola squatdrola. Black-bellied Plover. — Three Black-
bellied Plover were noted at Point Isabel November 23.

118

Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. — Not an uncommon species
in most of the territories visited.

Podasocys montdnus. Mountain Plover. — Found only on
the prairies about Laguna Larga December 23. Twenty-four
individuals were counted, and these were mot in flocks, al-
though three or four were generally in the neighborhood of
each other.

Colinus virginianus texdnus. Texas Bob-White. — The Texa.«5
form of the Bob-White is a very abundant bird on all open
reaches of the King Ranch and elsewhere.

Meleagris gellopavo intermedia. Rio Grande Turkey. — As
gue&'ts of Caesar Kleberg in charge of the southern half cf
the King Ranch, Mr. Camp and I had the pleasure of motor-
ing for two days over much of the territory lying between the
ranch-house at Norias and the co'ast. In the sections of this
country where scrub-oak grows, the Rio Grande Wild Turkey
was especially plentiful. Many flocks were seen. In all 162
birds were noted December 6 and 7. Nineteen magnificent
gobblers were counted in one gang. I am informed by Mr.
Camp that Mr. Kleberg, who has protected these Turkeys for a
number of years, now estimates that on his portion of the
ranch there are between eight thousand and ten thousand
birds.

Ortalis vetula mccdlli. Chachalaca. — Accompanied by Mr.
Farmer, a local hunter, I visited Resaca de la Palma, also called
Noriaga, about eight miles northwest of Brownsville, and
camped two nights in the neighborhood of the place where we
had found Chachalacas in June, 1921 {The Auk, 1921, p. 518).
When we awoke at dawn the morning of December 17, a mist
hung over the water and obscured from view the trees, 120
yards awaj^ across the resaca. We arose at once and while
dressing there suddenly broke forth one of the most remark-
able demonstrations of bird noises I have ever heard. It
seemed that every^ tree on both sides of the resaca for half a
mile was full of Chachalaeas all reiterating their peculiar
complicated cries with a weird nasal whang like some bar-
barous jazz orchestra of mammoth proportions. Three of the

119

birds were secured in quick 'succession. At the reports of the
gun the wild music ceased, and afterwards only an occasional
outburst was heard.

It seems that early in the morning and late in the evening
these birds come for w^ater. At other times they are generally
back in the scrub and cactus, feeding on the red and yellow
berries that adorn some of the bushes at this season. The
flesh of the Chachalaca is fairly good food, but certainly it
cannot be considered the equal of a Pheasant, or Mallard.
Although often heard during our three days stay, birds were
seen only on two other occasions. They possess a marvelous
faculty for keeping out of sight.

Zenaidura macroura carolmensis. Mourning Dove. — Mourn-
ing Doves were seen at various points in the country visited,
and about the clumps of trees on the coastal prairies they
collect in numbers to rest. In riding along we continually
flushed them from their perches or from the ground where
they were feeding.

Leptotila fulviventris hrachypiera. White-fronted Dove. —
In the scrubby woods about Eesaca de la Palma perhaps a
dozen White-fronted Doves were found. At a little distance
they reminded one strikingly of the Mourning Dove, but when
they flew the difference at once became apparent. With a
single exception those found were in pairs. They were
always discovered on the ground in wooded places, none being
seen on the open fields or prairies.

Chcemepelia passerina pallescens, Mexican Ground Dove.
— ^A few seen on El Sauz Eanch the first week in December.

Scardafella inca. Inca Dove. — Noted in the town of
Brownsville.

Cathartes aura septentriondlis. Turkey Vulture. — Fairly
common birds, especially back from the coast, but not so
numerous as one often finds them in the southeastern states.

Catharista uriihu. Black Vulture. — Black Vultures were
much in evidence, especially in the neighborhood of the coast
where the}^ may be found in flocks feeding on the carcasses of
animals. They come much about the watering troughs at the

120

artesian wells. The ranchmen believing they are responsible
for carrying hog cholera annually kill numbers of them. They
also destroy Turkey Vultures for the same reason.

Elanus leuciirus. White-tailed Kite. — The morning of De-
cember 11 at Nopal Ranch, Camp shot a White-tailed Kite. At
the time the bird was resting on a mesquite tree and was hold-
ing in its talons a freshly killed rat. This was in a section of
the country where cactus and bushes formed a very dense
growth.

Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Two Marsh Hawks were
noted at El Sauz on November 30.

Par abut eo wnicinctu^ harrisi. Harris's Hawk. — The most
abundant bird of prey in the cactus country of South Texas
is the handsome Harris's Hawk. They were quite sociable at
this season and it was not an uncommon sight to find two or
three or even four sitting on some tree within a few feet of
each other. The pond back of El Sauz ranch-house was a
favorite gathering place. Here, late one afternoon, I counted
27 in sight at once. While usually remaining perched in the
trees and bushes they would at times alight on th'C ground
near the water and sit in company with the stately Caracaras.
None was seen on the prairies.

Buteo horealis subsp. Red-tailed Hawk. — One was studied
at close range on El Sauz Ranch on November 30.

Buteo alhicaudatus sennetti. Sennett's White-tailed Hawk.
— Only one specimen was identified. This was on December
10. While driving with Mr. Camp over the coastal prairies per-
haps fifteen miles northeast of Brownsville, one circled about
us for several minutes and in its evolutions strikingly dis-
played the characteristic white tail with its black band. In
time the bird arose to a great height and eventually faded
into the distance.

Archibuteo ferrugineus. Ferruginous Rough-leg. — On De-
cember 6 Caesar Kleberg secured with his rifle a handsome
specimen of the Ferruginous Rough-leg on the coastal prairie
east of Norias. Another was found on the prairies perhaps
twenty miles south of this spot two days later.

121

Falco fiisco-ccerulescens. Aplomado Falcon. — One was
taken near Moro Island on December 20. This was at a point
about 35 miles almost directly northward from Brownsville.
When the bird was discovered it was sitting on a bush in the
open country. No others were seen.

Falco sparverius sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — Not infre-
quently observed in the open country or about the few fields
in the wooded sections.

Polyhorus cheriway. Audubon's Caracara. — In travelling
through South Texas at any season of the year one quickly
becomes accustomed to the sight of these "Mexican Eagles."
As a rule they are not particularly shy. They would often
sit on the ground near the pond at El Sauz and with but
little movement would remain here for hours. With only a
slight covering I was able to crawl on more than one occasion
to within thirty feet of them while thus engaged. None was
seen to exhibit the great physical energy or to execute the
aerial evolutions in which they often engaged during the mat-
ing season. Caracaras were discovered feeding on a dead
duck and a dead snake. On two occasions flocks were seen
gathered around the remains of a coyote. I counted 18 at
one time standing on the ground near the El Sauz pond.
Apparently they came here simply to rest and possibly for
the comfort derived from seeing others of their species.

Pandion halidetus carolinensis. Osprey. — The only Ospreys
found were three on Moro Island on December 20. There
were no trees here, hence the birds perched either on fishing
stakes or alighted on the sand.

AUico pratincola. Barn Owl. — One was captured alive at
El Sauz early in December.

Asio fldmmeus. Short-eared Owl. — One startled from the
marsh on an island near Point Isabel November 25.

Strix varia alhogilva. Texas Barred Owl. — Two Barred
Owls were found in the woodlands bordering Resaca de la
Palma December 17. The day was overcast and the Owls
were very alert.

Buho virginmnus pallescens. Western Homed Owl. — On
December 22 Richard M. Kleberg took me to an oak tree on

122

Laiireles Kanch which he stated was the customary roosting
place of two Horned Owls. One of these was found at home.
After snapping its bill for a short time it flew from the
neighborhood.

Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea. Burrowing Owl. — This bird
was not found to be as common as I had been led to suppose.
Two were flushed from the mouths of their burrows in the
coastal prairie west of Norias on December 6. On December
14 another was seen by its burrow on the prairie to the east
of El Sauz. I was told that the birds were living within the
corporate limits of the town of Brownsville, but was unable
to verify this report. On was brought to New York and was
identified by Dr. Frank ]\I. Chapman as being a typical 8.
cunicularia hypogcea.

Geococcyx calif ornianus. . Road-runner. — Road-runners
were met with commonly, wherever there were bushes or
cactus. They w^ere seen especially along the edges of thickets,
and in partly overgrown fields or prairies.

Ceryle dlcyon. Belted Kingfisher. — One seen on the Rio
Grande River at Brownsville December 21.

Ceryle americana septentriondlis. Texas Kingfisher. —
Three Texas Kingfishers were observed repeatedly about our
camp at Resaca de la Palma December 16-18. The squeaky
notes of this diminutive Kingfisher were notably different from
those of the larger and better known common Kingfisher.
They perched on stakes or bushes on or near the water in
regulation Kingfisher manner.

Dryohates scalaris hairdi. Texas Woodpecker. — This little
black and white spotted Woodpecker, suggesting the Downy in
general appearance, was seen almost daily as we travelled
about the wopded country.

Centurus caroUnus. Red-bellied Woodpecker. — ^A Red-
bellied Woodpecker was brought to me by Mr. Camp at El
Sauz early in December. It was the only specimen seen.

Centurus aiiri fronts. Golden- fronted Woodpecker. — This
is the most common member of the Woodpeckers family in
)South Texas, although I did not see it in such numbers as

123

during the spring of 1920 when travelling some of the same
sections of country. It is found in the town as well as in
the regions of greatest solitude.

Colaptes auratus luteiis. Flicker. — On December 10 about
five miles directly south of El Sauz ranch-house a Flicker was
found perched on a fence post. It permitted close approach.
It was the only Flicker I had seen at any time in southern
Texias.

Nyctidromus alhicollis merrilU. Merrill's Parauque. — From
what I have read of the observations of others I had no idea
of finding a Parauque in Texas during the winter, and yet
it was seen and heard on many occasions. No less than five
were calling within hearing at one time as we lay in camp at
Resaca de la Palma. I found feathers of one that had been
killed neiar the ranch-house at El Sauz and while running in
an automobile at night on two occasions near here the auto
light revealed the eyes of one of these birds as it sat in the
road. Only one eye at a time was ever visible under these
circumstances. To those accustomed to thinking of Goat-
suckers as giving cries similar to the Whip-poor-will and
Chuck-will's widow, the sounds produced by this species ap-
pear even more unbird-like than the frog-like cry of the
Nightjar of western Europe. These birds were seen as late
as December 18, but none were noted north of El Sauz.

Muscivora forficdta. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. — This bird
so abundant in South Texas in summer was not found in
numbers at this time of year. Only two were seen and these
were near Brownsville the evening of December 18.

Pitangus sidphuraUt^ derhidnus. Derby Flycatcher. — A
common bird at Resaca de la Palma, where several specimens
were noted December 16-18.

Sayornis phoehe. Phoebe. — Several times Phoebes were sup-
posed to have been seen and Mr. Camp collected one at El
Sauz December 5.

Sayornis sayus. Say's Phoebe. — Say's Phoebe is a common
bird in the more open places on the southern half of the
King Ranch. A specimen taken by Camp on December 6
was preserved.

124

Myiochanes vireiis. Wood Pewee. — One was taken at El
Sauz December 7. Others were noted.

Xanthoura luxtwsa glaucescens. Green Jay. — Abundant
resident. Especially common in the bushes along ponds or
resacas.

Molothru^ ater ater. Oowbird. — A flock of Cowbirds ac-
companied by a few Red-winged Blackbirds alighted in a tree
close to the ranch-house at El Sauz on December 3. Other
Cowbirds supposed to be this species were seen at various
places.

Molothrus ater obscurity. Dwarf Cowbird. — Large flocks
of Dwarf Cowbirds were found between Kingsville and the
Laureles Ranch December 23.

Agelaius phoeniceus richmondi. Vera Cruz Red-wing. — Not
uncommon at Point Isabel November 25 and 26. Also' noted
at other places.

Sturnella neglecta. Western Meadowlark. — Great numbers
of Meadowlarks were encountered in the fields and on the
prairies in all the counties visited, which were presumably this
species.

Megaquiscalus major macrourus. Great-tailed Grackle. — A
common bird in suitable localities on and near the Daguna
Madre.

Passerculus sandiuichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. —
Two Savannah Sparrows were collected by Camp at El Sauz
December 12.

Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — One taken at El
Sauz on December 12.

Spizella pusilla arendcea. Western Field Sparrow. — A
Field Sparrow was taken at El Sauz on December 12, and
identified later by Waldron DeWitt Miller, as the western
race.

Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys. White-crowned Spar-
row. — Found at Nopal Ranch, also at El Sauz.

Junco hyemalis hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. — On De-
cember 9 three Slate-colored Juncoes appeared in the little
yard in front of the ranch-house at Norias where they re-
mained for some time. None was seen elsewhere.

125

Amphispiza hilineata hilineata. 31ack-throated Sparrow. —
Often seen about Point Isabel and El Sauz.

Cardinalis cardinalis canicaudus. Gray-tadled Cardinal. —
Seen at various times throughout the territories visited.

Pyrrhidoxia simiata texdna. Texas P^'rrhuloxia. — Noted at
El Sauz December 1 and 2.

Bomhycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — A flock was seen
at Brownsville November 24 and another at El Sauz Decem-
ber 4.

Laniiis litdovicianiis excuhitorides. White-rumped Shrike.
— Two observed near Point Isabel December 4, and others
seen later east of Norias.

Vermivora celata celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — One
found in bushes on the coastal prairie of Willacy County
December 14.

Dendroica, corotidta. Myrtle Warbler. — Several found at
El Sauz December 1-4. Also noted elsewhere.

Oreoscoptes montdnus. Sage Thrasher. — One found at
Nopal Ranch on December 11.

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus. Western Mockingbird. —
Not very abundant, and yet a common bird in all the places
where field observations were made.

Toxostoma longirostre sennetti. Sennett's Thrasher. — Three
were seen on the Nopal Ranch December 11.

Toxostonm mirvirosfre curvirostre. Curve-billed Thrasher.
— ^A common bird frequently found in the various places
visited.

Heleodytes hrunneicapillus couesi. Cactus Wren. — Ob-
served in the cactus country at El Sauz December 3. Four
birds were noted on this date. No others were observed.

Thryomanes hewicki cryptus. Texas Wren. — One seen in a
brush pile at El Sauz Ranch December 2.

Bceolophus atricristatus airwristahis. Black-crested Tit-
mouse. — A common resident bird in the wooded country and
about towns.

Regulus calendula calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — One
taken by Camp at El Sauz December 11.

126

PoUoptila ccerulea ccerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Seen
at various points on the King Ranch.

Hylocichla guttata pdllasi. Hermit Thrush. — December 18
a Hermit Thrush wa^ observed at close range at Resaca de
la Palma.

Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Robin. — Thirty or
forty Robins were found feeding in the scrub near the coastal
prairie east of Norias on December 6. No others were seen.

Officers of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

March 1920 to March 1925.

OFFICERS 1920-1921

President Dr. Jonathan Dwight

Vice-President Walter Granger

Secretary Dr. E. R. P. Janyrin

Treasurer Lewis B. Woodruff

OFFICERS 1921-1922

President Walter Granger

Vice-President John T. Nichols

Secretary Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin

Treasurer T. Gilbert Pearson

OFFICERS 1922-1923

President John T. Nichols

Vice-President Ludlow Griscom

Secretary James P. Chapin

Treasurer T. Gilbert Pearson

OFFICERS 1923-1924

President .John T. Nichols

Vice-President James P. Chapin

Secretary T. Donald Carter

Treasurer T. Gilbert Pearson

OFFICERS 1924-1925

President John T. Nichols

Vice-President Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin

Secretary Charles A. Urner

Treasurer .' T. Gilbert Pearson

Members of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

MAY, 1924.

Honorary Members.

DwiGHT, Jonathan, American Museum of Natural History.
Merriam, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th Street, Washington, D. C.
Stone, Wither, Ph. D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,
Pa.

Corresponding Members.

Agersborg, G. S., Vermillion, S. D.

Benner, Franklin, Minneapolis, Minn.
Burgess, Thornton W., Springfield, Mass.

Cox, Philip, Newcastle, N. B.

DuRY, Charles, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Foes, Wm. H., M.D., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washington, D. C.

Grant, W. W. 830 S. Main Street, Geneva, N. Y.

Harper, Francis, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 818 Fifth Street, San Diego, Cal.

Langdon, F. W., M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Latham, Mrs. F. E. B., Micco, Fla.

LoOMis, Leverett M., California Acad, of Sciences, San Francisco,
Cal.

Marshall, Alfred, 64 South. Canal Street, Chicago, 111.
Mead, Theo. L., Oviedo, Fla.

Oberholser, Harry C, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Sage, John H., Portland, Conn.

Seton, Ernest Thompson, Greenwich, Conn.

Shufeldt, E. W., M.D., 3356 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D. C.

128

129

Trotter, Spencer, M.D., Swarthmore, Pa.

Warren, B. H., M.D., Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa.

WiLLiSTON, S. W., M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.

Resident Members.
Adams, Benjamin, Wether sfield, Conn.

Barnes, Frank E., 200 W. 110th Street.

Barrows, Ira, 14 Maiden Lane.

Bessie, Alvah C, 3681 Broadway.

Bishop, Louis B., M.D., 356 Orange Street, New Haven, Conn.

BouLTON, W. K., Jr., American Museum of Natural History.

BowDiSH, Beecher S., Demarest, N. J.

Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

Breder, Charles M., Jr., New York Aquarium.

Briggs, George D., 2255 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Florida.

Briggs, Mrs. George D., 2255 First Ave., N., St. Petersburg, Florida.

Bristol, Jno. I. D. Grand Central Terminal.

Capen, Miss Ethel Adele, 100 W. 80th Street.

Capen, Frederick M., 100 W. 80th Street.

Carter, T. Donald, American Museum of Natural History.

Chapin, James P., American Museum of Natural History.

Chapman, E. A., M.D., 3 East 23d Street.

Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History.

Chamberlain, William, 538 W. 114th Street.

Chubb, Samuel A., American Museum of Natural History.

Cleaves, Howard H., 242 W. 109th Street.

Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park.

Crosby, Maunsell S., Ehinebeck, N. Y.

CuRTiss, EOY, 11 W. 76th Street.

*Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place.
Denton, Myron P., M.D., 129 East 30th Street.
Dietrich, Charles F., 51 East 42d Street.
Dodge, Cleveland H., 99 John Street.

Ferguson, Harry, Fishers Island, N. Y.

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.
Fleisher, Edward, 1068 Park Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Friedman, Ealph, 32 Garden Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Frost, Allen, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Garvan, Mrs. Francis, 903 Park Avenue.
Gotthold, Arthur F., 27 William Street.

* Life member.
9

130

Granger, Walter, American Museum of Natural History.
Griscom, Ludlow, American Museum of Natural History,

Helme, Arthur H., Miller Place, L. I.

Herrick, Haeold, 123 William Street.

Hix, George E., 1150 Broadway.

Holgate, Mrs. Kena S., 360 W. 15tli Street.

HoLGATE, W. D., 360 W. loth Street.

Howells, Miss Naomi M., 34 W. 68th Street.

HowLAND, K. H., 164 Wildwood Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J.

HuBBELL, George W., Greenwich, Conn.

Hyde, E. Erancis, 36 West 58th Street.

Hyde, Frederick Wm., 340 43d Street.

Irving, John, Glen Cove, L. I.

Janvrin, E. E. p., M.D., 515 Park Avenue.

Johnson, Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.

Johnson, Julius M., 179 South Pleasant Avenue, Eidgewood, N. J,

Kiernan, John F., 6065 Broadway.
Kuser, John Dryden, Bernardsville, N. J.

LaDow, Stanley Vaughan, 65 W. 9th Street.
Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History.
Lawrence, John B., 126 East 30th Street.
Leale, Charles A., M. D., 500 Madison Avenue.
Lewis, Clark L., Jr., 533 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn.
Litchfield, Miss Gertrude, 56 West 75th Street.

Makks, E. Sydney, 655 Kearney Avenue, Arlington, N. J.

McAuLiFFE, George B., 26 West 87th Street.

Mead, Mrs. C. W., 234 Central Park West.

Merriam, Henry F., Ph.D., 30 Clinton Ave., Maplewood, N. J.

Monroe, Will F., Montclair Normal School.

Morris, Egbert T., M.D., 114 East 54th Street.

Naumburg, Mrs. Elsie M. B., American Museum of Natural History.
Nichols, Edward G., 1086 Amsterdam Avenue.

Nichols, John Treadwell, American Museum of Natural History.
Nichols, L. Nelson, N. Y., Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 42d
Street.

OsBORN, Prof. Henry F., American Museum of Natural History.
OSBORN, William C, 170 Broadway.
Ostler, Frank E., 170 59th Street.
Overton, Frank, M.D., Patchogue, L. I.

131

Pangburn, Clifford H., 299 Madison Avenue.
Pearson, T. Gilbert, 1974 Broadway.
Philhower, Charles A., Westfield, N. J.
Philipp, p. Bernard, 220 Broadway.
Plant, Miss Caroline, 61 W. 55th Street.
Porter, Louis N. Stamford, Conn.

Quarles, E. a., Plainfield, X. J.

Raven, H. C, American Museum of Natural History.
EiCH, Mrs. M. C, 92 Morningside Ave.

Eiker, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Eoad, South Orange, N. J.
*EoGERS, Charles H., Princeton University, Princeton, N. J.
EuNDALL, Clarence A., Brewster, N. Y.

Samek, Miss Blanche, 511 West 113th Street.

Smith, Mrs. H. W., 509 East 77th Street.

Stern, Benjamin, 542 Fifth Avenue.

Stewart, James B., 268 East Third Ave., Eoselle, N. J.

Streeter, Daniel D., 1144 Bergen St., Brooklyn.

Taylor, Irving K., 33 West 67th Street.

Thayer, Gerald H., 2 East 81st Street.

Tower, Miss Mary, Millbrook, N. Y.

TovTER, Ealph W., Ph.D. American Museum of Natural History.

Tucker, 'Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Avenue.

Urner, Charles A., 173 Chambers Street.

Valentine, J. Manson, 118 East 79th Street.

Van Du^ne, Wilmer C, 270 North Maple Avenue, East Orange, N. J.

du Vivier, Edward F., 152 East 71st Street.

Walsh, Lester, 11 Walthery Ave., Eidgewood, N. J.

Walters, Frank, 144 East 59th Street.

Weber, J. A., Moore and Grand Avenues, Leonia, N. J,

Wheeler, C. W. B., M.D., 17 East 38th Street.

Wilcox, T. Ferdinand, 52 Broadway.

Williams, Laidlaw O., 152 West 57th Street.

Woodruff, Lewis B,, 14 East 68th Street,

Woodward, Miss L. E., 196 Inwood Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J.

Di Zerega, Louis A., 114 East 54th Street.

* Life member.

132

INDEX

Acanlhis linaria linaria, 33, 73. 76, 108.
Accipiter cooperi, 88.

nisus, 56.

velox, 88, 100.
Actitis macularia, 46, 67, 87.
Mgialitis tneloda, 24.

semipalmata, 27, 88, 94, 97.
yEstrelata sealaris, 68.

Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus, 13, 37. 68,
86, 89.

phoeniceus richmondi, 124.

xanthomus, 83.
Agkistrodon mokasen, 11.
/lia; sponsa, 75, 87, 91, 94.
A^ca tarda, 77.
A/ie aWe, 12, 36, 64.
Allen, A. A., 15, 39-
Aluco praiincola, 29, 88, 91, 103, 121.
Amazona vittata, 83.
American Bird Banding Association, 6, 57,

59-
American Museum, 30.

Ammodramus savannarum australis, 22, 89.
Ammodytes americanus, 37.
Amphispiza bilineata bilineata, 125.
Anas platyrhynchos , 17, 43, 94, 97, II3-

rubripes, 3, 87, 94.
Ani, 83.

Groove-billed, 74.
Anser albifrons gambeli, 75.
Anthony, A. W., 106.

Harold E., 106.

"A Zoological Reconnaissance

of Jamaica, B. W. I.," 4.
"A Zoological Reconnaissance
of Southern Ecuador," 18.
Anthus pratensis, 80.

rubescens, 17, 24, 37, 49, 50, 75.

spraguei, 74.
Antrostomus vociferus vociferus, 88, 97.
Arbutus, Trailing, 42.
Archibuteo ferrugineus, 75, 120.

lagopus sancti-johannis, 2, 32, 88.
Archilochus colubris, 24, 88, 97.
Ardea herodias herodias, 20, 87.

herodias wardi, 115.
Arenaria inter pres morinella, 60.
Arquatella marttima maritima, 27, 60.
Arremonops, 74.

Asio flammeus, 22, 29, 50, 53, 88, 93, 96,
102, 121.

otus, 56.

wilsonianus, 20, 29, 45, 48, 60, 64,
68, 73, 76, 81. 88.
Astragalinus tristis tristis, 81, 98.
Audubon Society, 64.
Auk, Razor-billed, 77-
Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps, 75.
Avocet, 56.

American, 116.

Bceolophus atricristaius atricristatus, 125.

bicolor, 71, 89.
Baldpate, 3, 4, 17. 25, 43, 85, 106, 114.

Baldwin, S. Prentiss, 20, 90, 91.

Bandicotts, 107.

Baneberry, White, 43.

Barbour, Robert, 33.

Barnes, Frank E., 13.

Barrows, Ira, 93.

Bartramia longicauda, 53, 88.

Baynes, Ernest Harold, 106.

Benner, Franklin, 14.

Bermuda, Birds of, 67.

Bessie, Alvah C, 13.

Bicknell, E. P., 13, 24, 27, 48, 96.

Bird Banding, 6, 20, 33, 41, 57. 59, 63, 66,

69. 76, 81, 84, 8s, 90.
Bird-Banding Association for Middle"^ At-
lantic States, 38. ••»
Bird-banding committee report, 90, 100.
Bishop-birds, 13.

Bittern, American, 11, 12, 20, 22, 24, 49, 51.
85. 87.

Least, 25, 51, 87, 96.
Blackbird, Porto Rican, 82,

Red-winged, 13, 37, 68, 70, 86, 89,
104, 124.

Rusty, 7, 13. 83.

Yellow-shouldered, 83.
Blacksnake, 11.
Bluebird, 2, 35, 66, 90, 104.
Bluet, 43.

Bobolink, 22, 24, 60, 88.
Bob-white, 66, 88, 104, 109.

■Texas, 118.
Bomby cilia cedrorum, 64, 68, 89, 125.
Bonasa umbellus umbellus, 25, 71, 88, 93.
Boobies, 18.
Booby, 83.
Botaurus lentiginosus, 11, 12, 20, 22, 24, 49.

SI. 85, 87.
Boulton, W. R., Jr., 63, 64, 65, 68, 73. 102.

"Avifaunal Comparisons of Cold
Spring Harbor, L. I., and Beaver,
Pa.," 70.
Bowdish, Beecher S., 28, 37, 40, 57, 59, 63,

64, 6s, 66, 69, 76, 81, 84, 85.
Brandreth, Courtenay, 59, 93.
Brant, 9. 50, 51, 107.
Branta bernicla glaucogastra, 9, 50, 51, 107.

canadensis canadensis, 2, 9, 20, 25,
47. 7S. IIS-

canadensis hutchinsi, 75, 115.
Breder, Charles M., Jr., 79.
Briggp, George D., 23.

Mrs. George D., 23.
Britton, Mrs. Elizabeth G., 23.
Brown, F. M., 29.
Buarremon, 62.

Bubo virginianus pallescens, 121.
Bufflehead, 11, 17, 43. 85.
Bullfrog, 58.
Bumble-bee, 41, 43.
Bunce, Miss Florence, 69.
Bunting, Indigo, 24.

Snow, 9. 28, 32, 33. 64, 89.
Burdett, Dr., 55-

133

Burrows, John, 21, 39, 103, 104.
Buteo albicaudatus sennetti, 120.

borealis subsp., 120.

Uneatus, 88.
Butorides virescens virescens, 20, 44, 71. 87.

Cahow, 68.

Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus, 29, 32, 65,

89.
Calidris leiicophcea, 87.
Camp, Charles L., " Pteranodon and other

Flying Reptiles," 7
Camp, R. D., 113, 124.
Cants dingo, 46.

latrans, 74.
Canvasback, 87, 108, 114.
Capen, Ethel Adele, 47.

Frederick Mortimer, 47.
Caracara, Audubon's, 121.
Cardinal, 33. 41. 54. 67. 71. 89.

Gray-tailed, 125.
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis, 33, 41, 54,
67, 71, 89.

cardinalis canicaudus, 125.
Carduelis carduelis, 67.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontulis, 105.

purpureus purpureus, 9, 24, 69. 76,
81.
Carrot, Wild, 43.

Carter, T. Donald, 17. 33. 49. 65, 79. 81,
loi, 102, 108, 109.

Secretary's annual report, iii.
Cassebeer, H. A., Jr., 39.
Catbird, 10, 12, 28, 62, 64, 65. 69, 70, 73. 76.
Catharista urubu, 119.
Cathartes aura sepientrionalis, 20, 45, 84, 88,

93. 119.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornalus, 117.
semipalmatus semipalmatus, 25, 54,
61, 88, 95.
Centropus, 80.
Centurus aurifxons, 122.
carolitius, 71, 122.
Cepphus grylle, 12, 17, 27, 52, 108.
Certhia familiaris americana, 12, 24, 25.
Ceryle alcyon, 65, 88, 122.

americana sepientrionalis, 74, 122.
Chachalaca, 74, 75. 118.
Chcetura pelagica, 20, 46, 104.
Chamberlain, William, 36.
Chcemepelia passerina bermudiana, 66.

passerina pallescens, 119.
Chance, Edward, 79, 80.

" The Cuckoo's Secret," 79.
Chapin, James P., 6, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 38,
40, 63, 76, 78, 79.
"Problems in African Ornithology,"

13-
"African Birds in the Museums of

Europe," 38.
Secretary's annual report, 78.
"Prefatory Remarks on 'The
Cuckoo's Secret,' " 79.
Chapman, Dr. Frank M., 30, 32, 59. 60.

"Problems in the Distribution of

South American Birds," 30.
"A Summer in Ecuador," 60.
Charadrius alexandrinus , 56.

dominicus dominicus, 27, 67, 88, 97,
98.
Charitonetta albeola, 11, 17, 43, 85.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 9, 24, 49, Si. 72. 89,

96.
Chaulelasmus streperus, 43, 102, 114.
Chelydra serpentina, 11.

Chen ccertilescens, "js. ii5-

hyperboreus hyperboreus, 75, 87, 115.
Cherrie, George K., 18, 61.
Chickadee, 10, 24, 33, 64, 89, 104, 106.
Childs, John L., 16.
Chipmunk, 7.

Chcemepelia passerina trochila, 83.
Chordeiles virginiantis virginianus, 88.
Chrysococcyx, 80.

caprius, 80.
Chubb, S. H., I, 8, 12, 17, 26, 40, 51, 54, 64,
107.

"Wild Life and Scenery of the Cats-
kill Mountains," 12.

"Herring Gull Colonies on Maine
Coast," 64.

"Sea Birds of the Matinicus
Islands," 107.
Chuck-wills-widow, 123.
Ciconia ciconia, 56.
Circus ceruginosus, 56.

kudsonius, 64, 88, 120.

pygargus, 56.
Cistothorus stellaris, 52, 97.
Cittellus grammurus, 106.
Clamator, 79.

Clangula clangula americana, 2, 53, 60, 85,
104.

islandica, 91.
Cleaves, Howard H., 7, 35, 36, 38, 59, 99,
105, 106.

" Camera Shots from the Far South-
west," 105.
Clover, Red, 43.
Coccyzus americanus, 79.

erythrophthalmiis, 79.
Coereba porter icensis, 82.
Colaptes auratiis liiteus, 37, 123.
Colinus virginianus virginianus, 66, 88, 109.

virginianus texanus, 118.
Colius passer, 13.
Coluber constrictor, il.
Columba flavirostris, 74.

leucocephala, 83.
Columbine, 43.
Colymbus auritus, 19.

dominicus brachypterus, 74.
Compsothlypis americana usnece, 48.
Condor, 61.
Coney, Indian, 18.
Congo Museum, 39.
Cooper, Miss Isabel, 98.
Coot, American, 12, 17, 24, 32, 64, 71, 87,

116.
Copperhead, 11.
Cormorant, 96, 108.

Double-crested, 64, 102, 103, 107.

Farallon, 106.

Florida, 44.

Mexican, 74, 113.
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos, 53 ,
66, 86, 88.

corax principalis, 27, 52, 65, 108.

ossifragus, 2, 19.
Cory, Charles B., 39.
Coturnicops noveboracensis, 8, 87.
Coucals, 79. 80.
Cowbird, 6, 17, 32. 33. 104, 124.

Dwarf, 124.
Coyote, 74, 121.
Crandall, Lee S., 5.
Crane, Sandhill, 75. 116.

Whooping, 75, 116.
Creciscus jamaicensis, 6, 51.
Creeper, Brown, 12, 24, 25.

134

Crosby, Maunsell S., 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17. 20,
27, 28, 33. 38, 40, 43. 46, 47. 49. 51. 54. 57.
59, 69, 74. 75. 76, 78, 79. 81, 85. 91. 96,
103, 106.
Crossbill, American, 9, 66, 76, 91.

White-winged, 27, 49, 68, 69, 73.
Crotalus horridus, 11.
Crotophaga ani, 83.

sulcirostris, 74.
Crow, 53, 66, 86, 88, 104.

Fish, 2, 19.
Cryptoglaux acadica acadica, 29, 43, 45, 73,

76, 85, 88, 95, 103.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 79-

Golden, 80.

Yellow-billed, 79.
Cuckoos, 13, 79. 80,
CuculidcE, 13.
CuculincB, 79.
Cuculus, 79-
Curlew, European, 55.

Hudsonian, 9, 61, 96, 97.

Jack. See Hudsonian.

Long-billed, 74, 95, II7-
Cyanocitta cristata cristata, 70, 88.

Dafila acuta, 3, 17, 35, 40, 47, 87, 114.

Dana, William S., 8.

Davis, William T., 20, 45, 57, 58.

Deer, White-tailed, 7.

Dendrocygne autumnalis, 74.

Dendroica astiva cestiva, 24, 67, 89.

ccsrulescens, 20, 67, 91.

castanea, 24, 92.

cerulea, 8, 12, 49, 54, 71, 91, 93, 102.
. coronata, 14, 24, 125.

discolor, 24, 72, 91, 95.

fusca, 92, 103.

magnolia, 97, 100, 103.

palmar urn hypochrysea, 3, 10, 19, 48,
85.

palmarum palmarum, 27, 48, 93, 96.

pensylvanica, 71, 89, 100.

tigrina, 24, 52, 59, 67, 92, 94, 96.

vigor si, 19.

virens, 20, 48, 72, 103.
Delacour, Jean, 55.
de Lagerberg, 13.
Denton, Myron P., 8, 96.
Diamonds, 109.
Diairopura, 13.

Dichromanassa rufescens, 100, 116.
Dickcissel, 53.

Didelphis virginiava virginiana, 20, 29, 37.
Dingo, 46.
Dinosaur, 112.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus, 22, 24, 60, 89.
Dove, Bermuda Ground, 66.-

Ground, 83, 84.

Mexican Ground, 119.

Mourning, 28, 47, 48, 73. 88, 103.
119.

White-fronted, 119.

White-fronted Ground, 74.

Zenida, 83.
Dovekie, 12, 36, 64.
Dowitcher, 50, 61, 87, 96, 102.

Long-billed, 117.
Dryobates villosus, 95-

scalaris bairdi, 122.
Duck, Black, 3, 75, 87, 94.

Harlequin, 17

Lesser Scaup, 17, ii4-

Ring-necked, 43, 85. 87.

Ruddy, 3, 6, 12, 17. 30, 64, 93. 102,
106, IIS-

Scaup, 93, 102.
Wood, 46, 75. 87, 91. 94.
Ducks, 61, 71.
Dumetella carolinensis, 10, 12, 28, 62, 64, 65,

69. 73. 76.
Dutcher, William, 16.
Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds,

55-
Dwight, Dr. Jonathan, 2, 6, 11, 15, 17, 30,
34, 39. 40, 72, 77. 78, 81, loi, no.
"The Metallic Colors of the Crack-
les," II.
"Notes on Geographical Distribu-
tion of Pattern in Gulls of the
World," 34-
"Plumages, Molts, Pattern and
Variations in the Kittiwakes
(Rissa tridactyla and Rissa brevi-
rostris)," 77.

Eagle, Bald, 4, 7. 44. 60, 73. 85, 94.

Eagles, Mexican, 121.

Eanes, W., 96.

Eastern Bird-Banding Association, 100.

Egret, American, 45, 53, 83, 87, 97. ii5-

Reddish, 100, 116.
Egrets, 10.
Eider, King, 12.
Elainea, Antillean, 82.
Elainea martinica martinica, 82.
Elanus leucurus, 120.
Elliott, Dr., 94. 107.
Ellsworth, Dr., 94.
Emerson, Alfred E., "Studies of British

Guiana Termites," 3»
Empidonax minimus, 88.

trailli ahiorum, 88.

virescens, 70, 100.
Epimys norvegicus, 84.
Ereunetes mauri, 102.

pusillus, 48, 87, 97.
Erismatura jamaicensis, 3, 6,.i2, 17, 30, 64,

93, 102, 106, 115.
Erolia ferruginea, 95.
EstrildincE, 13.
Euphagus carolinus, 7, 13, 83.

Falco columbarius columbarius, 88.

fusco-ccBrulescens, 121.

peregrinus anatiim, 2, 4, 51, 76, 88,
109.

sparverius, 81, 88, 121.
Falcon, Aplomado, 121.
Ferguson, Harry L., 95.
Finch, Purple, 9, 24, 69, 70, 72, 76, 77, 81,

104.
Finches, 83.

House, 105.
Fisher. G. Clyde, i, 4, 17, 37, 40, 43, 44, 81.

"With John Burroughs in His
Favorite Haunts," 21.

" Observations on Some of our Local
Mammals," 37.

"Photographing our Native Birds,"
44.
Flamingos, 100.
Fleischer, Edward, 50.
Flicker, Northern, 104, 123-
Florida carulea, 53, 85, 87, 96, J02.
Flycatcher, Acadian, 70, 72, 100.

Alder, 88.

Ash-throated, 106.

Crested, 70, 88.

Derby, 123.

Least, 88.

Olive-sided, 6, 96.

135 '

Scissor-tailed, 123.
Vermilion, 74, 75.
Flycatchers, 82.
Fox, Florida Gray, 37.

Red. 37.
Fraser, Louis, 60.
Fratercula arctica arctica, 27.

arctica graba, 55.
French League for the Protection of Birds,

55.
Fulica americana, 12, 17, 24, 32, 64, 71, 87,

116.
Friedman, Ralph, 14, 15, 18, 25, 33, 37, 48,

53. 63. 95.
Frost, Allen, 54, 84.

Gadwall, 43, 102, 114.

Gallinago delicata, 8, 13, 29, 44, 47, 52, 87,

117.
Gallinula galeala, 8, 20, 46, 66, 87, 96.
Gallinule, Florida, 8, 20, 46, 66, 87, 96.
Gannet, 27, 33, 47, 108.
Gannets, 18.

Garvan, Mrs. Francis, 72.
Gavia immer, 20.

stellate, 96.
Gentian, 42, 43.

Geococcyx calif ornianus , 75, 122.
Geocopromys Brownii, 18.
Geothlypis trichas trichas, 20, 45, 89.
Gladden, George, 2.
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 6, 7, 48, 53, 54. 7i.

126.
Goatsuckers, 123.
Godwit, Marbled, 8.
Golden-eye, American, 2, 53, 60, 85, 104.

Barrow's, 91.
Goldfinch, 81, 98, 104.

European, 67.
Goose, Blue, 75, 115.

Canada, 2, 9, 20, 25, 47, 75, 115.
Hutchins's, 75, 115.
Lesser Snow, 75, 87, 115.
White-fronted, 75.
Grackle, Bronzed, 11.

Great-tailed, 124.
Purple, II, 82, 86, 89, 104.
Grackles, 13, 106.

Granger, Walter, i, 2, 3, 6, 8, 15, 17, 19, no.
"Fossil Collecting in China and
Mongolia," in.
Grassquits, 83, 84.
Grebe, Horned, 19.
Little, s6.
Mexican, 74.

Pied-billed, 19, 40, 86, 96, 100.
Greenshanks, European, 36.
Gregory, Prof. W. K., "Notes on the
American Museum Australian
Expedition," 46.
"Human and Natural Designs," 98.
Grey, Viscount, 55.

Griscom, Ludlow, 1,2,3, 4. 5. 6-, 8, 9, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24,
26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 35, 40, 43, 45,
48. 50, 51, 52, 53. 54. 59. 62, 63,
64, 68, 72, 73. 74. 75, 76, 78, 79.
84, 85, 92, 93, 96, 102, 105.
"Notes on the Fauna and Flora of

New Foundland," 26.
" Birds of the Coastal Prairies of

Southeastern Texas," 73.
Notice of Publication of "Birds of
the New York City Region," 95.
Grosbeak, Evening, 2, 4, 73, 100.

Pine, 27, 29, 33, 49, 68, 102, 103.

Porto Rican, 83.

Rose-breasted, 89, 104.
Ground Squirrel, California, 106.
Grouse, Ruffed, 25, 71, 88, 93.
Grus americana, 75, 116.

mexicana, 75, 116.
Gudger, Dr. E. W., 104.
Guillemot, Black, 12, 17, 27, 52, 65, 108.
Guinea-fowl, 39.
Gull, Black-headed, 56.

Bonaparte's, 49, 54, 62, 68, 86, 108.

Franklin's, 34.

Common, 56.

Glaucous, 6, 17, 24, 29, 33, 34, 48, 91,
102.

Great Black-backed, 2, 6, 8, 34, 81,
86, 102.

Herring, 25, 26, 52, 59, 64, 86, 103,
108, 113.

Iceland, 27, 33. 34. 43. 44. 45. 48, 51,
64, 86, 100, 109.

Ivory. 34. 77.

Laughing, 24, 27, 74, 86, 100.

Ring-billed, 53. 64, 68, 85. 86.
Gulls. 71.
Gymnasio nudipes, 83.

Hcematopus ostralegus, 56.

Haliceetus leucocephalus leucocephalus, 4, 7,

60. 73. 85, 94.
Harelda hyemalis, 2, 93. 114.
Harrier. See Marsh Hawk.
Harrier. Marsh, 56.

Montagu's, 56.
Harvard Marine Biological Laboratorj', 66.
Hawk. Cooper's, 88.

Duck, 2, 4, 51, 76. 88, 109.

Ferruginous Rough-leg, 120.

Fish, 9, 19, 25, 88, 121,

Harris's, 120.

Marsh, 64, 88, 120.

Pigeon, 88.

Red-shouldered, 88, 104.

Red-tailed, 120.

Rough-legged, 2, 32, 88.

Sennett's White-tailed, 120.

Sharp-shinned, 88, 100.

Sparrow, 81, 88, 121.

Sparrow, European, 56.

Western Ferruginous Rough-leg, 75.
Hawks, 75.
Hawkins, Chauncey J., "Philosophical

Ornithology," 15.
Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi, 75, 125.
Helme, Arthur H., 100.
Helmitheros vermivorus, 72, 89, 94.
Helmuth. William T.. 95.
Helodromas solitarius, 46, 48. 75. 88.
Herodias egretta, 45. 53, 83, 87, 97, 115.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 14, 20, 49, 68,
73. 87, 116.

Great Blue. 20, 87.

Green, 20, 44, 87.

Little Blue, 53, 71, 85, 87, 96, 97. 102.

Purple. 56.

Ward's, 56.

Yellow-crowned Night. 53. 83, 87.
Herpeslris birmanicus, 84.
Hesperipkona vesper tina vespertina, 2, 4, 73,

100.
Himantopus mexicanus, 117.
Hirundo erytkrogastra, 20, 44.
Hislrionicus hislrionicus, 17.
Hix. George E., 2, 4, 6, 7. 25, 27, 30,33.36,
40, 47, 50, 51. 59. 63. 64, 76, 84, 93. 96,
109.

136

Holoquiscalus brachyplerus, 82.
Honey-bee, 41.

Honey Creeper, Porto Rican, 82, 84.
Howland, R. H., 18, 33. 40, 41. 46, 49, 59,
63, 6s, 69, 79. 81, 84, 94. 95. 97. 100, 106.
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 24, 88, 97-
Hummingbirds, 82, 105.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis , 8, 24, 54.

87. 93. 95.
Hyla andersoni, 58.

evansi, 109.
Hylocichla alicia alicia, 24, 48, 59.

alicicB bicknelU, 12.

fuscescens fuscescens, 48, 90, 91.

guttata pollasi, 12, 20, 24, 69. 76, 97.
126.

mustelina, 24, 89.
Hymenoplera, 3.
Hyphaniornis, 13.

Icteria virens virens, 9, 24, 49, 51. 72, 89, 96.
Icterus galbula, 89.

melanocephalus auduboni, 74-

portoricensis, 82.

spurius, 89.
Indian Pipe, 42.
Ingalls, L. D., 29.
Iridoprocne bicolor, 12, 13, 19. 85.
Iris, 42.
Isoptera, 3.
Ixobrychus exilis, 25, 51, 87, 96.

Jacana spinosa, 73.
Jacanas, 61, 73-
Jaeger, Parasitic, 27, 102.
Jameson, 60.

Janvrin, Dr. E. R. P., i, 2, 3. 6, 8, 10, 11, 12,
16, 17. 19, 25. 26, 28, 32, 37. 40, 45.
48, 51. 52, 69, 79. 81, 91, 94. 96,
104, 107. III.
Secretary's annual report, 16, 39-
Jay, Blue, 44, 70, 71. 72, 88, 104.

Green, 74, 124.
Jenks, Miss, 46.
Joepy weed, 43.

Johnson, J. M., 20, 24, 25, 29, 38, SL 65. 66,
85. 94. 96.
"Notes on Bermuda Birds," 66.
Johnston, Charles, 13. 14. 20, 22, 25, 27, 28,

32, 43, 48. 102.
Junco hyemalis, 24, 33, 34. 57. 69. 70, 124.
Junco, Slate-colored, 24, 33, 34. 57. 69, 70,

124.
Junior Auxiliaries of the Linnsean Society,
102.

Kangaroos, 107.
Kieran, John F., 6.
Killdeer, 75. 88, 118.
Kingbird, 4, 59. 91. 104-

Arkansas, 12.

Grav, 82.
Kingfisher, Belted, 65. 67, 88, 122.

Texas, 74. 122.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 3.

Ruby-crowned, 12, 45, 69. 100, 125,
Kite, White-tailed, 120.
Kittiwake, 10, 55, 77. 109.
Kleberg, Caesar, 113, 120.

Richard M., 113, 116, 121.
Klnot, 8, so. S4. 87, 96, 102.

Labiates, 42.

La Dow, S. v., 105.

Ladyslipper, 42, 43.

Lang, Herbert, 81.

"Termites of the Congo Region," 3.

"Notes on African Squirrels and the
General Distribution of the Sci-
uridse and their Economic Impor-
tance," 28.

"In the Interior of British Guiana,"
109.
Lanius borealis, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37, 40, 44,
45. 62.

ludovicianus excubitorides, 12s.

ludovicianus ludovicianus, 44.

ludovicianus migrans, 24, 2S. Si, 53-
Lanivirec solitarus solitarus, 19, S4-
Lark, Horned, 35. 60, 88.

Prairie Horned, 72, 88.
Larus argentatus, 25, 26, S2, 59. 64, 86, X03,
108, 113.

atricilla, 24, 27, 33, 74, 86, 100.

canus, 56.

delawarensis, 53, 64, 68, 85, 86.

dominicus, 35.

franklini, 34.

fuliginosus, 34.

glaucescens, 34.

heermanni, 34.

hyperboreus, 6, 17, 24, 29, 33, 48, 91,
102.

leucopterus, 27, 33, 43, 44, 45, 48, 51.
64, 86, 100, 109.

marinus, 2, 6, 8, 35, 86, 102.

modestus, 34.

Philadelphia, 49, 54, 62, 68, 86, 108.

ridibundus, 34, 56.
Laurel, Mountain, 43.
Leptotila fulviveniris brachyptera, 74, 119.
Limosa fedoa, 8.
Limpkin, 61.
Linaria, 42, 43.
Lincoln, F. C, 90.
Linden, American, 43.
Linnaeus, 13, 60.
Linnets, 105.
Litchfield, Gertrude, 21.
Lobipes lobatus, 25, 87, 93. 97.
Local Avifauna Committee, 32.
Local avifauna list, 49. 86.
Logopus welchi, 27.
Longspur, Lapland, 29, 32, 6s, 89.
Loon, 20.

Red-throated, 96.
Lophodytes cucullatus, 6, 17, 27, 37. 69, 85.
Lophortyx californica californica, 62.
Louisiana Gulf Coast Club, 10 1.
Lcxia curvirostra minor, 9, 66, 76, 91.

leucoptera, 27, 49, 73.
Loxigilla portoricensis, 83.
Lynx ruff us calif ornicus , 105.

Macrorhamphus griseus griseus, 50, 61, 87,
96, 102.

griseus scolopaceus, 117.
Mallard, 17. 43. 94. 97. ii3-
Mallow, Rose, 43.
Mandrake, 43.

Mareca americanus, 3, 4, 17, 25, 43, 85, 106,
114.

Penelope, 35, 108.
Marila affinis, 17, 114.

americana, 24, 87, 114.

collaris, 43, 85.

valisineria, 87, 108, 114.
Marmota monax monax, 37.
Marsupial, 46, 107, 109.
McAuliffe, Dr. Geo. B., 51.
McDermott, Cyril, 25.

137

Mcllhenny, Edward A., 99, loi.
McKenna, Hon. Reginald, 55-
Maitland, Robert L., 16.
Mapes, Mrs. Alice F., 21.
Marks, 33. 40, 60, 68, 79.
Martin. Purple, 44, 89. 96.
Mead, Mrs. C. W., 49, 93. 106.
Meadowlark, 33, 74, 104.

Western, 106, 124.
Medsger, O. P.. "Some Experiences with
Snakes and Turtles," 11.

"Wild Flowers and their Insect
Visitors," 41.

"Birds of the Catskill Mountains,"
103.
Megaquiscalus major macrourus, 124.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 2, 32, 33.

portoricensis, 83.
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia, 74.
Melospiza lincolni lincolni, 7, 22, 26, 45. 30.
93.

melodia, 33, 41, 66, 81, 85.
Mephitis occidentalis holzneri, 106.

Putida, 7.
Merganser, American, 4, 47, 91.

Hooded, 6, 17, 27, 37. 69. 85.
Mergus americanus, 4, 47, 91.
Micropalama himantopus, 102.
Milkweed, 42.
Miller, Charles W.. 96.

W. DeWitt, 3, 7. 17. 24, 27, 63.

"Possibilities in Local Field
Ornithology," 14.
Mills, Enos, 106.

Mimocichla ardosiacea portoricensis, 82.
Mimus polyglottos leucopterus, 105, 125.

polyglottos orpheus, 83.

polyglottos polyglottus, 24, 67, 89, 96,
102.
Mniotilla varia, 20, 89.
Mockingbird, 24, 67, 83, 89, 95. 102, 105.

Western, 125.
Moffat, R. D., 73.
Molothrus ater aier, 6, 17, 32, 33, 124.

obscurus, 124.
Momotida, 31.
Mongoose, 84.
Monkeys, 61.
Morris, L. V., 29.
Mouse, White-footed, 57, 106.
Mowbray, 68.
Munsie, H. K., 14.
MuridcB, 46.
Murphy, R. C, 9, I7. 40, 49-

" Notes on South American Booties,"
18.
Murres, 55.

Muscivora forficata, 123.
Myiarckus crinitus, 70, 88.

crinitus cinerascens, 106.
Myiochanes virens, 88, 124.

N annus hiemalis hiemalis, 12, 29.
National Association of Audubon Societies,

16.
National Research Council, 42.
Natrix sipedon sipedon, 11.
Nelson, E. W., 6, 38.
Neitton carolinense, 3, 17, 19, 25, 40, 47, 59,

85, 91, 102, 114.
New England Bird Banding Association, 81.
Nichols, Edward G., 25, 35, 63.

John T., I, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 16, 17,
28, 29, 32, 35, 36, 44, 46, 50,
57.63,65,69.72,73.78,85,
95, 96, 108, III.

"Shore Bird Migration

Notes," 9.
"Further Notes on the
Greater and Lesser Yellow-
legs," 36.
L. N., I, 2, 6, 8, 10, 17, 19, 24, 26, 29,
32, 35, 40, 41. 48, 49. 50, 52, 57. 63.
68, 73. 76, 81, 84, 95. 96, 99. lOO,
102, 107, 108.
Nightjar, 123.
Nighthawk, 88, 104.
Noble, G. Kingsley, 30, 40, 57. 63.

" Problems in the Study of our
Local Reptiles and Amphibians,"
30.
" Recent Observations on the Habits
of Local Frogs and Toads," 57.
Novak, Frank J., 77, 81.
Numenius americanus, 74, 95, 117.
arquatus, 55.
hudsonicus, 9, 61, 96.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 11, 12, 26, 32, 54,
73. 107.
White-breasted, 24, 45.
Nuttallornis borealis, 6, 96.
Nyctanassa violacea, 53, 83, 87.
Nyctea nyctea, 32, 33, 35. 37. 44. 60, 88.
Nycticorax nycticorax navius, 14, 20, 49, 68,

73. 87. 116.
Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli, 123.

Oceanites oceanictts, 87.
Oceanodroma leucorhoa, 26, 27, 108.
Odocoileus americanus, 7.
Oidemia americana, 60.
Old-squaw, 2, 93, 114.
Oporornis agilis, 22, 53.

formosus, 7, 22, 71, 93.

Philadelphia, 6, 26, 54, 102.
Oppossum, 20, 29, 37.
Oreoscoptes montanus, 125.
Oreotrochilus jamesoni, 61.
Oriole, Audubon's, 74.

Baltimore, 89, 104.

Orchard, 89.

Porto Rican, 82.
Ortalis vetula mccalli, 74, 118.
Otocous alpestris alpestris, 35, 60, 88.

alpestris praticola, 72, 88.
Otus asio asio, 29, 83, 88.
Oven-bird, 20, 22, 84, 89.
Overton, Dr. Frank, 58, 77.
Owl, Bare-legged, 83.

Barn, 29, 88, 91, 103, 121.

Barred, 73. 76, 88.

Burrowing, 105, 122.

European Long-eared, 36.

Long-eared, 20, 29, 45, 48, 60, 64, 68,
73. 76, 81, 88.

Saw-whet, 29, 43, 45, 73. 76, 85, 88,
95, 103.

Screech, 29, 83, 88.

Short-eared, 22, 29, 50, 53. 88, 93, 96,
97, 102, 121.

Snowy, 32, 33, 35, 37, 44. 60, 88.

Texas Barred, 121.

Western Horned, 121.
Oxyechus vociferus, 75, 88, 118.
Oyster-catcher (European), 56.

Pagophila alba, 77.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 9, 19, 25, 88,

121.
Pangburn, Clifford H., 38, 45, 62, 64, 65, 69.

73. 76, 79. 81, 82, 85. 91. 93. 94. 95.

103.

138

"A Few Days in Porto R.ico," 82
Parahuteo unicinctus harrisi, 120.
Parauque, 74-

Merrill's, 123.
Parker, John M., 99.
Parrot, Porto Rican, 83.
Passer domesticus, 67-
Passerculus princeps, 65.

sandwichensis savanna, 20, 29, 51, 64,

73. 89, 94. 108, 124.
Passerella tliaca iliaca, 14, 15, 28, 37. 47. 63,

68, 73. 81, 98, 107.
Passerherbulus caudacuius, 11, 33, 52, 89.

henslowi, 25, 98.

maritimus marilimus, 11, 52, 89, 94.

nelsoni suhvirgatus, 50, 96.
Passerina cyanea, 24.
Pearson, T. Gilbert. 17. 23, 25. 40. 55. 72,

74, 76, 79, 81, 99. loi. III.
"Notes on Some of the Gulf Coast

Bird Colonies," 10.
"The Fight for the National

Parks," 16.
"The Impressions of a Bird Lover in

Europe," 55.
"Rambles of a Bird Protectionist in

Europe," 100.
"Notes on the Winter Bird Life of
Southeastern Texas," ii3-
Pelecanus californicus, 106.

erythrorhynchus, 10, 74, 113-
occidentalis, 74, 83.
Pelican, BrowTi, 74. 83. 106.

White, 10, 74, 113-
Pelidna alpina sakhalina, 48, 50, 51, 87.
Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus, 10, 24,

33, 64, 89, 106.
Peromyscus leucopus, 50.

maniculatus dubius, 106.
Petrel, Leach's, 26, 27, 108.
Petrel, Scaled, 68.

Wilson's, 87.
Pelrochelidon lunifrons luniftons, 89.
Pewee, Wood-, 88, 104, 124.
Phaethon athereus, 68.
americanus, 67.
Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus, 106.
auritus aurilus, 64, 102, 107.
auritus fioridanus, 44.
carbo, 96, 108.
vigua mexicanus, 74, ii3'
Phalangers, 107.
Phalarope, Northern, 25, 87, 93. 97.

Wilson's, 8.
. Pheasant, 88.
Philhower, Charles A., 65.
Philipp, P. Bernard, "Note? on New

Brunswick Nesting Birds," 92.
Philohela minor, 2, 28, 43, 87. 94. 97-
Philomachus pugnax, 56.
Phlceotomus pileatus abieticola, 29, 92, 94. 95.

103, 107.
Phcebe! 2, 103, 104, 123.

Say's, 123.
Phoenicopterus ruber, 100.
Picoides arcticus, 92, 103. 105-
Pigeon, White-crowned, 83.
Piniccla enucleator leucura, 27, 29, 33. 49. 68,

102.
Pintail, 3. I7. 35. 40. 47. 48. 87. 114-
Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus,
19, 20, 62, 63. 65, 69, 89, 106.
. Pipit, 17. 24, 37. 49. 50.
Meadow, 80.
Sprague's, 74-
Piranga erythromelas, 89.

Pisobia bairdi, 53, 54, 95, 102,

fuscicoUis, 51, 94, 102.

maculata, 22, 50, 87, 97.

minuiilla, 8, 87. 94. 97. 117-
Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus, 123.
Planesticus migratorius, 33, 103, 126.
Plant, Miss Caroline, 51.
Platalea leuco, 56.
Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis, 9, 28, 32, 33,

64, 89.
Plocina, 13.

Plover, Black-bellied, 8, 28, 61, 67. 88, 93.
117.

Golden, 27, 67, 88, 97, 98.

Kentish, 56.

Mountain, 118.

Piping, 24.

Semipalmated, 27, 88, 94, 97.

Upland, S3. 88.
Podasocys montanus, 118.
Podiceps ruficoUis, 56.
Podilymbus podiceps, 19, 40, 86, 96, 100.
Pclioptila carulea ccerulea, 6, 7, 48, 53, 71,

126.
Polyborus cheriway, 121.
Polygaba, 42, 43.
Pocecetes gramineus gramineus, 19, 32, 72, 73,

89.
Porzana Carolina, 25, 87.
Primrose, Evening, 43.
Procyon lotor californicus, 106.

lotor lotor, 37.
Progne subis subis, 44, 89, 96.
Protonctaria citrea, 93.
Ptarmigan, Welch's, 27.
Pteranodon, 7.
Puffin, 27, 55.
Puffinus borealis, 8.

gravis, 93.

therminieri, 68.

puffinus, 68.
Pyrenestes, 38.

Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus, 74.
Pyrrherodia purpurea, 56.
Pyrrhuloxia sinuala texana, 125.

Texas, 125.
Pygochelidon, 31.

Quail, California, 62.
Querquedula cyanoptera, 114.

discors, 43, 47, 87.
Quiscalus quiscala ceneus, 11.

quiscala quiscala, 11, 82, 86, 89'

quiscala aglceus, 11.

Raccoon, 37, 106.
Rail, Clapper, 87.

King, 22, 87.

Little Black, 6, 51.

Virginia, 20, 87.

Yellow, 8, 87.
Rallus crepitayis, 87.

elegans, 22, 87.

virginianus, 20, 87.
Rana catesbiana, 58.
Raspberry, Purple-flowering, 42.
Rat, Common, 84.
Rattlesnake, 11.
Raven, H. C, 46, 107.

"Australian Marsupials and their
Environment," I07-
Raven, Northern, 27, 52, 65, 108.
Recurvirostra americana, 116.

avosetta, 56.
Red-head, 24, 87. ii4-
Redpoll, 33. 73. 76, 108.

139

Redshank?, Dusky, 36.

European, 36, 56.
Redstart, 84, 89.
Redwing, Vera Cruz, 124.
Regulus calendula, 12, 45, 69, 100, 125.

satrapa, 3.
Rhinedon iypus, 104.
Rich, Miss M. C, 49.
Riparia, 89, 97.
Rissa brevirostris, 77.

tridactyla iridactyla, 10, 55, 77i 109.
Road-runner, 75, 122.
Robin, Z3^ 103, 104, 126.
Rogers, Charles, i, 2, 3, 4, 7. 8, 20, 40, 64.
Roosevelt, Franklin D., 54.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,

55.
Ruby, Mary K., 21.
Ruff. 56.
Rynchops nigra, 113.

. Samek, Blanche, 21, 48.
Sand Eel, 37.
Sanderling, 87.
Sandpiper, Baird's, 53, 54, 97, 102.

Buff -breasted, 95.

Curlew, 95.

Least, 8, 87, 94, 97, 117.

Marsh, 36.

Pectoral, 22, 50, 87, 97.

Purple, 27, 48, 60.

Red-backed, 48, 50, 51. 87.

Semipalmated, 48, 87, 97.

Solitary, 46, 48, 75. 88.

Spotted, 46, 67, 87.

Stilt, 102.

Western, 102.

White-rumped, 51, 94, 102.
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 29, 32, 33, 49.

103.
Sayornis phcebe, 2, 103, 123.

sayiis, 123.
Scaphicpus holbrookii, 58.
Schmidt, Karl P., 16.
SciuridcB, 28.

Sciurus carolinensis leucotis, 37.
Sclater, Dr., 60.
Scoter, American, 60.
Sea-lions, 106.
Seed-eater, Sharpe's, 74.
Seiurus aurocapilliis, 20, 22, 84, 89.

noveboracensis noveboracensis, 24.

motacilla, 20, 71, 89.
Shark, Whale, 104.
Shearwater, Audubon's, 68.

Cory's, 8.

Greater, 93.

Manx, 68.
Shoveller, 2, 19, 40, 46, 47, 85, 114.
Shrew, Common, 4.
Shrike, Migrant, 24, 25, 51. S3-

Loggerhead, 44.

Northern, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33. 37. 40.
44, 45. 62.

White-rumped, 125.
Sialia sialis, 2, 35, 66, 90.
Siskin. Pine, 7, 30, 54, 64, 94. 98.
Sitta canadensis, 11, 12, 26, 32, 54, 73, 107.

carolinensis carolinensis, 24, 45.
Skimmer, Black, 113.
Skunk, 7, 106.
Skunk Cabbage, 41.
Smith, Dr. Andrew,

Mrs. H. W., 49, 59. 103.
Snake, Water, 11.
Snipe, Wilson's, 8, 13, 29, 44, 47, 52, 87, 117.

Solomon's Seal, 43.

Somateria spectabilis, 12.

Sora, 25, 87.

Sorax personatus, 4.

Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed, 50, 96.

Baird's, 95.

Black-throated, 125.

Chipping, 17, 20, 89.

Clay-colored, 124.

Field, 72.

Fox, 14, 15, 28, 37. 47. 63, 64, 68, 73.
81, 98, 107.

Gambell's, 106.

Grasshopper, 22, 89.

Henslow's, 25, 98.

House, 67, 104.

Ipswich, 65.

Java, 13.

Lincoln's, 7. 22, 26, 45. 50, 93-

Savannah, 20, 29. 51. 52, 53. 64, 65.
73. 89. 94. 108, 124.

Seaside. 11, 52, 89. 94-

Sharp-tailed, 11, 33. 52, 89.

Song, 33, 41, 66, 81, 85, 104.

Texas, 74.

Tree, 63, 66, 70, 91. 98, 103.

Vesper, 19, 33. 72, 73. 89.

W^estern Field, 124.

White-crowned, 7. 48, 49. 50. 93. 94.
96, 124.

White-throated, 33. 63. 95. I07-
Spatula clypeata, 2, 19, 40, 46, 47, 85, 114.
Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea, 105, 122.
Sphyrapicus varius varius, 29, 32, 33, 49,

103.
Spindalis, Porto Rican, 83.
Spindalis porloricensis, 83.
Spingarn, Edward, 107.
Spinus pinus, 7, 30, 54, 64, 94, 98.
Spiza americana, 53.

Spizella monticola monticola, 66, 70, 91, 98,
103.

pallida, 124.

passerina passerina, 17, 20, 89.

pusilla arenacea, 124.

Pusilla pusilla, 72.
Spoonbill, 56.

Sporopkila morelleti sharpei, 7*4.
Squatarola squatarola, 8, 28, 61, 67, 88, 93,

117.
Squirrel (African), 28.

Gray, 37.
Starling, 88, 104.
Steganopus tricolor, 8.
Stegajiura, 38.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 46.
Stercorarius parasiticus, 27, 102.
Sterna, 74.

ancetheta, 83.

antillarum, 6, 25, 51, 102.

caspia, 5.

dougalli, S3, 102.

fosteri, 95, 113.

hirundo, 26, 48, 53, 61, 87.

maxima, 113.

paradisea, 52, 65, 108.

sandwicensis, 56.
Stewart, James B., 95.
Stilt, Black necked, 117.
Storks, White, 56.
Strix varia albogilva, 121.

varia varia, 73, 76.
Sturnella, 74.

magna, 33.

neglecta, 106, 124.
Sturnus vulgaris, 88.

140

Sula bassana, 27, 33, 47, 108.

cyanops, 18.

leucogastra, 18.

nabauyii, 18.

piscator, 18.

variegata, 18.
Sulida, 18.
Swallow, Bank, 89, 97-

Barn, 20, 44, 104.

Cliff, 89.

Rough- winged, 46.

Tree, 12, 13, 19. 85. 104.
Swift, Chimney, 20, 46, 104.

Tamias striatus, 7.
Tanager, Scarlet, 89, 104.
Taylor. Irving K., 84.
Teal, Blue-winged, 43, 47. 87.

Cinnamon, 114.

Green-winged, 3. i7, I9. 25. 40. 47.
59, 85, 91. 102, 114.
Telmatodyles palustris palustris, 52, 63, 89-
Termites, 3.
Tern, Arctic, 52, 65. 108.

Black, 8, 24, 54, 87. 93. 94. 93-

Bridled, 83.

Caspian, 5.

Common, 26, 48, 53^ 61, 87.

Foster's, 95, 113.

Least, 6, 25, 51. 102.

Roseate, 53. 102.

Royal, 113.

Sandwich, 56.
Terrapene Carolina, 11.
Thistle, 43.
Thrasher, Brown, 12, 20, 46, 69, 70, 73. 89-

Curved-billed, 125.

Sage, 125.

Sennett's, 125.
Thrush. Bicknell's. 12.

Gray-cheeked. 48. 59.

Hermit. 12. 20. 24. 69. 76, 97. 126.

Porto Rican, 82.

Wilson's. 48. 90. 91. 104-

Wood, 24, 89. 104.
Thryothorus hewickt bewicki, 71.

bewicki cry plus, 125.

ludovicianus ludovicianus, 14, 18, 73,
89, 97. 100, 106.
Titmouse, Black-crested. 125.

Tufted. 71. 72. 89.
Toad, Spade-foot, 58.
Todus mexicanus, 83.
Tody, Porto Rican, 83.

Totanus flavipes, 4, 6, 8, 36, 60. 87, 93. 97.
117.

fuscus, 36.

melanoleucus , 20, 36, 44, 87, 97. II7'

nebularia, 36.

stagnatilis, 36.

loianus, 36, 56.
Torrey Botanical Club, 23, 94.
Tower. Miss Marj*. 91.

Ralph W., 8.
Towhee. 19. 20. 62. 63, 65. 69. 89. 104, 106.
Toxostoma curvirosire curvirostre, 125.

longirostre sennetti, 125.

rufum, 12, 20. 46, 69, 89.
Tree-duck, Black- bellied, 74-
Tree-frog. Anderson's, 58.
Tree-toad, 109.
Triceratops, 112.
Trillium, 41. 43.

Tringa canutus, 8. 50, 54. 87. 96, 102.
Troglodytes aedon aedon, 20, 46, 97.
Tropic Bird. Red-billed, 68.

Yellow-billed, 67.
Tryngites subruficollis, 95.
Tucker. Mrs. Caril, 72.
Tulip-tree. 43.
Turkey, Rio Grande, 118.

Wild, 74.
Turnstone, Ruddy, 60.
Turtle, Box, 11.

Snapping, 11.
Tyr annus dominicensis, 82.

tyrannus, 4. 59. 91.

verticalis, 12.

U. S. Biological Survey. 6, 38, 57. 59. 90, 91-

Uria iroille, 55.

Urner, Charles A., 17, 22, 26, 27. 29. 32, 33.

35. 37. 40. 44. 46. 48. 50. 53. 63. 64,

66, 68. 81, 85. 86. 93, 97. 102, 103,

106, 107, 108, III.
"Field Notes from Elizabeth, New

Jersey," 85.
Urocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus, 37.

Van Dyne, W. C, 17. 43-

Verdin, 75.

Vermivora celata celata, 94, 125.

chrysoptera, 22, 47, 48, 50, 71.

lawrencei, 7.

peregrina, 26. 48. 52, 92, 94, 96.

pinus, 47, 71. 89. 91-

pinus X chrysoptera, 51, 93.

rubricapilla, 4, 24.
Vidur, 13.
Vireo, Blue-headed, 19. 54-

griseus bermudianus, 66.

griseus griseus, 71, 89.

Jamaican, 83.

White-eyed, 71. 72, 89.

White-eyed (Bermuda), 66.
Vireosylva calidris calidris, 83.

gilva gilva, 72, 89.

olivacea, 49.

philadelphica, 24, 54. 96, 102.
Vulpes fulva, 37.
Vulture, Black, 119.

Turkey, 20, 45, 84. 88, 93. II9. 120.

Walsh. Lester, 8.

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 24, 92.

Black-and-white, 20, 89.

Blackburnian, 92. 103.

Black-throated Blue, 20, 67, 9i-

Black-throated Green, 20, 48, 72,
103.

Blue-winged, 71. 89, 91.

Brewster's, 47.

Canadian, 25, 47, 48, 100.

Cape May, 24, 52. 59. 67, 92, 94. 96.

Cerulean, 8. 12. 49, 54, 71, 91. 93.
102.

Chestnut-sided, 71. 72, 89, 100.

Connecticut, 22, 53.

Golden-winged, 22, 48, 50, 71.

Hooded, 71. 89.

Kentucky, 7. 22, 71, 93-

Lawrence. 7. 93-

Magnolia, 48, 97. 100, 103.

Mourning, 6, 26. 54. 102.

Myrtle, 14, 24, 125.

Nashville. 4. 24.

Orange-crowned, 94. 125-

Palm, 27, 48, 52. 93, 96.

Parula, 48.

Pine, 19.

Prairie, 24, 72, 91. 95-

Prothonotary, 93.

141

Tennessee, 26, 48, 52, 92, 94. 96, 97-

Worm-eating, 72, 89, 94.

Yellow, 24, 67, 89, 104.

Yellow-palm, 3, 10, 19, 48, 85.
Water-thrush, Louisiana, 20, 71, 89.
Watson, F. E., 109.
Waxbills, 13.

Waxwing, Cedar, 64, 68, 89, 104, 125.
Weaver-birds, 13, 80.
Weaver-finch, 38.

Weber, J. A., 8, 9, 12, 14, 35. 60, 68, 73. I05-
Wells Bird Reservation, 100.
Whales, 108.

Wheeler, Dr. C. W. B., 104.
Whip-poor-will, 88, 97, 123.
White, Gilbert, 55-
Whydah, Paradise, 38.
Whydahs, 13.
Widgeon, European, 35, 108.

Red-bellied, 74.
Widow-birds, 13.
Wiegman, W. H., 4.
Wild Cat, 105.
Wild Geranium, 42.
Wild Flower Preservation Society of

America, 29-
Willet, 25, 54. 61, 88, 95. 96.

Western, 117.
Williams, L. O., 9, 11, 15. 27, 28, 29,32,40,
62, 91, 93.

R. S.,41.
Wilsonia canadensis, 25, 47, 100.

citrina, 71, 89.
Wombats, 107.
Woodchuck, 37.
Woodcock, 2, 28, 43, 87, 94. 97-
Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed, 92, 103,
105.

Downy, 104.

Golden-fronted, 122.

Hairy, 95, 104,

Northern Pileated, 29, 92, 94, 95,
103, 107.

Porto Rican, 83.

Red-bellied, 71. 72, 122.

Red-headed, 2, 32, 33, 88.

Texas, 122.
Woodruff, Lewis B., i, 57.
Woodward, Miss L. E., 51, 93.
Wren, Bewick's, 71.

Cactus, 75. 125.

Carolina, 14, 17. 73. 89, 97, 100, 106.

House, 20, 46, 97.

Long-billed Marsh, 52, 63, 89.

Short-billed Marsh, 52, 97.

Texas, 125.

Winter, 12, 29.
World Committee for the Protection of
Birds, 55.

Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens, 74, 124.

Yellow-legs, Greater, 20, 36, 44, 87, 97. 117.

Lesser, 4, 6, 8, 36, 60, 87, 93, 97. ii7-
Yellowstone National Park, 10.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 45, 89-

Northern, 20.
Yerkes, Prof., 57-

Zalophus calif or nianus, 106.

Zamelodia ludoviciana, 89.

Zenaida zenaida lucida, 83.

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis, 28, 47, 73i

88, 103, 119.
Zonotrichia albicollis, 33, 63, 95. 107.
leucophrys gambeli, 106.
leucophrys leucophrys, 7, 48, 50, 93,
96, 124.

1925-1926 Nos. 37, 38

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March 23, 1926

CONTAINING

The Observations of the Late Eugene P. Bicknell
at Riverdale, New York City, Fifty Years Ago

By Ludlow Griscom

A Detailed Report on the Bird Life of
the Greater Bronx Region

By John F. Kuerzi

Birds of Prospect Park, Brooklyn

By Lester L. Walsh

Constitution and By-Laws of Linnaean
Society of New York

Date of Issue, May 15, 1927

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN^AN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK
FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING ^lARCH 23, 1926

The present Abstract closes volumes 37 and 38 of the Proceedings
of the Society, and is prepared mainly as a brief review of the work
of the Society during the two years preceding the date indicated above.
The great increase in field work by members in recent years has made
it necessary to eliminate an account of most of the more formal busi-
ness transacted by the Society, and to print only the records of more
general or special interest.

March 2j, 1924. — Seventeen members and thirty-one guests.

Mr. Hix reported among birds seen at Pelham Park on March
8th, a female Canvasback (Marila valisineria) , and 10,000 Scaup
(Marila sp.f) ; at Long Beach Alarch 19th, a full plumaged Horned
Grebe {Colymbiis auritus) among 40 seen; on March 23rd in the
Englewood region a Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-
johannis), and a Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginiamis).

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a Cardinal (Cardinalis c. cardinalis)
at Scarsdale on March loth.

Mr. Nathan reported a strange bird in City Hall Park which Mr.
Rogers had also seen and identified as a European Chaffinch (Fringilla
coelebs), undoubtedly an escape. Mr. Nathan also reported a Ruddy
Duck (Brisriiatura jamaicensis) , and two Bonaparte's Gulls {Larus
Philadelphia) on New York Bay, February 2nd.

fMr. H. E. Riggenbach in Central Park had seen six Bluebirds
(Sialia s. sialis) on March 19th and a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza
georgiana) March 25th.

Mr. Urner reported Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) still present

S

on Newark Bay on March 22nd, the species having been seen there
regularly since late January.

^Ir. C. H. Rogers of Princeton University then entertained the
Society with an interesting account of a collecting trip with Dr. Chapin
during the summer of 1923, through parts of Haiti, the Panama Canal
Zone and to Galera Island, one of the Pearl group. He described a
number of birds of this region, supplementing his remarks with many
excellent slides, representing his own and Dr. Chapin's photography.
On Galera Island an extensive bird colony was visited. Boobies (Sula
etesiaca) and ]\Ian-o-war-birds (Fregafa aquila) made up the bulk
of the avifauna.

April 8, ip2^. — Eighteen members and thirteen guests.

Mr. Hix reported fifty Pintails (Dafila acuta), twenty-five Golden-
eyes (Clangitla c. americana), and two Great Blue Herons (Ardea h.
herodias), among birds seen on Overpeck Creek, March 30th. Among
birds seen at Long Beach, April 2nd, 2,100 Red-breasted Alergansers
(Mergiis serrator) and six Piping Plover (^gialitis meloda). Ducks
he found abundant.

Air. Pangburn reported a Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus)
in Bronx Park January ist, and a Long-billed ]\Iarsh Wren (Telmato-
dytes p. palustris) on April 6th.

Mr. Carter reported two new first records from the Boonton
Resen^oir on April 6th, two Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria) and
thirty-seven Snow Geese, the latter presumably Greaters (Chen h.
nivalis), seen on a trip with Mr. F. E. Watson.

Mr. Marks reported a Chipping Sparrow (Spizella p. passerina)
March 30th from Arlington, N. J.

Mr. J. T. Nichols for J. H. Baker reported a Barred Owl (Strix
V. varia) in Central Park on April 6th and a Horned Grebe (Colymbus
auritiis) on the Central Park Reservoir February loth.

'Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a white gull, probably a Glaucous
(Lanis hyperhoreus), on Eastchester Bay, jNIarch 31st with three uni-
formly colored immature birds of same size ; also a Great Black-backed
Gull (Lams marinus), same locality, same date, a new late record for
that region, and twenty Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria), also a new
late Bronx record.

The paper of the evening was by President J. T. Nichols who
took up for consideration the question of extending the field work in
the New York City region by compiling data to determine increases

-3 i

or decreases of bird population from year to year, and to increase
our knowledge of the bird life of the least known districts. Among
other points he suggested (i) a census of spring transients for each
member's chosen section, covering roughly the period March 15th to
June ist; (2) a census of summer residents (starred when actually
found breeding) June ist to July 15th; (3) south bound transients
July 15th to December ist; (4) wintering birds, December ist to
March 15th.

April 22, 192^. — Nineteen members and twenty-two guests.

The following new members were elected : Professor Will. S.
Monroe, Montclair, N. J.; Mr. Roy Curtiss, New York City; Mr. W.
D. Holgate, New York City; Mrs. Rena H. Holgate, New York City.

Mr. Capen reported in Central Park two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
(Polioptila c. ccerulea) on April 20th and Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius p. phmiiceus) April 2nd.

Mr. Crosby reported a Carolina Wren (Thyrothoriis I. hidovi-
cianus) at Barrytown, N. Y., March 4th. Migration was generally
late, though he recorded a Rough-winged Swallow {Stelgidopteryx
serripennis) April 14th and three Ring-necked Ducks {Mania collaris)
at Kruger's Island, April 5th.

Among the Central Park records submitted by the Junior Branch
of the Society were Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens),
April 19th, one Tree Swallow {Iridoprocne hicolor), April 15th, two
Vesper Sparrows {Pocecetes g. gramineus) April nth.

Mr. Nathan found a Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serri-
pennis) in Bronx Park, April 12th.

Air. L. N. Nichols reported a Black and W^hite Warbler (Mniotilta
varia) in Bronx Park, April 13th and 14th, the earliest records for
the New York Region.

Mr. Helmuth reported a Little Blue Heron (Florida ccerulea),
April 2 1 St, and Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) at Easthampton,
Long Island, April 20th.

Among the birds seen at Long Beach, April 13th, by Mr. Hix were
160 Double-crested Cormorants {Phalacrocorax a. auritus) in a single
flock, and a Glaucous Gull {Lams hyperboreus).

Mr. Carter, with Mr. Rowland and ]\Ir. Cleaves, reported a flock
of Bonaparte's Gulls (Larus Philadelphia) and a Coot (Fulica arneri-
cana) on the Boonton, N. J., Reservoir, April 19th, both new records
for the region. With Mr. Urner at Barnegat, April 13th, he had seen

63 species including an albino Brant (Branta h. glaucogastra), an
American Egret (Herodias egretta), a Kittiwake (Rissa t, tridactyla),
two large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax a.
auritus), a white gull, which on the basis of size comparison with a
Herring Gull, was identified as an Iceland (Larus leucopterus), and
a Raven (Corvus c. principalis) , the latter bird seen to good advantage
in direct comparison with an attacking crow, its characteristic flight
and wedge-shaped tail being noted. Flocks of migrating Canada Geese
{Branta c. canadensis) left the bay taking a north-easterly direction
over the ocean, evidently bound for the easterly end of Long Island.
The remainder of the evening was devoted to a discussion of
progress in bird banding, led by Mr. Howard H. Cleaves.

May i^, 1924. — Nineteen members and sixty-five guests.

Mr. Williams reported a Chestnut-sided (Dendroica pensylvanica)
and Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) at Englewood, N. J., on May
3rd — new early records for that locality.

Dr. Janvrin reported one late Englewood record — an Old-squaw
(Harclda hyemalis) on Overpeck Creek, April 27th, and a Yellow
Warbler (Dendroica cb. cestiva) in the Bronx on May 3rd — early for
that locality.

New early locality records reported by Mr. Hix were : for Engle-
wood, Black-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus erythrophthalmus), May 3rd;
for Bronx Park, Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina), May loth.
He also reported a Pigeon Hawk {Falco c. columbarius) at Long
Beach, May 4th, and a Mourning Dove {Zenaidura m. carolinensis)
in Central Park, May 13th.

The Junior Branch of the Society reported a Whip-poor-will
{Antrostomus v. vociferus) and Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus) in
Central Park, May 3rd and 13th respectively.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported a number of new early locality records
as follows :

Englewood, N. J., Whip-poor-will {Antrostomus v. vociferus),
April 27th; Van Cortlandt Park, Redstart {Setophaga ruticilla) and
Spotted Sandpiper {Actitis macularia), April 28th; Bronx, Kingbird
{7^ yr annus tyr annus), May 2nd (earliest for locality since 1879) ;
Rose-breasted Grosbeak {Zamelodia ludoviciana) , May 5th; Scarlet
Tanager {Piranga erythromelas), and Nashville Warbler {Vermivora r.
rubric apil la), May 6th. Mr. Nichols also reported two late locality
records: Eastchester Bay, Hermit Thursh {Hylocichla g. pallasi), May

5th; Bronx, Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus s. satrapa), May 2nd.

Mr. Urner reported a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila c. ccer-
ulea) at Elizabeth, N. J., May nth. With Mr. Crosby at Brick-yard
Swamp near Poughkeepsie a Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata) had
been heard calling and towering on April 26th.

Mr. Matuszewski sent a report of an Indigo Bunting {Passerina
cyanea) in Bronx Park, April 30th.

The Society and guests were entertained by William C. Wheeler
who gave excellent imitations of a large number of calls and songs of
our commoner native birds.

May 2/, IQ24. — Eighteen members and twenty-two guests.

Dr. Frank R. Oastler of 170 West 59th Street, New York City,
was elected a member of the Society.

Messrs. L. O. Williams and F. E. Smith reported a Northern
Phalarope (Lobipes lobatus) found dead at Long Beach, May 25th.

]\Iessrs. F. T. Smith and William T. Helmuth reported a Gray-
cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla a. alicice) at Central Park, May 6th, a
new early locality record.

Air. J. H. Baker reported a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archi-
lochiis cohibris) at Long Beach, May 25th, and on May i8th, with Mr.
Carter at Boonton, two Turkey Vultures (Cathartes a. septentrionalis)
and one Bald Eagle (Haliceetus I. leucocephalus).

Mr. L. N. Nichols at Long Beach, Alay 26th, had seen large num-
bers of shore birds, among them three Dowitchers (Macrorhamphus g.
grisens), forty Knots (Tringa canutus), twenty Red-backed Sand-
pipers {Pelidna a. saklialina), one Western Sandpiper (Breiinetes
mauri), one hundred and sixty Black-bellied Plover (Squafarola
squatarola) and two hundred Turnstones (Arenaria i. iiiorinella).

Mr. Marks reported a Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes
erythrocephahis) at Arlington, N. J., May i8th.

The Junior Branch of the Society reported a Ruby-crowned King-
let (Regnhis c. calendula) from Central Park, May 23rd, a new late
locality record.

Mr. M. S. Crosby reported the following records from Dutchess
County: Cerulean Warblers (Dcndroica ceritlea) as common as pre-
vious year; a Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) at Pine Plains,
May i8th; a female Bufflehead (Charitonetta albeola) at Annandale,
May 25th; a Sanderling (Calidris leucophcea) at Pine Plains, May
26th. He noted practically no migration between May 6th and May

25th but a large late flight May 25th and 26th, when flycatchers, espe-
cially Yellow-bellied {Empidonax flaviventris), all swallows and
thrushes were exceedingly common. He reported Double-crested Cor-
morants {Phalacrocorax a. auritus) on the Hudson, IMay 27th.

Mr. G. E. Hix confirmed the scarcity of land-bird migrants dur-
ing mid-AIay. At IVIillington, N. J., on May I7th-i8th he had found
them almost totally absent. He had also visited Long Beach on i\Iay
25th and reported large numbers of shore-birds, his records including
eleven species, among them the White-rumped Sandpiper (Pisobia
fuscicollis).

]\Irs. ]\Iead reported a CaroHna Wren (Thryothonis I. Iiido-
vicianns) at Bronx Park, May 25th.

. .Mr. John Matuszewski saw Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
and a Cedar Waxwing (Bornbycilla cedrorum) in the Bronx Region
on i>Iay ist. He stated that collectors from the New York Zoological
Park had told him that they were attempting to capture some of
the Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) which survive in a colony on
Hunters Island, and in the meadow in front of Pelham ^Mansion. It
was decided by the Society to address a memorandum to the Xew
York Zoological Society protesting against Bobolink trapping.

Mr. Plasbrouck read a list of birds seen by himself and ^Ir.
Cleaves in Putnam County on ^lay loth. He also reported a Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila c. cceridea) in Van Cortlandt Park,
April 27th.

Mr. Nathan reported from the Bronx a Black-throated Blue
Warbler (Dendroica c. ccerulescejis) on May ist, and a Hooded
Warbler {Wilso)iia citrina) on May 3rd.

Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi reported a female Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cuctillatiis) on Overpeck Creek, N. J., x\pril 5th, and a
male Golden-eye (Clangida americana) sam.e place, April 12th, a new
late locality record. From Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, they
reported two Cardinals (Cardinalis c. cardinalis) and two Purple
Martins {Prague s. subis) on April 21st and the same day along the
bay shore of the island a Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macidaria)
and a Laughing Gull {Lams atricilla), the latter a new early record for
the spring migration in the New York City Region.

At Van Cortlandt Park they recorded a Sora Rail {Porzana Car-
olina), April 22nd to May 3rd, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher {Polioptila c.
ccerulea), April 25th, and seven Least Sandpipers {Pisobia miniitilla)
below the Park on ]\Tay 3rd.

They reported Florida Gallinules {Galliniila galeata) in a swamp
at Hunts Point, ^lay 4th and in same locality a Lesser Yellow-leg
(Totamis flavipes), May 19th; thirty Bonaparte's Gulls {Lams Phila-
delphia), ]\Iay 4th, and one Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata) and
one Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), ^lay nth.

From Botanical Gardens, they reported Indigo Bunting (Pas-
serina cyanea) , April 30th; Cape ^lay W'arbler {Dendroica tigrina),
May 7th.

At Grassy Sprain Reservoir on ^lay 25th, a Brewster's A\'arbler
{Vermivora piniis X V. chrysoptera) and over Hillview Reservoir an
adult Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon I. litnifrons).

3klr. Urner had visited Barnegat Bay, May 25th, and contrasted
the relative scarcity of shore-birds there found with the large num-
bers reported from Long Beach on same day by ]\Iessrs. Hix and
Nichols.

October 14, 1924. — Xineteen members and twenty-three guests.

Messrs. Henry Crane Hasbrouck, John \\'. Ingle, Jr., and John
H. Baker were elected active members.

President J. T. Nichols spoke of the number of interesting activi-
ties of the Linnsean Society which have culminated outside the Society,
and he cited as recent instances ]\Ir. Griscom's book on ''Birds of the
New York City Region," issued by the ]\Iuseum, Mr. Griscom then
acting as chairman of the Society's Committee on Local Avifauna;
also the first bulletin of the Eastern Bird Banding Association, just
on the press.

The evening was devoted to the presentation of summer field notes
by members.

Mr. Hix in the Newton, N. J., marshes in June had found two
pairs of Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), two pairs of Sora Rail
{Porzav.a Carolina) and one pair of Black Ducks {Anas rubripes).
Both Long-billed {Telmatodytes p. pahistris) and Short-billed ]\Iarsh
Wren {Cistothoriis stellaris) were present. In the surrounding
country he found Bobolinks {Dolichonyx oryzivorns) increasing. He
had found all three species of scoters present all summer at Long
Beach, and on July 15th a Solitary Sandpiper {Helodromas s. soli-
tarius) and a Least Sandpiper {Pisobia minntilla). At Long Beach
August 17th, he had seen three Least Terns {Sterna antiUarum) and
on October 5th one Black Skimmer {Rynchops nigra) and an Acadian
Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Passerherbulus n. sitbvir gains). In the Dead

River Region (N. J.) he had seen two Henslow's Sparrows {Passerher-
bulus h. hensloui), October nth and on October 13th a Palm Warbler
(Dendroica p. palmarum) and Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septen-
irionalis).

Dr. Janvrin reported on a trip made June i, 1924, to Long Beach,
Long Island, with Messrs Ord Meyers and C. H. Rogers, one immature
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis), one Clapper Rail (Rallus c. crepi-
tans) on nest, one Knot (Tringa canutus), two Red-backed Sand-
pipers (Pelidna a. sakhalina) and fifteen Piping Plover {^gialitis
meloda), the nest of the latter being found at the Point. On June 8th
at Long Beach, he had seen the King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) y
presumably the same bird; also the Clapper Rail (Rallus c. crepitans)
on nest with eleven eggs.

Mr. Pangburn reported Brewster's Warblers (Vermivora pinus X
V. chrysoptera) at Chappaqua, W^estchester County, N. Y., and one
adult Lawrence's Warbler (Vermivora "lawrenci") with three young
which seemed to be typical Blue-winged Warblers (Vermivora pinus).
The other parent was not found. He reported the Hermit Thrush
(Hylocichla g. pallasi) nesting in Westchester County.

Mr. Crosby reported a Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) seen op-
posite Cornwall, X. Y. He also reported two new nesting records for
Dutchess County — Slate-colored Junco (Junco h. hyemalis) and
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) ; also nests of Hermit Thrush
(Hylocichla g. pallasi) and Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox)
found this year.

]Mr. Carter reported that a pair of Prothonotory Warblers (Pro-
tonotaria citrea) has been found nesting between Pine Brook and
North Caldwell, N. J., on June 30th, 1924, by Rev. W. D. Quattlebaum
of East Orange, and that he and Mr. Howland had visited the spot
July 5th. He succeeded in banding two young. The young were still
being fed July 9th.

Mr. Baker reported a Yellow Palm Warbler (Dendroica
palmarum hypochrysea) on September 13th in Bronx Botanical
Gardens. On September 14th on a pond near Englewood he reported
a female Golden-eye (Clangula c. americana) and at Long Beach, Octo-
ber 13th, with J. T. Nichols, a Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
and Pine Siskin (S pinus pinus), three Palm Warblers (Dendroica p.
palmarum) and one Piping Plover (JEgialitis meloda).

Mr. L. N. Nichols at Baychester Marshes had found on July 24th,
an x\lder Flycatcher (Bmpidonax trailli alnorum), adult and immature,

and an Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius), latter a new late Bronx
record. He referred to the large numbers of shore birds seen at
Hunts Point the past season, his August 4th list including 2 Stilt Sand-
pipers {Micropalama himantopus), 3 Willet (Catoptrophorus s. semi-
palmatiis) and one Turnstone (Areiiaria i. morinella). He had also,
seen on August 4th at Hunts Point a Red-headed Woodpecker (Melan-
erpes erythrocephalus) and Aligrant Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus:
migrans).

At Bronx Park, October 12th he reported an Olive-backed Thrush
(Hylocichla ustiilata swainsoni).

Mr. Hickey also reported a large number of interesting shore-bird
records for Hunts Point and among other records the occurrence there
the past summer of the Little Blue Heron (Florida ccerulea).

Mr. Frank E. Johnson read a list of birds observed by him at
Prince Edward Island in 1924. He reported the Golden Plover (Chara-
drius d. dorninictis) fairly abundant and increasing.

Mr. J. T. Nichols also referred to an increase of Golden Plover
(Charadrius d. dominiciis) this fall on Eastern Long Island.

Mr. Boulton reported on a trip made early in July to \"irginia with
Messrs. Griscom, Weber and Urner. Messrs. Griscom and Weber
had visited the Dismal Swamp and collected the Swainson's Warbler
(Helinaia szvainsoni). At Cobb's Island and vicinity the party had
found Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri) well established on the inner
marshes and on the outer islands breeding Gull-billed Terns (Gelocheli-
don nilotica), Least Terns (Sterna antiUarum) and Common Terns
(Sterna hirundo), large colonies of Black Skimmers (Rynchops nigra)
and about ten pairs of Oyster-catchers (Hcematopus palliatns), three
or four pairs of Willet (Catoptrophorns s. semipalmatus) and one pair
of Wilson's Plover (Ochthodromiis wilsoniiis) .

At Jones Beach, Long Island, August 2nd and 3rd, he reported
Cory's Shearwater (Puffinus horealis) and Pomarine Jaeger (Ster-
corarius pomarinus) .

Mr. Urner reported from Elizabeth,' N. J., one Roseate Tern
(Sterna dougalli), September 2ist^ and eight Double-crested Cormor-
ants (Phalacrocorax a. auritns) , October nth, two new locality
records; Little Blue Herons (Florida ccerulea), August 7th to Septem-
ber 3rd; Upland Plover (Bartramia longicauda), August 14th to Sep-
tember 3rd; Golden Plover (Charadrius d. dominiciis) , more plentiful
from September 28th to October 3rd; maximum 24; Olive-sided Fly-
catcher (Nuttallornis horealis), August 29th, and two pairs of Hooded

10

Warblers {Wilsoiiia citrina) nesting near Milburn, N. J. He reported
a number of records from Barnegat Bay, N. J., and mentioned an enor-
mous aggregation of Monarch Butterflies on the outer strip of the Bay,
September 14th.

October 28, 1924. — Twenty-four members and twenty-six guests.

The following new members were elected :

Messrs. John Kuerzi, 978 Woodycrest Ave., New York; John
]\Iatuszewski, 136 West i6th St., New York; Bernard Nathan, 539
51st St., Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Joseph Hickey, 960 Hunters Point Ave.,
New York; Warren F. Eaton, 66 Worth St., New York; Mrs. ]\1. H.
Green, 234 Central Park West, New York ; and Roland Jackson
Hunter, 636 High St., Newark, N. J.

^Ir. Nathan, in the marsh at Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, the past
summer had found a large number of water birds : breeders were Vir-
ginia Rail (Rallus vivginianus), Sora {Porzana Carolina), Florida Gal-
linule {Gailimda galcata), American Coot (Fiilica americana) , Ameri-
can Bittern (Botaurus Icntiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus e.vilis),
Green Heron (Buforides v. virescens) and Black Duck {Anas rubri-
pes). He also reported a King Rail (Rallus elegans) but no nest
found; the Least Bittern as late as September 29, 1924. At Prospect
Park, Brooklyn, October 13th, he had seen a Carolina Wren (Thryo-
tJwrus I. ludovicaniis).

]\Irs. ]\Iead reported a Cowbird (Molotliriis a. ater) in Central
Park, October 8th.

:\Ir. Chubb had visited Plaattekill in the Catskills, October 17th-
20th, and had found Ruffed Grouse (Bo)iasa u. wnbellns) common
and one Solitary Vireo (Lanivireo s. solitariiis). He had also come
across a Black Bear (Eitarctos ainericanus) in the woods. At Green-
dale, October 22nd, he had seen great numbers of ducks in the Hudson.

]\Ir. L. N. Nichols reported a Fish Hawk {Pandion haliaetus caro-
linensis) as late as October 28th at Lake Agassiz in the Bronx, and
a Wood Thrush {Hylocichla inusfelina) on October 27th in Bronx
Park, also a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilyiubus podiceps) on Long Pond,
Bronx, October 27th.

yiv. Crosby reported from Dutchess County a White-crowned
Sparrow (Zonotrichia I. leucophrys), October i6th ; American Scoter
(Oidemia americana), October 17th; White-winged Scoter (Oidemia
deglandi) and Ruddy Duck (Brisinatura jamaicensis), October 17th;
Holboell's Grebe {Colymbus holboelli) and Horned Grebe (Colymbus

curitiis), October i8th; Gadwall (Chaiilelasmiis strepenis), October
i8th; Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) 8 seen, October 19th; Red-
head {Marila americana) and Canvasback (Marila valisineria ) , Octo-
ber 20th.

^ Mr. Crosby had seen a flock of Red-throated Loons (Gavia stel-
lata) flying north and Mr. J. T. Nichols remarked on the frequent ob-
servations of northward-flying flocks in certain locaHties during the
normal southward fall migration, a phenomenon which he sought to
explain as dispersal from a branch of the main migration stream.

Mr. Hickey reported a number of interesting records from Hunts
Point. He had seen a Double-crested Cormorant {Phalacrocorax a.
atiritus), October 15th; White-rumped Sandpiper (Pisobia ftiscicollis),
October 23rd; Bonaparte's Gull (Lams Philadelphia), October 15th;
Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisobia maculata), October 25th; Greater Yellow-
legs {Totaiius uielanoleucus), October 24th; Lesser Yellow-legs (To-
taniis flavipes), October i8th; Semipalmated Sandpiper (Breunetes
pusilhis), October 19th, and Red-backed Sandpiper (Pelidna alpina
sakhalina), October i8th. Large numbers of shore birds had been
seen in that marsh during the summer, his records including a Wilson's
Phalarope {Steganoptis tricolor) reported seen September 21st. He
had found Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) and Virginia Rail
{Rallus virginianus) breeding and Sora {Porzana Carolina), July 29th
to August 8th.

Mr. Llatuszewski reported a Barred Owl (Strix v. varia) in
Washington Square Park in October.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. B. S. Bowdish, his subject
being "Some Ornithological Items." ]Mr. Bowdish entertained his
hearers in his usual happy manner w^th a series of bird pictures from
his own camera, glimpses of a long and prolific experience in the field.

November 15, 192^. — Eighteen members and eighty-four guests.

Mr. Lester L. \\'alsh was re-elected to membership.

The paper of the evening was by I\Ir. Fritz Johansen, on the "Flora
and Faima of Northern Canada." Mr. Johansen had accompanied the
Steffansen Expedition in 19 13. He was a member of the Southern
party which left the Northern party at Nome, surveying the delta of
the McKenzie River and then journeyed to the Copper Mine River
country where they lived for two years with the Eskimos. ]\Ir. Johan-
sen had concerned himself chiefly with a study of the botany, insects
and fish life of the region. He showed many interesting pictures of

12

the showy and profusely blossoming plants of the region, one of which,
the Arctic Pea, found in limestone soil, is used as food by the Eskimos,
both seeds and roots being eaten. The life of the Eskimos, their
dwellings, habits of dress and sources of food supply, were well shown
in picture, and the extent of the mosquito plague which the Arctic
summer brings was vividly portrayed. One photograph showed a
female Pacific Eider (Somateria v. nigra) on a nest in a barren, rocky
tract, its color harmonizing perfectly with its surroundings. Mr.
Johansen also briefly described a collecting trip up the Moose River
and the east coast of Hudson Bay, where he found bird life scarce.

The following records were submitted in a memorandum by ^Messrs.
John and Richard Kuerzi :

Oakwood Beach, Staten Island: 8 Willet (Catoptrophorus s. semi-
palmatus), August loth, i on August i8th; 2 Roseate Terns (Sterna
dougalli), August 18th and 20th.

Bronx Region: i Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola) at Hunts Point,
August 13; I in Bronx Park, November 4th. Stilt Sandpiper (Micro-
palma hmiantopus), August 19th, 21st, 28th and September 21st. Black
Skimmer (Rynchops nigra) at Hunts Point, September 14th. Golden
Plover (Charadriiis d. dominicus), 2 at Hunts Point September 14th.
Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica paUnarmn hypochrysea) at Bronx
Park, September 16. Wilson's Phalarope {Steganopus tricolor) re-
ported at Botanical Gardens, September 21st. Double-crested Cor-
morant {Phalacrocorax a. auritus) at Hunts Point, October 15th.
(First record for Bronx County.) Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisobia macu-
lata) at Hunts Point, October 22nd. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Breu-
netes pusilliis), 3 at Hunts Point, October 22nd. Least Sandpiper
(Pisobia luiimtilla), i at Hunts Point, October 22nd. Long-eared Owl
(Asio zvilsonianns) , at Bronx Park, October 22nd and 25th, and Nov-
ember nth. Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) , at Hunts
Point, October 29th. Prairie Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris prati-
cola), at \'an Cortlandt Park, November 2nd. At Tibbets Brook Park,
November 2nd, 25 Bob-white (Colinus v. virginianus),

Englewood Region: Green Heron (Butorides v. virescens), Sep-
tember 28th.

Hudson River: Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) at Indian
Point, October i8th.

East slope of the Palisades on November ist, a Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireosylva olivacea) and several Blackpoll Warblers (Dendroica
striata).

13

November 2Q, IQ24. — Twenty-five members and 25 guests.

Mr. Hix reported a Brown Thrasher {Toxostoma riifiim) at 31st
Street, New York City, November 8th.

Mr. Capen reported 2 Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) in Central
Park, November 9th.

Mr. Griscom reported for Mr. Johnston a Ruddy Duck (Eris-
matura jamaicensis) in Central Park, November 24th.

Mr. Walsh had seen a Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense)
in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, November 21st.

Mr. Crosby reported 22 Old-squaws (Harelda hyemalis) at Barry-
town, on the Hudson, November 5th, and i on November 21st.

Mr. Baker had seen a Knot (Tringa canutiis) at Long Beach,
November 4th.

Mr. Ogburn reported an American Egret (Herodias egretta) at
Katonah, N. Y., during part of the summer of 1924.

Mr. Kassoy with other observers had found the Short-eared Owl
{Asio flammeus) at Long Beach, November i6th, at Overpeck Creek,
November 23rd, and at Hunts Point, November 4th.

Messrs. Hickey and Kuerzi had found Black-bellied Plover
(Squatarola sqiiatarola) at Hunts Point up to October 30th. They re-
ported 2 Laughing Gulls (Lams atriciUa) at Manhattan Beach, Nov-
ember 23rd.

Mr. Urner reported a Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramtis
savannarum australis) at Rahway, N. J., on November 5th and two
new species for the Elizabeth, N. J., Region on November 9th — White-
winged Scoter (Oidemia deglandi) and American Scoter (Oidemia
americana) with Old- squaw (Harelda hyemalis).

The speaker of the evening was Clifford H. Pope, who entertained
his audience with a humorous and highly informative account of his
two and one-half years' collecting trip for reptiles in five provinces
of China.

December g, 1924. — Twenty-seven members and forty-eight guests.

Mrs. Edward Thomas, 841 West End Avenue, New York, was
elected an active member.

The publication committee reported the completion of the abstract
of the Society's proceedings for the four years ending, March, 1924,
and the bill for printing was approved.

Mr. Hix at Long Beach, November 30th, reported an adult Kitti-
wake (Rissa t. tridactyla) and a bird he identified as a Purple Sand-

14

piper (Arquatella m. maritima), flying along shore. At Palisade Park,
December 7th, he had seen a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galhula).

'y.lr. L. X. Nichols reported the first Bronx record for American
Scoter (Oidemia americana), 8 on December ist at Pelham Bay; also
2C American ^Mergansers (Mergus arnericaniis) , December ist — a nf!w
early Bronx record.

Mr. Hickey reported a Redhead (Marila americana) at Hunts
Point, December 4th, and ]\Ir. Nathan, 30 Bufllehead (Charitonetta
alheola) off Staten Island, November 30th.

A flock of Bohemian AA^axwings (Bombycilla garrida) was re-
ported from Mt. Kisco on November 23rd, by ^Irs. Tucker. They
were seen at close range and white on wing noted.

]\Iessrs. ]\Iatuszewski, Kassoy, Hickey, and others, at Hunts
Point, on November 30th, had seen a Bufflehead {Charitonetta al-
heola), a new locality record, and a Canvasback {Marila valisineria) ,
December 7th.

A Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus) had been found Nov-
ember 30th at Botanical Gardens by ^Messrs. Kessler, John Kuerzi, and
Meyers; a Hooded Merganser {Lophodytes cticullatus) , December 5th,
at Hunts Point, by ]\Ir. Kessler.

]\Ir. Allan Cruickshank has found a Barn Owl {Aluco pratincola),
November ist at Hunts Point, and 4 Woodcock {Philohela minor),
November 8th, at Van Cortlandt Park.

]\Ir. Boulton reported a Catbird {Dumetella carolinensis) at Cold
Spring Harbor, December 7th.

Dr. Frank Oastler then entertained the Society with a series of
original slides of very unusual beaut}^ and artistic excellence, portray-
ing a trip up the Saskatchewan River to the snow fields, and also a
visit to the peak of ]\It. Rainier, to the Olympic Forests of Washing-
ton, and to the beautiful Crater Lake. Many of the slides showed
close-ups of the blossoming plants of the Canadian Northwest, and of
the wild life met. The most striking of the latter were pictures of
Moose {Alces americana) , Elk {Cervus canadensis) , Mountain Sheep
{Ovis canadensis) and Goats {Oreamnos americamis). One picture
showed a ^loose and a Deer {Odocoilens sp.f) on the same slide, stand-
ing together on a river bank. There were also excellent pictures of a
treed Wild Cat {Lynx fasciatns) , a ^Mountain Lion {Felts oregonen-
^is), Grizzly Bear {Ursus horrihilis) and cub and many of the smaller
mammals and of the bird life of the region.

15

December 2^, 19^ 4- — Eighteen members and seven guests.

Mr. Hix reported a Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense),
apparently a wild bird, on Bronx River, December 21st.

Air. Kassoy had recently seen a Duck Hawk (Falco peregrimis
anatuin), in the Bronx, and other members commented on the occur-
rence of this species about the larger eastern cities, where the preval-
ence of pigeons proved the attraction.

The evening was devoted to a consideration of co-operative field
work by members of the Society. President Nichols took up the ques-
tion of the selection of local records presented at the meetings for the
abstracts. It was the consensus of opinion that whenever records of
unusual occurrence, either as to species or dates, were presented, some
details of the observation should be given, and the basis of the identi-
fication stated. A motion was made, seconded and carried that a com-
mittee be appointed to consider all unusual records and to decide
whether the identifications were clearly enough established to warrant
their inclusion in the minutes.

The president appointed Messrs. Griscom and Urner as a com-
mittee of two with whom the president will act as an ex-officio member.

Mr. Griscom stressed the educational value of reporting all un-
usual records and discussing the identifications at the meetings.

President Nichols outlined the plan of assembling information as
to bird distribution throughout the New York City Region that had
been developed following a meeting of the Society in April, 1924. He
spoke of the possibilities of further extending the work of preserving
a clear picture of present day bird distribution in the New York City
area.

The secretary reviewed the extent of the field information fur-
nished to the Society since last spring. Special reports had been sub-
mitted by a limited number of members and a few non-members,
showing the maximum numbers of each species seen in any given
locality in a day as spring transients^ summer residents, fall transients
and winter residents. He spoke in favor of the suggestion that the
Society undertake, in addition to present plans, a joint field trip in
June, all available experienced field observers being secured to cover
carefully some little known section of the New York City Region, with
the object of obtaining as exact a record as possible of its bird life.
He also mentioned as a promising line of effort, a suggestion made by
W. DeWitt Miller that the Society endeavor to map out the present
breeding range in the region of each species of warbler.

i6

Mr. Griscom spoke of the value of further study of the outlying
•sections of the region and the value of consecutive trips over a selected
area by the same observer. He believed that comparable and valu-
able records of breeding birds were more easily secured than those of
migrants, a study of which requires daily investigation for satisfactory
•comparisons.

After several other members had given their views it was moved
"by Mr. Baker that the present Committee on Local Bird Records, com-
posed of Messrs. Griscom, Carter, Davis, Rowland, L. N. Nichols,
Pangburn and Urner, send out to members a questionnaire to deter-
mine the willingness of each to co-operate in the various plans sug-
gested and discussed at the meeting, including the submission of their
field notes, the undertaking of occasional field trips in little frequented
■sections of the region as suggested by the Society, and participation in
a joint June census of some selected area. The motion was carried.

January i^, 192 j. — Twenty-six members and thirty-five guests.

The following new members were elected: Mr. F. L. Jaques,
American ]\Iuseum of Natural History, New York; Mr. Irving H.
Kurzman^ 215 West loi Street, New York; Mrs. Wolfrid R. Boul-
ton, 121 Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn.

]\Ir. Griscom proposed a resolution of congratulation to be pre-
sented to the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club on the occasion of
their 35th annual dinner, which was adopted.

Among the field notes submitted were the following :

Jerome Reservoir — (Hickey) — Vesper Sparrows (Pocecetes g.
gramineus) , January 6th.

Pelham Bay — (Hix) — 50 Black-crowned Night Herons {Nycti-
corax n, ncevius).

New York City, at Broadway and 246th St. — (Chubb) — Nash-
ville Warbler {Vermivora r. riibricapilla) , November 23rd, December
2nd and 4th, a record the more unusual since a bird of this species had
been seen in the same place December 16, 1918, and January 9, 1919.

Long Beach — (Baker, Eaton and Ingle) — 2 Kitti wakes (Rissa t.
tridactyla) , 1 Glaucous Gull {Larns hyperhoreus), i Brant (Branta
hernicla glmicogastra), also a large duck with scoters which was prob-
ably King Eider {Somateria sp.f), all January 4th.

^lontauk — (Griscom, Janvrin and Baker) — December 28th, 28
species including 5 Canada Geese {Branta c. canadensis), 1 Brant

I?

(Branta b. glaiicogastra), i Prairie Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris
praticola), i Vesper Sparrow {Pocecetes g. gramineus).

Hnglewood, N. J. — (Griscom) — i Long-eared Owl {Asio wilson-
ianns), January ist.

Dutchess County, N. Y. — (Griscom and Crosby) — 20 Mourning
Doves {Zenaidiira macroura carolinensis ) , January 3rd; 3 Long-eared
Owls (Asio wilsoniafius), i Saw-whet Owl {Cryptoglaux a. acadica),
I Bluebird (Sialia s. sialis), 25 Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedro-
riirn), January 4th.

Kensico Reservoir and Rye Lake, Westchester County — (Griscom,
Coles and de Lacey Johnson) — January nth, 100 American Mergan-
sers {Mergus americanus) , 3 Hooded ^lergansers (Lophodytes cucul-
latiis), 2 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 70 Black Ducks (Anas riib-
ripes), I male Ring-necked Duck (Marila collaris), 2 Golden-eyes
(Clangula c. americana), i Bufflehead (Charitonetta albeola), i Kill-
deer (Oxyechiis vociferus), i Bald Eagle (Halicoetus I. leucocephalns).

Dutchess County, X. Y. — (Crosby) — i Barn Owl (Aluco pratin-
cola), January 9th, on Kruger's Island, and 5 Canvasbacks (Marila
valisineria) . By Crosby and Frost, January nth, i Barn Owl (Aluco
pratincola), 3 Long-eared Owls (Asio ivilsonianus) and i Yellow-
bellied Sapsucker (S phyrapicus v. variiis).

Mamaroneck N. Y. — (Coles) — i Phoebe (Sayoniis phosbe), Jan-
uary 4th.

Arlington, X. J. — (Marks) — Towhee (Pipilo e. erythrophthalmns) ,
December 26th and 28th.

Pelham Bay — (L. X. Xichols) — 6 Canvasbacks (Marila valisin-
eria), January 5th.

Scarsdale, X. Y. — (L. X. Xichols) — 2 Cardinals (Cardinalis c.
cardinalis), January 6th, also frequently reported there by ^liss
Dorothy Miller. Seen in same locality last spring by Mr. X^'ichols;
probably the northern limit of the present range about Xew York City.

Jerome Reservoir — (Cruickshank) — Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus inarinus), December 25th, and Horned Grebe (Colymbus
auritus), January 4th and 5th.

Hudson River — (Cruickshank) — 2 Pintails (Dafila acuta), Decem-
ber 30th.

Van Cortlandt Park — (Cruickshank) — i Wilson's Snipe (Gal-
linago delicata), January ist.

Englewood Region — (Kessler, J. and R. Kuerzi) — 50 Red-winged
Blackbirds (Agelaius p. phosniceus), 6 Rusty Blackbirds (Buphagns

i8

carolinus) and 9 Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis
savanna), December 26th.

Long Beach — (Kessler, J. and R. Kuerzi) — 3 Iceland Gulls (Larus
leucopterus), i Kittiwake (Rissa t. tridactyla), i Cormorant, probably
Double-crested {Phalacrocorax a. anritus), i SanderHng (Calidris
leucophcFa), 25 Brant (Brahta bernicla glaucogastra) December 30.

Botanical Gardens — Same three observers — Great Horned Owl
{Bilbo V. virginiamis), January 3rd, and Robin (Planesticus m. migror-
torius), January 7th.

Bronx County — (Kuerzi) — Report on the result of the Bronx
County Bird Club Christmas Census on December 28th, when four
parties of observers saw 49 species and 4,700 individuals. Interesting
records were 2 Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) at Van Cortlandt
Park (seen in same locality December 23rd, by Kuerzi, and i seen
January ist, by Ruff and Cruickshank). Redhead (Marila americana)
on Hudson off Riverdale by Ruff and Cruickshank ; Great Horned Owl
(Bubo V. z'irginianus) at Bronx Park; flock of Crackles (Quiscalus
qmscula subs p.) and i Flicker {Col apt es auratus luteus), Allerton Ave.
by J. and R. Kuerzi ; Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythroce-
phahis) at Pelham Bay Park by ]\Iatuszewski and Kessler; Barn Owl
{Aluco pratincola), 2 Short-eared Owls {Asio flammeus), 1 Canvas-
back {Marila valisineria) and 10 Killdeer {Oxyechus vociferus) at
Hunts Point by Hickey, Herbert and Kassoy.

Van Cortlandt Park — (Kuerzi) — Long-eared Owl {Asio wilson-
iamis), December 23rd, and Winter Wren {N annus h. hiemalus) and
12 Red-winged Blackbirds {Agelaius p. phceniceus), January ist.

Clason Point — (Kuerzi) — i Bufflehead {Charitonetta albeola), 3
Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria), 150 Scaup {Marila sp.f) and 15
Golden-eye {Clangnla c. americana) and from Botanical Gardens, i Fox
Sparrow {Passerella i. iliaca), January nth.

Mastic, Long Island— (J. T. Nichols)— W^ith W. F., J. S. and D.
G. Nichols, reported a Christmas Census on January ist, too late for
publication, which included 27 species, among which were i Canvas-
back {Marila valisineria) , 20 Great Blue Herons {Ardea h. herodias),
flock of 16; 10 Bob-white {Colinus v. virginianus), i Mourning Dove
(Zenaidnra inacroura carolinensis), 2 Bald Eagles {Haliceetus I. leuco-
cephalus), 10 Fox Sparrows {Passerella i. iliaca), flock, i Winter
Wren {Nannus h. hiemalis), 2 Hermit Thrushes {Hylocichla guttata
pallasi), 3 Robins {Planesticus m. migratorius) .

Mr. Nichols commented on the large number of late December

19

records of summer birds or transients, normally rare here in winter,
which he sought to explain by the late fall which ended suddenly in
cold weather.

Mr. J. T. Nichols then gave an illustrated description of shore bird
tracks and their identification, of which the following is an abstract:

Abstract of Paper on Shord Bird Tracks, by J. T. Nichols.

"A study of the foot-prints of shore birds in the sand or mud of their haunts
is an interesting detail usually overlooked by the field ornithologist, from which
not infrequently useful corollary information may be gleaned. The first problem
here, as elsewhere, is one of identification. By making rough sketches of tracks
whereof the author is known, carefully measured for size, proportion of toes,
and the angle of toe spread estimated, data can be collected from which unknown
or partially known tracks can frequently be determined with ease and precision.
It will be found that within certain limits various shore bird tracks are sufficiently
diagnostic to be recognized at sight.

"The Spotted Sandpiper (Actifis macularia) show^s a comparatively long
hind toe, the broad, spreading track of the Yellow-leg is recognizable, and a plover
track diagnostic. The Killdeer's {Oxyechus vociferus) track resembles that of the
Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) but its toes are much more slender.
The track of the Least Sandpiper {Pisobiu minuiiUa) in soft mud frequently shows
the toes cleft to the base in a way that would be impossible for the Semipalmated
Sandpiper (Ereunetes pusillus) . Size, however, is the definite, tangible factor,
most frequently useful in finer identification. Two instances come to mind where
on a trip abroad, unfamiliar English birds were satisfactorily identified with aid
of tracks, which otherwise must have remained doubtful ; a Curlew which flushed
at some little distance left a footprint too large for a Whimbrel (Numenius
phcBOpus) and a juvenile Ringed Plover {Aigialitis hiaticula), suspected of being
a Little Ringed Plover (^gialitis duhiu), had a track which definitely placed it
for the ordinary species which it was.

*Tn studying shore bird tracks it will soon be noticed and should always be born
in mind as a thing for which allowance must be made, that the softness or hardness
and texture of the ground affects considerably the character and appearance of the
track. This complication makes it impossible to say definitely from scanty data
at hand whether tracks of Semipalmated Sandpiper {Ereunetes pusillus) and Semi-
palmated Plover {Aigialitis semipalmata) can actually be recognized from those
of other small species with which they might be confused through showing less of
the basal portion of the toes.

"The immediate interest and usefulness of giving close attention to the tracks
of shore birds is for the small aids it furnishes to their study in the field. Much
of the data is actually about the birds' feet, determinable from specimens, but here
presented in a more graphic and interesting manner, data which in itself is worth
examining and trying to interpret. The long hind-toe of the Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularia) may well be correlated with its liking for rocky bits of shore,
perching freely on stakes, etc. The thick toes of Sanderling (Calidris leucophcea)

20

and Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) may be correlated with the
beach-loving habits of both.

Dr. James P. Chapin then spoke on the breeding seasons of birds
in Tropical Africa. He pointed out that birds as a whole have no set
breeding season within 8 or lo degrees of the equator; that rainfall is
a more important factor in determining the nesting time of each species
in that region than is temperature, which there has a maximum range
of only about 30 degrees — from 65 to 94 degrees. Some species prefer
dry weather for their nesting periods, some the opening, some the
height, and some the close of the rainy season, depending on the char-
acter of food required.

He described the different conditions prevailing in the northern
savannas and the equatorial forests and the opposing seasons of rain-
fall in the regions beyond the equatorial forest, above and- below the
equator. The doves he found to prefer the end of the rains and the
dry season when nesting in the northern savannas where their food is
chiefly grain, though in the equatorial forests many of the fruit-eating
doves breed during the rains.

Storks and birds of prey usually prefer dry seasons, though some
of the storks nest during the rainy periods, their habit in this respect
changing with the latitude. Certain birds of prey, also nesting below
the equator, prefer the wet season.

The bee-eaters nest north of the equator during the rainy season,
while near the equator they begin to nest while the weather is dry and
continue into the rains, though not to the periods of highest water.

The goat-suckers nest north of the equator at the beginning of the
rains mostly, but those nesting in the equatorial forest prefer the rainy
parts of the year. South of the forests they avoid the heaviest rains.

The woodpeckers as a whole prefer the dry periods though there
are some exceptions.

Some of the thrushes nest at any time of the year; north of the
equator mostly while weather is dry, but in the forests mostly during
the rains.

The grass-warblers prefer the rainy season and the swallows
mostly the beginning of the rains, when mud for nests is readily avail-
able. However two species of swallows may be found nesting at any
time of the year.

The nesting periods of both sun-birds and weaver-birds are scat-
tered, the former chiefly during the rains or toward the end of the dry

21

season while some weaver-birds in the equatorial forests nest through-
out the year.

While there are exceptions, the passerines prefer the rainy season
and the non-passerines the dry period when nesting north of the forests,
but the rains when nesting in the equatorial forests.

January 2/, 192^. — Seventeen members and twenty-four guests.

Air. Rutgers R. Coles of Mamaroneck, X. Y., and Mr. de Lacey F.
Johnson of Alount Vernon, N. Y., were elected resident members.

Mr. Griscom reported on the response to the questionnaire sent out
to members by the Local Avifauna Committee.

Among the field notes were the following:

Englewood, N. J., (Griscom and Baker), January i8th, Black
Duck {^Anas rubripes), abundant; American Alerganser (Mergiis amer^
icanus), very scarce on the river; i Alallard {Anas platyrhynchos) ;
2 Fish Crows {Corvus ossifragiis), the first Englewood record between
October and mid-February; 2 Fox Sparrows {Passerella i. iliaca).

Long Beach, (Griscom and Watson), January 15th, Iceland Gull
(Larus leucopterns), 16 Golden-eyes {Clangula c. americana), i
Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), 4 Fish
Crows (Corz'us ossifragiis).

Botanical Gardens, Bronx, (Hickey), January 21st, flock of Purple
Finches (Carpodacus p. purpureus) ; while Matuszewski in same lo-
cality has seen a Red Fox (Vnlpes fulva) under the hemlocks, and
Kassoy a Fox Sparrow {Passerella i. iliaca), January 25th.

Van Cortlandt Park, (Hickey), January 22nd, Field Sparrow
{Spizella p.pusilla).

Jerome Reservoir, (Hickey), January 22, Ring-billed Gull {Larus
delawarensis) .

Hunts Point, (Kessler), January 22, 10 Canvasbacks {Marila valis-
ineria), and on January 25th Kassoy had seen 100.

The paper of the evening was by Ludlow Griscom of the Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History on "Ornithological Explorations
Among the Wild Indians of Western Panama." Mr. Griscom recounted
the experiences of his party in reaching the high mountains on the
continental divide in a section of western Panama previously unvisited
by a naturalist, inhabited by Indians who are hostile to strangers. It
was his good fortune to receive permission to enter their country, and
he was able to remain ten days before being forced to leave, when a

22

<:onsiderable number of new species and subspecies were discovered and
the ranges of many other species were materially extended.

The expedition also visited the heavy coastal forests where the
extraordinary variety of birds and the gigantic size of the mahogany
trees were among the outstanding features of the country. The party
also went to sea for water-birds, and spent an interesting day collect-
ing the bad-tempered and poisonous sea-snakes which are found on
calm days floating on the surface of the ocean five or ten miles from
shore.

The paper was illustrated with colored lantern slides, and speci-
mens of the more remarkable or beautiful birds were exhibited. At
the close of his remarks, Mr. Griscom called upon Mr. Rudyerd Boul-
ton, his chief assistant and photographer of the expedition, to show
two reels of motion pictures which he had taken as opportunity offered
with a Sept camera for the University of Pittsburgh.

February lo, ip^j. — Twenty-six members and thirty-four guests.

A number of observers reported on the occurrence of ducks in the
Bronx Region, chiefly at Hunts Point. On February ist, Mr. Kassoy
had seen 5 species, including 19 Bufflehead (Charitonetta alheola), and
250 Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) . On January 31st, Mr. Eaton
reported 6 species, including 200 Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) , I
Redhead {Marila americana) , 6 Bufflehead {Charitonetta albeola), and
2 \Miite-winged Scoters {Oidemia deglandi). Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi
and Mr. Kessler on January 31st, had seen 7 species, including i Amer-
ican Merganser {Mergus a ]n eric anus) and a drake Ring-necked Duck
{Marila collaris), identified by its black back in comparison with Scaup,
and the shape of its head. The same observers on February ist, same
locality, saw 20 Bufflehead {Charitonetta albeola). ]\Ir. Hix on Feb-
ruary 8th, had seen 2 Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) and 1,000
Scaup (Marila marila) at the mouth of the Bronx River.

Mr. Hickey submitted to the Secretary an analysis of duck records
at Hunts Point from December ist to February loth. Numbers of
Black Ducks {Anas rubripes) he reported as fairly constant — 14
records averaging 32 with 150 maximum December 28th. Golden-eye
(Clangula c. americana), 11 December records averaging about 140;
after January ist, 9 records averaging 46; maximum December 7th —
600. Scaup (Marila marila) averaged 61 for 15 observations; maxi-
mum 200 January nth. Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria) were re-
ported 6 times in December, averaging 3; since January ist, 10 times

23

and increasing; since January 31st average 550, with 800 maximum
on February 3rd.

Mr. Kuerzi reported the Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus)
still in the Bronx Park roost, February 8th ; also 7 Bluebirds (Sialia s.
Malis), January 29th and 6 on February 8th; also 2 Robins {Planesticus
m. migratoriiis) , February 8th.

From Flushing, February 6th, ]\Ir. Eaton reported at least 3 Fish
Crows (Corvus ossifragiis) and i Winter Wren {N annus h. hiemalis).
He also reported a swan, probably a Mute (Cygnus olor), seen flying
down the Hudson River February 7th, off Liberty Street.

Mr. Eaton also referred to a trip to Barnegat, N. J., January 24th-
25th, with Messrs. Baker, Carter, Jaques and Urner. Large flocks of
Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were found wintering along the outer
beach about Mantaloking. At the south end of the bay about 3,000
Brant (Branta bernicla glancogasfra) were seen; a number of Sander-
lings (Calidris leucophcEa), and near the light at Barnegat City i block-
ing bird {Mimus p. polyglottos).

In Central Park, ]\Ir. Hix had seen i Flicker (Colapfes auratus
luteus), February 8th.

Among the Elizabeth, N. J., records reported by ]\Ir. Urner were
Iceland Gull {Lams leucopterus), January 31st; unusual numbers of
Ring-billed Gulls {Lai'iis delazvarensis), in late January; 3 ]\Iallards
(Anas platyrhynchos), February 7th; 15 Canvasbacks (Marila valis-
ineria), January i8th; 2 Old-squaws (Harelda hyemalis), January
i8th; I Great Blue Heron (Ardea h. Jierodias), January 4th; i Killdeer
{Oxyechus vocifenis), evidently migrating, February 8th; 7 Long-
eared Owls {Asio wilsonianus) , February i; 6 Savannah Sparrows
{Passercuhis sandzuichensis savanna), January 4th; i Seaside Sparrow
(Passerherbnliis m. maritimiis), January 4th; 28 Cedar Waxwings
(Bonibycilla cedrorum), February 8th.

From the Palisades, Mrs. Rich reported 4 Bluebirds (Sialia s.
sialis), February 7th.

■Mr. J. T. Nichols and Mr. Griscom had visited the Essex County,
Mass., coast, February 7th and 8th, where, guided by S. G. Emilio
and other members of the Essex County Ornithological Club, they had
observed the following of especial interest: 2 Dovekies (AIIc alle) and
I Brunnich's Murre (Uria I. lomvia) at close range; several Guillemots
(CeppJiKs grylle) ; a half dozen Cormorants, probably P. carbo. at
long range, certainly difficult to distinguish from the Double-crested
(P. a. auritits) ; 2 black adults with a large area of yellow, not orange,

24

at base of the bill; also a very beautiful Barrow's Golden-eye (Clan-
gula islandica) drake; a flock of upwards of 75 Purple Sandpipers
(Arquatella m. niaritima) on one of the outer rocks, and some 50 on
the base of a larger islet.

The speaker of the evening was Mr. Wm. H. Carr, who told an
interesting story of the habits of the Beaver (Castor canadensis) and
the Skunk (Meinphitis nigra), illustrating his remarks with many
sHdes, and a live Skunk, called ''Sachet," which he produced on the
platform, without unpleasant results, from the depths of a leather bag.
Mr. Carr described the building and repairing of dams by the beaver,
and their feeding habits. He had found in his studies no indication
that the beaver, in cutting a tree, was able to fell it in the direction
best suited to its needs. He showed the effects of beaver dams on
topography, and how old and large dams created meadows which added
to productivity of the region.

February 24, IQ2^. — Twenty-six members and fourteen guests.

Mrs. Gladys Gordon Fry was elected a resident member.

A number of members reported on the early migration during the
mild weather after mid-February.

At Newton. N. J., February 2ist-23rd, Mr. Hix had found Blue-
birds (Sialia s. sialis) present in numbers and i Robin (Planesticus m.
migratoriiis) , February 22nd.

At Central Park, Air. Capen reported i Robin (Planesticus m.
migratoriiis), February i6th, and Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula suhsp.),
February 23rd.

At Bronx Park, February 22nd, Mr. L. N. Nichols saw 3 Crackles
(Quiscalus quiscula suhsp.). Messrs. Kuerzi, Kessler and Kassoy re-
ported the Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus) still in the Park,
February 22nd. Several pellets of this owl were examined by Mr.
Carter and found to contain remains of 9 Brown Rats (Rattus norvegi-
cus). Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), wing-bone of a Gallinaceous
bird, probably a Pheasant, and a tuft of feathers from a Saw-whet
Owl (Cryptoglaux a. acadica).

From Overpeck Creek, February 22nd, Mr. Baker reported 2 Mal-
lards (Anas platyrhynchos) , 75 Pintails (Dafila acuta), 15 Bufileheads
(Charitonetta albeola), 8 Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius p. phoeni-
ceus), 2 Crackles (Quiscalus quiscula subsp.) and i Bluebird (Sialia
s. sialis).

From Van Cortlandt Park, Messrs. Kuerzi and Kessler reported

25

2 Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius p. phceniceus) , February 21st, and
I Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), i Woodcock {Philohcla minor) and
ether early migrants February 24th.

From Pelham Bay Park, February 21st, Messrs. Kuerzi and
Kessler reported i Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), i Ring-billed
Gull (Larus delaivarensis) , 800 Scaups (Marila niarila) and i Red-
headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) .

From Hunts Point an Iceland Gull {Larus leucopteriis) was re-
ported February 20th by Kuerzi and Kessler (their second record for
the locaHty) ; also 150 Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria) , February 12th
by Kassoy, and February 14th by Kuerzi and Kessler: 2 Short-eared
Owls (Asio flammeus), February 23rd by Kassoy, and i Pipit (Anthiis
ruhescens), February 22nd by Kassoy. ^Ir. Cruickshank reported 3
Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus), probably wintering, from Hunts Point,.
February 14th.

From Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, February 23rd, Kuerzi
and Kessler reported 6 Long-eared Owls (Asio zvilsonianus), 15 Cedar
Waxwings (Bomhycilla cedronim) and 2 Cardinals (Cardinalis c
cardinalis).

From Hunters Island, ]\Ir. Ruff reported i Fish Crow (Corvus
ossif vagus), February 22nd.

From Montauk, February 12th, a Vesper Sparrow (Pocecetes g.
gramineus) was reported by ^Ir. Williams, and another February 13th
at Riverdale by Air. Cruickshank.

From Tottenville, Mrs. Smith reported a Cardinal {Cardinalis c\.
cardhmlis) .

At Amenia, N. Y., Mr. Spingarn had seen a Winter Wren (Nan-
nus h. hiemalis), February 2nd, a Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), Feb-
ruary 13th, and a Bluebird (Sialia s. sialis), February 21st.

An early northern movement was also reported by Mr. Eaton from
Weston, Mass., where on February 22nd he had seen 3 Bluebirds-
(Sialia s. sialis), a new early record for the locality, comparing with a?
14 year average of March 14th.

At Great Piece ]\Ieadows, N. J., February 22nd, ]\Iessrs. Howland
and Cleaves had seen Bluebirds (Sialia s. sialis), and at Clinton a Red-
headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus).

At Elizabeth, N. J., Mr. Urner reported 350 Ring-billed Gulls
(Larus delaivarensis), February 14th; 6 Pintails (Dafila acuta), Feb-
ruary I2th; I Widgeon (Mareca americana), February 14th; i Pipit

26

(Anthus rubescens) , February 12th; 30 American Mergansers (Mergus
americanus) , February 23rd.

At Barnegat Bay, N. J., February 22nd, Messrs. Griscom, Weber
and Urner had seen i Iceland Gull (Larus leiicopterus) and flocks
estimated to contain 80,000 Brant (Branta hernicla glaucogastra) and
20,000 Canada Geese {Branta c. canadensis) also 2 Turkey Vultures
(Cathartes aura septentrionalis), February 21st, — an early date.

Mr. Bowdish had heard a Woodcock (Philohela minor), at Dem-
arest, February 23rd. He reported the passage of the Bobolink pro-
tective bill by the New Jersey Senate, an announcement which was
greeted with applause.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to a discussion of the
actions of birds during the recent eclipse of the sun, which was total
over part of the New York Region.

March 10, 192^. — The annual dinner of the Society was held in
the Mitla Restaurant, American Museum of Natural History, the
evening of March 10, 73 members and guests being present; while at
the annual meeting, which followed, 43 members and 41 guests were
present.

Mr. Irving Kassoy was elected a resident member of the Society.

The Secretary then read his annual report as follows :

"During the past year the Linnaean Society of New York has held sixteen
meetings with a total attendance of 855, the largest in the history of the Society.

"The twelfth annual dinner, held in the Mitla Restaurant, March 11, 1924,
was attended by forty-eight members and guests and thirty-two members were
present at the annual meeting on the same evening.

"At the remaining fifteen meetings the total attendance averaged 52.9; that
of members 21.3.

"The largest number present at any one meeting was 102, on November 15,
when a postponed lecture in another hall in the Museum brought an unusual number
of visitors, many more being turned away because of lack of seating capacity. On
several other occasions during the year the seating capacity of the room used by
the Society has been inadequate to accommodate all visitors, and if the growth of
the Society and interest in its meetings continues at its recent rate the problem of
accommodation will become more acute. The smallest attendance was on December
23, only 25 being present.

"The Society has lost by death, one resident member, George Gladden. One
member has resigned and twenty-three new members have been elected, so that the
membership now stands: Resident, 125; corresponding, 23; honorary, 3; total, 151.

"The subjects considered at eleven of the sixteen meetings of the year were
primarily ornithological ; of the remainder, two were on travel, one on mammalogy,

27

one on reptile collecting and one on fossil collecting. One meeting was devoted
io bird-banding, and the usual two evenings were devoted entirely to field observa-
tions. Two meetings were also given over to a consideration of systematic col-
Jection and preservation of local records indicating bird distribution and numbers
in the New York City region. This matter is now in the hands of the Local
Avifauna Committee which has received many promises of co-operation from the
-active field workers of the Society. Preliminary plans are also being made to
undertake breeding season census: work in some of the least known parts of the
region. The co-operation of thirty members has been promised in this undertaking.
"Abstracts of the Proceedings, Nos. 33, 34, 35, and 36, for the years 1921,
1922, 1923, and 1924, together with Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson's paper "The Winter
Eirds of Southern Texas," have been published.

Chas. a. Urner, Secretary."

For the Auditing Committee, ^Ir. Griscom reported that the annual
report of the Treasurer had been examined and found correct. The
report was accepted. It showed receipts for the year of $437.44; dis-
t)ursements, $640.41 ; and balance ^larch 5 of $3,159.71.

The following officers were elected:

President — Mr. J. T. Xichols
Vice-President — Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin
Secretary — ^Ir. Chas. A. Urner
Treasurer — ]\Ir. John H. Baker
The speaker of the evening was Mr. C. M. Breder, Jr., of the New
York Aquarium, who with slides and moving pictures described his
trip with the ]\Iarsh Expedition through the jungles of Eastern Pan-
ama. The party journeyed from El Real de Santa Maria, up the Rio
Chucunaque and Rio Sucubti, first by launch, then by dug-out, and
finally by trail to the Atlantic Coast, a trail which required in 22 miles
the fording of 125 streams.

Mr. Breder described interestingly the hardships encountered and
the native life of the area, the negroes of the lower reaches of the
Pacific slope, the primitive Chocoi Indians of the upper reaches, with
their strange fiestas and strange drinks, and the Cunas, or San Bias
Indians, of the Atlantic side.

The party found the Cuna Indians by no means hostile. It was
among them that the hght-skinned Indians were discovered, the loca-
tion of which was the primary scientific object of the expedition.
Moving pictures and slides of these light Indians, born of dark-skinned
parents, were shown.

Mr. Breder's special work concerned itself with icthyolog}^ and
herpetology, his efforts concentrating on life history studies. He com-

28

pared the great tides of the Pacific shore to the very limited tidal
movement on the Atlantic, and the influence exerted on marine and
other forms of life. An extensive intrusion of marine fishes was en-
countered, associated with the great tides. The life histories of frogs
received particular attention, and the outstanding achievement in this
direction was the accumulation of the practically complete Ufe history
of Hyla rosenhergi, a species about the habits of which nothing was
previously known.

The expedition endured many hardships from drought, flood and
disease, losing two of its members by death.

March 24, IC}2=,. — Thirty-two members and twenty-nine guests.

]\Ir. Griscom stated that a tentative draft of a revised constitution
and by-laws had been prepared by the committee of three appointed
for that purpose. It was moved and seconded that a draft of the
revised constitution be sent to members, and that the first April meet-
ing be set aside for its consideration.

Among the field notes submitted were the following:

Dutchess County, N. Y., by Mr. Crosby : New early records : ^lal-
lard {Anas platyrhynchos) , \\^idgeon {Mereca americana) and Pintail
(Dafila acuta), Alarch 12th; Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense),
March 13th; Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), ]\Iarch 14th; Blue-winged
Teal {Qiierqiiediila discors) (pair), March 15th; Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus), March 22nd; Lesser Scaup (Marila affinis),
]March i6th; Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), March 21st. With Messrs.
Eaton, Griscom and Frost 51 species ^larch 22nd, including Pied-
billed Grebe (Podilyinbiis podiceps) and Gadwall (Chaiilelasmus
streperus).

Westchester County, X. Y., by ^Messrs. Coles and Johnson : March
22nd, 42 species, including Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps),
6 Ring-necked Ducks (Marila collaris), 2 \\"ood Ducks {Aix sponsa),
3 Woodcock {Philohela minor) and i Field Sparrow {Spizella p.
pusilla). By ^lessrs. E. G., L. X._j and Mrs. L. X. Xichols and
]\Ir. Carlyle Morris at Lincoln, ]\Iarch 8th, 6 Cowbirds {Molothrus a.
ater) (early record), i Towhee {Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus) , i Bob-
white {Colimis V. virginianus) ; along Tibbetts Brook, March 22nd, 3
Northern Flickers {Colaptes auratus liiteus) and at least 2 Bronzed
Crackles {Quiscalus quisciila ceneus). By Mr. John F. Kuerzi, March
22nd, 30 Horned Larks (Otocoris a. alpestris) near Hillview Reservoir,
and 3 Bob- whites {Colinus v. Virginians) at Tibbetts Brook Park.

29

At Ossining, X. Y., Mr. Jaques reported a Great Black-backed
Gull (Larus marinus).

At Jerome Reservoir, Mr. Ruff reported on March 5th, 2 Horned
Grebe (Colymbus auritus) ; Messrs. Hickey and Cruickshank, a Great
Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), March 5th.

Van Cortlandt Park, by Air. Kuerzi: 2 Widgeon (Mareca ameri-
cana), February 28th; i Phoebe {Sayornis phoehe), March 15th; 3
Cowbirds (Molothrus a. ater), March nth; several Northern Flickers
(Colaptes auratiis luteus), Alarch 15th; 2 Towhees {Pipilo e. erythro-
phthalmus), March nth. By Messrs. Ruff and Cruickshank, i King-
fisher (Ceryle alcyon), February 25th. By Mr. Cruickshank, Pintail
(Dafila acuta), March 8th to 13th. By Messrs. Xathan and Cruick-
shank, Tree Swallow {Indoprocne hicolor), ]vlarch 21st. By Mr.
Hickey, Bluebird (Sialia s. sialis), February 25th; Chipping Sparrow
\Spi2eUa p. passerina), March 21st. By ]\Ir. Kassoy, 3 Wood Ducks
{Ah- sponsa), March 15th.

Bronx Park, by Mr. Hickey, 5 Pintails (Dafila acuta), March 4th.

Hunts I-'oint, by Messrs. Kassoy and Kessler, 20 Canvasbacks
(Marila valismeria) , March 7th.

Hudson River (Day Line Pier), by Mr, Hix, Iceland Gull (Larus
leucopterus), Alarch 22nd.

Long Beach, by Messrs. Kuerzi and Kessler, Glaucous (Larus
hyperhoreus) and Iceland Gulls (Larus leucopterus) and 3 Piping
Plover (JEgialitis uieloda), Alarch 21st.

Fire Island Beach, by Airs. Smith, 2 Fish Hawks (Pandion
halicBtus carolinensis), Alarch 22nd, a very early date.

Ridgewood, N. J., by Mr. Walsh, 3 Tree Swallows (Iridoprocne
bicolor), March 21st.

Englewood, X. J., by Air. Griscom and Dr. Eliot, Alarch ist, 75
Cowbirds (Molothrus a. ater) (early date), with one albino, pure
white with cream colored wings and tail. By Air. Griscom and Dr.
Janvrin, March 8th, 3 species of ducks, including Pintail (Dafila acuta),
also 2 Rusty Blackbirds (Buphagus carolinus). By Air. Griscom, Dr.
Eliot and Air. J. AI. Johnson, Alarch 15th, 35 species, including 8
species of ducks: 6 Alergansers (Mergus americamis), 4 Alallards
{Anas platyrhynchos) , 250 Black Ducks (Anas rubripes), 6 Widgeon
{Mareca americana), 12 Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense)
(earliest), 200 Pintails (Dafila acuta), i Lesser Scaup (Marila affinis),
6 Canada Geese (Branta c. canadensis) ; also i Killdeer (Oxyechus
vociferiis), Phoebe (Sayornis phcebe), 3 Pipits (Anthus rubescens)

30

(earliest). By ^Messrs. Kassoy, Ruff, Cruickshank and Matuszewski^
March 22nd, 14 Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense), 500 Pintails
(Dafila acuta), 5 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) , 7 Canada Geese
(Branta c. canadensis), 1 Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata). By
Mr. I£ix on ]\Iarch 15th, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrion-
alis). By Mr. Kassoy and others on March 8th, IMourning Dove
{Zenaidura macroura carolinensis). By Mr. Kuerzi on March 17th,.
10 species of ducks, including Hooded ^Merganser (Lophodytes cuciiU
latus), 200 Pintails (Dafila acuta), i Canvasback (Marila valisineria)^
I Widgeon (Mareca am eric ana) , 2 Green-winged Teal (Nettion caro-
linense) and i Ruddy Duck (Brismatura jamaicensis). By Messrs.
L. I\. and E. G. .Nichols on March i8th, 3 Chipping Sparrows (Spizella
p. passerina) (earliest) and i Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi).

South River and Runyon, N. J., by Air. W. DeWitt Miller on
March 15th, 8 species of ducks, including Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
(earliest). Redhead (Marila americana) (first locality record), 2 pairs
of Ring-necked Ducks (Marila collaris) (earliest).

The paper of the evening was by Air. Alex B. Klots who gave an
illustrated talk on the wild life of the Jackson Hole country, Wyoming.
He showed photographs of a number of the native birds of the region, —
the Long-tailed Chickadees (Penthestes atricapillis septentrionalis),
Desert Horned Lark (Otocornis alpestris leucolcenia), Gray Rufifed
Grouse (Bonasa umbellus umbelloides) , Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus
obscurus obscurus) and others. He also described the mortality among
the wintering elk in the Jackson Hole Region and showed some in-
teresting close-up pictures of bears.

Mr. Bowdish of the New Jersey Audubon Society reported the
passage of the Bobolink Protective Bill by the New Jersey Legislature.

April 14, 192 jj. — Twenty-seven members and fifteen guests.

Among the field notes submitted were the following:

Dutchess County, N. Y., by Mr. Crosby: Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus c. calendula) and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus v.
varius), April 8th.

Van Cortlandt Park and vicinity, by Mr. Baker, Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum), April 12th. By Messrs. Hix and Nathan, Rough-
winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), April nth (earliest
date) ; seen also April 14th by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi, Cruickshank
and Le Maire. Messrs. L. N. and E. G. Nichols, Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus c. calendula) and 2 Hermit Thrushes (Hylocichla guttata

pallasi), April 8th. By ^Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi, Wilson's Snipe
{Galiinago delicata), March 29th; Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus
podiceps), April ist; Virginia Rail (Ralliis vir ginianiis) , April 5th.
By Mr. Cruickshank, 2 Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense),
March 28th; Myrtle (Dendroica coronata) and Pine Warblers (Den-
droica vigorsi), Brown Thrasher {Toxostoina rufiim) and Osprey
{Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) , April loth; Winter Wren {N annus
h. hiemaiis) and Vesper Sparrow {Pocecetes g. gramineus) , April nth;
Barn Swallow (Hiriindo erythrogastra) , April 12th. Messrs. Kuerzi and
Kessler, 2 Woodcock (Philohela minor), April 12th.

Bronx Park, by Mr. Kassoy, Virginia Rail (Rallns vir ginianiis) y
March 29th. By Messrs J. and R. Kuerzi, Chipping Sparrow {Spizella
p. passerina), April 8th; Pine Warbler {Dendroica vigorsi), April 8th;
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicns v. varius) and Barn Swallow
(Hirimdo erythrogastra), April nth; 3 Myrtle Warblers {Dendroica
coronata), April loth.

Scarsdale, N. Y., by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi, Towhee {Pipilo e.
erythrophthahmts) , April 13th.

Pelham Bay, by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi, 14 Canvasbacks {Marila
valisineria) and i Osprey {Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) April nth.

Hunts Point, by Mr. Kassoy, 4 Greater Yellow-legs {Totamis
melanoleucus) , April nth; i Lesser Scaup {Marila affinis) and i
Short-eared Owl {Asio flammeiis) , April 12th.

Bay Ridge, by Mr. Hix, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker {Sphyrapicns v.
varius), April 12th.

Flushing, Long Island, by ]\Ir. Eaton, a wintering Long-billed
Marsh Vv>en {l^elmatodytes p. palnstris), seen March 7th. By Mr.
Griscom, 2 Virginia Rail {Rallus virginianus) , April 4th, earliest date
for Long Island.

Central Park, Mr. Griscom reported the migration late, with first
real flight on April 13th.

Englewood, N. J., on IMarch 28th, 2 Pine Warblers {Dendroica
vigorsi), by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi and Kessler. On March 29th,
II species of ducks, including i Shoveller {Spatida clypeata) and 7
Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) seen by Messrs. Baker, Ingle, Gris-
com, J. M. Johnson, Cruickshank, Matuszewski and Ruff, the latter
with Mr. Nathan also reporting Pied-billed Grebe {Podilymbus podi-
ceps) and Wilson's Snipe {Galiinago delicata). On April 4th, Messrs. j.
and R. Kuerzi, Kessler and Cruickshank reported n species of water
fowl, including Canvasback {Marila valisineria), Shoveller {Spatula

32

clypeata) and 8 Canada Geese {Branta c. canadensis) . Same date ^Ir.
Hix reported Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) (pair) and
Ring-necked Duck (Marila collaris) (pair). On April 5th, Ruby-
crowned Kinglet {Regulus c. calendula) by Dr. Janvrin, and by Mr.
Griscom, Dr. Eliot and ^Ir. Baker 55 species including 13 species of
ducks — Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) (pair, up Hackensack River), i
Shoveller {Spatula clypeata), 2 female Ring-necked Ducks {Marila
collaris) (also seen by ^lessrs. Matuszewski and Herbert), 2 pairs of
Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) and Yellow-Palm Warbler {Den-
droica palmarum hypochrysea). On April 9th by Messrs. J. and R.
Kuerzi and Kessler, 10 species of ducks, including 8 Green-winged
Teal {Nettion carolinense) , 2 Blue-winged Teal {Querquedula discors),
I Golden-eye {Clangiila c. americana) , both Scaups {Marila marila and
Marila affinis), the two being seen in direct contrast, a probable addi-
tion of a new species to the Englewood Region ; also 2 Woodcock
{Philohela minor). On April loth, by Mr. Hickey, Greater Yellow-
legs {Totaniis melanoleucus) (earliest locality record), and Short-
eared Owl {Asio flammeus). By Messrs. Griscom and Baker, April
loth only 5 species of ducks, including i Canvasback {Marila valis-
ineria) ; 15 Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata) on same date. On
April I2th, Horned Grebe (Colymbus auritus) and American Bittern
{Botaurus lentiginosus) by Messrs. Matuszewski and Nathan.

Boonton, X. J., by Mr. Carter: March 22nd, Mallard {Anas
platyrhynchos), 10; 15 Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense); 2
Blue-winged Teal {Querquedula discors). On March 29th, 2 or more
Ring-necked Ducks {Marila collaris). On April 5th, 16 ^Mallards
{Anas platyrhynchos) and 4 Ring-necked Ducks {Marila collaris).
On April 12th, i Chipping Sparrow {Spizella p. passerina).

Princeton, N. J., ^larch 28th, Messrs. Hix and Rogers reported
10 P--ed-billed Grebe {Podilymhus podiceps), a pair of Green-winged
Teal {Nettion carolinense), Shoveller {Spatula clypeata), 5 Wood
Ducks {Aix sponsa), 2 Coots (Fiilica americana) , Chipping Sparrow
{Spizella p. passerina), Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythrogastra), and
Tree Swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor).

Elizabeth, N. J., by Mr. Urner, March 8th, Chipping Sparrow
{Spi.-ella p. passerina) ; March 22nd, Osprey {Pandion haliaetus caro-
linensis), and 2 Hooded Mergansers {Lophodytes cucullatus) ; March
28th, 2 Blue-winged Teal {Querquedula discors).

Barnegat, N. J., March 14th and 15th, by Messrs. Baker, Carter,
Eato?: and Urner, European Widgeon {Mareca penelope) with 150

33

American Widgeon (Mareca americana), i Piping Plover {^gialitis
meloda).

Portland, Conn., by Mr. J. H. Sage, reported by Dr. Dwight,
Purple Martin (Progne s. siibis), April loth; Killdeer (Oxyechus
vociferus), nest and 4 eggs April 8th on golf course.

Mr. A. H. Helme reported a Snowy Owl {Nytea nyctea) killed
about February 15th, 1925, at Springfield, Long Island.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to the amendment and
final adoption of a revised constitution which had been prepared by
a committee of three, ^lessrs. Griscom (chairman), Rowland and
Urner. Revised by-laws were also adopted.

At the conclusion of the meeting, on motion of Mr. L. N. Nichols
a resolution was adopted thanking the committee for its work and
direcnng that the new constitution and by-laws be printed in the next
abstract of the Society's proceedings.

April 28, iQ2j. — Thirty-two members and nineteen guests.

Mr. A. B. Klots, of 125 West 78th St., New York, and Mr. Wm.
H. Carr, of 6 Neff Place, Flushing, Long Island, were elected to
membership.

Dr. Jonathan Dwight was elected a Fellow of the Society in recog-
nition of his distinguished services to the organization.

Balloting was then started for the election of the Council. Dr.
Chapm, Messrs. Griscom and Carter were elected on the first ballot;
Messrs. Rowland, L. N. Nichols, Bowdish and Dr. Dwight on the
second and Messrs. Crosby and Eaton on subsequent ballots. It was
voted to rank the Council members by number of votes, in case of ties
using alphabetical order, selecting first, fourth and seventh to serve
three years; second, fifth and eighth two years, and third, sixth and
ninth one year. Thus the grouping stood:

To serve three years: Dr. Chapin, Mr. Rowland and Dr. Dwight.

To serve two year : Messrs. Griscom, L. N. Nichols, Crosby.

To serve one year : Messrs. Carter, Bowdish and Eaton.

Many field notes were submitted during the balloting, and present-
ed to the Secretary after the meeting, which showed an unusually early
and remarkable wave of transients following two nights of warm April
weather, and many records were broken. x\mong the records were the
following :

Dutchess County, N. Y., by Mr. Crosby: 2 Nashville Warbler"^
(Vermivora r. rubric apilla) , April 26th.

M

Chappaqua, N. Y., by Mr. Pangburn : 63 Cedar Waxwings (Bom-
bycilla cedroriim), February 15th; Robin (Pianesticiis m. migratorius) y
IMarch nth; Louisiana Water Thrush (Seiunis motacilla), April 21st;
j3road-winged Hawk (Buteo platyptcrus) and Black and White War-
bler (Mniotilta varia), April 22nd; House Wren {Troglodytes a.
aedon), April 25th; Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), April 26th.

Lake Waccabuc, N. Y., by Mr. C. AL Sidebottom: i Greater Yel-
low-leg (Totanns melanoleuciis) , April 6th; by Mr. C. Ogburn, Jr., 10
Tree Swallows {Iridoprocne hicolor), April 3rd and i Osprey (Pandion
haliaetus carolinensis), April 5th.

Bronx Region: Pied-billed Grebe (Podilyuibiis podiceps), Van
Cortiandt Park, April 26th, by ]\Iessrs. Kassoy and Herbert. Ameri-
can Merganser (Mergus americanns) , Bronx Park^ April 19th, by Mr.
Ruff (late record). Green Heron (Butorides v. virescens), Pelham
Bay, April 19th, by ■Messrs. Ruff and Matuszewski. Florida Gallinule
{Gallinula galeata), Bronx Swamp, April 17th, by Mr. Cruickshank.
K.'ng Rail (Rallus elcgaus), Bronx Swamp, April 19th, heard by
Messrs. Kuerzi and Kessler; seen by Mr. Kuerzi April 20th; seen by
Mr. Cruickshank April 23rd and 25th. Virginia Rail (Rallus virgin-
anus), Bronx Swamp, 3 on April 17th, by Mr. Cruickshank (early
record). Sora {Porzana Carolina), Bronx Swamp, April 17th, by Mr.
Cruickshank. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia), Hunts Point,
April i8th, by Mr. Hickey (early record). Short-eared Owl {Asio
flammeus), Hunts Point, April 28th, by Mr. Hickey (late record).
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), 6 at Hunters
Island, April iSth, by Messrs. Kuerzi and Kessler. Warbling Vireo
{Fireosylva g. gilva), Bronx Park, April 28th, by Mr. Ruff. Solitary
Vireo {Lanivireo s. solitarius), Bronx Park, April 23rd, by Messrs. J.
and R. Kuerzi. Black and \\'hite W^arbler (Mniotilta varia) abundant
April 25th and 26th. Blue-winged ^^'arbler (Vennivora pinus), Bronx
Park, April 28th, by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi. Nashville Warbler
{Vennivora r. rubricapilla) , Bronx Park, April 25th, by Mr. Ruff
(early record). Northern Parula Warbler (Compsothlypis americana
risncce), Bronx Park, April 26th, by ]\Iessrs. J. and R. Kuerzi (early
record). Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica c. ccerulescens),
Van Cortiandt Park, April 27th, by Mr. Cruickshank (early record).
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), Van Cortiandt
Park. April 27th, by Mr. Cruickshank (early record). Black-throated
Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) common, April 26th; first, April
22nd, by ■Mr. L. N. Nichols. Palm Warbler (Dendroica p. palmarum) ,

35

Bronx Park, April 22nd, by Mr. L. N. Nichols. Prairie Warbler
{Dendroica discolor), Bronx Park, April 24th, by Mr. Ruff (early
record for New York Region). Northern Yellow Throat (Geothlypis
t. trichas), Bronx Park, April 23rd, by Dr. Eliot (earliest locality
lecord). Catbird (Dumetella carolincnsis) , Van Cortlandt Park, April
16th, by Mr. Hickey (early record for the New York Region) ; also
April 27th, by Mr. Cruickshank and April 28th, at Bronx Park, by
Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi. Winter Wren (Naiinus h. hiemalis), Bronx
Park, April 28th, by Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi. Wood Thrush (Hylo-
cichla mnstelina), Van Cortlandt Park, April 26th, by Mr. Kassoy
and Herbert.

Central Park : Notes furnished by ^Irs. Mead, with additional ob-
servers mentioned. April 21st, House Wren {Troglodytes a. aedon)
(earliest date). April 23rd, Meadowlark (Sttirnella ni. magna) and
American Bittern (Botatirns lentiginosiis) , by Air. and Miss Capen,
Drs. Eliot and Denton. April 25th, Wood Thrush (Hylocichia luus-
telina) (earliest date). April 27th, a remarkable and record-breaking
wave — 39 species being present : Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crini-
tiis) (earliest date) ; Least Flycatcher {Bnipidonax minimus) ; Scarlet
Tanager (Piranga erythromelas) (seen by Mr. Curtiss, earliest date) ;
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) (5 seen by Mr. Gris-
com and Mr. Curtiss, earliest date) ; Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora
pinus) (seen by IMessrs. Griscom and Curtiss, earliest date) ; Nashville
Warbler (Vermivora r. riihricapilla) (earliest date for Park) ; Yellow
W^arbler {Dendroica ce. cestiva) (seen by Messrs. Griscom and Wat-
son) ; Chestnut-sided Warbler {Dendroica pensylvanica) (seen by Mr.
Curtiss, earliest date) ; Palm Warbler {Dendroica p. palmarum) (seen
by Messrs. Griscom and Watson) ; Ovenbird {Seiurus aurocapillus)
(seen by Mr. Curtiss) ; Northern Water Thrush {Seiurus n. nove-
boracensis) (Messrs. Griscom, Watson, Curtiss and Sidebottom) ; Cat-
bird {Dumetella carolincnsis) (Mr. Curtiss) ; Wood Thrush {Hylo-
cichia mnstelina) (Mr. Curtiss) ; Veery {Hylocichia /. fuscescens)
(Mr. Curtiss).

Washington Square, New York City, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
{Sphyrapicus v. varius), April 24th (Mr. Matuszewski).

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: Grasshopper Sparrow {Ammodramus
savannarum australis), April 27th (Mr. Nathan).

Flushing, Long Island: American Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus)
pumping and snapping its bill, and 17 Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago
delicata), April i8th (Mr. Eaton).

36

Long Beach, Long Island : On April 19th, Piping Plover {JEgialitis
meloda), 30; 1,000 Double-crested Cormorants {Phalacrocorax a.
auriiiis) ; i Pigeon Hawk {Falco c. columharins) ; 16 Brant (Branta
hernicla glaucogastra) ; i Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), by Mr.
Hix and others. Same day, 4 Clapper Rail (Rallus c. crepitans) and
I Seaside Sparrow (Passerherbulns m. maritimus), by Mr. Eaton. On
April 26th, I Gannet {Siila bassana) ; 500 Double-crested Cormorants
(Phalacrocorax a. auritus) ; 15 Semipalmated Sandpipers (Breunetes
pusillus) ; I Red-backed Sandpiper (Pelidna alpina sakhalina) ; i Spot-
ted Sandpiper (Actitis maciilaria) ; 1 Prairie Warbler (Dendroica
discolor), by Messrs. Ruff and ^latuszewski.

Mastic, Long Island: April i8th, Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cisto-
thorns stellaris), by Messrs. J. T. Nichols and Baker (earliest date for
the New York City Region).

Staten Island, N. Y. : By Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi, April 25th :
500 Bonaparte's Gulls (Lams Philadelphia) ; 40 Laughing Gulls (Larus
atricilla) (earliest record for the New York City Region) ; i Black-
backud Gull {Lams marinus) ; 3 Least Sandpipers (Pisobia minutilla)
and 2 Cciuada Geese {Branta c. canadensis).

Oakwood Beach: By Mr. Hickey, Piping Plover {^gialitis
meloda), April i/tli.

Englewood Region: April nth. Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythro-
gastra), by Air. Pangburn. On April i8th, 2 CUff Swallows {Petro-
chelidon I. lunifrons), by Mr. Cruickshank. On April 26th, by Messrs.
Griscom, Walsh, Nathan and Dr. Eliot, 74 species, with best previous
list for date 55 ; among the records. Pied-billed Grebe {Podilymbus
podiceps) (latest) ; Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) (latest) ;
Shoveller {Spatnla clypeafa), 2 pairs (latest) ; Green Heron {Butorides
V. virescens) ; SoHtary Sandpiper {Helodromas s. solitarius) (Mr.
Griscom and Dr. Eliot, earliest) ; Spotted Sandpiper {Actitis macu-
laria) (Alessrs. Walsh and Nathan, earliest) ; Pigeon Hawk (Falco c.
columbarius) (Mr. Griscom and Dr. Eliot) ; Short-eared Owl {Asio
flammeus) (Messrs. Walsh and Nathan, latest) ; Whip-poor-will (y^w^ro-
siomus V. vocifems) (earliest) ; Chimney Swift {Chcetura pelagica) ;
Bank Sv/allow {Riparia riparia) ; Chestnut-sided Warbler {Dendroica
pensyhanica) (earliest) ; Black- throated Green Warbler {Dendroica
uirens) (earliest) ; Ovenbird {Seiuriis aurocapillus) ; Water Thrush
{Seiurns n. noveboracensis) (Mr. Griscom and Dr. Eliot) ; Redstart
{Setophaga ruticilla) (ties earliest) ; House Wren {Troglodytes a.

37

aedon) ; Wood Thrush (Hylocichia miistelina) (earUest) ; Veery
(HyJocichla f. fttscescens) (earHest).

Elizabeth, N. J.: On April 25th, Pintail (Dafila acuta) (latest
local); American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) , showing white
plumes while on the ground and in flight with much bill-snapping. On
April 26th, Pine Warbler {Dendroica vigorsi), Water Thrush (Seiiirus
n. novehoracensis) and Veery (Hylocichia f. fuscescens) (Mr. Urner).

Barnegat, N. J.: April 19th, ^Messrs. Carter, Jaques and Urner,
Laughing Gull (Lams atricilla) (15); Indigo Bunting (Passerina
cyanea).

The remainder of the evening was devoted to a review of recent
bird-banding results. President Nichols mentioned a number of in-
teresting observations by banders: an adult Cowbird (Molothrus a.
ater) feeding a young bird of the species; a family group of Song
Sparrows {Mclospiza melodia) , an adult and two young, which appar-
ently remained together during the winter ; evidence of continued mating
of a pair of Song Sparrows. A letter from Mr. Boulton, now on an
African expedition, was also read.

May 12, ig2j. — Thirty-three members and thirty-four guests.

Mr. H. E. Riggenback, of 36 Wall St., New York, was elected a
member of the Society.

Among the field notes submitted were the following:

Dutchess County, N. Y. : By Mr. Crosby: Black and White
Warbler (Mniotilfa varia), April 22nd (]\Ir. Kiemle) ; Chimney
Swift {ChcBtura pelagica), April 24th (Mr. Kiemle); Wood Thrush
{Hylocichia mustelina), April 25 (Mr. Frost) ; Whip-poor-will (Antro-
siomns v. vociferus) ; Least Flycatcher {Bmpidonax minimus) and
Nashville Warbler {Vermivora r. rubric a pilla), April 26th (Messrs.
Gray, Kiemle and Crosby) ; Pipit {Anthus ruhescens) , April 27th
(Mr. Gray) ; Yellow Warbler {Dendroica ce. cestiva), April 28th (Mr.
Gray) ; Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), Warbling Vireo (Vireo-
sylva g. gilva), Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) and
Veery (Hylocichia f. fuscescens), April 29th (Messrs. Frost and
Kiemle) ; Yellow-throated Vireo (Lanivireo flavifrons) and Golden-
winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), April 30th (Mr. Crosby);
Long-billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes />. palustris), May 3rd; Lesser
Yellow-legs (Totanus flavipes), May 5th ; Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria
V. virens), Cerulean (Dendroica cerulea), Cape May (Dendroica
ttgrina). Bay-breasted (Dendroica casfanea) and Blackburnian War-

38

biers (Dendroica fusca), May 9th (Mr. Griscom). On May loth,
Messrs. Crosby, Griscom and Baker found 106 species, and with
Messrs. Frost and ]\Ioulton in the southern part of the county, the
total Hst was 117. Among the day's records were 2 Pintails (Dafila
acuta), King Rail (Rallus elegans), Duck Hawk (Falco pcrigrmus
anatmn) (breeding), both Cuckoos {Coccyzus a. americanus and C.
erythrophthahnus) , White-crowned (Zonotrichia I. leucophrys), Lin-
coln's {Melospiza I. lincolni) and Grasshopper Sparrows (Animodramus
savaituarum anstralis), Orange-crowned (Vermivora c. celata), Palm
{Dendroica p. pahnaruin) , Tennessee {Vermivora peregrina) and Wil-
son's Warblers {Wilsojiia p. pusilla), Brown Creeper (Certhia fami-
laris americana), Winter Wren {Nannus h. hiemalis), Short-billed
Mar;h Wren {Cistothorus stellaris) and Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla
guttata pallasi). At Amenia, N. Y., Mr. Edw. Spingarn reported Red-
headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) and Blackburnian
Warbler {Dendroica fusca), May 9th and Ruby-throated Humming-
bird { Archilochus colubris) and White-eyed Vireo {Vireo g. griseiis),
May loih.

Westchester County: Dickenson Pond, Croton-on-the-Hudson,
Mrs. Pry reported a long list Alay lOth and nth, including Yellow-
billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus a. americanus), May nth; Indigo Bunting
{Passerina cyanea), May nth; Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosyha olivacea).
May nth, and Prairie Warbler {Dendoica discolor), May nth. Re-
gion of Chappaqua and Mt. Kisco: Tennessee Warbler {Vermivora
peregrina), May 2nd, by Mr. Pangburn and Mr. and Mrs. Carll
Tucker; White-crowned Sparrow {Zonotrichia I. leucophrys). May
9th, by Mr. and Mrs. Pangburn and Mrs. Tucker; Brewster's Warbler
{Vermivora pinus X V. crysoptera) and Ruby-throated Humming-
bird [Archilochus colubris), May loth, Mr. Pangburn; Black-billed
Cuckoo {Coccymis erythrophthahnus) and Bobolink {Dolichonyx
oryzivorus), May loth, Airs. Tucker. Mamaroneck: Baltimore Oriole
{Icterus galbula), I\Iay 3rd, ]\Iessrs. L. N. and E. G. Nichols. Saxon
Woods: Water Thrush (Seiurus n. noveboracensis), May 3rd, Messrs.
Iv. N. and E. G. Nichols.

lironx Region: Bronx Park: Loon {Gavia inimer). May lOth
( Mer.srs. J. and R. Kuerzi and Cruickshank) ; Sora {Porzana Caro-
lina), May 9th (Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Kingbird {Tyrannus
tyrannus), ]\Iay loth (Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi); Wood Pewee
(Myiochanes virens). May loth (Mr. Cruickshank); Crested Fly-
catcher {Myiarchus crinitus), May 6th (Messrs. L. N. and E. G.

39

Nichols) ; Slate-colored Junco (Jiinco h. hyemalis), May nth (Messrs.
J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni), May 12th
(Messrs. J. and R. Kiierzi) ; Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia
ludoiiciana) , May 6th (Messrs. L. N. and E. G. Nichols) ; Indigo
Bunting (Fasserina cyanea), ^lay loth (Mr. Cruickshank) ; Scarlet
Tanager {Piranga erythromelas), May nth (Messrs. J. and R.
Kuerzi) ; Bobolink {Dolichonyx oryzivonis), ]\Iay 9th (^lessrs. J. and
R. Kuerzi); Warbling Vireo {Vireosylva g. gUva), Alay 2nd (Air.
Cruickshank) ; Red-eyed Vireo {Vireosylva olivacea), Alay loth
(Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Yellow-throated Vireo (Lanivireo ftavi-
frons), May loth (Mr. Cruickshank); Solitary Vireo (Lanivireo s.
solitarius), May loth (Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Worm-eating War-
bler {Helmitheros vermivorus). May nth (Mr. Cruickshank) ; Golden-
winged Warbler {Vermivora chrysoptera), Alay 4th (Messrs. J. and
R. Kuerzi) ; Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina), May nth
(Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Cape J\Iay Warbler (Dendroica tigrina),
May loth (Messrs. Matuszewski, Kessler, Kassoy and others) ; also
seen May nth and 12th; Blackpoll (Dendroica striata), May nth
(Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Palm \^'arbler (Dendroica p. pahnaruni),
May 4th and 9th (Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Hooded Warbler (IVil-
sonia citrina), May 2nd and nth (Messrs. Cruickshank and J. and R.
Kuerzi) ; Carolina \\>en (Thryothoriis I. liidovicianns), May 9th
(Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi) ; Gray-checked Thrush (Hylocichla a.
alici^), ]\Iay nth (Messrs. Hickey and Cruickshank) ; Hermit Thrush
(Hylocichla guttata pallasi), May nth (Mr. Cruickshank). Van Cort-
landt Park: Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), May 6th (Mr.
Kassoy) ; Red-headed \\'oodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalns), May
6th (Mr. Cruickshank) ; Least Flycatcher (Bmpidonax minimus), May
loth (Mr. L. N. Nichols); Canadian Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis),
May 6th (}.Jr. Cruickshank) ; Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttata pal-
lasi). May I2th (]\Ir. Hix) ; Hunts Point: Loon (Gavia immer), May
J2th (Mr. Hickey) ; Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), ]\Iay 6th
(Mr. Kassoy); Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata), I\Iay 6th (Mr.
Kassoy); Lesser Yellow-legs (Totaiius flavipes), 3, ]^Iay 6th (Mr.
Kassoy). and i May 9th (]\Ir. Hickey), also 2 reported May loth with
Greaters (Totanus melanoleucus) (Messrs. Kessler, Kassoy and J. and
R. Kuerzi) ; Short-eared Owl (Asio flammcus), calling ]\Iay 6th (Mr.
Kassoy); Long-billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes p. palustris), May
3rd (Mr. Hickey). Kingsbridge : 2 Carolina ^^'rens (Thryothoriis I.
Indovicianus) , i\Iay 7th (Mr. Cruickshank).

40

Fort Lee Ferry: i Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla), May 2nd (Mr.
Baker).

New York Bay : i Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) May 3rd (Mr.
Kassoy and Mr. Matuszewski).

Central Park : Reported by Mr. Griscom : On May 2nd, small
flight, including Yellow-throated Vireo {Lanivireo flavifrons) and
Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) (earliest) ; Long-billed
Marsh \Vren (Telmatodytes p. palustris) (third record). On May 4th
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galhula), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga
erythromelas), Red-eyed Vireo {Vireosylva olivacea), Golden-winged
Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) (Mr. C. Johnston — earliest). On
May 7th, Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina). On May 8th, Cape
May {Dendroica tigrina) and Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica
c. cceyulescens). On May 9th, small fiight — Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Zamelodia ludoviciana) (Mrs. Mead). On May nth, a big wave,
chiefly the first May group, including Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
(Mr. Spingarn) ; 4 Cape May Warblers (Dendroica tigrina) and
Blackburnian (Dendroica fusca) (Mrs. Mead) ; also White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo g. griseus), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (Mr. C. John-
ston), Olive-backed (Hylocichla ustulata szvainsoni) and Gray-checked
Thrush (Hylocichla a. alicice). May 12th records included Fish Hawk
(Pandion haliaetiis carolinensis) ; Rusty Blackbird (Buphagus caro-
Hnus) (Messrs. Griscom and Hix — latest) ; Yellow-breasted Chat
(Ictena v. virens) (Messrs. Hix and Rosen).

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata),
Coot (Fulica americana) and Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podi-
ceps), May 12th (Mr. Hix). Least Sandpiper (Pisobia minutilld),
April 29th and Sora Rail same date (Messrs. Eaton and Nathan).
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia I. leucophrys), May 8th (Messrs.
Eaton and Nathan). Long-billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes p.
palustris), May ist (Mr. Nathan).

Prospect Park, Brooklyn : Tennessee Warbler ( Vermivora pere-
grina), May 9th (Mr. Nathan).

Baldwin, Long Island: Adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea) seen by Mr. K. Baasch on May 3rd.

Battery Park^ New York: Louisiana Water Thrush (Seiurus
motacilla), May 5th, by Mr. Nathan; and by Mr. Pangburn, May nth,
II species including Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapillus) , Towhee (Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus) , Mary-
land Yellow-throat (Geothlypis t. trichas), W^hite-throated Sparrow

41

(Zonotrichia alhicollis), Redstart {Setophaga ruticiUa), Brown
Thrasher {Toxostoma rufum), House Wren (Troglodytes a. aedon),
Olive-backed Thrush (Hylocichla iistulata swainsoni) , Swamp Spar-
row {Melospisa georgiana) and Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta
varia).

Engiewood, N. J. : 2 Shovellers (Spatula clypeata), May 2nd, by-
Mr. liickey (latest) ; 2 Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense) , May
3rd, Dy Mr. Kuerzi (latest) ; pair American Mergansers (Mergus amer-
icaniis), May 3rd, by Messrs. Kuerzi and Kessler; Least Sandpiper
(Pisohia minutilla), May 3rd, by i\Ir. Griscom (earliest); Warbling
Vireo (Vireosylva gilva gilva), i\Iay 2nd, by Mr. Hickey (earUest) ;
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosylva olivacea), May 2nd, by Mr. Hickey;
Baltimore Oriole {Icterus galbula), May 2nd, by Mr. Hickey (earli-
est) ; Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), May 2nd, by Mr. Hickey;
Winter Wren (N annus h. hiemalis), May 3rd, by Mr. Griscom; Long-
billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes p. palnstris), May 3rd by Messrs.
Nathan and Walsh.

Boonton, N. J.: Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymhus podiceps), Wood
Duck (Aix sponsa), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzns a. americanns)
and Short-billed JMarsh Wren (Cistofhorus stellaris), May 9th, by
Messrs. Eaton and Urner. On May 10, ^Ir. Carter reported the Short-
billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorns stellaris) in numbers in its usual
breeding fields, while none has been present there, and only a few
some distance away, on the preceding day.

Elizabeth, N. J. : Alessrs. Eaton and Urner reported 93 species
May loth, including a partially albino Pintail (Dafila acuta) ; a Lesser
Yellow-legs (Totanns flavipes), a Short-eared Owl's (Asio flammeiis)
nest with 7 eggs, and a Cape J\Iay Warbler (Dendroica tigrina).

Princeton, N. J.: May 2nd and 3rd: Messrs. Rogers and Urner
reported 75 species, including a flock of 7 Lesser Yellow-legs (Totanus
flavipes), Least Bittern (Ixohrychiis exilis) and nests of Great Horned
Owl (Bubo V. virginianus) and Barred Owl (Strix v. varia), both with
well grown young.

The paper of the evening was by Mr. Ludlow Griscom, who de-
scribed the ornithology of the Bronx Region fifty years ago, based on
the observations of the late E. P. Bicknell, from 1872 to 1900, at
Riverdale and vicinity. Mr. Bicknell up to 1884 has listed 207 species.
He added only 2 or 3 after that date, and 2 or 3 records are open to
question. Mr. Griscom suggested, and President Nichols seconded the
suggestion, that a resume of the records of Mr. Bicknell, compared with

42

present day conditions in the area be published in connection with the
next abstract of the proceedings of the Society.

May 26, iQ2j. — Twenty-four members and twenty-six guests.

The following new members were elected : Mrs. ElHs Parker
Butler, 242 State Street, Flushing, Long Island; ^Mr. Carll Tucker, 733
Park Avenue, New York City.

Among the field notes submitted were the following:

Long Beach, Long Island: May 17th, Old Squaw (Harelda
nyemalis), 2; Red-backed Sandpiper {Pelidna alpina sakhalina), 2, by
Air. Hix. May 23rd, adult Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa hcBmastica),
by Mr. John Kuerzi. ]\Iay 24th, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archi-
lochiis colubris), Horned Grebe (Colymbits auritus), White-rumped
Sandpiper (Pisobia fuscicoUis), and Water Thrush (Seiurtis n. nove-
boracensis), by Mr. Eaton; same day, 14 Dowitchers (Macrorhantphiis
g. griseus), 8 Knots {Trinya canntus), 7 Red-backed Sandpipers
(Pel'dna alpina sakhalina). Piping Plover (JEgialitis meloda), young
and nest with eggs by ]\Iessrs. Baker, Janvrin, Ingle and Nathan.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn : Alay 16, Black Tern {Hydrochelidon
nigra surinamensis) ; Common Tern (Sterna hirimdo), 3; by Messrs.
Ogburn and Rosen. On May 21st, Double-crested Cormorant (Phala-
crccorax a. auritus) and Lesser Yellow-legs (Totanns ftavipes) by Mr.
Nathan.

Amenia, N. Y. : May 23, Mourning Warbler (Oporornis phila-
delpkia), and May 24th, Acadian Flycatcher (Binpidonax virescens) ,
Nighthawk ( CJwrdeiles v. virginianus) and Short-eared Owl (Asia
fianuneiis), by Messrs. Ogburn and Spingarn.

Stony Point, Tompkins Cove and vicinity: May i6th, Least Sand-
piper {Pisobia nnnutilla), Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus).
On May 17th, 4 Wood Ducks (Ai.v sponsa), Florida Gallinule (Gal-
linula galeata), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis), Fish
Crow (Corz'us ossifragus), Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius), and Ten-
nessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina), by ]\Iessrs. Eaton, Holmes,
>Miss Woodward and others.

Dutchess County: Alay i6th, Canada Geese (Branta c. canadensis) ,
7, by Mr. Springarn. ]\Iay 17th, 112 species by Dr. Murphy, Messrs.
Crosby, Pangburn and Urner; with others working different parts of
the county, 123 species; the list included Pipit (Anthiis rubescens),
Lincoln's (Melospiza I. lincolni) and \\'hite-crowned Sparrow (Zona-

43

trichia I. Icucophrys), Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) and nest-
ing Duck Hawk (Faico peregrin us aJiatiim).

Bronx Region: ]\Iay I2th, Henslow's Sparrow (Passerherbidiis h.
hensiowi), at Hunts Point by '\lv. Herbert. ^lay 13th, Slate-colored
Junco {Jiinco h. hycmalis), at Botanical Gardens, by ^Ir. Kessler.
American ^Merganser (Mergus americaiius) , Ruby-throated Humming-
bird {Archilochus coluhris), Bay Breasted {Dendroica castanea) and
Wilson Warblers {Wilsonia p. pusilla), at Bronx Park, by Mr. Kuerzi.
Lawrence's \\'arbler (Vermivora "lawrencei"), at Sawmill Lane, by
Mr. L. N. Nichols. On Alay 14th, Orchard Oriole {Icterus spurius),
at Bronx Park, by Mr. Cruickshank. White-eyed Vireo {Vireo g. gris-
eus) and 3 Cape IMay Warblers (Dendroica tigrina), at Bronx Park,
by Mr. Kuerzi. On ]\Iay 16th, Golden-winged (Vermivora chrysoptera),
Tennessee (Vermivora peregriim), 8 Cape Mays (Dendroica tigrina)
and Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), at Bronx Park, by Mr.
Kuerzi. Solitary Mreo (Lanivireo s. solitarius), at Bronx Park, by
Mr. Cruickshank. White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia l. leucophrys),
at Hunts Point, by ^lessrs. Hickey, Kassoy and others. On ]\Iay 17th,
Bronx County Bird Club saw 106 species including Acadian Flycatcher
(Bmpidonax virescens) ] also 6 Loons (Gavia immer), Red-headed
Woodpecker (Malanerpes erythrocephahts), Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyztis a. americamis), 20 Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon I. lunifrons), by ]\Ir. Hickey. On May
19th, Solitary \'ireo (Lanivireo s. solitarius), at Bronx Park, by ^Ir.
Kuerzi; Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza I. lincolni), at Hunts Point, by
Messrs. Hickey and Kassoy. On May 20th, Warbling Vireo (Vireo-
sylva g. gilva), nesting in the Bronx, by ]\Ir. Cruickshank. On May
2ist Cape ]\Iay (Dendroica tigrina), at Bronx Park, by ^Ir. Kuerzi;
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis Philadelphia), at King's Bridge, by Mr.
Cruickshank. On ^lay 23rd, Tennessee W^arbler (Vermivora pere-
grina), at Pelhani, by Mr. Hickey. On ]\Iay 24th, in Bronx Park,
quite a wave of warblers, including Cape ^lay (Dendroica tigrina) ;
also Red-backed Sandpiper (Pclidna aJpina sakhalina), and Barn Owl
[Ahico pratincola) (dead), at Hunts Point, by ^Ir. Kuerzi and others;
also Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Bmpidonax flaviventris) , at Botanical
Gar J. ens, by yiv. Kessler. On May 26th, Purple Finch (Carpodacus
p. purpureus) , at King's Bridge, by Mr. Cruickshank.

Oakwood Beach: May 23rd, 4 Knots (Tringa caniitus), 12 Red-
backed Sandpipers (Pelidna alpina sakhalina), by ]\Ir. Ruff and others.

Chappaqua, N. Y. : Nesting Short-billed ^Marsh Wren (Cistothonis

44

stellaris) and ]Marsh Hawk {Circus hudsonius), by Mr. Pangburn.

Central Park: Alay lo, Brewster's Warbler {Vermivora pinus X
V. chrysoptera), by Miss Samek. May 15, Tennessee Warbler {Ver-
mivora peregrina), by Dr. Eliot. May i6th, wave with birds abundant:
Worm-eating Warbler {Helmitheros vermivorus) and Golden-winged
Warbler {Vermivora chrysoptera), by Mr. and Miss Capen; Black-
burnian Warbler {Dendroica fiisca), by Mrs. Mead. May 17th, 8
Cedar Waxwings {Bomhycilla cedrorum) , by Mr. Baker and Night-
hawk {Chordeiles v. virginianus) , by Mrs. Mead. On May i8th,
Orchard Oriole {Icterus spurius) (first in 12 years), and Hermit
Thrush {Hylocichla guttata pallasi) (latest date), by Mr. Griscom.
On J\Iay 19th, Ruby-throated Hummingbird {Archilochus colubris),
by ]Mrs. Mead. On May 20th, a good flight : Wood Pewee {Myiochanes
virens), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher {Bmpidonax flaviventris), Hooded
Warbler {Wilsonia citrina), Bay Breasted Warbler {Dendroica cas~
tanea), by Mr. Griscom. On May 22nd, Broad-wdnged Hawk {Buteo
platypterus), by Mr. Griscom. On May 23rd, Lincoln's Sparrow
{Melospiza I. lincolni), by Miss Capen. On May 24th, Tennessee
Warbler {Vermivora peregrina), by Miss Capen. On May 25th, a
remarkable flight for so late, including Whip-poor-will {Antrostomus
V. vociferus) (latest date), by Mr. Spingarn; Cliff Swallow {Petro-
chelidon I. lunifrons) ; Solitary Vireo {Lanivireo s. solitarius) (latest
date), by Mr. and Miss Capen; Myrtle Warbler {Dendroica coronata),
by Mr. Griscom; Hermit Thrush {Hylocichla guttata pallasi) (latest
date), by Mr. W^atson. On May 26th, Tennessee Warbler {Vermivora
peregrina), by Mr. and Miss Capen; Kentucky Warbler {Oporornis
formosus), by Mr. Griscom.

Newton, N. J. : Alay 16, 105 species, including King Rail {Rallus
elegans) (heard) ; Greater Yellow-legs {Totanus melanoleucus) ; Olive-
sided Flycatcher {Nuttallornis borealis) ; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
{Bmpidonax flaviventris) ; Alder Flycatcher {Bmpidonax trailli
alnorum), and Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni), by Messrs.
Griscom, J. M. Johnson and Dr. Eliot.

Millington, N. J., about Dead River: May 2nd and 3rd, few birds;
May 23rd and 24th, Red-headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythro-
cephalus), by Mr. Hix.

Englewood, N. J.: May 17th, 99 species by Messrs. Walsh and
Nathan.

Bernardsville, N. J.: Mid-May list included Wilson's Snipe (Gal-
linago delicata). Lesser Yellow-legs {Totanus flavipes), 8 Turkey Vul-

45

tures (CatJiartes aura septentrionalis) and 5 Black-crowned Night
Herons (Nycticorax n. ncevius), by Mrs. Fry.

Boonton, N. J. : May 17th, 104 species and Brewster's Warbler
(Vermwora pinus X ^- chrysoptera) ; Henslow's Sparrow (Passerher-
■bulns h. henslowi) (first for the region) ; Great Blue Heron (Ardea
h. hcrodias) (latest) ; Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (second
record) ; Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) (first
record) ; Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) (first record) by ^Messrs.
Carter, Howland and Griscom.

Wyanokie, N. J.: Brewster's Warbler (Vermivora pinus X ^.
chrysoptera) , banded 1922, taken 1923 and 1924. Hooded Warbler
{Wilsonia citrina), banded July 4th, 1923; first seen as return May
30th, 1924. Prairie A\'arbler (Dendroica discolor), May 24th, by Mr.
Carter.

Oradell, N. J. : Barn Owl (Ahtco pratincola) nest in dead chest-
nut 20 feet from the ground by Mr. Ralph J. Holmes.

Plainfield, N. J.: May 17th, Mr. W^ DeWitt ^^liller, 86 species
all day.

Elizabeth, N. J.: May 15th, 118 species, including 3 Wood Ducks
{Aix sponsa) ; Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum hypo-
chrysea) ; Hermit Thrush (Hylocichia guttata pallasi) ; Solitary Vireo
(Lanivireo s. solitariiis) ; Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) ; Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher (Poiioptila c. ccerulea) ; Yellow-throated Warbler
{Dendroica d. doininica) (first locahty record) ; partial albino Pintail
(Dafila acuta) ; 4 Woodcocks (Philohela minor) ; Broad-winged Hawk
{Buteo platypterus) , by Mr. Urner.

Barnegat, N. J. : May 23rd, 24th and 25th, total 103 species. On
May 23rd, Canada Goose (Branta c. canadensis) ; May 24th, Black
Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) ; May 25th, to Little Island
Beach, 2 Brant (Branta bernicla glaucogastra), American Scoters
{Oidemia americana), Black Skimmers (Rynchops nigra), etc., by
Messrs. Crosby, Griscom, Weber and Urner.

On the subject of the spring migration Mr. Griscom said:

"A particularly good spring, the best since 1913 and 1915, with
practically all rarest transients recorded. It was notable for the tend-
ency of a few individuals to arrive very early and for the majority
of individuals of a given species to be rather late. It was also notable
for the number of days on which there were marked flights, and the
relative absence of really big waves (only one such on May nth). As
a result the migration of many transient species has been unusually

46

protracted and a larger number of individuals than usual has been
recorded, notably the Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni), the
Nashville (Vermivora r. ritbricapilla) , Cape ^lay (Dendroica tigrina),
and Wilson's Warblers {Wilsonia p. pusilla). As illustrating these re-
marks, 104 species to date in Central Park, and I have seen 211 species
in the vicinity of New York City in spite of very little work in the
winter, and making no effort to make a special trip for any special
species. -The Blackburnian Warbler {Dendroica fusca) is the only
transient I can think of at the moment whose numbers were below par.
''On the group-arrival system in my book I should describe the
May species as follows : Group i — chiefly April 27 and May 11. Group
2 — chiefly ]\Iay 11. Group 3 — chiefly May 11, 12 and 16. Group 4 —
chiefly May 16, 20, 21, 24 and 25. Group 5 — chiefly ]\Iay 21, 24, 25
and 26."

October ij, iQ^f,. — Twenty-nine members and seventeen guests.

The resignation of I\Ir. J. T. Nichols as president of the Society
was announced.

The Secretary reported to the Society the nomination by the
Council of Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin for the presidency. He was unani-
mously elected.

The nomination of Mr. L. N. Nichols for the vice-presidency by
the Council was then announced and he was unanimously elected.

Mr. F. M. Capen was elected to fill the unexpired term of Mr.
L. N. Nichols on the Council.

The Secretary reported on the action of the Council to provide
funds for the refreshments at the A. O. U. convention reception at
the Aluseum, Tuesday evening, November loth, and to set aside a
sum not exceeding $100 to finance a field trip on Saturday following
the convention for visiting members, also to prepare a field card for the
use of the members of the Society.

'Mr. Baker reported a dividend of $441.53 credited to the Society's
account upon the merger of the Freestone Savings Bank with the Port-
land Trust Company.

The evening was devoted to the submission of field notes by
members.

^Ir. Griscom reported that while August and September had been
very poor for land birds, particularly warblers, October had been the
best since 1907. He submitted records as follows :

Riverdale, Bronx Region: Nashville Warbler {Vermivora r. rub-

47

ricapilla), August i8th, earliest date. \\'hip-poor-will {Antrostomiis v,
vociferous) , August 30th, on migration. Carolina Wren (Thryothonis
I. ludoviciamis) , pair, August ist, to date.

Central Park: Olive-sided Flycatcher (Nutfalloriiis borealis), Sep-
tember 3rd; Crested Flycatcher {Myiarchns crinitus), September i/th^
latest date; Pigeon Hawk {Falco c. colnmbarius), earliest, and Lin-
coln's Sparrow {Melospiza I. lincolni), second fall record, both seen
September 22nd, by Mr. Crosby; White-eyed Vireo (Vireo g. griseus)^
October 8th, latest, Messrs. Crosby and Watson ; Pigeon Hawk (Falco
c. coliiiubarius), October 13th, latest, and Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis
mactilaria) , October 13th, latest, by Air. Watson.

Englewood Region: Common Tern (Sterna hiriindo), September
27th, latest; also i drake Gadwall (Chaiilelasmiis streperus), first for
Northern New Jersey; Widgeon (Mareca americana), earliest, and
Pintail (Dafila acuta), earhest, September 27th. On October 4th, with
Messrs. Baker, Eaton and Eliot, 79 species to which Air. Watson added
7 additional, making 86, a record October day for Englewood Region.
Among the records were: Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) ; Woodcock
(Philohela minor) ; Wood Pewee (Myiochanes virens) (latest) ; Bobo-
link (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), fairly common, very late; Barn Swallow
(Hirundo erythrogastra) ; Cape Alay (Dendroica tigrina), latest;
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia p. pusiUa) (latest); Carolina Wren
(Thryothonis I. ludoviciamis) ; Short-billed Alarsh Wren (Cistothorus
stellaris) (second record) ; Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
(latest).

Mr. Griscom also reported a Goshawk (Astus a. atricapillns),
shot, October 7th, 1925, by Mr. Justus von Tengerke at Stag Lake,
Sussex County, N. J., the earliest date for the region.

Air. Hix reported 8 Little Blue Herons (Florida ccerulea) on
New Lake, Interstate Park; 2 Northern Phalaropes (Lobipes lobatus)
at Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, Alay 27th; i Horned Grebe (Colymbus
aitritus) and 7 Red-breasted Alergansers (Mergns serrator) at Long
Beach, June 3rd. At Newton, N. J., Palm Warbler (Dendroica p.
palmariim) , September 20th; Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) and Lincoln's
Sparrow (Melospiza I. lincolni), September 21st; Yellow Warbler
(Dendroica ce. cestiva), September 20th; 2 immature Florida Gal-
linules (Gallinida galeata), September 20th. At Alillington, N. J., sev-
eral Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), Octo-
ber loth and 12th.

Air. Nathan reported definite breeding evidence of the Pied-billed

48

Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) and Coot (Fidica americana), at Dyker
Heights, Brooklyn.

Mr. Crosby reported from Dutchess County, N. Y., Pine Warbler
(Dendrocia vigorsi), nested successfully 50 feet up in a Pitch Pine on
bank of the Huson at Rhinebeck. A Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola)
was found incubating 5 eggs on June 23rd at New Hackensack, N. Y. ;
young still in the nest August 15th; a second nest found near Pough-
keepsie. Egrets (Herodias egretta) in various parts of Dutchess
County, July 15th to September 5th. Parula Warbler (Compsothlypis
americana usnece), July 29th; Water Thrush (Seiurus n. nove-
boracensis) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) , July 31st;
Lawrence's Warbler (Vermivora "lawrencei") (third county record),
August ist; Coot {Fulica americana) , August 2nd, After that date
no migration noted for several weeks and September was warm and
migration very ordinary. A cold wave October 9th and loth : On Octo-
ber 9th, Canada Goose (Branta c. canadensis) ; October loth, Ruddy
Duck (Brisniatura jamaicensis) ; October nth, with Messrs. Frost and
Griscom an all day census, total 76 species, including all three grebes,
II species of ducks, among them a Gadwall (Chanlelasmus streperus) ;
also 2 Turkey Vultures (CatJiartes aura septentrionalis). Thousands
of birds flying south in the late afternoon. On October 12th, 53 species,
including 8 not seen the day before, and a Rough-legged Hawk (Archi-
buteo lagopiis sancti-johannis) .

Mr. Chubb spoke briefly of his experiences with the bird life of
Bonaventure Island. He remarked particularly on the beauty of the
song of the White-winged Crossbill {Loxia leucoptera), which had a
duration of nine seconds. He estimated the number of Gannets (Sula
bassana) seen at lopoo.

Mr. Carter reported a Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)
and large flocks of Pine Siskins (Spiniis pinus) at West Milford,
Passaic County, N. J., on October 12th.

]\Ir. Pangburn had seen 5 Egrets {Herodias egretta) from train
August I2th at Alilford, Conn.

]\Ir. L. N. Nichols reported a successful summer in the Cran-
berry I^ake Region of Saint Lawrence County, N. Y. Of special in-
terest was the occurrence of the Acadian Chickadee (Penthestes hud-
sonicus litt oralis) at low levels in several parts of the region and the
adjacent Adirondacks. On June 21st, above Coytesville, N. J., Mr.
Nichols with ]\Iessrs. E. G. and J. G. Nichols reported a singing Scar-
let Tanager (Piranga erythromelas) with plumage dull olive and wings

49

a dusky brown. At Ladentown, Rockland County, N. Y., a Red-
headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus). At Hunts Point,
August 30th, 3 Turnstones (Areuaria i. niorinella) and 14 Dowitchers
(Macrorhaniphiis g. griseus). .In Bronx Park, September 25th, 4 Yel-
low Palm Warblers (Dendroica palinanun hypochrysca) (early) ; and
4 White-crowned Sparrows {Zoiiotricia I. leucophrys) (early). In
Sawmill Lane, same date, 2 Red-headed W^oodpeckers {Melanerpes
erythrocephalus). In Bronx Botanical Gardens, 11 Yellow-throated
\^ireos {Lanivireo flainfrons), September 25th, an unusual number.
In Bronx Park, October nth, 2 Ovenbirds (Seiunis aurocapilliis)
(late record). Mr. Nichols had also seen a Duck Hawk {Falco pere-
grinus anatiiin) at Hunts Point eating a small sandpiper.

^Ir. Hickey, usually with other members of the Bronx Bird Club,
reported the following:

Van Cortlandt Park, Alay 28th, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher {Empi-
donax flaviventris) ; September 27th, Connecticut Warbler (Oporoniis
agilis).

Hunts Point, June 2nd, Black-bellied Plover {Sqiiatarola sqiia-
tarola) and both peeps; June 7th, American ^Merganser (Mergus ameri-
canus) ; July 2nd, Tree Swallow {Iridoprocne hicolor) ; July 3rd, Great
Blue Heron (Ardea h. herodias) ; July 6th, Scaup {Marila sp.f) and
Solitary Sandpiper {Helodromas s. solitariiis) ; August 27th, Aligrant
Shrike {Laniiis ludovicianus migrans) ; September 20th, Red-backed
Sandpiper (Pelidna alpina sakhalina) ; September 26th, Golden Plover
(Charadriiis d. dominicus) ; September ist to October 12th, Pigeon
Hawks (Falco c. columharius) (seen by ^Ir. Herbert). Mr. Hickey
reported shore birds not up to the numbers seen in 1924 at Hunts
Point, and the migration concluded, on the whole, much earher.

Baychester, Bronx, June i8th, Alder Flycatcher (Binpidonax
trailli aliwnun).

Long Beach, ]\Iay 30th, with ^Messrs. Herbert, Kassoy and Matus-
zewski, Black Rail (Creciscus jaJiiaiccnsis), Ruby-throated Humming-
bird (Archilochtis colubris), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax
flaviventris), Lincoln's Sparrow (Mclospisa I. lincolni) (first record),
Parula Warbler (Coinpsothlypis americana usnece). Bay-breasted
(Dendroica castanea), Blackpoll (Dendroica striata), Wilson's (JVil-
sonia p. pusilla) and Canadian Warblers {WUsonia canadensis), Oven-
bird (Seiunis aurocapillus). Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Veery
(Hylocichla f. fuscescns), Olive-backed (Hylocichla ustiilata swaiu-
soni) and Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla a. alicice). One June ist

50

in the "Oasis," Water Thrush (Seiurus n. noveboracensis), Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla), Magnolia (Dendroica inagnolia) , Alyrtle {Den-
droica coronata), Bay-breasted (Dendroica castanea), Wilson's {Wil-
sonia p. piisilla), Parula (Compsothlypis arnericana iisnece) and Chest-
nut-sided Warblers {Dendroica pensylvanica) ; also Veery {Hylocichla
f. fuscescens) , Olive-backed Thrush {Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni)
and a small flycatcher. On October 12th, 2 Wilson's Snipe {Gal-
linago delicata), Winter Wren {N annus h. hiemalis) and Red-tailed
Hawk {Biiteo b. borealis).

Bronx Park, Chimney Swift {Chcetura pelagica), October nth.

Oakwood Heights, S. I., with Mr. Matuszewski, i Upland Plover
{Bartraniia longicauda), August 7th.

Boonton, X. J., June 23, 72 species, including Tree Swallow {Irido-
procne bicolor).

Elizabeth, N. J., August i6th, 3 Bonaparte's Gulls {Lams Phila-
delphia) and 5 Ring-billed Gulls {Larus delazvarensis). September
13th, Forster's Tern {Sterna forsteri) and Purple Martin {Progne
subis subis).

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, August 23rd, Knot {Tringa caniitus).

Central Park, August 23rd, Nashville Warbler {Vermivora rubri-
capilla) ; September 22nd, Hairy Woodpecker {Dry abates v. villosus).

New York Bay, August 23rd, Least Tern {Sterna antillarum)
and Black Tern {Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) .

Englewood, N. J., August 30th, 4 Olive-sided Flycatchers {Nut^
tallornis borealis).

Mr. Hickey also spoke briefly of summer field work in Berkshire
County, Mass.

Mr. Eaton reported a Great Horned Owl {Bubo v. virginianus),
at Lake Waccabuc, June 28th ; a Stilt Sandpiper {Micropalama himan-
topns), at Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, August i8th, and a Parasitic
Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) and Carolina Wren {Thryothorus I.
ludovicianus) , at Blue Point, near Bellport, August i6th.

^Ir. Baker reported Green Heron {Bntorides v. virescens) and
Chimney Swift {Chcetura pelagica) at Westwood, N. J., October loth;
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) from Fort Lee Ferry, October loth,
and a Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina), in Central Park,
October nth.

Mrs. Smith from Point O'Woods, Fire Island, reported Northern
Water Thrush {Seiurus n. noveboracensis) , July 31st to October 8th,
daily records until mid-September; Carolina Wren (Thryothorus /.

51

ludovicianiis), August 4th to October 4th; Red-headed W^oodpecker
{Melanerpes erythrocephalus) , August 30th, 31st and September ist,
flights of immature birds, several remaining a few days.

The Secretary read a letter from Air. Roy Latham of Orient, Long
Island, reporting a Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris ainericana) in
late June, not his first June record for the locality. In interesting con-
trast with the full migration during the spring of 1925 about New
York City, Mr. Latham reported a very poor spring for birds in the
Orient Region. ''I have never before recorded so few warblers and
some other species as this, the spring of 1925,'' he wrote.

Mr. Urner discussed the unusual visitation of southern birds along
the New Jersey Coast during the summer. He mentioned five Alock-
ingbird {Mimns p. polyglottos) records between May and October; an
unusual number of Carolina Wrens (Thryothonis I. liidovicianus) ; one
record of ^Migrant Shrike (Laniiis ludovicianiis migrans) ; large num-
bers of Ivittle Blue Herons {Florida ccernlea) and Egrets (Herodias
egretta) ; records of immature Yellow-crowned Night Herons (Nyc-
tanassa violacca) from Little Island Beach, Point Pleasant and Eliza-
beth, at least 6 individuals, and large numbers of Forster's Terns
{Sterna forsteri), reaching a maximum of 75 on August 30th at Point
Pleasant, and a maximum of 62 September 19th at Elizabeth. Roseate
Terns {Sterna dougalli) were less plenty than in 1924 and Black Terns
{Hydrochelidon nigra surinaniensis) scarcer, with main flight fully
three weeks later than in 1924. The colony of Black Skimmers
{Rynchops nigra) at Little Island Beach when visited August 9th, con-
tained fully 300 individuals, many young on the wing, while some
nests still contained young, newly hatched and eggs. A Black Rail
{Creciscus jamaicensis) had been seen on the Barnegat marshes and
a Western Sandpiper {Breiinetes mauri) taken September 7th. Jaegers
were unusually plentiful along the coast of New Jersey. At Point
Pleasant a maximum of 11 Parasitic {Stercoraritis parisiticus) , Sep-
tember 13th and I Pomarine {Stercorarius pouiarinus) September 6th,
two of the latter being seen at Barnegat Inlet, October loth, by Mr. J.
A. Weber. Evidence of a large early flight of northern finches wa?
seen in numbers of Siskins {Spinus pimis) and Purple Finches {Car-
podacns p. purpnreiis) about Barnegat Light on October nth. At
Elizabeth, records included 8 singing Savannah Sparrows {Passer-
ctihis sandwichensis savanna), June 6th; Hudsonian Godwit {Liniosa
hcBmastica), July 3rd (breeding plumage) ; Willet {Catoptrophorus s.
semipalmatus) , September nth; Philadelphia Vireo {Vireosylva phila-

52

delpJiica), September 26th. A big warbler wave was noted October
I2th, with II species, including Bay-breasted (Dendroica castanea),
Magnolia (Dendroica magnolia) , Palm {Dendroica p. palmarum),
Louisiana Water Thrush {Seiiiriis niotacilla) and Connecticut (Oporor-
nis a gills).

Mr. Charlton Ogburn, Jr., reported from Lake Waccabuc i juven-
ile Great Blue Heron (Ardea h. herodias), June 27th; 4 Egrets
(Herodias egretta), July 6th; i Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platy-
pterus) ; Tree Swallow's (Iridoprocne bicolor) nest found June 15th;
Parula Warbler (Conipsothlypis americana usnecs), June 15th to July
15th; Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon I. htnifrons), common transient;
Prairie \\ arbler (Dendroica discolor), uncommon summer resiaent.
At Overpeck Creek i Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus a. aniericanus),
October nth.

Miss Capen gave a most interesting comparison of the bird life
at Winchendon, ]\Iass., as observed by her and her brother, ]\Ir. Fred-
erick iMortimer Capen, the past summer with records from the same
locality thirty-seven years previous compiled by ]\Ir. William Brewster.
^Ir. Brewster's list contained 82 birds ; ]\Ir. and ]\Iiss Capens' 66.
Twenty-five on ]\Ir. Brewster's list were not on the Capens' list, while 9
on the Capens' were not on his. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotricia
albicollis) was much commoner in 1925 than in 1887 and 1888; Nash-
ville \\^arbler (Vermivora r. ruhricapilla) had also increased, as had
Black-throated Blue (^Dendroica c. ccerulescens), but Blackburnian
(Dendroica fiisca) had become rare, while in Mr. Brewster's time it
was common.

Mr. Cleaves told of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus
colnbris) observed from a Sound Steamer on September 5th, avoiding
the wind by flying close to the waves after the manner of sea-birds
accustomed to water travel.

^Ir. Kassoy reported the following records :

Grassy Sprain Reservoir: June 28th, Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter
cooperi).

Hunts Point: Western Sandpiper (Breiinetcs mmiri), July loth ;
16 Dowitchers (Macrorhamphus g. griseus) and 2 Pectoral Sandpip-
ers (Pisobia macnlata), July 14th; Migrant Shrike (Lanius hido-
vicianus migrans), August 26th.

Interstate Park: July 4th, Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora

53

chrysoptera). On road to Bear ^lountain, July 5th, Brewster s War-
bler {Vermivora piniis X V- chrysoptera).

Long Beach: With Mr. Alatuszewski, July 26th, 2 Egrets (Hero-
dias egretta), 1 Willet (Catoptrophorus s. semipalmatus), 2 Stilt Sand-
pipers (Micropalaiiia himaiitopiis). On August 2nd, 3 Egrets {Her-
odias egretta), 20 Stilt Sandpipers (Micropalama himantopiis), 100
Pectoral Sandpipers (Pisobia maciilata) on Lido Golf Links.

Overpeck Creek: Dowitchers (Macrorhamphus g. griseits), August
1st and I Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors) and Redhead
(Marila americana), August 15th, with Messrs. ]^Iatuszewski and
Herbert.

Mr. Matuszewski reported 7 Little Blue Herons (Florida cceridea)
at Oakwood Beach, July i8th.

Mr. Allan Cruickshank submitted the following records:

Bronx Park: June 6, nest of A'irginia Rail (Rallus virginianns)
and a Florida Gallinule (Gallimila galeata) ; September 20th, Stilt
Sandpiper (Micropalama himantopiis) ; September 25th, W^inter Wren
(Nanmis h. hiemalis), Short-billed ^Vlarsh Wren (Cistothorus stellaris),
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza I. Hncolni).

Van Cortlandt Park: September 3rd, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila c. cceridea) ; October 4th, Wood Pewee (Myiochanes
virens) ; September 19th, over 1,000 Broad-winged Hawks (Buteo
platypterns) migrating, also Pigeon Hawk (Falco c. columbarius),
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus
carolinensis) ; October loth, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides
arcticus).

Hunts Point: July 13, 20 Lesser Yellow-legs (Totanus flaz'ipes) ;
6 Dowitchers (Macrorhamphus g. griseiis) ; 2 Pectoral Sandpipers
(Pisobia macidata) ; i Western Sandpiper (Brenuetes maiiri) ; i Scaup
(Marila sp.f). On August 31st, Golden Plover (Charadrius d.
dominiciis) .

Baychester : September 4th, Little Blue Heron (Florida ccerulea) ;
September 14th, Egret (Herod ias egretta) and Yellow-bellied Sap-
sucker (Sphyrapicns v. varius).

Kings Bridge: September 15th, Palm \\*arbler (Dendroica p.
palmarum) ; September 23rd, Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) ;
October 7th, White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia I. leiicophrys).

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: June 10, Loon (Gavia immer) ; Sep-
tember 26th, Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) and Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri).

54

Bayville, L. I. : 14 Common Terns (Sterna hirtmdo) and 2 Least
Terns (Sterna antillarum), July 8th.

Long Beach: September 2nd, Migrant Shrike (Lanius hidovicianiis
migrans),

Staten Island: June 7th, Horned Grebe (Colymbus auritus),
Woodcock (Philohela minor), 26 Turnstones (Arenaria i. morinella).

Westwood, N. J., 14 Bob-whites (Colinus v. virginianns).

Englewood, N. J.: Alder Flycatcher (Bmpidonax trailli alnorum),
singing, July 4th.

Among the records presented by Messrs. John and Richard Kuerzi
were the following:

Jerome Reservoir: July 21st, 9 Laughing Gulls (Lams atricilla).

Riverdale, Bronx: August i6th, Little Blue Heron (Florida
ccsrulea).

Baychester: August 22nd, i Egret (Herodias egretta) ; i Savan-
nah Sparrow (Passer cuius sandwichensis savanna) (may breed there) ;
September 9th, Upland Plover (Bartramia longicauda) (new locality
record), and Migrant Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) ; Septem-
ber 14th, Stilt Sandpiper (Micropalama himantopus) and Black Tern
(Hydrochelidon nigra Surinam en sis) on Eastchester Bay.

Hunts Point: 3 Hudsonian Curlew (Numenius hudsonicus) (new
locality record) on July 23rd; several Pipits (Anthus rubescens) on
August 28th; Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) on September 23rd.

Van Cortlandt Park: September 12th, 2 Carolina Wrens (Thryo-
thorus I. ludovicianus) ; October 12th, White-crowned Sparrow (Zona-
trichia I. leucophrys).

Bronx Park: September loth, Lawrence's Warbler (Verniivora
"lawrencei") (first seen by Mr. Kessler) ; September 26th, Winter
Wren (N annus h. hiemalis) and Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica
castanea) ; October 4th, Pine Siskins (Spinas pinus), Chickadees
(Penthestes a. atricapilhis) abundant and at least two dozen Yellow-
bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus v. varius).

Long Beach : August 3rd, 10 Stilt Sandpipers (Micropalama hi-
mantopus) ; I Egret (Herodias egretta). On August loth, i Willet
(Catoptrophorus s. semipalmatus) , i Stilt Sandpiper (Micropalama
himantopus) and 40 Pectoral Sandpipers (Pisobia maculata).

Staten Island: August 17th, 2 Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri)
with Common Terns (Sterna hirundo), also 10 Bonaparte's Gulls
(Larus Philadelphia).

55

Boonton, N. J. ' June 23, i White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia
(ilbicoUis) and 2 Tree Swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor).

Englewood, N. J. : August 20th, Alder Flycatcher (Bnipidonax
trailli alnorum), singing; Golden-winged {Vermivora chrysoptera),
Nashville {Vermivora r. rubricapilla) and Bay-breasted \\^arblers
(Dendroica castanea).

Elizabeth, N. J., salt marsh: September 20th, i Golden Plover
(Charadrins d. dominicus) and over 50 Forster's Terns {Sterna
forsteri) .

Mr. Kuerzi also told of the bird life of the Laurentian Mountains
of Canada observed by him.

Mr. P. Kessler reported the following:

Van Cortlandt Park: September 12th, Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora pinus) ; October 12th, White-crowned Sparrow (Zono-
trichia I. leiicophrys).

Bronx Botanical Gardens : September 24th, Winter \\'ren (Nan-
nus h. hiemalis).

Baychester Marshes: September 19th, 2 jMigrant Shrikes (Lanius
ludovicianus migrans) and i Upland Plover (Bartramia longicaiida).

Long Beach: Alay 30th, Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon I. Innifrons) ,
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia p. pnsilla), Magnolia Warbler (Den-
droica magnolia), Canadian Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) and Parula
Warbler (Coinpsothlypis americana usnece).

Elizabeth, N. J., salt marsh: i Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri),
I Egret (Herodias egretta), i Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisobia maculata)
and 3 Golden Plover (Charadrins d. dominicus).

Mr. Kessler also told of the summer bird life about Flatbrookville,
N. J., along the Delaware River in the northwestern part of the State.
On July 4th he had seen a Little Blue Heron (Florida ccerulea). A
Brewster's Warbler (Vermivora pinus X V. chrysoptera) had been
observed feeding a young bird, and a Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica
magnolia) feeding young (first evidence of the breeding of this species
in New Jersey) ; also a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus I. ludovicianus) .

Oakwood Beach : ]\Iay 27 : 2 Ring-billed Gulls (Lams delawaren-
sis) ; I Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) ; i Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus) ; 16 Knots (Tringa canntus) and 12 Red-backed
Sandpipers (Pelidna alpina sakhalina).

Aliss Samek and Mrs. Rich reported 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
(Polioptila c. ccerulea) at Central Park, September loth.

56

October 2y, 192^. — Twenty-nine members and eleven guests.

Air. Caryl Stryker of Staten Island ^Museum was elected a mem-
ber of the Society.

It was decided to omit the first November meeting of the Society
because of confiict with the A. O. U. Convention.

The meeting was devoted to a discussion of field identification of
our local gulls and terns, led by ]\Ir. Ludlow Griscom, and participated
in by Dr. Dwight, Alessrs. J. T. Nichols, Baker and others.

November 24, iQ2j. — Twenty-nine members and 26 guests.

Among the field notes presented were the following:

Boonton, N. J.: 50 Coots (Fulica americana) on reservoir Novem-
ber I St, by Messrs. Cleaves and Howland; also 40 Tree Sparrows
{Spizella m. monticola) same date.

Dutchess County, N. Y. : Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora
c. celata), October 15th, and Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona v.
vespertina), November ist, reported by Mr. Crosby, latter collected
by Mr. Griscom.

Arlington, N. J. : i Evening Grosbeak {Hesperiphona v. vesper-
tina) seen by Mr. Alarks.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn : Flock of Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola
enucleator leucura) seen November 3rd by Mr. Nathan ; Yellow-crown-
ed Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) reported by Messrs. Hix and
Nathan November ist; Snow Buntings {Plcctrophenax n. nivalis) Nov-
ember 15th and Coot {Fulica americana) and Pied-billed Grebe {Podi-
lymbiis podiceps) November 22nd by ]\Ir. Hix; Ipswich Sparrow {Pas-
serculus princeps) October 24th by Mr. Hix.

Long Beach : Mr. Griscom reported the result of the A. O. U.
field trip November 13th on which 36 species were seen, including
Brunnich's Alurre {Uria I. lomvia) and 2 Acadian Sharp-tailed Spar-
rows {Passerherbiilus nelsoni subvir gains). Snow Buntings were un-
usually common.

Hackensack River, near Riverdale, N. J. : 3 Wood Ducks {Aix
sponsa) and 4 Hooded Mergansers {Lophodytes cucullatns) , Novem-
ber 22nd, by Mr. Griscom.

West Point, N. Y. : 2 Arctic Three-toed Woodpeckers {Pic aides
arctic us) seen during October by Col. W. Robinson, reported by Mr.
Griscom.

Central Park: Miss Capen reported Cowbird {Molothrus a. ater),
October 28th; Woodcock {Philohela minor), November 6th; Pine Sis-

57

kin (Spinus pinus) , November i8th; Yellow Palm Warbler {Dendroica
palmarum hypochrysea), November i8th.

Englewood, N. J. : Arctic Three-toed \\'oodpecker (Picoides
arctic us), October i8th, by Messrs. Kassoy, Herbert and Hickey.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus a. ajiiericaiius), October iSth, by
Messrs. Kassoy and Herbert. Sora (Porzana Carolina), November

1 St, by Mr. Kiierzi.

Hunts Point: Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola), November 14th, by
Messrs. Hickey and Cruickshank; 2 Black-bellied Plover (Sqiiatarola
squatarola), November 14th, by Mr. Cruickshank; Golden Plover
(Charadrius d. doniinicus) and White-rumped Sandpiper {Pisobia
fuscicollis), October 17th, by ^Ir. Cruickshank; Brown Thrasher
{Toxostoma rufiiin) and Greater Yellow-leg (Totanus melanoleucus) ,
November 22nd, by Mr. Hickey ; 2 Red-backed Sandpipers (Pelidna
alpina sakhalina) , November 3rd, by Air. Kuerzi.

Mt. Kisco: Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker {Picoides arcticus)
seen by Mrs. Tucker, October 12th.

Bronx Park: Pine \\'arbler {Dendroica vigorsi), November 7th,
by Mr. Kuerzi; 8 Bob-whites {Colinus v. virginianns), November 14th,
by ]\Ir. Kuerzi; Rough-legged Hawk {Archibuteo lagopus sancti-
johannis), November 17th, by Mr. L. N. Nichols.

Eastchester Bay: 8 Golden-eyes {Clangula c. americana) , Novem-
ber 24th, by Mr. L. N. Nichols.

Van Cortlandt Park: 2 Chimney Swifts {Chcetura pelagica), Octo-
ber 17th, by yir. Kuerzi; 4 Blackpolls {Dendroica striata), October
1 8th, by ]Mr. Cruickshank ; many White-crowned Sparrows {Zono-
tricJiia I. leucophrys), October 17th and i8th; Solitary Vireo {Lani-
vireo s. solitarius), October 24th, by ]\Ir, Kuerzi; 4 Lapland Long-
spurs {Calcariiis I. lapponictis) , November 3rd to 14th, by Messrs.
Kuerzi and Cruickshank; 2 Evening Grosbeaks {Hesperiphona v. ves-
pertina), November 15th, by Air. Kuerzi; 4 Pintails {Dafila acuta)
and 42 Wood Ducks {Ai.v sponsa), October 24th, by Mr. Cruickshank;

2 Pied-billed Grebes {Podilymbus podiceps) and i Barred Owl {Strix
V. varia), October 31st, by Mr. Cruickshank; 8 Hooded Mergansers
{Lophodytes cncullatus) , October 31st, by Air. Cruickshank; i Gannet
(Sula bassana) in Hudson, October 21st and i Snow Bunting {Plectro-
phenax n. nivalis), November 14th, by Air. Cruickshank.

Grassy Sprain Reservoir: Spotted Sandpiper {Actitis macidaria)
and Yellow-billed Cuckoo (CoccyBtis a. aniericanus), October i8th, by
Alessrs. Kuerzi and Kessler. Also Henslow's Sparrow {Passerherb-

S8

ulus h. henslozvi) and Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora c. celata)
by Mr. Kiierzi.

Pelham Bay: Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens)^
October 31st, by Messrs. Knerzi and Kessler.

Jerome Reservoir swamp: Sora {Porzana Carolina), October 31st,
oy Messrs Kuerzi and Kessler.

Elizabeth, N. J.: Cape May W^arbler {Dendroica tigrina), Octo-
ber 17th; 75 Redpolls (Acanthis I. linaria), October i8th; White-
winged Scoter {Oideniia deglandi), October 25th; Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri) last seen October 25th; Brown Creeper {Certhia
familiaris americana) singing November 22nd, by Mr. Urner.

Barnegat Light, N. J. : Several thousand birds were killed night
of October 23rd. Weather clear early but heavy storm and high
wind later at night, with most casualties around 2 A. M., according to
keeper of the light. Of those killed 426 were picked up November
3rd by Air. Urner, these including 30 species, chiefly Myrtle Warblers
(Dendroica coronafa). White-throats (Zonotrichia albicollis), Swamp
(Melospiza georgiana) and Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). The
rarest finds were Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Passerherbnlus nel-
soni subvirgattis) and a small thrush identified by Mr. Griscom as
Bickneirs (Hylocichia alicice bicknelli).

The paper of the evening was by Air. J. M. Johnson on "Wild
Life in the Rocky Mountains." J\Ir. Johnson gave an interesting de-
scription of trips through the western wilds and showed many excel-
lent and original slides. He stressed the importance of general public
attention to our national parks to offset the constant efforts of encroach-
ment by the lumber interests.

December 8, ip^j. — Thirty-three members and thirty-one guests.

The following members were elected : Mrs. J. E. B. Webster, 16
Davis Place, East Orange, N. J. ; Mr. K. W. Baasch, Baldwin, L. I. ;
Mr. Geo. W. Knoblauch, 27 W. 44th St., New York City.

Mr. Davis announced the death of Mr. Lewis Bartholomew Wood-
ruff, who died November 27th, 1925, and was buried at Litchfield,
Conn., November 30th. Mr. Woodruff joined the Society in 1892 and
acted as Treasurer from 1902 to 1921. He was for years actively
interested in birds and other forms of life and he described eighteen
species of insects, principally tree-hoppers. Appropriate resolutions
were adopted :

Among the field notes submitted were the following:

59

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported a scattering of late migrants: At

Mastic, L. L, November 28th, Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) , Tow-

liee (Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus) and three Swamp Sparrows (Melo-

^piza georgiana) ; at Garden City, December 6th, Savannah Sparrow

(Passercuhis sandwichensis savanna) and Pipit (Anthiis ruhescens).

At Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: Messrs. Nathan and Hix reported
Brunnich's Murre {Uria I. lomvia) and 32 Redpolls (Acanthis I
Mnaria), November 29th, and Coot (Fidica americana), December 6th.

At Englewood, N. J. : Mr. L. N. Nichols reported 2 Red-breasted
Nuthatches {Sitta canadensis) and 7 Pipits (Anthiis ruhescens), De-
cember 8th, latter late record for the locality.

At Flushing, L. I., I\Ir. Eaton reported Long-eared Owl {Asio
wilsonianiis), December 5th; and at Long Beach, 11 Sanderlings {Cali-
dris lencophcea) and Great Blue Heron (Ardea h. herodias), Decem-
ber 6th.

At Central Park, December 7th, ]\Ir. Gerald Morgan reported
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus I. Indovicianus) . •

About Barnegat Bay, N. J. : November 29th, Messrs. Carter,
Eaton, Griscom, Jaques, Walsh and Urner saw 86 species; they hunt-
ed in three pairs from ]\Ianasquan River to Beach Haven. Among the
records were 4 Jaegers, probably Parasitic {Stercorarius sp.f) ; 6 Kitti-
wakes (Rissa tridactyla) ; i Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) ; i Hooded
Merganser (Lophodytes cncnllatiis) ; 400 Canvasbacks {Marila valis-
ineria) ; 6 Bufflehead (Charifonetta albeola) ; 25,000 Brant (Branta b.
glancogastra) ; i Bittern (Botaurus Icntiginosus) ; 10 Sanderlings
(Calidris leiicophcea) ; i Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus
sancti-johannis) ; 1,500 Siskins (Spinus pinus) ; i Ipswich Sparrow
(Passerciilus princeps) ; i Mockingbird (Mimns p. polyglottos) ; I
Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) ; 2 Thrashes (Toxostoma rufitm).

At Elizabeth, N. J. : Air. Urner reported 3 Surf Scoters (Oidemia
perspicillata) on Newark Bay, December 6th.

Mr. Kuerzi submitted the following records :

At Long Beach: November 26th, with Mr. Watson, Holboell's
Grebe (Colymbus holbcelli) ; 8 Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) ;
4 Ipswich Sparrows (Passerculiis princeps).

At Pelham Bay Park, with Mr. Kessler, 2 Red-throated Loons
{Gavia stellata), the first definite Bronx record.

At Hunts Point: December 2, Great Black-backed Gull (Lartis
marinus) and Laughing Gulls (Lams atricilla).

At Clason Point: December 5th, 2 adult Laughing Gulls (Larus

6o

atricilla) ; 4 Canvasbacks (Morila valisineria) and 2 Buffleheads {Char-
it onetta albeola) ; on December 8th, i Laughing Gull (Lams atricilla)
and 2 Great Blue Herons (Ardea h. herodias).

At Eastchester and Pelham Bays: December 6th, 2 Red-throated
Loons (Gavia stellata), 1 Holboell's Grebe (Colymbus holhoelli), i
Seaside Sparrow (Passerherbulns m. inaritimiis) .

At Bronx Park : November 29th, Great Horned Owl {Bubo v.
virginianus).

The subject of the evening discussion was the field identification
of our local hawks, led by ]\[r. \A\ DeWitt ]\Iiller. Mr. ]\Iiller sum-
marized the available factors aiding in field identification, such as sea-
son, habitat, form, notes, size, color and mannerisms. He then con-
sidered each species separately, dwelling on the characteristics of each
in both adult and immature plumage.

]\Jr. Miller decried the growing destruction of hawks by gunners
employing stuffed owls to attract them. He asserted that nature-
lovers have some rights as well as sportsmen, and they should strive
to counteract the influence of the exterminators. He pointed to Great
Britain as an example of the eventual effect of slaughter since that
country's native hawks have been greatly reduced in numbers and
many species exterminated.

Mr. Johnson strongly endorsed Mr. ]\Iiller's stand. He believed
that all our hawks are worth preserving for the pleasure they give and
he offered a resolution, which was duly passed, that the president
appoint a committee of three to draw up a resolution, presenting to
the National Association of Audubon Societies the views of the Lin-
naean Society on the question of hawk protection.

December 22, 192^. — Twenty-one members and twenty guests.

The Secretary announced the death of ]\Irs. Rena S. Holgate, of
New York City, a member of the Society, and on Mr. Griscom's mo-
tion a resolution was passed instructing the Secretary to convey to ]Mr.
Holgate the regrets and sympathies of the Society.

The following members were elected : Dr. J. G. Brody, of Flower
Hospital :\Iedical College, New York City; Mr. A. P. Thornton,
Harvard Club, 27 West 44th Street, New York City; :\Ir. Alfred
Scott Warthin, Jr., 404 West 115th Street, New York City.

Mr. J. ^l. Johnson reported for the special committee of which
he was chosen chairman, the appointment of which was provided for

6i

at the previous meeting of the Society. He offered the following
resolution which was adopted unanimously :

Resolutiox of The Linn^an Society of New York to be Presented to
THE National Association of Audubon Societies

The Linnsean Society of New York has been viewing with concern the great
increase in recent years of the shooting of Hawks and Owls on a large scale,
especially on migration. Along certain parts of the Atlantic seaboard this shoot-
ing has developed into a new sport, and bags of over one thousand individuals
of numerous species have been reported. The argument justifying this new sport
is primarily that these raptorial birds are harmful in destroying grouse, ducks,
and other game birds w^hich it is desired to protect, and consequently that their
killing is justified. But it is definitely proved on indisputable evidence that the
great majority of the species of these birds not only do not destroy game but
are positively beneficial to agriculture. Examination of the bags shows that the
average hunter is entirely unable to distinguish the many beneficial from the few
species that are definitely harmful in certain directions. These latter have de-
creased to a surprising extent in all areas where this shooting has been going
on in recent years. The cruel and destructive method of trapping is also on
the increase and many insectivorous and song birds are caught incidentally. It
seems to us that the nature lover has as much right to the enjo\Tnent of these
birds in life as the sportsman has to kill them for the harm they do to the game
he wishes to conserve. There is no reasonable doubt that the people at large
have as good a right to the aesthetic enjoyment of all classes of birds as any
special interest has for the destruction of any particular one. There is also no
reasonable doubt that the interests of game conser^'ation do not require the ex-
termination of such raptorial birds as prey upon it.

In view of the above statement,

Be It Resolved: That the members of the Linngean Society of New York
appeal to the National Association of Audubon Societies to use its influence by
education, warden service, legislative action and other means, which it may deem
advisable, to conserve Hawks and Owls ;

Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be sent to the President, other
officers and members of the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Audubon Societies.

Mr. Griscom mentioned that the will of the late ^Ir. Lewis Barth-
olomew Woodruff provided that members of the Linnsean Society
would have the privilege of purchasing at high price as placed by
appraisal the ornithological books in the Woodruff library.

A.mong the field notes were the following:

Eastchester, N. Y. : Horned Grebe (Colyiubiis aiiritiis) and 3
Bob-whites (Colinus v. virginiojius), December 12th, by Mr. Chas.
Johnston.

Dutchess County, N. Y. : Ring-necked Duck (Marila collaris),
December 13th, by Messrs. Griscom and Crosby.

62

Ossining, X. Y. : December 13th, 200 Canvasbacks {Marila valis-
ineria), by Air. Eaton.

Elizabeth, N. J.: Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla), December 12th,
on Newark Bay, and a number of the same species in New York
Harbor unusually late, reported by Mr. Urner.

Bronx Region, Jerome Reservoir: 4 Laughing Gulls {Larus
atricilla), December 12th, by Air. Cruickshank. Van Cortlandt Park,
December 19th, Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata), Long-eared Owl
{Asio wilsonianus) and Carolina Wren (Thryothorus I. ludovicianus) ,
by Mr. Cruickshank. Pelham Bay, December 20th, Rough-legged Hawk
{Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), by Messrs. Alatuszewski and
Kassoy.

Mr. John Kuerzi submitted the following memorandum :

''December 9th, female Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker {Picoides
arcticiis) in Bronx Park employed as usual in chiseling the bark off
a dead Hemlock. Hardly a stone's throw from the spot a female of
the species was discovered in October, 1923, which remained for a
week. This is the third record in as many years, in addition to two
prior to 191 5 by the late Air. F. Houghton. The condition of many
of the dead Hemlocks would lead one to suspect that this last bird
either arrived before or was present after December 9th, as it seems
doubtful that one bird could peel as many trees in one day's time.

"December 12, late Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) , at
Clason Point; also 10 Buffleheads (Charitonetta albeola), 2 Great Blue
Herons (Ardea h. herodias) and a Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus).
Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus) again seen in Bronx Park
Hemlock grove.

"December 13th, Clason Point to Fort Schuyler with Messrs.
Kassoy and R. Kuerzi, 6 Old-squaws (Harelda hyemalis), second
record. Remains of Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola), third found dead
in Bronx Region since last May. Also adult Shrike, probably a
Migrant (Lanins sp.f).

"December i6th, at Hunts Point with Air. Kessler, saw a Migrant
Shrike (Lanins ludovicianus migrans). Had checked up carefully
after seeing the bird on December 13th. This time were able to study
the bird closely at leisure under excellent light conditions. Straight
black bill, size and position of lores, taken in connection with clear
gray color of back and the bird's small appearance would seem to make
the observation conclusive."

63

Mr. Hickey reported that the Bronx Park Great Horned Owl
(Bubo V. virginianiis) had been trapped after kilHng a Gannet.

A record of European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) seen last
spring in New York City was presented, and Mr. Chas. Johnston re-
ported that he had heard a fairly recent report of two"warbler-Hke"
birds with red faces seen in Central Park — probably this species.

Mr. Warren F. Eaton then reviewed Air. Edward Howe For-
bush's first volume on "Birds of Massachusetts and other New Eng-
land States," calling particular attention to the profuse illustrations,
the large amount of information as to life histories and habits, and
the number of rare species which have been recorded from the New
England States. The work, Mr. Eaton described as extremely well
gotten up in every detail, taking the place for Massachusetts' birds
that Mr. Elon H. Eaton's book does for New York.

"Mr. Forbush," said Mr. Eaton, "has been conservative in elim-
inating questionable records, but has not failed to include records of
well-established occurrence even when unsubstantiated by specimens —
such as the White Ibis {Guara alba).''

In the introduction of the work a very interesting portion de-
scribes the influx of southern species into New England in the late
summer and early fall, which can be synchronized with the violent
weather disturbances caused by hurricanes of great magnitude. A
carefully prepared map shows the northward migration of banded
Black Crowned Night Herons (Nyticorax n. ncevius), and notes at
random indicate the relative abundance and regularity of capture of
the European Widgeon (Mareca penelope) in that region; the increas-
ing rarity of the Ruddy Duck (Brismatura jamaicensis), and the more
abundant occurrence of northern birds like the Eiders {Somateria),
Alcidae, Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Purple Sand-
piper (Arqnatella m. maritima) than about New York.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to a discussion of the
field identification of our local owls, led by Mr. Urner.

January 12, 1^26. — Twenty-two members and thirty-five guests.

Mr. Weber reported a King Rail {Rallus elegans) caught in a
rat trap on the Overpeck ]\Iarshes, Englewood Region on December 9th.

The result of the Bronx County Bird Club Christmas census on
December 27th, 1925, was announced. Ten observers, Messrs. Cruick-
shank, Rufif, R. Kuerzi, J. Kuerzi, Kessler, Matuszewski, Singer,
Kassoy, Hickey and Herbert recorded 67 species without House Spar-

64

row {Passer doinesticns) , a most unusual list for the season. Notable
on the list were Holboell's Grebe {Colymhiis holhoelli), American Mer-
ganser (Mergiis ainericanus), the three Scoters (Oidemia americana;
O. fusca; O. deglandi), Brant (Branta b. glaucogastra), Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago dclicata), four species of owls, including Saw-whet (Cry-
ptoglaux a. acadica), Red-headed Woodpecker {Mclanerpes erythro-
cephaliis), Cowbird (Molothrus a. ater), Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaiiis p. phceniceiis), Rusty Blackbird (Buphagits carolimis),
Vesper Sparrow (Pocecctes g. gramineus), Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla
cedronim), Red-breasted Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis) and Ruby-
crowned Kinglet (Regulus c. calendula).

Air. Kassoy reported Iceland Gull {Lams leucopteriis) on East-
chester'Bay, January loth, by Messrs. J. Kuerzi, Herbert and himself,
and Barn Owl {Aluco pratincola), same date, near Hunters Island.

'Sir. Urner reported the result of a Barnegat Bay Christmas census
on December 27th, made by Dr. Eliot and Messrs. Baker, Griscom, J.
M. Johnson, Walsh and himself, when 65 species, including House
Sparrow {Passer domesticiis), were observed, among them 5 Kitti-
wakes {Rissa tridactyla), 20 Great Black-backed Gulls {Larus mar-
inns), I Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense) , 3 Canvasbacks
{Marila valisineria) , 12,000 Scaup {Marila sp.f), 15,000 Brant {Branta
bernicla glaucogastra), 3 Sanderlings {Calidris leucophcea), 5 Red-
winged Blackbirds {Agelaius p. phceniceus) , 7 Ipswich Sparrows {Pas-
serculns princeps), 2 Vesper Sparrows {Poaecetes g. gramineus), 2
Alockingbirds {Minius p. poly gl ottos) and 74 Robins {Planesticns
migratoriiis).

Mr. Eaton at Hunts Point with Mr. Nathan reported a pair of
Mallards {Anas platyrhynchos) , January 9th, and at Bronx Park,
January loth, a \\n\d Green-winged Teal {Nettion carolinense).

Mr. Carter reported the killing of a Alarsh Hawk {Circus kud-
sonius) on the ^Maryland Coast which had been banded in the nest
by him on the Elizabeth, N. J., marshes two and one-half years earlier.

The paper of the evening was by Dr. Frank R. Oastler who
showed a series of remarkable slides, the results of his own photog-
raphy, taken in the canyons of southwestern United States. Among
the regions shown were the Blue Mountains and Shunsburg Mountains
of southeastern Utah, the Glen Canyon of the Colorado and the Grand
Canyon which his party traversed in canvas canoes, the third success-
ful expedition through the region. He showed many photographs of
the remains of cliff dwellers, their habitations and their work; of the

65

Painted Desert and of the Pueblo Indians of the Mojave Desert, their
mode of life and their snake dance, graphically shown in picture.

January 26, 1^26. — Twenty-five members and seventeen guests.

Mr. J. T. Nichols announced the sudden death of Dr. Ralph W.
Tower and proposed the following resolution which was passed :

"Whereas our member, Dr. Ralph W. Tower, Recording Secretary
of the New York Academy of Sciences, and valued friend of the mem-
bers of the Linnaean Society, individually and collectively, died this
morning, January 26th, 1926,

''Be It Resolved, that the Linnaean Society herewith place on the
minutes its appreciation of his unusual worth, and extend deepest sym-
pathy to his family, to whom a copy of this resolution shall be sent."

Mr. Charles Johnston reported Field Sparrow {Spizella p. pusilla)
and Winter Wren (Nannus hienialis), at Bronx Botanical Gardens,
January 9th and Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), January
i6th ; Crackle (Quiscalus quiscula siibsp.), in Central Park, January
13th to 25th, and Fox Sparrow (Passerella i. iliaca), January 25th;
over 100 Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria), at Hunts Point, January
23rd; American Scoter {Oidemia auicricana), at Dyker Heights, Jan-
uary 23rd.

Mr. L. N. Nichols reported Rough-legged Hawk {Archihuteo
lagopus sancti-johannis), on Riverside Drive, December 17th; 3 Robins
(Planesticus migratorius) , in Bronx Park, January 26th; 2 Cardinals
(Cardinalis c. cardinalis) , at Scarsdale this winter.

]\Ir. Cruickshank reported Glaucous Gull (Lanis hyperhoreus)
and 1,000 Scaup {Marila sp.f), at Hunts Point, January 15th; 8 Old-
squaw {Harelda hyemalis), 2y Brant (Branfa beniicla glaucogastra),
I Barred Owl (Strix v. varia) and 3 Long-eared Owls (Asio wilson-
ianus), at Pelham Bay, January i6th; Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), at
Jerome Reservoir, January 17th; same day Hermit Thrush {Hylo-
cichla guttata pallasi), at Bronx Park; Orange-crowned Warbler {Ver-
mivora c. celata), at Inwood, January 20th. At Hunts Point, January
22nd, 8 species of ducks, including 2 ^Mallards (Anas platyrhyncJws),
2,000 Canvasbacks (Marila valisineria) and 4 Bufi^eheads (Charito-
netta albeola) ; at Pelham, January 23rd, Bald Eagle (Haliceetiis L
leucocephahis) and Barn Owl (Aliico pratincola).

Mr. Carter reported Northern Shrike (Laniiis horealis), at Rhine-
beck, N. Y., on January 24th.

From Elizabeth, N. J.: Mr. Urner reported 15 Field Sparrows

66

{Spizella p. piisilla) (flock), January 3rd; Northern Shrike (Lanius
borealis), January 3rd; 6 Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax
n. na'-o'ius), wintering; Great Blue Heron {Ardea h. herodias) Janu-
ary 17th; 3 Lapland Longspurs {Calcariiis I. lapponicus), January
17th; flock of 58 Robins (Planesticiis migratorius) , January 24th, and
several other reports of flocks of Robins (Planesticus migratorius)
same day, one flock of 50 near Ash Swamp, Plainfield, N. J., Region.

Others present had noted an increase in Robins (Planesticus
migratorius) following the warm spell after mid-January. Mr. How-
land had heard one calling in his yard in Upper Montclair; Mr. Baasch
had seen several January 22nd at Baldwin, L. I. ; Mr. Stryker had
noted a large increase in the number about ^Moravian Cemetary, Staten
Island, and a flock of 200, possibly wintering birds, was reported from
a point in the Bronx.

]\Ir. Kessler reported a Great Horned Owl (Bubo v. virginianus) ,
in Bronx Park.

Mr. Urner reported a December 15th record of 5 Black-belHed
Plover (Squatarola squatarola), seen by Dr. Wm. B. Ley of EHza-
beth, at Barnegat Bay, and one taken.

The speaker of the evening was yiv. J. T. Nichols of American
Museum of Natural History, who discussed the field identification of
our local shore birds, and some of the rarer possibilities in this region.
Mr. Nichols gave many useful and original suggestions as to the utility
of the stripe on the shore bird's wing as a field identification mark.
Regarding the identification of the Western Sandpiper (Breunetes
viauri) he stated that 60 per cent of the birds of this species cannot be
identified positively in the field without a gun. The Western (Breunetes
mauri) he described as a paler, grayer bird than the Semipalmated
(Breunetes pusillus), especially in the streaking on the side of the
head, the young female Western having a very white head. The note
he described as intermediate between the "creep" of the Least Sand-
piper (Pisobia minutiJIa) and the ''chuck" of the Semipalmated
(Breunetes pusillus), with a suggestion of an "ee," something like the
squawk of a young Robin.

February g, IQ26. — Twenty-four members and nineteen guests.

Mr. J. T. Nichols mentioned a movement to secure co-operation
between any members of Linnaean Society interested and the staflf of
American Museum of Natural History in increasing our knowledge
of herpetology, particularly that relating to the New York City Region.

67

A motion was passed placing the matter in the hands of interested
members of the Society, and a committee of five was appointed: Mr.
J. A. Weber, chairman, Messrs. Breder, Carter, J. T. Nichols and J.
M. Johnson.

The president also appointed a committee of three on hawk and
owl protection: i\lr. J. M. Johnson, chairman; Messrs. Carter and
Bowdish.

Mr. J. T. Nichols reported for I\Ir. Coles a Gadwall (CJiaiilelasmus
strep erus) seen January 17 at Rye Lake.

Mr. Hickey reported a Bluebird (Sialia s. sialis) in Bronx County,
January 31th.

Mr. Lewis Walker had seen two Goshawks (Astur a. atncapiUus),
at Douglaston, L. L, on January 29th, and Mr. Coles also sent a
record of one seen in late January in Westchester County.

Mr. Cruickshank has noted two American Scoters (Oidemia
americana) on Hudson River, January 27th; a Redhead {Marila ameri-
cana), at Hunts Point, February 2nd; 2 Lapland Longspurs (Cal-
carhis /. lapponicus), at Hunts Point, February 6th, and 3 Redpolls
(AcantJiis I. linaria), in Bronx Park, February 6th.

Mr. John Kuerzi, with Mr. P. Kessler on January 9th had seen a
Glaucous Gull (Lams hyperhoreus), at Clason Point. He reported
2 Great Blue Herons (Ardea h. herodias), at Pelham Park, January
23rd and 2 Rough-legged Hawks (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis),
at Pelham, January 17th; over 15 Robins (Planesticus migratorius) ,
in Bronx Park, Januar}' 23rd, and about 12 January 30th; i Rusty
Blackbird (Enphagiis carolimis) and 250 Canvasbacks (Marila valis-
ineria), at Clason Point, January 30th. On February ist King Rail
(Rallus elegans) was picked up dead on Hunts Point marsh, in good
condition except for an injured wing — the second Bronx record for
the species. Same date a Lapland Longspur (Calcarius I. lapponicus).
On February 6th Mr. Kuerzi again found an Arctic Three-toed \\^ood-
pecker (Picoides arcticus) in Bronx Botanical Gardens. He also re-
ported for ]\Ir. F. Landis a record of same species in same locality
January loth.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to an illustrated talk
on Lapland by Dr. G. Clyde Fisher of American Museum of Natural
History, who described a summer expedition to that country, the mode
of life of the inhabitants, and the bird, plant and mammal Hfe en-
countered. Dr. Fisher had witnessed the end of a large migration of
Lemming (Lemmns lemmus), and he stated that the periodic massed

68

movements of these little animals are now believed to be due to an
abnormal condition, induced possibly by a contagious disease. The
Lemming on migration he stated appear to "go until they die." He
also visited the old home of Linnaeus and was able to secure a number
of excellent photographs of the personal effects and former haunts
of this famous naturalist.

February 2^, ic)26. — Nineteen members and fourteen guests.

:\rr. J. T. Nichols and :\Ir. Ludlow Griscom were elected Fellows
of the Society in recognition of their valuable services in its behalf.

]\Irs. ]\Iead spoke of the unusually musical notes of a Crackle
(Ouiscalus qiiiscula snbsp.f) heard in Central Park.

]\Ir. Kassoy reported a White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia l.
leucophrys) in Central Park on February 13th; the same species had
also been reported earlier from the Park to ]\Ir. Charles Johnston by
Mr. George IMc^Iullen, who has had some experience in the field.

]\Ir. Baasch has trapped two Cowbirds (Molothrus a. ater) at
Baldwin, Long Island, on February loth and found them to be abnor-
mally small, wing measurements 3.5 and 3.7 inches.

]\Ir. Eaton has seen an Iceland Gull (Larus lencopteriis) at Oak-
wood Beach, Staten Island, on February 7th.

The Secretary reported for Mr. Rowland an Arctic Three-toed
Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) heard and seen at Upper ^lontclair,
X. J., on February loth, and a closer view February nth; another
bird, probably the same species, being seen in the distance.

]\Ir. L. N. Nichols on February i6th had found an Ipswich Spar-
row (Passerculus princeps) at Eastchester Bay, the bird being well
seen, probably the first New York State record for the species on the
mainland. He also found Redpolls (Acanthis I. linaria) at Pelham
Bay Park, February i6th; and on Pelham Bay 50 Golden-eyes (Clan-
giila c. americana), 8 American Mergansers (Mergns americanus) , 1
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cuciillatiis) and i Glaucous Gull
(Larus Jiyperboreus).

Mr. "Tucker reported for ]vlr. Pangburn at Chappaqua a Red-
winged Blackbird (Agelaius p. phceniceus) , February 20th.

Messrs. Herbert and Hickey had seen 2 Crackle (Qniscalus
quiscula subsp.f) in Bronx County, February 14th, and Mr. Herbert
a Cowbird (Molothrus a. ater), February 6th.

]\Ir. Cruickshank had seen Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura
carolinensis) and 3 Long-eared Owls (Asio zuilsonianus) in Bronx

69

Park, February 12th; 2 Redpolls (Acanthis I. linaria) at Woodlawn,
February 13th, and 45 ^Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and a pair of
early Wood Ducks (ALv sponsa) at Van Cortlandt Swamp, February
13th.

Messrs. J. and R. Kuerzi and P. Kessler at Long Beach, February
I2th, had seen an Iceland Gull {Lams leucoptenis), 150 Snow Bunt-
ings {Plectrophenax n. nivalis), 20 Ipswich Sparrows (Passerculits
princeps), 2 Short-eared Owls {Asio flarnmeiis) and 45 Great Black-
backed Gulls {Lams marinus), the latter mostly adult. They had also
seen 8 Bluebirds {Sialia s. sialis) and 15 Myrtle Warblers {Dendroica
coronata), between Silver Lake and Rye Pond, and at Fort Schuyler,
Bronx, February 22nd, 24 Brant {Branta hernicla glaucogastra), 5,000
Scaup {Marila sp.f) 50 Canvasbacks {Marila valisineria) and 4 Horn-
ed Larks {Otocoris a. alpestris).

The paper of the evening, by Dr. Robert Cushman [Murphy, dealt
with the field identification of the tube-nosed swimmers {tiibinares).
Dr. Murphy spoke of the great age of this group of birds, indicated
by the fact that mid-tertiary fossils are of the same genera as birds
we have today, and of the unusual range in size, from the great alba-
trosses to the diminutive petrels, a variation which had been explained
as due to competition within the order. The birds of this order are
usually pelagic, colonial in breeding habits, and gregarious, laying but
one Qgg, either concealed in foliage or in deep burrows or clefts in rocks.

The structural weakness of the petrels as a class had. Dr. ^Murphy
believed, forced them away from the vicinity of land, into crevices to
nest, and into the darkness to feed. The incubation period is relatively
long — 35 days in the Storm Petrel {PvoceUaria pclagica), and 60 days
in the smaller Albatross. The sexes are identical in plumage except
the Great Albatross {Diomedia cxnlans), which differs from the others
in undertaking nuptial display in companies, thus giving chance for
sexual selection and development of differences in size and color.

The young are dependent on their parents for a long time — eight
months in the large albatrosses.

Except the albatrosses, which walk freely, the order has relatively
weak legs.

The types of flight differ, depending on shape and size of wings
and tail and their relation. Flight is never in circles, and wings are
either on same plane or bent downward. All are able to dive for food,
and some swim below the water.

Dr. Murphy also described the characteristic field marks of nnr

70

local shearwaters and petrels, and possible rare visitants. Long range
identification between Leach's (Oceanodronia leucorhoa) and Wilson's
Petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) he said is possible by their distinctive
flights. Leach's (Oceanodronia leucorhoa) has a ''leaping flight" as
the \\'hip-poor-will, while Wilson's {Oceanites oceanicus) has a "flut-
tering, gliding, even flight."

March p, 1926. — The annual dinner was held at Manhattan Square
Hotel; attendance 52 members and guests; and 38 members and 26
guests were present at the annual meeting.

The Secretary read his annual report as follows :

"During the past year the Linnsean Society of New York has held fifteen
meetings, with a total attendance of 776, falling 79 behind the preceding year,
chiefly due to the omission of a November meeting because of conflict with the
A. O. U. convention,

"The thirteenth annual dinner, held in the Mitla Restaurant, March 10, 1925,
was attended by yz members and guests, and 43 members and 41 guests were present
at the annual meeting the same evening.

"At the remaining fourteen meetings the attendance averaged 49.4, that of
members 27.1. The average attendance of members has been the largest in the
history of the Society, but the number of guests has been slightly smaller, due
probably to a lesser number of popular illustrated lectures. The largest attendance
during the year was 84 ; the smallest 2>2>-

"The Society lost by death three resident members : Lewis Bartholomew
Woodruff, Mrs. Rena S. Holgate and Dr. Ralph W. Tower, Several members
have resigned or were dropped for non-payment of dues. Thirteen new members
have been elected, and two members and one honorary member have been elected
fellows. The membership now stands: Resident, 124; life, j; fellows, 3; honorary
members, 3 ; corresponding members, (elected previous to a change in the consti-
tution omitting the class), 23; total 155.

"The subjects considered at nine of the fifteen meetings of the year were
primarily ornithological, and of the remainder, five were on travel and wild life
in general, while one evening was largely devoted to the adoption of a new con-
stitution. One meeting was devoted to bird banding, and the usual two evenings
entirely to field observations. Five meetings have been devoted in part to a dis-
cussion of field identification of local birds.

"During the past year, and more particularly during the spring and fall, the
number of field records presented at the meetings has been largely increased. This
increase is highly desirable, for much valuable data is being accumulated in the
records of the proceedings. It is probable however that as the volume of field
records increases, a plan of preserving them in the records in a more concise, more
systematic and more easily available form should be decided upon.

"The Secretary, with the generous co-operation of several members and one
non-member, has continued the collection of data indicating the seasonal abundance

71

of our various local birds in different sections of the New York City region, par-
ticularly the maximum numbers of each species seen in any one day as winter
visitants, spring migrants, summer residents and fall migrants. This work was
started in 1924 and is being undertaken to preserve information as to occurrence
for future comparisons. It deserves wider support from the membership.

"The effort to encourage breeding season census work in some of the least
known parts of the region, initiated last spring, met with a considerable measure of
success. Under the auspices of the Society a trip was made June 12 to 15, 1925, to
Lake Mashipacong, N. J., and vicinity. The territory covered was in Sussex
County, chiefly in the Kittatinny Mountains, from Lake Mashipacong north almost
to the New York State line ; west to the Delaware River, and east to the town of
Sussex. Twelve members of the Society participated. Headquarters were made at
the lodge of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Robinson, who also procured the assistance
of a number of boy scouts to act as guides, and secured for the members the use
of the scout camp. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson proved royal hosts, giving those
participating a memorable outing. The region, covered at the height of the breed-
ing season, was found to be rich in bird life usually associated with the Canadian
Zone. Among" the 89 species observed were 2 Northern Pileated Woodpeckers
(Phlceotomus pileafus abieticola) ; 4 Purple Finches (Carpodaciis p. purpureus) ;
I Solitary Vireo (Laniz'ireo s. solitarius) ; 18 Nashville (Vermivora r. ruhricapilla) y
I Northern Parula {Compsothlypus americaim iisnecs), 16 Black-throated Blue
{Dendroica c. ccuntlescens), 4 Blackburnian (Dendroica fusca) and 26 Canadian
Warblers (Wilsonia canadensis) ; 14 Northern Water Thrushes (Seiiinis n. nove-
boracensis) and a pair of Brown Creepers {Ccrthia faniiliaris americana) building
their nest behind the bark of a dead Chestnut tree. The notes of a Red-breasted
Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis) were also heard. The expedition, covering as it did
some of the wildest portions of the New York City region, added definitely to our
knowledge of the breeding birds of the section. There is certainly every reason
to continue such co-operative breeding season work in this and other parts of the
region,

"The Secretary in retiring from office wishes at this time to thank the Society
for the opportunity it has offered him to assist in the work of the organization, and
especially to thank Mr. T. D. Carter of the Museum for the assistance he has so
generously given in the performance of no small part of the routine duties of the
office.

"Chas. a. Urner, Secretary."

The report was accepted as read.

The Treasurer then read his report which was referred to the
Auditing Committee — Messrs. Chubb and J. T. Nichols.

Mr. Herman Defrem of Jackson Heights, Long Island, was elected
a resident member of the Society.

Nominations for officers for 1926, as made by the Council, were
accepted by the meeting without opposition, each being unanimously
elected.

72

The officers are :

PrKSident, Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin.
Vice:-Pre:side:nt, Mr. L. N. Nichols.
Secretary, Mr. Warren F. Eaton.
Treasurer, Air. John H. Baker.

Three Councilors were elected for a term of three years as 'fol-
lows : :\Ir. J. T. Nichols; Mr. Geo. E. Hix; Mr. J. A. Weber.

During the balloting Mr. Crosby reported briefly on birds seen the
past winter at Fort Myers and Miami, Florida, including Wilson's
Plover (OchtJiodromus wilsonius), Caracara {Polyhoriis cheriway)
and Glossy Ibis {Plegadis autuninalis), the latter seen near Lake
Okeechobee. Mr. Baker also spoke of birds seen on a recent trip
to Texas.

Mr. Hickey reported a Kittiwake (Rissa t. tridactyla) seen at
?\Ianhattan Beach, February 27th.

Mr. Chas. Johnston had seen 30 Brant (Branta bernicla glauco
gastra), at Long Beach, February 20th.

]\Ir. Cruickshank at Kingsbridge, March 4th, reported an Iceland
Gull {Lams leiicoptcrus) and at Pelham Bay, March 6th, 5,000 Scaup
(Marila sp.f), 200 Golden-eyes (Clang ula c. americana) and 2 Kill-
deer {Oxyechiis vociferus). On March 8th at Bronx Park he reported
2 Great Horned Owls (Bubo v. virginiamis) .

The speaker of the evening was Mr. Samuel H. Chubb of Ameri-
can Aluseum of Natural History, who described a recent visit to Bona-
venture Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and presented on the
screen many excellent views of the bird life of the Island. Mr. Chubb
estimated the number of Gannets (Sula bassana) in the colony breed-
ing there as 15,000, a decided increase over estimates made a few
years ago. He had seen about 500 Kittiwakes (Rissa t. tridactyla),
and many Herring Gulls (Lanis argentatus) , Common Murres (Uria
t. troille), Razor-billed Auks (Alca torda), Puffins (Fratercula a.
arctica), Black Guillimots (Cepphns grylle) and Leach's Petrels
(Oceanodroma leucorhoa).

Foxes (Vnlpes fulva) and Varying Hares (Lepus americanus)
were among the mammals found.

73

The Observations of the Late Eugene P. Bicknell at

Riverdale, New York City, Fifty Years Ago

Edited and Compiled by
Ludlow Grtscom

Air. Eugene P. Bicknell, one of the founders of the Linnaean
Society of New York and of the American Ornithologists' Union, was
born at Riverdale in 1859 and resided there until 1901, Excellently
illustrating the saying that "ornithologists are born and not made,"
he began collecting specimens and keeping a record of observations
in 1872, at the precocious age of thirteen. Blessed with an unusual
intellectual maturity, he published some popular articles in Forest and
Stream in 1876, and his first scientific paper was written in 1878, at
the age of eighteen, though it bears no evidences of such tender years.
These papers, were based on his earlier studies of birds around River-
dale. As much time as it was possible to devote to a hobby was given
them up to 1885, when botany gradually supplanted ornithology as an
avocation, and Air. Bicknell became one of the leading amateur botan-
ists of America. In later years he again took up the study of birds,
and was planning to publish his Riverdale notes, a hope which he did
not live to fulfill.

Of the present generation in the Linnaean Society, ]\Ir. Bicknell
was best known to ]\Ir. ]\I. S. Crosby, who prepared the memorial
address for the American Ornithologists' Union. (See Aiik, 1926,
April, No. 2, pp. 143-149.) At this time, feeling convinced that Air,
Bicknell's observations were of great historical value and special local
interest, I requested Air. Crosby to secure Mrs. Bicknell's permission
to examine his journals and note-books. This request was most kindly
granted. After reading them, it was apparent that it would be a dis-
tinct loss to ornithology if his observations were not put on record, and
I obtained Mrs. Bicknell's permission to prepare a report. Seldom if
ever has a student of the present day, more or less familiar with local
conditions, been privileged to contrast his findings with an authoritative
picture of conditions fifty years ago in the same place. It is to be dis-
tinctly understood that I appear in this article in an editorial capacity
only. I have done my best to do justice to the work of another, and
to bring out its salient features. But I am keenly aware that no
amount of application can ever make compilation at second hand take
the place of observation at first hand. It is a thousand pities that the
man of ripened powers and judgment could not himself write up the

74

work of the brilliant youth. To ]\Irs, Bicknell I express my appre-
ciation for permission to edit her husband's records, and for assistance
in locating place names now forgotten and local conditions which have
since been destroyed.

^Lt. Bicknell kept very elaborate and detailed journals and note-
books of various kinds, taking far more trouble and devoting more
time to recording his observations than the great majority of bird-
students today. Xot only this, but he evolved his own methods, which
never required any improvement, at the age of nineteen. I do not
know what method he used prior to 1878, but it is apparent that he
did keep some type of record, as his observations from 1872 on were
copied into a ledger, which devoted a folio to each species, and was
kept up to date until 1881. There are also five note-books of various
sizes and types, which constitute his daily bird-journal from November
I, 1878, to ]^Iay 24, 1 90 1. This journal was very detailed in earHer
years, with numerous habit notes and accounts of observation written
in narrative style. The weather, route followed, number of hours
afield, number of individuals of each species seen, those heard singing,
etc., were all faithfully recorded, and the birds were always listed by
their scientific names, which in most cases were quite different from
the ones now in use. In later years, when most of Mr. Bicknell's
spare time was devoted to botany, the bird journal was reduced to
incidental observation, the record of rarities, new arrivals in spring,
etc., and complete daily lists were no longer given. Another folio was
a catalogue of his collection of skins, and a third was devoted to data
on nests and eggs. From June 15, 1879, to May 20, 1883, he also kept
in two separate note-books weekly lists. These lists always include one
Sunday and incidental observation around home in the morning. Their
exact purpose is not clear. Many years later, judging by the hand-
writing, ]\Ir. Bicknell started another ledger, a folio to each species,
in which he summarized for each all the observations and records of
interest. It was obviously begun after 1901, and any report by him
on the birds of Riverdale would have been drawn off from this ledger,
the details to be filled in from the daily bird journals. It was about
three-quarters completed at the time of his death.

The area covered by Mr. Bicknell's observations was a compara-
tively small one, and he made no effort to go further afield in search
of birds, which were not found at Riverdale. This was characteristic
of the man in all his scientific work, and a matter of temperament. He
preferred to study thoroughly some well loved section, aiming at com-

75

pleteness, rather than try for variety of experience. His "region,""
therefore, to use the modern term, centered around the long ridge
along the Hudson River running north from Spuyten-Duyvil and
lying west of Van Cortlandt Park. The Bicknell house was on the
corner of Riverdale Lane and the old Albany Post Road (now^ River-
dale Avenue) and is now used by the Hackett School, To the south
of their place was "Piggot's Cottage,'' and "Piggot's Swamp" was just
across the road to the east. Van Cortlandt Park Swamp known as
''Tibbett's Swamp," and ''Tibbett's Brook" ran through it from the
north into "Bibby's Pond" (now Van Cortlandt Park Lake). The
country was open rural fields and pasture lands to the southward, and
deep woods running north indefinitely to the east of Yonkers. On
rare occasions Mr. Bicknell would go southeastward to country now
wrecked by the Jerome Reservoir, where there was a chain of deep
swamps in what was mostly rural country. Rarely also he would go
south along what is now Broadway, or along the Harlem River which
was bordered with cat-tail marshes, now destroyed by the Speedway
on one side and the railroad yards on the other. But week after week,
year after year, he worked Riverdale ridge and on Sundays made an
excursion to Bibby's Pond and Tibbett's Brook. During the spring
migration he would get up at daylight every morning and work the
vicinity of his house, taking the train to town at what is now the Van
Cortlandt Park station. Curiously enough Air. Bicknell never paid
any attention to the possibilities of water-birds along the Hudson
River, nor did he ever make any special effort to look for Owls in
winter.

In spite of these gaps, his "local list" exceeded 200 species. As a
matter of historical interest, the size of his list is of no special import-
ance, nor have the possibilities as regards transients and rare visitors
altered to any material extent. It is the decrease in the permanent
and summer residents that tells the story of the changes that have
taken place since his day. The writer lived at Riverdale within a few
hundred yards of the Bicknell house from 1917 to 1926, between the
months of May and December. The contrast is graphically brought
out in the following table. Only Riverdale ridge is considered.

1872 1890 1917 1926

Permanent residents 15 15 8 6

Summer residents 64 54 29 21

It will be apparent, therefore, that the bird-life of Riverdale fifty
years ago was of a variety which must now be sought in the outlying

76

rural sections of Westchester County and northern New Jersey, where
the proper habitats or conditions survive.

The change which has taken place locally as regards transients
and the rare visitors is of a different sort. Practically all the migratory
species pass over Riverdale ridge just as regularly today as fifty years
ago. Their temptation to alight and rest, however, has been greatly
reduced by the spoiling of the woods and fields. The chief change that
has taken place here, therefore, is a great reduction in the number of
individuals seen per year.

It is always interesting, however, to compare the spring migration
of long years ago with those of more recent years within one's own
recollection. I accordingly give below a brief summary of the fourteen
seasons when Mr. Bicknell was most active. For May I use the
Croup System adopted in my Handbook.

iS/j. No real signs of spring until mid-March. April normal, at the end a
little backward. Group I not until May g, lo. Group II wave missing. Group III
Ma}' 21.

18/6. March about normal. April at first a little late ; a marked flight on
the 14th and another on the 30th. Group I May 7; Groups II, III May 8; Group
III May 15.

iSyy. March and April about normal. Very irregular in early May, no group
I wave; Group II, III May 15; Group IV the 17th.

1878. Spring commenced in late February. End of March rather early. April
normal ; late April ver}- early. Remarkable waves on May 2, 3 brought Group I
and in part Groups II, III, exactly paralleled by events in 1911. A long period of
cold, unfavorable weather then ensued. x\nother great wave on May 2^ concluded
the migration.

18/ 9. March unusually pleasant, the first migrants on the 2nd and another
wave on the 23rd. Snow on April 4 and hard frost the next three days ; flights on
April 13, 14; hard frost again several times until April 21 ; fine and warm the last
week ; flights on the 26th and 30th ; migration normal with a few early May
arrivals. Frost on May 2. Group I May 4 and 6 ; Groups II, III May 14 ; Groups
III, IV May 21 ; Group V May 24, the best day for Warblers.

18S0. Remarkably early spring, the first migrants February 15-22. Wintry
weather from March 7-22. Warm the end of the month with a flight on April 4,
and another on the i8th. End of April very warm, continued migration, par-
ticularly the 27th and 29th, which brought many early records for Group I. Waves
of May 2 and 4 complete arrival of species in Group I. A tremendous wave on
May 9 brought most of the remaining four Groups; there was no further wave.
It will be noted that spring commenced a week earlier even than in 1909, and that
the last Alay wave was a day earlier than in 1922.

1881. March about average, the first arrivals during the first week. April
was rather late and irregular, marked flights only on the 9th and 27th; a wave

77

on April 29th brought a few early May species. Group I May 2; no Group 11
wave; Group III May 9; Group IV May 15; Group V May 22.

1^82. No field work in March because of illness. First April flight on the
9th; migration scattered and poor until the end of the month; waves on April
29th, 30th again bringing Group I birds. Big wave on May 7th completed arrival
of Group I. Two weeks of cold, rainy weather, the temperature dropping below
40 every night. Tremendous wave on May 21st brought Groups II, III, IV {^^
species observed).. Another big wave on May 28th, Group V (78 species). Con-
tinued cold during the month, the foliage not fully out until June loth.

1S83. March about normal, the first migrants on the 2nd. April very back-
ward throughout, heavy snow on April 29th. Group I May 8; Groups II, III May
16; Group IV May 21. A very poor and unsatisfactory season.

1884. First migrants February 20th. Early March very cold. Early April
normal; latter half very backward. Group I May 2, 3, 4; no Group II wave;
Groups III, IV May 18.

i88s. \'ery late spring throughout March and April. No Group I wave in
May; Group II May 10; Groups III, IV May 18.

1886. Spring starts late. April a trifle backward. Group I May 5, 6; Group

II May 9; balance of month and first half of June abnormally cold; small wave
on May 21 ; the BlackpoU Warbler present around the house throughout June,
until July 5. An even later spring than the famous one of 1907.

1887. On the whole a very uneventful spring. The first migrants arrived
February 20th. April a little backward. Group I May 4; Group II May 8; Group

III May 12; Group IV May 20.

1888. The first signs of spring came early, but were nipped in the bud by the
great blizzard of March 12th and 13th. Though it warmed up quite rapidly from
March 17th on, it took the birds some time to recover. The migration was very
straggling until the end of the month. The Phoebe did not arrive until March 31st,
and on April ist, Mr. Bicknell notes that Robins were just beginning to become
common. April was about normal. Group I May 6; Groups II, III May 12;
Groups III, IV May 20.

After 1888 ]\Ir. Bicknell's notes became increasingly fragmentary,
and he gave more and more attention to botany, so that it is not possible
to gain a complete picture of the spring migration. Both in 1890 and
1891 the first migrants arrived the end of February; and in 1893 many
of the first lot of May species arrived on April 29th and 30th.

AA'e thus see that the earliest migrants arrived in February in five
out of sixteen years, as against only twice in the last seventeen. K
marked late April wave bringing early ^May migrants occurred five
times in nineteen years, though four of these years were in succession.
This same phenomenon has occurred only three times in the past
nineteen years, namely in 1914, 1923 and 1925. I stress these two
points, as they afford biological evidence in addition to the records
of the Weather Bureau, to refute the very general impression that in

78

the "good old days" our climate was far more severe than now. As
bearing on the same question, we should also examine the evidence
]\Ir. Bicknell obtained in winter and late fall. The lowest temperature
he records during this period is — 3°. While it would seem as if
he obtained fewer winter records for non-winter residents than we
get today, we must not forget that he was working alone and single-
handed, and that the far greater number of records of ui]usual lingerers
in recent years represents the combined results of scores of active field
workers over a far larger area. Even if the point be made that one
active observer in the Bronx Region gets more such unusual records
in any one year than Mr. Bicknell did in his time, he is indebted to
others for many of them and is even directed to the exact spot, or
at least he has the enormous advantage of often going afield with a
party, and several pairs of eyes and ears are just that much better than
one. yiv. Bicknell had no such companionship, and in twenty years
of bird-hunting, no one ever showed him an unusual visitor. There
is no reliable evidence, therefore, that the winters were harder, or that
the birds departed earlier in the fall then than now. I give herewith
s. table for the spring arrival of common species, representing the
smaller groups outlined in my Handbook in the chapter on migration.
A blank in any year indicates that Air. Bicknell undoubtedly overlooked
the actual arrival.

I give below a systematic list of all the species, concerning which
IMr. Bicknell made observations of interest. Special attention is paid
to those the status of which has materially altered today. Unusual
records and occurrences are included, and all data are given in full
which in any way extend the current local knowledge.

Lophodytes ciicuUatus. Hooded Merganser. — Recorded only once, November
21, 1880.

Anas rubripes. Black Duck. — Mr. Bicknell's observations covered a period
long before the present-day conditions, where feral birds occur in his territory
throughout the year. This species was formerly a common transient on all the
smallest ponds and swamps, and wintered in January and February, 1878.

Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Van Cortlandt Park Lake was a
favored duck-shooting locality fifty years ago. Mr. Bicknell notes that a local
hunter shot 6 of this species on September 15, 1880.

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — A common summer resident. A crippled female
caught alive January 4, 1879.

Harelda hyemalis. Old-squaw. — Recorded on the Hudson River, October 12,
16'/^; I shot November 30, 1877; flock seen December 26, 1879.

Branta c. canadensis. Canada Goose. — Seen flying over every spring and fall,

79

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one record of a flock alighting in the Kingsbridge Meadows ; flock of twenty seen
January 2, 1893, sitting on the ice-covered Hudson River.

Botaurus lentiginoses. Bittern.— Bred in Van Cortlandt Swamp up to 1879.

Buiorides virescens. Green Heron. — A common summer resident in many
small swamps now drained ; only twice recorded in October.

Xycticorax nycticorax ncivius. Black-crowned Night Heron. — The large resi-
dent colonies of this species are a relatively modern phenomenon. In Mr. Bick-
nell's day a common spring transient, less common in fall ; also occasionally noted
all summer, but no nesting colony ever found; April 10, 1879 to October 8, 1880.

Ralhis c. crepitans. Clapper Rail. — Nested up to 1893 in the Harlem River
marshes at junction point of Sherman Creek. On May 4, 1878, a male was dis-
covered strolling on the wharf at Riverdale, and was collected with a charge
of small stones.

RaUus virginianus. Virginia Rail. — Formerly a common and generally dis-
tributed summer resident.

Porzmui Carolina. Sora. — Never recorded in spring or summer ; a common fall
transient, August 21, 1881 to October 17, r88o.

Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — One shot near Dyckman Street
September 29, 1880; one found dead on Broadway October 2, 1881.

Fulica americana. Coot. — Regular fall transient up to 1880, after that only
occasional; only twice in spring; noted November 30, 1879 and December i, 1878;
also April 28, 1880.

Philohcla minor. Woodcock. — At first a common summer resident, not nest-
ing at Riverdale after 1886; noted as late as December 2, 1880.

GalUnago dclicata. Wilson's Snipe. — It is rather surprising that Mr. Bicknell
found this species far commoner in spring than in fall.

Pisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Regular transient in the early eighties
along the Harlem River marshes.

Catoptrophorus semipalmatns. Willet. — Casual in Mr. Bicknell's territory;
one shot September 7, 1880.

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Formerly a common summer resident^
now surviving in a few scattered places only; transients regularly arrived in late
July; noted as early as April 22, 1874.

Oxyechiis vociferus. Killdeer. — Only one record, March 27, 1888, a flock of
three birds ; a surprising paucity of records.

Colinus V. virginianus. Bob-white. — Common permanent resident at River-
dale, now extirpated.

Ectopistes migratorius. Passenger Pigeon. — Only one spring record, March
30, 1875 ; regular in fall throughout the seventies, the records as follows : 1872,
October 20; 1873, one seen October 25; 18/4, flock of 13 on October ii ; 18/3,
September 11; 18/6, flock of 15 September 2, one September 3, "one shot October
17, the last one seen" [implying that others were seen between these dates. — L. G.] ;
1877, "Two seen on August 30 were the only ones noted till October 6, when a flock
of about 30 were seen bearing down from the N. W. before a brisk, cold wind ;"^
18/8, "None noticed in the spring. A flock of 4, reported on trustworthy authority
as having been seen September 6, were the first of the fall migration noted. A
flock of about 8 September 13. A small flock September 14, about nine September

8i

15, and a flock of 20 same day. Do. of about 30 flying S. W. on morning of i6th.
A flock of 8 or 10 started from ground in dry woods September 18. Two flocks of
about 10 on 19th, 4 on 20th; a few single birds and a flock of about 15 on 22nd.
The same day in early morning I found it almost impossible without the use of
missiles to frighten a single bird from its perch but a few yards above me. One
on 23rd and 26th. A flock of 4 or 5 on October 15th were the first noticed in
some time and the last ones seen. These birds seemed to be more abundant this
fall than for some years previously." 1879, two reported on September 21. 1880,
3 seen September 5; one shot September 11; flock of 25-30 September 19; one
October 3; 2 October 9. 1881, flock of 3 reported on September 8; 2 reported
September 30.

Zenaidiira macroura caroUnensis. Mourning Dove. — Common summer resident
throughout, now extirpated in most of the territory; never recorded between
November 25 and March 18.

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — One record, June 19, 1895.

Accipitcr cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — Bred in woods southeast of Yonkers in
1883; one mid-winter record.

Astiir a. atricapillus. Goshawk. — Only one record, January 12, 1879.

Buteo b. borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. — Arrived as early as August 22, 1880.

Buteo I. lineatiis. Red-shouldered Hawk. — A common breeder at Riverdale,
now locally extirpated.

Buteo platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Great flight observed on Septem-
ber 16, 1878.

Halicuetus I. leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. — Always a common winter visitant ;
occasionally seen in mid-summer up to 1888.

Falco c. columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. — Mr. Bicknell obtained only one spring
and four fall records for this species.

Strix V. varia. Barred Owl. — Resident in the woods on Riverdale Ridge ; long
since extirpated.

Otus a. asio. Screech Owl. — A common permanent resident. This Owl still
survives at Riverdale and Van Cortlandt Park.

Bubo V. virginiamis. Great Horned Owl. — Bred back of Mt. \^ernon in 1879.
One flushed in the Delafield woods (now Fieldston) December 30, 1891.

Coccysus erythrophthalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Formerly a common
summer resident at Riverdale. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo still survives there,
but this species has disappeared.

Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. — A common summer resident at Riverdale in Mr.
Bicknell's day, frequently remaining through December or even wintering along
Spuyten Duyvil Creek.

Dryobates v. villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — No longer surviving in most of
Mr. Bicknell's territory.

Sphyrapiciis v. varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Numerous winter records
in Mr. Bicknell's time, as compared with two only in recent years.

Colaptes auraftis luteus. Flicker. — Regularly in winter at Riverdale; now a
summer resident only.

Antrostomus v. vociferus. Whip-poor-will. — Bred at Riverdale in the 70's ; a

82

regular transient in spring up to 1885; only three fall records obtained, one on
October 18, 1876.

Chordeiles v. inrginianns. Nighthawk. — Never bred in Mr. Bicknell's time,
occurring only as a migrant, uncommon in spring, common to abundant in fall;
May 8, 1895 to June 5, 1879; August 20, 1881 to October 10, 1880. One of the
few species which has become adapted to metropolitan and suburban life in com-
paratively recent years.

Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — A common summer resi-
dent, now extirpated in most of Mr. Bicknell's territory; April 30, 1872 and May

2, 1882 to October i, 1874.

Tyranniis tyrannus. Kingbird. — No longer breeding at Riverdale.

Tyranniis verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. — One collected October 19, 1875.

Myiarchus crinitus. Crested Flycatcher. — Arrived April 26, 1872 and April
29, 1881.

Sayornis phosbe. Phcebe. — Formerly a common summer resident at River-
dale, now extirpated; arrived March 5, 1880, and March 10, 1879, dates never since
equalled or approached ; noted as late as November 26, 1874, but never recorded
in winter.

Nuttallornis borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Never recorded in spring and
only six times in fall.

Myiochanes virens. Wood Pewee. — Arrived on the very early dates of May

3, 1872 and Alay 4, 1874; one collected October 6, 1881.

Empidonax flaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — Earliest fall arrival
August II, 1881 ; one collected October 6, 1881.

Empidonax virescens. Acadian Flycatcher. — A common summer resident, now
extirpated throughout Mr. Bicknell's regular territory; as illustrating the normally
very early departure southward of this species, Mr. Bicknell obtained only two
definite records of this species in August.

E,mpidonax trailli alnoriim. Alder Flycatcher. — Found undoubtedly breeding
in four different swamps near the Jerome Reservoir in 1888 and 1893 ; regarded as
a regular spring transient at Riverdale, May 17, 1896 to June 15, 1876 and 1879.

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — Common summer resident, now
almost entirely extirpated throughout the territory; frequently arriving the last
days of April, and as early as April 21, 1880 and April 26, 1874; one shot on
October 4, 1881.

Corviis ossifragus. Fish Crow. — Mr. Bicknell's observations tally very in-
terestingly with those of modern observers, who are surprised at the very early
departure of this species in localities where it does not winter ; recorded as arriving
at Riverdale as early as February 22, 188 1 ; but never observed later than August

15, 1880.

Sturmis vidgaris. Starling. — First noted May 9, 1891, and next on October

16, 1893.

Dolickonyx orysivorus. Bobolink. — A common summer resident in the fields
south of Van Cortlandt Park and around the site of the Jerome Reservoir; else-
where an abundant transient, moving southward as early as June 2y, 1880, and
regularly the first week in July ; noted as late as October 12, 1879.

Molothnis a. ater. Cowbird. — Formerly common, now absent as a summer
resident at Riverdale; pair noted on February 21, 1885.

Agelaius p. phceniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. — Formerly common, no longer
surviving as a summer resident at Riverdale.

Sturnella m. magna. Meadowlark. — Status changed exactly as with the last
species.

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — A common summer resident at Riverdale,
now extirpated; usually arriving about a day later than the Baltimore Oriole, but
in three years out of twenty-five, arriving first; remarkably early arrivals are
April 30, 1890, May 2, 1878, and May 2, 1884; noted also as late as x\ugust 28,
1881.

Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — Mr. Bicknell recorded this species as
arriving in late September five years out of eighteen, an average which has not
been maintained in recent years; his earliest dates are September 18, 1881, and
September 23, 1877; on the other hand he obtained only one mid-winter record.

Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Purple Crackle. — Earliest spring arrival Feb-
ruary 15, 1880; several nesting colonies at Riverdale, now extirpated. Mr. Bick-
nell never detected the Bronzed Crackle, but several late December and early
January records probably belong to con ens.

Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine Crosbeak. — Recorded in five winters out
of nineteen; November 7, 1871 ; January 29 to April i, 1875; December 2^, 1882
to February 10, 1883; abundant from January 24 to March 24, 1884; January
18, 1890.

Passer domesticus. House Sparrow. — First seen April 11, 1879.

Carpodaciis p. purpureas. Purple Finch. — It is of special interest that Mr.
Bicknell found this species nesting definiteh' in 1876 and 1881 ; it was abundant
during the winter of 1877-78.

Loxia curvirostra mhior. American Crossbill. — Abundant from November 3,
1874 to May 10, 1875, the nest and eggs found at Riverdale on April 22; May 5
and 6, 1877; June 13, 15 and July 20, 1878; April i to May 18, 1884; November
8, 1887; January 28, 1888; January 12 to April 24, 1890; April 22, 1894. These
records show very graphically the erratic behavior of this species.

Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Recorded only one year, abundant
from November 3, 1874 to May 10, 1875.

Acanthis linaria linaria. Redpoll. — Recorded far less often by Mr. Bicknell
than in the last twenty years ; abundant from January 27 to May 4, 1875 ; abundant
from November 13, 1878 to March 9, 1879; February 17, 1882. The record of
November 9, 1878, in my Handbook proves to have been made by William Church
Osborn at Carrison.

Carduelis carduelis. European Coldfinch. — Recorded May 12 to 24, 1901 and
January i, 1902.

Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Found wintering in only two years, but noted
in spring as late as May 15, 1883 and June 10, 1893.

Plectrophenax n. nivalis. Snow Bunting. — Very irregular at Riverdale, never
recorded except after heavy snow-storms in mid- winter ; common from January 3-1
to March I4, 1875; flock of 20 on January 16, 1877; February 8-13, 1882. Dr.
A.;K. Fisher saw a flock of 200 near Yonkers January 24, 1881.

Pocecetes g. gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Found nesting at one locality two
miles from the. Hudson River and southeast of Van Cortlandt.

Passercuius sandzmchensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. — It is interesting to
find that the best locality for this species known to Mr. Bicknell was the "Kings-
bridge Meadows."

Ammodramns savannariim australis. Grasshopper Sparrow. — Numerous nest-
ing colonies in Mr. Bicknell's time, long since extirpated.

Passerherhulus h. henslowi. Henslow's Sparrow. — Mr. Bicknell obtained three
migration records of this species in early October.

Passerherhulus caudacutiis. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Nested in the "Kings-
bridge Meadows" up to 1882.

Passerherbiilus m. maritimus. Seaside Sparrow. — Nested in the Harlem River
Marshes at least as late as 1881.

Zonotrichia I. leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Only three spring
records between 1876 and 1884, one of them a flock of 6 on April 28, 1880.

Spizella m. monticola. Tree Sparrow. — Observed as late as April 29, 1875.

Melospiza I. lincolni. Lincoln's Sparrow. — Only once in fall, and never in
spring at Riverdale.

Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — Common summer resident in all
swamps from Riverdale south to Kingsbridge and Dyckman Street, now extir-
pated ; one wintered at Riverdale, 1875-76.

Passerella i. iliaca. Fox Sparrow. — Recorded on the very early date of Octo-
ber I, 1880, and as late as April 25, 1875.

Cardinalis c. cardinalis. Cardinal. — Frequently recorded at Riverdale between
1872 and 1894, nesting in 1889, 1890 and 1894; several birds wintered in various
years.

Zamelodia Indoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. — A very interesting change
in the status of this species took place in Mr. Bicknell's time. It was an un-
common transient from 1872 on and was missed entirely in 1878; a pair was found
nesting in 1879, and it became a common summer resident after 1882.

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Arrival April 29, 1881 and May 3,
1878; noted on October 20, 1876.

Progne suhis. Purple Martin. — A rare transient at Riverdale, recorded six
times in spring in 17 years, and four times in fall; April 22, 1893 to May 21, 1885;
June 22>, 1888, July 17, 1885 to August 28, 1880.

Petrochelidon I. lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. — One or two pairs bred at River-
dale until 1881, also found nesting at Mt. Vernon in 1879; up to 1886 a common
transient, after that rapidly decreasing; regularly moving southward in July, as
early as July 2, 1883,

Hirundo erythrogasfer. Barn Swallow. — Formerly common, now extirpated
as a summer resident at Riverdale.

Riparia riparia. Bank Swallow. — Casual as late as October 11, 1891.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. — Formerly a common
summer resident at Riverdale, now extirpated.

Bomhycilla cedrornm. Cedar Waxwing. — A regular summer resident at
Riverdale, now extirpated. Some of the vagaries of this species in Mr. Bicknell's
time are worth putting on record; thus in 1877 it arrived to stay on April 13:

;85

southward movement began as early as August 2, 1878; two on February 14, 1878,
the only winter record; arrived in numbers on March 3, 1878, and remained
abundant until June.

Laniiis borealis. Northern Shrike. — Recorded in four out of five winters on
the average, arriving October 30, 1881, and October 31, 1875.

Lanius ludovicianus migrans. Aligrant Shrike. — Only one fall record
obtained.

Vireosylva oUvacea. Red-eyed \'ireo. — Recorded in the first ten days of May,
five out of twenty-five 3'ears ; May 3. 1878, May 4, 1880, ^lay 9, 1881, May 8,
.1887, May 6, 1891 ; Alay 5, 1896; also as late as October 24 1880.

Vireosylva Philadelphia. Philadelphia \'ireo. — One found dead September 17,
1885.

Vireosylva g. gilva. Warbling Mreo. — Common summer resident at Riverdale,
now extirpated; May 2, 1878 to September 18, 1881.

Lanivirco flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. — Common in Mr. Bicknell's
day, now locally extirpated ; its return is a possibility, however, as it is now increas-
ing in other parts of the Bronx region ; arrived in April five years out of twenty,
earliest April 26, 1879.

Lanivireo s. solitarius. Solitary \'ireo. — Regarded as rare in spring by Mr.
Bicknell ; noted September 9, 1877 and October 2"/, 1876.

Vireo g. griseus. White-eyed \^ireo. — Common summer resident at Riverdale,
now extirpated ; arrived three times in late April in 22 years, a record not dupli-
cated in any part of the New York Region since; April 29, 1880.

Mniofilta varia. Black and White Warbler. — Arrived April 18, 1880; now
extirpated at Riverdale.

Helmitheros vermivoroiis. Worm-eating W'arbler. — Formerly a common
summer resident at Riverdale, now a rare transient there.

Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. — One record, June 2, 1895.

Vermivora piniis. Blue-winged Warbler. — Four April arrivals in twenty
years.

Vermivora chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler. — ^luch rarer formerly than
now; only one record, August 11, 1881.

Vermivora r. rnbricapilla. Nashville Warbler. — A decidedly uncommon
transient in Mr. Bicknell's day, sometimes unrecorded an entire spring or fall.

Vermivora c. celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — October 9 and 29, 1876.

Vermivora peregrina. Tennessee Warbler. — A very rare bird in Air. Bicknell's
day; May 22, 1876, May 17, 1877; August 16 to October 10, 1880; May 28, 1896.

Compsothlypis americana nsnecc. Parula Warbler. — Recorded April 26, 1878,
June 8, 1879, and October 26, 1879.

Dendroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler. — A very rare bird in Air. Bicknell's
day; October 5, 1879; August 22 to September 12, 18S0; several on Alay 13, 1900.

Dendroica ce. cestiva. Yellow Warbler. — Formerly a common summer resident
at Riverdale, now extirpated.

Dendroica c. ca-nilescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler. — Noted in the spring
as late as Alay 28, 1882; only twice recorded as arriving in August: a very late
fall date is October 29, 1876.

Dendroica magnolia. Alagnolia Warbler. — Latest fall date October 19. 1876.

86

Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. — Never bred in Mr. Bick-
nell's time, known only as a common transient ; it remained in the spring up to May
28, 1882, and the earliest fall arrival was August ii, 1881.

Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted W'arbler. — A rare transient in Mr. Bick-
nell's day, recorded in only six springs out of eleven, and by no means every fall ;
casual on July 26, 1875 ; one collected on the remarkable date October 13, 1876.

Dendroica striata. Blackpoll \\"arbler. — Arrived May 3, 1878, and became
common on the 6th ; also May 5, 1880 ; remained until July 5th in the remarkably
cold spring of 1886.

Dendroica fusca. Blackburnian Warbler. — It is interesting to find that in Mr.
Bicknell's day this species was almost as rare as the Bay-breasted Warbler in
spring, and was by no means recorded every season.

Dendroica vigorsi. Pine Warbler. — A very rare transient, its status obviously
quite different from the present time ; several records between April 3 and June
5, 1875; on October 5, 1879; April 12, 1890, and a pair probably bred, as the
species was recorded until July 3; April 14, 1891.

Dendroica palmanim palmurum. Palm Warbler. — It is desirable to stress the
point that Mr. Bicknell never recorded this subspecies. This negative evidence
endorses my belief that it has increased in this region in the past thirty or
forty years.

Dendroica discolor. Prairie Warbler. — A rare transient in Mr. Bicknell's time,
only four years in spring and once in fall.

Seiurus aiirocapillus. Ovenbird. — No longer nesting at Riverdale where it
was formerly abundant ; arrived in April eight years out of twenty-two.

Seiurus motacilla. Louisiana Water-Thrush. — A pair bred regularly in River-
dale Glen in Mr, Bicknell's time ; long since locally extirpated.

Oporornis for^nosus. Kentucky Warbler. — An uncommon summer resident
in various woods north of Van Cortlandt Park. It lingered in the woods near
the Yonkers Reservoir until 1898.

Oporornis Philadelphia. Alourning Warbler. — Very rare transient; the records
are May 22 and 23, 1875; May 28, 1876; June 3, 1878; September 3, 1881.

Geothlypis t. trichas. Maryland Yellow-throat. — Now extirpated as a summer
resident at Riverdale, but formerly common; recorded October 24, 1875.

Icteria v. z'irens. Yellow-breasted Chat. — A very common summer resident,
now extirpated at Riverdale. It is interesting to observe that Mr. Bicknell's arrival
dates average earlier than those obtained in more recent years. The Chat usually
arrived before May 8, and the earliest dates were April 26, 1872, May 2, 1881 and
May 3, 1880; noted in the fall as late as September 21, 1873.

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. Common summer resident at Riverdale
and Van Cortlandt Park up to 1893 at least.

Wilsonia p. pusilla. Wilson's Warbler. — A rare transient in Air. Bicknell's
time, unrecorded in spring for five years at a stretch ; recorded August 13, 1881, and
casual on November 22, 1885.

Setophaga rnficilla. Redstart. — Formerly abundant, now probably extirpated
as a summer resident at Riverdale ; arrived in late April seven years out of
twenty-one.

Anthus rubescens. Pipit. — Only once recorded in spring by Mr. Bicknell.

87

Mimus p. polyglottos. Mockingbird. — Recorded October 28 to November 21,
1877; October 29 to November 9, 1878; October 9, 1880; July 2Z, 1884.

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — Recorded as early as April 25, 1878 ; sev-
eral November records up to November 30, 1884; a single bird remained through
the winter of 1885-86, and 1889-90.

Toxostonm rufum. Brown Thrasher. — Recorded January 10 and February 15,
1880, and February 10, 1897.

Thryothorus I. hidovicianus. Carolina Wren. — Recorded ten years out of
fifteen, every month in the year, nesting in 1879, 1881, and 1888; non-breeding birds
chiefly in March and April, September to November ; only one mid-winter record.

Cistothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — A rare fall transient, chiefly
in the Kingsbridge Meadows; found only in 1876, 1880, 1881, and 1895 ; the extreme
dates are August 12, 1881 to October 23, 1880.

Telmatodytes p. palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — Common in many cat-
tail marshes from the Harlem River and Kingsbridge northward, now destroyed;
arrived before May 9 in only three years out of twenty-one.

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Some of the vagaries of this
erratic species in Mr. Bicknell's time are worth recording; in the first place it is
rather surprising that he recorded it only twice in spring; in 1878 it arrived from
the north on the astonishing date of July 10 and was abundant by August 12 ; this
performance was repeated in 1889, when it arrived on July 18 and was next seen
on August 8; a bird seen July 1-5, 1886, is impossible to allocate definitely, as it
was not recorded either that spring or the ensuing fall.

Bccolophus hicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — One bird from November 29, 1874 to
March 28, 1875.

Regiiliis s. satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Recorded on the remarkable
date of September 10, 1898.

Regulus c. calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Recorded January 18, 1885.

Hylocichla mustelina. Wood Thrush. — Arrived April 27;, 1896 and April
24, 1879 ; in only seven years out of twenty-five unrecorded in April ; lingered until
October 27, 1883, and casually to November 12, 1888, in the latter case a bird found
about the house from October 26 on.

Hylocichla alicice alicicc. Gray-cheeked Thrush. — Extreme spring dates are
May 5, 1887 to June 6, 1886.

Hylocichla alicice hicknelli. Bicknell's Thrush. — Specimens collected May 24,
1877, May 16, 1883 and September 20, 1881.

88

A Detailed Report on the Bird Life of the
Greater Bronx Region

By John F. Kuerzi

The term Bronx Region may be conveniently applied to the area
in and about the Bronx watershed. It includes the borough of the
Bronx, and extends north to the upper reaches of the Bronx, Sawmill
and Grassy Sprain Rivers; or approximately north to a parabola con-
necting Tarrytown, Kensico, and Rye. It thus embraces all the river
valleys draining south or nearly south, into the upper limits of the
Bronx, and is the natural migratory basin of the Bronx Region. Others
have thought it expedient to limit the Bronx Region to the compara-
tively small area south of Yonkers and Pelham, and while this plan
obviously has the advantage of being a smaller area, it also has its
evident drawbacks. To begin with, there is no natural demarcation
or barrier whatsoever, to warrant the drawing of such a line, as any-
one who has been over the region will testify. The country is the
same as far north as Kensico, and consequently the bird-life is very
nearly identical. Practically no active local observers would think of
limiting themselves to the smaller area, and as a result, such observers
have been consistently going further north. Ample data on the birds
of this larger area are now available, which when properly arranged,
greatly add to our knowledge of local birds. There appears to be
no adequate reason for disregarding the observations made beyond a
certain, more or less imaginary line, and for this reason it has seemed
expedient to extend the area so as to include the whole Bronx water-
shed south of Kensico, about which the region very naturally centers.

Geographically the region is not particularly complicated. On the
east is open country, composed of rolling uplands, and the tide-water
marshes and inlets of Long Island Sound. It is here that the majority
of the water-birds have been recorded, and certain species, typical of
such a habitat, breed. Through the center extends the Bronx River
Valley, in the low, rich woodlands, and swamps of which most 6i the
land-birds have been observed, and many of them remain to nest. West
of the valley, the land rises, becomes drier and hillier, until it comes
to a somewhat abrupt termination at the Hudson river, — still a high-
way of migration for some Shorebirds and Ducks, though at present
mainly for land-birds.

Fifty years ago^ when observations began locally, practically all
of this area was rural country. There was very little change of a

89

general nature until perhaps twenty years ago, until which time such
wild and retiring species as the Great Horned Owl bred locally. Since
then most of the countr}- has undergone a radical change, owing to
rapid urban development, so that now a considerable portion of it is
unfit for birds, and almost all of the remaining country is of a decided-
ly suburban, rather than rural character. This, of course, had its
direct effect upon the local bird-life, and as a result some species,
notably cerfain of the water-birds, have decreased locally to a marked
extent. However, to partially offset this, others have unquestionably
increased, and some to an appreciable degree during this same period.

The bird-life of this area is still varied and surprisingly abundant,
probably owing, at least in part, to the diversity of favorable environ-
ment. Perhaps a more fundamental explanation may be found in the
fact that the region is touched by at least two different life zones.
\Miile its bird-life is chiefly characteristic of the Transition Zone,
there is strong evidence of at least a trace of the Carolinian Zone, if
the presence of certain species in the breeding season, as well as at
other times, may be taken as an indication of this. Thus, four species
generally regarded as Carolinian, are permanent residents, and at least
six others are common, and several others fairly so, during the breed-
ing season. Curiously, others typical of this life zone have decreased
locally, or disappeared altogether from the region, in recent years, for
which there is no apparent reason.

Despite the changing local conditions, approximately ninty-five
species of birds breed annually, and in exceptionally favorable years,
over one hundred species have bred. Migrants are obviously con-
centrated over the remaining favorable localities, and as many as one
hundred and thirty-six species have been recently recorded by two
parties of two observers each, on a ^lay day census. The total list is
two hundred and seventy-four species.

Although observations locally began fifty or more years ago, no
really consistent work has been done in the region, barring the ob-
servations of the late Air. E. P. Bicknell at Riverdale many years ago,
until comparatively recently when the present generation of observers
commenced activities afield. It is regrettable that Air. Bicknell's ob-
servations in the region were limited almost exclusively to the River-
dale section, for had they been of a somewhat more extended nature,
they w^ould doubtless have formed the basis of a more interesting
comparison between the bird-life of his time and that of ours. His
field experience at Riverdale, and details of that section's bird-life in

90

the past are presented by Mr. Griscom in another article in this Ab-
stract. Duplication of records has been avoided as much as possible.

Perhaps no account of the Bronx Region is complete without
special mention of the Botanical Garden, which has been for years the
local center of the growth of ornithological interest. It is undoubtedly
the best place in the region in which to observe the interesting recurring
phenomenon of migration, and its rich woodlands annually yield an
abundance of arboreal birds. Whereas formerly there were a mere
handful at all regular in their visits to the Garden, the number of
enthusiasts is steadily growing. Comparatively few years ago, it was
possible to spend hours afield here in the early morning, never meet-
ing another observer, but at the present time one is almost certain to
meet a few observers at almost any time, and during migrations there
are frequently dozens about. It is here, if anywhere, that observers
foregather to discuss and exchange local field-notes.

Before concluding, I cannot forbear thanking those who have been
of assistance to, or who have co-operated with me in any way. I am
particularly indebted to the various members of the Bronx County Bird
Club for placing their records and experience entirely at my disposal
and to Mr. Ludlow Griscom who edited the manuscript, incorporating
a number of his own and Mr. Bicknell's records. To others also, who
•have aided me in various ways , I wish here to make grateful

acknowledgment.

Annotated List of Birds of the Bronx Region

Colymbus holboelli. Holboell's Grebe. — Irregular and uncommon transient and
winter visitant, occasionally fairly numerous in late winter and early spring ; chiefly
on the Sound, but of rare occurrence on the reservoirs and rivers. October 15,
1910 (Hix, Wiegmann) to April 28, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Colymbxis auritus. Horned Grebe. — Common transient and fairly common in
winter on the Sound ; of regular occurrence on the reservoirs and rivers. October
6, 1921 (Coles) to May 23, 1926 (Coles). Casual in summer.

Podilymbus Podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — Formerly bred ; now a fairly com-
mon transient, chiefly in fall. March 18, 1927 (Kuerzi) to May 3, 1924 (Cruick-
shank) ; August 18 to November 22, 1925 (Coles).

Gavia immer. Loon. — Regular and fairly common transient and winter visi-
tant. August 16, 1922 (Coles) to May 25, 1924 (Kuerzi) and June 2, 1923
(Herbert, Hickey).

Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. — Uncommon though rather regular fall
transient on the Sound; unknown elsewhere. October 11, 1926 (Kuerzi) to Feb-
ruary 22, 1927 (Herbert, Kassoy, Kuerzi).

Uria lomvia. Brunnich's Murre. — One record ; specimen taken off Fort
Schuyler, December 23, 1926 (W. Singer), presented to American Musemp of
Natural History.

91

Lams hyperborens. Glaucous Gull. — Irregular and decidedly uncommon in>
winter. October 13, 1919 to April 25, 1926 (Coles).

Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull. — Of more frequent occurrence than L. hyper-
borens. November 22, I923' to April 20, 1923 (Kuerzi) and May 15, 1926 (Cruick-
shank) ; casual July 31, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi).

Larus marinus. Black-backed Gull. — Regular and fairly common winter visi-
tant on the Sound, uncommon on the Hudson River, and of rare occurrence on the
reservoirs. September 15, 1926 (Coles) to April 17, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Larus argentatiis. Herring Gull. — Abundant winter resident, a few usually
summering on the Sound ; migrants arrive in August and September,

Larus delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. — Fairly common transient, occasionally
wintering. July 18, 1921 ; July 29, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 15, 1925 and June 2, 1925
(Kuerzi).

Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull. — Presumably no record prior to 1916; at
present a fairly common spring, and abundant fall transient, increasing. April 24,
1926 (Kuerzi) to June 20, 1926 (Cruickshank) ; July 13, 1926 (Kuerzi), normally
to the end of November. In 1924 an immature bird lingered until December 5
(Hickey, Kuerzi), and on December 5, 1925 two adults were found in the same
locality (Kuerzi).

Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte's Gull. — Fairly common transient, rare in
winter. March 5, 9 and 29, and April 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) to June 13, 1926 (Coles) ;
August 17, 1925 (Coles) to December 27, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; February 9, 1922
(L. N. Nichols).

Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. — Rare spring, fairly common fall transient.
May 7, 1923 to June 10, 1926 (Coles) ; July 9, 1926 (Coles) to October 30, 1922
(Kuerzi).

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. — Uncommon fall transient.
July 31, 1926 (Kuerzi) to October 2, 1915, specimen collected (Coles).

Sterna forsteri. Forster's Tern. — Satisfactory observations range from
August 17, 1925 to September 23, 1925 (Kuerzi).

Rynchops nigra. Black Skimmer. — Casual; a single individual at short range,
off Hunts Point, September 14, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; another along the Sound,
off New Rochelle, July 17, 1926 (Mrs. E. Rich).

Oceanifes oceanicus. Wilson's Petrel. — Several on the Hudson above Dyckman
St., about twelve years ago, in August (Starck).

Sula bassana. Gannet. — Casual, or very rare transient; "October 16, I9i5r
Hudson River opposite Englewood, New Jersey, a Gannet flying east of midstream,
from the Dyckman Street ferry" (J. T. Nichols) ; another in the same locality off
Riverdale, October 31, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; January 18, 1927, Hudson River
(Cruickshank).

Phalacrocorax a. anritiis. Double-crested Cormorant. — Rare spring and fall
migrant. April 24, 1926 (Kuerzi) ; May 8, 1926 (Coles) to June 23, 1926 (Cruick-
shank) ; August 31, 1923 (Griscom) to October 15, 1924 (Hickey, Kessler, Kuerzi),.
and November i, 1923 (Kuerzi) ; November 7, 1926 (Herbert).

Mergus americamis. American Merganser. — Regular and common winter

92

visitant. November i, 1922 (Kuerzi) to April 13, 1925, and sometimes as' late as
May 13, 1925 (Kuerzi) ; only 1 record (Bicknell).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Fairly common transient and
winter visitant, occasionally numerous on salt-water, where it practically replaces
the preceding species. October 15, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 23, 1926 (Coles) ; casual
June 7, 1925 (Herbert, Hickey).

Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser. — Rare but somewhat regular
transient, and winter resident. October 24, 1925 (Ogburn, Kuerzi) to January 6,

1924 (Herbert) ; February 20, 1915 (J. M. Johnson) to March 28, 1926 (Cruick-
shank) and April 6, 1926 (Kuerzi).

Anas platyrhynchos. Mallard. — Uncommon but regular transient on the
Hudson River, elsewhere wild birds cannot be satisfactorily differentiated from
feral birds which originate from the Zoological Garden, and commonly range about
over most of the area. February 7 and 13, 1926 (Cruickshank) to April 25, 1923
(Kuerzi) and May 15, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; September i, 1922 (Kuerzi) to
January 8 and 22, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; one record November 20, 1876 (Bicknell),

Anas rubripes. Black Duck. — Common, occasionally abundant transient,
iairly common in winter ; breeding birds may perhaps have been originally feral.
August 16, 1922 (Kuerzi) to May 15, 1923 (Kuerzi), and a few through June and
July. Wintered in ponds and swamps January-February, 1878; common transient
in spring, March 13, 1881 to May 8, 1879.

Mareca penelope. European Widgeon. — A most satisfactory observation of a
■fine drake and a supposed female, February 9, 1922, on Pelham Bay (L. N.
Nichols). ("Handbook Birds of New York City Region," p. 96.)

Mareca americana. Baldpate. — Uncommon spring and fall transient. February
28, 1925 (Kuerzi) to April 21, 1925 (Coles) ; October 4, 1920 (Kuerzi) to Novem-
ber 30, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; casual as early as July 30, 1926.

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Uncommon transient. March 20,
1926 (Cruickshank) to April 29, 1920 (Coles) ; October 15, 1923 to December 12,

1925 (Kuerzi), and December 21, 1924 (G. E. Hix, Charles Johnston) ; shot at
Riverdale April 14, 1866 (Bicknell).

Querqiicdula discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Rare transient. March 18, 1914
(Wiegmann) to April 26, 1926 (Cruickshank) ; August 29, 1920 (Kuerzi) to
November 14, 1926 (Cruickshank).

Spatula clypcafa. Shoveller. — Very rare; a fine drake on the Baychester
Marshes March 22, 1920 (L. N. Nichols). ("Handbook Birds of Ne.w York City
Region," p. 100.)

Dafila acuta. Pintail. — Uncommon transient. February 22, 1925 (Herbert) to
April 25, 1926 (Coles) ; October 24, 1925 to December 30, 1924 (Cruickshank).

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Fairly common transient; decreasing as a summer
resident. February 13, 1926 (Cruickshank) and March 3, 1923 (Kuerzi), normally
to late November, and as late as December 23, 1924 (Kuerzi). A crippled female
caught January 4, 1879 (Bicknell). Migrants are commonly observed in September
and October, when occasionally as many as forty or more birds have been
observed in a flock.

Marila americana. Redhead. — Rather rare transient and winter visitant. Feb-

93

ruary 2, 1926 (Cruickshank) to April 4, 1914 (numerous observers) ; November i,
1923 (Kuerzi) to December 28, 1924 and January 18, 1925 (Kuerzi),

Marila valisineriu. Canvasback. — In recent years a rather regular transient,
and common (sometimes abundant) on the Sound and East River; usually most
numerous in late winter and early spring. One thousand or more birds have been
recently observed off Hunts Point in February, when generally their peak of
abundance is reached locally. No longer of regular occurrence on the Jerome
Reservoir; occasional on the Hudson River. October 23, 1926 (Kuerzi) to April
II, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi).

Marila marila. Scaup Duck, — Common transient and winter visitant, generally
abundant in late winter and early spring. The species has been satisfactorily
determined on numerous occasions, but there is a bare possibility that the heavy
flights of February and March on our tide- water bays are composed at least
partially of the next species. October 17, 1924 (Cruickshank) to April 24, 1926
(Kuerzi), and casually to May 23, 1926 (Coles).

Marila af finis. Lesser Scaup. — Uncommon transient ; the following records
refer definitely to this species. March 3, 1923 (Kuerzi) to April 18, 1926 (Cruick-
shank), and casually to July 14, 1925 (Cruickshank, Hickey, Herbert, Kassoy) ;
October 18, 1925 (Kuerzi, Kessler) to November 20, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Marila collaris. Ring-necked Duck. — Very rare transient; there are several
recent records on the east end of Kensico, known locally as Rye Lake. The fol-
lowing are the definite records: Drake shot by local gunner in late January, 1921,.
at Hunts Point ; another drake very satisfactorily observed in the same locality,
January 31, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi). The Rye Lake records are as follows: January
II, 1925 (Griscom and Coles); February, 1925; March 6, 1925; April 4, 1926
(Coles) ; three birds, April 6, 1926 (Kuerzi) ; March 12 to 2y, igiy, six birds
(Kuerzi).

Clangula clangula americana. American Golden-eye. — Common winter visitant
on the Sound and the East River as far south as Hunts Point; fairly common on
the larger reservoirs and rivers. November i, 1923 (Coles) to April 25, 1923
(Kuerzi), and exceptionally to May 19, 1926 (Coles).

Charitonetta albeola. Bufiiehead. — Regular winter visitant, apparently increas-
ing in recent years. October 22, 1922 (Coles) to April 12, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Harelda hyemalis. Old-squaw. — Uncommon but regular winter visitant.
October 12, 1879 (Bicknell), and November 3, 1925 (Coles) to April 24, 1926
(Kuerzi), and May 15, 1926 (Cruickshank).

Oidemia americana. American Scoter. — Irregular, occasionally in numbers on
the Sound; rare transient on the Hudson. September 2, 1916 to May 18, 1926
(Coles).

Oidemia deglatidi. White-winged Scoter. — Common, occasionally abundant,
transient and winter visitant on the Sound ; occasional on the Hudson, and casual
on the reservoirs. Small numbers sometimes linger well into summer (Coles).
September 24, 1920 (Coles) to May 15, 1926 (Kessler).

Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter. — Irregular but sometimes occurs in small
numbers. November i, 1916 to May 2, 1925 (Coles).

Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. — Somewhat irregular and uncommon
transient, rare in mid- winter. October 24, 1925 (Ogburn, Kuerzi) to January 12

94

and 2"/, 1924 (Ord Meyers) ; February 21, 1915 (L, N. Nichols) to May 15, 1926
(Kessler).

Branta c. canadensis. Canada Goose. — Uncommon transient; infrequently
alighting. February 27, 1922 to May 12, 1916; October 5, 1925 to December 28,
1919 (all by Coles) ; flock of 20 seen January 2, 1893, sitting on the ice in the
Hudson River (Bicknell).

Chen hyperboreus nivalis. Snow Goose. — Specimen collected in December,
many years ago. Alore recently a specimen was taken off Portchester, and another
was observed several miles to the north (The Auk, July, 1926, p. 363).

Branta bernicla glaucogasfra. Brant. — Rare transient. November 14, 1926
(Cruickshank) to January 2, 1926 (Cruickshank, Kessler, Kuerzi) ; February 2,
1924 (Aleyers, Pangburn), and February 22, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) to April 17,
1923 (Coles).

Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern. — Formerly bred, at present a fairly
common transient. April 5, 1913 (G. K. Noble), and April 10, 1924 (Cruickshank)
to May 19, 1923^ (Kuerzi) ; July 27, 1922 (Herbert) to December 24 and 26,
Clason Point (Kuerzi).

Ixohrychus exilis. Least Bittern. — Rare transient and summer resident, bred
in 1922 near Tarrytown (Coles) ; still breeds regularly in the \^an Cortlandt Park
swamp. Transients have been observed at Hunts Point. May 30 and June 2, 1924 ;
May 20, 1926 (Kuerzi) to September 26, 1926 (Kuerzi).

Ardea h. herodias. Great Blue Heron. — Regular and fairly common transient,
frequently lingering well into winter. March 24, 1923 (Kuerzi) to June 9, 1923
(Kuerzi) ; July 3, 1925 (Herbert, Hickey) to December 30, 1926 (Kuerzi). Three
birds up to January 24, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; February 28, 1925 (Charles
Johnston).

Herodias cgretta. American Egret. — Rare summer visitant. July 16, 1916 to
October 9, 1916, a maximum of three birds, in a swamp below Van Cortlandt Park ;
discovered by Mr. S. H. Chubb, and seen by nearly every local observer. The fol-
lowing year a single bird returned, and was present in the same locality, July 19
to August 5 (S. H. Chubb). A single bird on the Baychester Marshes, August 22
to September 14, 1925 (Kassoy, Matuszewski, Kuerzi).

Florida coerulea. Little Blue Heron. — Rare summer visitor. August i, 1924
(Kassoy, Hickey) and August 16, 1925 (Kuerzi) to September 4, 1925 (Cruick-
shank).

Bntorides v. virescens. Green Heron. — Common transient, and fairly common
summer resident. April 13, 1923 (Kuerzi), to October 12, 1911 (Rogers, Wieg-
mann).

Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. — Common
permanent resident. In recent years large numbers have wintered about the lake, in
the Zoological Garden. In 1925-1926, over 150 birds wintered in a spruce grove
on the west end of Eastchester Bay, and the Zoological Park colony was virtually
deserted. No breeding colony of considerable size is believed to exist locally.

Rallus elegans. King Rail. — Rare transient ; one winter record. There is no
definite evidence of breeding, but ma}' have bred formerly. April 19, 1916 (Coles) ;
April 23 and 26, 1925 (Cruickshank, Kuerzi); September 2, 1920 (Coles) and

95

February i, 1926, specimen picked up dead on Hunts Point salt marsh (Kuerzi) ;
also December 26 and 28, 1926 (Cruickshank and Kuerzi).

Rallus c. crepitans. Clapper Rail. — Formerly a summer resident on the
marshes about the upper Harlem River (E. P. Bicknell), and until recent years
(Cruickshank). No breeding colony is known to exist locally at the present time,
and transients are seldom recorded.

Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. — Formerly a common summer resident ;
now restricted to a few remaining favorable localities. April 5, 1925 (Kessler,
Kuerzi) to December 19, 1920 (Coles),

Porzana Carolina. Sora. — Uncommon spring, common fall transient, a pair
or two breeding locally. April 17, 1925 (Cruickshank) to December 26, 1926
(Cruickshank).

Cotiirnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — Very rare; two records; Septem-
ber 29, 1880; October 2, 1881 (Bicknell).

Gallimila galeata. Florida Gallinule. — Uncommon transient, decreasing as a
summer resident; several pairs still breeding locally. April 16, 1926 (Cruickshank)
to October 24, 1922 (Kuerzi).

Fulica americana. American Coot. — Rare transient. October 7, 1905 (Hix,
Wiegmann) to November 12, 1923 (Kuerzi) and January 4, 1926 (Coles) ; April
2, 1919 (Coles) to April 28, 1880 (Bicknell).

Lobipcs lobatus. Northern Phalarope. — Rare transient. August 11, 1923
(Kuerzi) and August 26, 191 1 (Hix) to October 26, 1925 (Coles).

Steganopiis tricolor. Wilson's Phalarope. — One record; a single bird in the
gray plumage associating with about twenty Lesser Yellow-legs, September 21,
1924 (Meyers, Kessler, Kuerzi) ; probably the same individual observed inde-
pendently, several hours later by Messrs. Cruickshank, Herbert, Hickey, Kassoy.
(See Auk Vol. XLH, p. 126.)

Philohela minor. Woodcock. — Formerly a common summer resident ; still
breeds locally in limited numbers, and fairly common as a transient. February
24, 1925 (Kuerzi) to December 2, 1880 (Bicknell), and casually later.

Gallinago delicafa. Wilson's Snipe. — Regular and fairly common spring and
fall transient; casual in summer, and occasional in winter, March 8, 1916 (Coles)
and March 29, 1925 (Kuerzi) to May 15, 1924 and May 22, 1922 (Kuerzi) ;
September 7, 1916 (Coles) to December 23, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; December 28, 1924 and
January i, 1925 (Cruickshank, Ruff) ; January 27 and February 7, 1926 (Cruick-
shank) ; February 24, 1880 (E, P, Bicknell). Casual July 27, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Macrorhamphus g. griseus. Dowitcher. — Fairly common fall transient. July
2, 1923 (Herbert) to September 30, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Micro palama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — Irregular, and uncommon fall
transient. July 14, 1923 (Herbert) to September 21, 1924 (Kuerzi), and October
5, 1921 (Coles).

Tringa canutus. Knot. — Rather rare transient. May 11, 1919 (Coles) to
May 30, 1909 (Griscom) ; August 2, 1923 (Kuerzi) to September 27, 1924
(Hickey).

Arquatella m. maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — On February 14, 1916, Dr. Wil-
liam H. Weigmann obtained a very satisfactory observation of a single bird of this

96

species, on the rocks in Pelham Bay. This is the only definite local record for the
species.

Pisobia maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. — Rare spring, fairly common fall
transient, where suitable habitat exists. May 2, 1923 (Kuerzi) to May 26, 1906
(Hix, Wiegmann) ; July 14, 1925 (Cruickshank) to October 25, 1924 (Hickey),
and November 7, 1926 (Kassoy, Herbert),

Pisobia fiiscicollis. White-rumped Sandpiper. — Rare spring, uncommon fall
transient. May 7, 1925 (Herbert, Kassoy) to May 29, 1924 (Coles) ; July 27, 1923
(Kuerzi) to October 19, 1925 (Herbert).

Pisobia minntilla. Least Sandpiper. — Regular and fairly common spring and
fall transient. April 27, 1923 (Kuerzi) to June 16, 1922 (Coles) ; July 4, 1924
Hickey) to October 22, 1924, a single bird with three Semipalmated Sandpipers, at
short range and in excellent light (Kessler, Kuerzi).

Pelidna alpina sakhalina. Red-backed Sandpiper. — Rare spring, uncommon fall
transient. May 15, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) to May 24, 1925 (Kuerzi) ; September
20, 1925 (Hickey) to November 3, 1925 (Kuerzi).

Ereunetes pusilliis. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — Regular, and fairly common
spring, abundant fall migrant. May 2, 1916 (Coles) to June 20, 1919 (Coles) ;
July 8, 1925 (Herbert) to October 22, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi), and casually as
late as November 2, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Ereunetes mauri. Western Sandpiper. — Satisfactory identifications are as fol-
lows : July 10 and 18, 1925 (Cruickshank, Matuszewski), and August 25, 1923,
three birds (Kassoy, Kuerzi). On each occasion direct comparison with Least and
Semipalmated Sandpipers was had, and the birds were observed at leisure at less
than seven or eight yards.

Calidris leiicophaa. Sanderling, — Uncommon fall transient. July 8, 1925
(Matuszewski) to November 18, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi), also May 15, 1917
(L. N. Nichols).

Totanus melanoleucns. Greater Yellow-legs. — Regular and common transient.
April 6, 1926 (Hickey) to June 8, 1922 (Herbert) ; July 4, 1924 (Hickey) to
November 22, 1925 (Hickey).

Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Rare spring; common, sometimes
abundant fall transient. April 22, 1916 (Coles), May i and 5, 1925 (Herbert),
May 8, 1926 (Cruickshank), May 10, 1925 (Kuerzi), May 19, 1924 (Kessler,
Kuerzi), and June 7, 1922 (Coles) ; in each case direct comparison with T.
vielanoleucus was had; June 27, 1924 (Hickey) to October 20, 1923 and October
22, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; in the last two instances both species were present,
affording direct comparison.

Helodromas s. solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper. — Fairly common transient,
occasionally numerous in fall. April 24, 1923 (R. S. Williams) to June 6, 1921
(Coles) ; July 6, 1925 (Hickey) to October 15, 1923 (Kuerzi). Casual at Hunts
Point November 6 to 11, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi).

Catoptrophorus s. semipalmatus. Willet. — Rare fall transient. August 4,
1924 (L. N. Nichols) to September 12, 1919 (Coles).

Bartramia longicauda. Upland Plover. — Formerly occasionally heard flying
over in late July or August. Specimen picked up dead October 3, 1906, at New

97

Rochelle (Coles) ; a single bird on the Baychester marshes, September g, 1925
(Kessler, Kuerzi) ; August 8, 1924, at Riverdale (Griscom),

Actitis maciilaria. Spotted Sandpiper. — Common summer resident ; April 18,
1925 (Hickey), normally to September 25 ,1924 (Kuerzi), and sometimes as late as
October 18, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi) and October 2T), 1926 (Kuerzi) ; July 16, 1924,
Riverdale (Griscom).

Numenius hiidsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. — Rare fall transient, one spring
record. July 23, 1925 (Kuerzi) to September 5, 1926 (Kuerzi) ; May 15, 1926
(Cruickshank).

Squafarola squofarola. Black-bellied Plover. — Rare spring, uncommon but
regular fall transient. May 12, 1923 (Coles) to June 6, 1925 (Hickey) ; August
9, 1922 (Coles) to November 15, 1925 (Cruickshank).

Charadrius d. dominiciis. Golden Plover. — Rare fall transient. August 31,
1925 (Cruickshank) ; two birds September 14, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; September
26, 1925 (Hickey, Kuerzi) ; October 17, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; October 25, 1925
(Kassoy).

Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. — Fairly common transient; imcommon and
local summer resident, breeding regularly at Clason and Hunts Points. Recorded
in every month of the year, though usually absent from late December, or early
January, until early February when migrants from the south appear to arrive ; rare
in mid-winter. January 31, 1924 and February i, 1923 (Kuerzi) to December 28,
1923 and January 7, 1922 (Kuerzi).

Aegialitis seniipalmafa. Semipalmated Plover. — Regular but uncommon spring;
fairly common fall transient. May 3, 1925 (Herbert) to June 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) ;
July 17, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 17, 1926 (Herbert, Kassoy),

Aegialitis meloda. Piping Plover. — One record, August 18, 1924, at Rye Beach
(Coles).

Arenaria inter pres morinella. Turnstone. — Two records. May 17, 1922, at
Rye Beach (Coles) and August 4, 1924, at Hunts Point (L. N. Nichols).

Colinus V. I'irginianus. Bob-white. — Still a fairly common permanent resident,
in the Pelham section, and in the interior from about Nepperhan north ; a pair or
two still survive near Van Cortlandt Park.

Bonasa u. umbellits. Ruffed Grouse. — Bred sparingly until comparatively re-
cent years. Observed as recently as January 9, 1924, on the Sprain Ridge, and
October 11, 1925, on the Elmsford Ridge (Coles), and it is quite possible that
a pair or two still survive somewhere in this neighborhood. December, 1926, near
Kensico ( Kuerzi ) .

Phasianiis colchicus, or Phasianus torqnatus. Pheasant. — Increased markedly
since its introduction several years ago, and at present common throughout the
eastern section, well established in the interior, and met with occasionally almost
anywhere in the area.

Ecto pistes migratorius. Passenger Pigeon. — Mr. Bicknell had numerous fall
records up to 1881, and obtained one spring record at Riverdale.

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. — Fairly common transient,
uncommon summer resident, occasional in winter. March 6, 1925 (Hickey) to
November 26, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; February 12, 1926 (Cruickshank) and February 27,
1923 (Coles), perhaps early migrants.

98

Catharfes aura septentrionalis. Turkey \^ulture. — Occasionally noted flying
overhead between June and September ; reported as seen flying over the Botanical
Garden on several occasions (L. S. Crandall). Noted June 4, 1924 (Kuerzi) and
July, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; June 19, 1895 (Bicknell).

Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Formerly bred, now a fairly common
transient, rare in winter. Migrants arrive in late March and are present until after
the middle of May, and in fall from about the middle of August until January.

Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common transient, a pair or two still
breeding locally; rare in winter. March 10, 1923 (Kuerzi) to May 30, 1922
(Kuerzi) ; August 3, 1922 (Kuerzi) to December 28, 1925 (Hickey).

Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — Fairly common transient, rare in winter.
March 12, 1922 (Kuerzi) to May 30, 1917 (Janvrin) ; July 18, 1923; August 13,
1922 (Kuerzi) to January 2, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Astiir a. atricapillus. Goshawk. — Very rare winter visitant ; for several days
in January, 1919, an adult preyed upon the water fowl in the Zoological Garden
(L. S. Crandall). Mr. Coles has recorded single individuals on December 29,
1922, near Rye Lake, and January 22,, 1926, at New Rochelle. November 20, 1926
(C. Johnston and others) to January 12, 1879 (Bicknell) ; January 29, 1927
(Kuerzi).

Bufeo b. borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. — Common in winter, and occasional
throughout the summer as it breeds nearby. August 22, 1880 (Bicknell) to May
23, 1 92 1 (Kuerzi).

Buteo 1. lineatus. Red-shouldered Hawk. — Common transient and winter
resident ; a few pairs breeding locally.

But CO plat ypt ems. Broad-winged Hawk. — Uncommon transient, sometimes
abundant in fall. April 21, 1922 (Kuerzi) to May 23, 1923 (Kuerzi) ; August 22,
1924 to October 14, 1923 (Kuerzi). There was a marked flight on September 19,
1925, when over one thousand birds were seen overhead (Cruickshank). Noted June
19, 1926, on the Sprain Ridge (Carter), and there is a bare possibility that a pair
or two still breed locally.

Archibiiteo lagopus sancti-johannis. Rough-legged Hawk. — Uncommon winter
visitant. October 11, 1925 (Kessler) to April 4, 1914 (A. Saunders).

Haliceetus I. leiicocephalus. Bald Eagle. — Occasional visitant, chiefly in winter,
but apt to occur at almost any season as it nests comparatively nearby. August 21,
1926 (Kuerzi) to May 27, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Falco peregriniis anatiim. Duck Hawk. — Fairly common visitor at almost any
season.

Falco c. columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. — Uncommon transient. April 18, 1923
(Kuerzi) to May 17, 1923 (Kuerzi) ; August 26, 1925 (Kuerzi) to October 21, 1923
(Kuerzi).

Falco s. sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — Common permanent resident; numbers
greatly reinforced by migrants in April and October.

Pandion halicctus carolinensis. Fish Hawk. — Formerly bred ; now a very com-
mon transient, occasional in summer. March 19, 1923 (Kuerzi) to June 12, 1926
(Coles) ; August 5, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October 28, 1924 (Kessler), and November
14, 1925 (Coles).

99

Aluco pratincola. Barn Owl. — Formerly undoubtedly bred; the numerous
recent records at all seasons would seem to indicate that it is still a resident locally.

Asio ■wilsoniamis. Long-eared Owl. — Uncommon but regular winter resident.
October ii, 1923 (Coles) to April 24, 1923 (Coles).

Asio flammeus. Short-eared Owl. — Fairly common transient and winter
resident. August i, 1923 (Herbert) to April 26, 1923 (Kuerzi).

SfrLr V. varia. Barred Owl. — Still a fairly common permanent resident.

Cryptoglaiix a. acadia. Saw-whet Owl. — Regular, though rather uncommon
winter visitant. October 11, 1919 (Coles), and October 27, 1921 (Kuerzi) to March
18, 1927 (Kuerzi), and early April, 19 19 (numerous observers).

Otus a. asio. Screech Owl. — Common permanent resident.

Bubo V. virginiamis. Great Horned Owl. — Formerly bred; still of fairly fre-
quent occurrence in winter. Wild birds have been shot from time to time at the
Zoological Garden, and one was captured alive there in December, 1926. Novem-
ber 20, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi) to April 22,, 1926 (L. N. Nichols).

Bubo virginianus subarcficus. Arctic Horned Owl. — Accidental visitant from
the north. A female was collected in Bronx Park on February 15, 1919, and brought
to Mr. Lee S. Crandall, who forwarded it to the American Museum. This is the
first record for New York State (Griscom).

Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — Rare and irregular winter visitant; specimen
collected January 12, 1909 (Bertrand M. Hindman) ; Mr. Coles has recorded single
birds on January 2 and 7, 1916. November 4, 1926 (Herbert, Kassoy) and later
several specimens were taken. February 18, 1927 and April 5, 1927 (Kuerzi).

Coccyzus a. americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — Common summer resident.
May 3, 1924 (Hickey) to October 18, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi).

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Somewhat less numerous
than C. americanus. May 2, 1916 (Coles) to October 19, 1921 (Kuerzi).

Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. — Common transient, and fairly common summer
resident. February 24, 1925 (Kuerzi) to December 31, 1922 (Kuerzi) ; occasional
in winter. August 5, 1923, Riverdale (Griscom).

Dryobates v. villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — Fairly common permanent
resident.

Dryobates piibescens medianus. Downy Woodpecker. — Common permanent
resident.

Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. — Ytry rare winter visitant.
Female discovered in the Bronx Botanical Garden, October 14, 1923 (F. Landis),
and seen also by Kuerzi. On October 18, 1923. a male was found nearby (Kessler,
Kuerzi), and possibly the same individual in exactly the same locality on the
morning of October 20, 1923 (Kuerzi). On October 10, 1925, a male was observed
at Van Cordlandt Park by A. Cruickshank. A female at Bronx Park December
9, 1925 (Kuerzi), and another in the same locality February 6, 1926 (Kuerzi). (See
Bird-lore, March- April, 1926, p. 132.) Also a male near New Rochelle, February
II, 1926 (Coles) ; male November 14, 1926 (Johnston) ; January 31, 1927 (Kuerzi).
In addition there are two records of the appearance of the species locally prior to
1915.

Sphyrapiciis v. varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Fairly common spring ;
common, sometimes abundant fall transient, subject to considerable variation in

100

numbers from year to year. April i, 191 7 (Granger) to May 20, 1926 (Kessler,
Kuerzi) ; September 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) to November 26, 1921 (Kuerzi) ; casual
December 8, 1925 (Coles) ; several old winter records at Riverdale (Bicknell) ;
winter of 1919 (numerous observers) ; January 25, 1924 (Cruickshank) ; December
13, 1926 to February 13, 1927 (Kuerzi).

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — Uncommon transient;
frequently wintering, and usually breeding locally in some numbers. Transients are
generally recorded anywhere from the middle of March to late May, and in the fall
from late August until the end of November. Especially common the summer of
1922 and a considerable number spent the winter.

Colaptes auraHis luteiis. Flicker. — Common summer resident ; frequently
wintering. February 25, 1920 (Kuerzi) to December 28, 1924 (Kuerzi). There
are numerous records in January and February.

Antrostomus v. vociferus. Whip-poor-will. — Formerly a common summer
resident, it has decreased markedly in recent years, until at present it is decidedly
uncommon both as a transient and summer resident. April 16, 1919 (Coles) and
April 21, 1921 (Kuerzi) to October 18, 1876 (Bicknell) ; August 28, 1925, at River-
dale (Griscom).

Chordciles v. virginianus. Nighthawk. — Fairly common summer resident;
abundant fall migrant. May i, 1920 (Kuerzi) to October 16, 1915 (E. G. Nichols).

Chcetura pelagica. Chimney Swift.— Common summer resident; extreme dates
are April 12, 1922 (Starck) and April 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 26, 1922
(Kuerzi).

Archilochiis coluhris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — Common transient and
fairly common summer resident. April 30, 1872; May 2, 1882 to October i, 1874
(Bicknell) ; specimen picked up dead, but perfectly fresh on October 7, 1924, near
New Rochelle (Coles).

Tyrannus tyranniis. Kingbird. — Common summer resident. April 28, 1923
(Kessler, Kuerzi) to late September, and casually to October 14, 1922 (Hix), and
October 14, 1923 (Matuszewski, F. Allen).

Tyrannus verticalis. Arkansas Kingbird. — Immature male collected at River-
dale, October 19, 1875 (Bicknell).

Myiarchus crinitus. Crested Flycatcher. — Common summer resident. April
24, 1920 (Starck) and April 30, 1921 (Kuerzi) to October i, 1916 (Coles).

Sayornis phcebe. Phoebe. — Common summer -resident. March 5, 1880 (Bick-
nell) ; March 10, 1879 (Bicknell) ; March 12, 1927 (Kuerzi) to November 26,
1874 (Bicknell) ; two winter records, January i, 1919 (L. N. Nichols), and January
4, 1925 (Coles).

Nuttallornis borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Uncommon but regular spring
and fall transient. May 12, 1920 (Kuerzi) to June 11, 1923 (Coles) ; August 6,
1919 (Coles) to September 24, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Myiochanes virens. Wood Pewee. — Common summer resident. May 3, 1872
(Bicknell) ; May 4, 1874 (Bicknell) ; May 4, 1922 (Kuerzi), and May 7, 1916
(Coles) to October it, 1924 (Coles), and casually to October 28, 1923 (Matu-
szewski, F. Allen) ; specimen collected near New Rochelle, on December 13, 1900
(L. M. McCormick).

Empidotmx flavivcntris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — Uncommon spring, fairly

lOI

common fall transient. May 13, 1922 (Kuerzi) to June 8, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; August
n, 1881 (Bicknell) to September 2"], \^22i (Kuerzi) ; one collected October 6, 1881
(Bicknell).

Empidonax v'nescens. Acadian Flycatcher. — Formerly a common summer
resident; several pairs bred on the Grassy Sprain ridge as recently as 1925. A pair
has bred in Butler's Woods, Scarsdale, for many years ; observed there as recently
as July 2, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi). May 13, 1887 (Dwight) to September 19, 1885
(Dwight).

Empidonax trailli alnonim. Alder Flycatcher. — Uncommon and local summer
resident. May 15, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) to August 20, 1924, a singing bird
(Kuerzi) ; probable September 17, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — Still a fairly common summer resi-
dent. April 21, 1880 (Bicknell), April 25, 1922 (Kuerzi), and April 29, 1923
(H-ickey) to September 23, 1922, and October i, 1922, probable, (Kuerzi). Small
flycatchers are frequently common in September, most of which are probably this
species. One shot October 4, 1881 (Bicknell).

Otoe oris alpcstris olpestris. Horned Lark. — Regular and common fall
transient, usually less common in winter and as a spring migrant. October 9, 1926
(Kuerzi) to April 13, 1922 (Coles).

Otocoris alpcstris praticola. Prairie Horned Lark. — Probably a rare transient.
A bird seen on the Van Cortlandt Park parade ground, on July 29, 1916, was in all
probability this sub-species. The following sight records made under most satis-
factory conditions refer very probably to this sub-species : November 6, 1923
(Kuerzi) ; November 2, 3 and 7, 1925 (Cruickshank, Kuerzi) ; three birds March
29, 1923 (Kuerzi) ; several birds on May 2, 1926, were possibly this sub-species
(Kessler, Kuerzi).

Cyanocitta c. cristata. Blue Jay. — Common permanent resident, and abundant
transient from the end of September until late October, and again in April and
May.

Corviis b. brachyrhynchos. Crow. — Common permanent resident.

Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — Locally a fairly common permanent resident,
wintering chiefly about the Sound.

Sturniis vulgaris. Starling. — First noted on Alay 9, 1891 (Bicknell) ; at
present an abundant, and ever increasing, permanent resident.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. — Fairly common summer resident, a few
still breeding within the City limits ; abundant fall transient. April 19, 1909
(L. N. and E. G. Nichols), and April 28, 1925 (Coles) to October 3, 1921 (Coles),
and casually to October 20, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Molothrus a. atcr. Cowbird. — Common summer resident, rare in mid-winter.
March 8, 1924 (Coles) to December 28, 1924 (Cruickshank), and January 3, 1919
(C. L. Lewis) ; February 6, 1926 (Herbert) ; a pair February 2, 1885 (Bicknell).

Agelaius p. phocniccus. Red-winged Blackbird. — Common summer resident,
uncommon in winter. February 16, 1922 (Kuerzi) to January i, 1925, flock of
about twelve and undoubtedly late migrants (Kuerzi).

Stiirnella m. magna. Meadowlark. — Common permanent resident, numbers are
greatly increased during migrations, and there is an appreciable decrease in winter.

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Locally a fairly common summer resident

102

breeding regularly and mainly along the Sound, and only a few scattered pairs
elsewhere. April 30, 1890 (Bicknell) and May 3, 1924 (Kuerzi) to July 30, 1923
(Kuerzi) and August 28, 1881 (Bicknell).

Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Common summer resident. April 27, 1914
(Spofford) and April 29, 1926 (Coles) to October 23, 1923 (Coles), and casually
to the end of November, 1919 (numerous observers).

Euphagns carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — Common transient, fairly frequent in
winter. February 12, 1909 (Griscom) to May 13, 1922 (Kuerzi) ; September 18,
1881 (Bicknell) to December 27, 1925 (Cruickshank).

Quiscalus qniscula quiscula. Purple Crackle. — Common summer resident, ar-
riving as early as February 15, 1880 (Bicknell) ; no record later than November
5, 1922.

Qiiiscahis quiscula (Bneus. Bronzed Crackle. — Probably a regular transient; a
few Crackles are noted practically every winter which are probably this sub-
species. March 8, 1913 (Griscom) to April 18, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; October to
December 18, 1923, flock of over one thousand birds (Coles), and December 28,
1924, flock of over forty (Kuerzi).

Hesperiphona v. vespertina. Evening Grosbeak. — Irregular winter visitant.
The earliest arrival dates are November 13, 1915 (R. S. Williams), and November
15. 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; the latest date is May 6, 1920, a fine male at the
Botanical Garden (R. S. Williams).

Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine Grosbeak. — Rare and irregular winter visi-
tant. Abundant at Riverdale during the early part of 1884, remaining until March
23 (Bicknell) ; also April i, 1875 and November 7, 1871 (Bicknell). The follow-
ing are the recent records: January 2, 1916, flock of eight (Coles) ; January 6, 1917
(L. N. Nichols) ; December 5, 1921, eight birds (Brown) ; December 2, 1923, two
birds (Kuerzi) and a single bird at the Botanical Garden several days later
(F. F. Houghton).

Passer domesticus. House Sparrow. — Common permanent resident ; a per-
ceptible decrease in recent j^ears ; first seen April 11, 1879, at Riverdale (Bicknell).

Carpodacus p. purpureus. Purple Finch. — Common transient, uncommon in
winter. September 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) to May 26, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; formerly
bred.

Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. — Rare and irregular in spring,
fall and winter ; one breeding record. Abundant at Riverdale from November 3,
1874 to May ID, 1875, the nest and eggs found on April 22 (Bicknell). Most of
the recent records are in April and May; flock of twelve birds as late as May 28,
^926 (Coles).

Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Rare and irregular winter visi-
tant. Common at Riverdale November 3, 1874 to May 10, 1875 (Bicknell) ; March
8, 1916, flock of eight (Coles) ; a few birds at the Zoological Garden, December
17, 1919 to February 8, 1920 (L. S. Crandall) ; February 17 and 18, 1920 (Coles) ;
flock of about twelve birds at the Botanical Garden, January 20, 1923 to April
7, 1923 (numerous observers) ; February 2 to 24, 1923, a maximum of fourteen
birds (Coles).

Acanthis linaria linaria. Redpoll. — Irregular winter visitant, occasionally

103

abundant. The most representative dates are November 13, 1878 (Bicknell) and
May 4, 1875 (Bicknell).

. Acanthis hornemanni exilipes. Hoary Redpoll. — Accidental visitant from the
Arctic. Dr. Dwight collected a young male in Van Cortlandt Park, on March 24,
1888.

Astragalinus t. tristis. Goldfinch. — Common permanent resident, usually
scarcer, and occasionally absent in winter. Migrants arrive from the south gen-
erally at about the middle of April.

Carduelis c. carduelis. European Goldfinch. — Recorded May 12-24, 1901 and
January i, 1902, at Riverdale (Bicknell).

Spinus pimis. Pine Siskin. — Common, frequently abundant, transient.
September 27, 1925 (Coles) and October 4, 1925 (Kuerzi) to Alay 15, 1883 and
June 10, 1893 (Bicknell). Occasionally winters in numbers.

Plectrophenax n. nivalis. Snow Bunting. — Irregular, and uncommon transient
and winter visitant. November i, 1926 (Kuerzi) to March 18, 1927 (Kuerzi).

Calcarius 1. lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — Rare and irregular winter visi-
tant. October 22, 1923' (Coles), and November 3, 1925 (Cruickshank, Kuerzi) to
March 13, 1912 (Coles).

Pocecetes g. gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Common transient, uncommon
summer resident, rare in winter. March 13, 1922 (Herbert) to December 9, 1920,
large flock, undoubtedly migrants (Coles). The following are the winter records:
January 3, 1920 (Coles) ; January 6, 1925 (Hickey) ; January 4 to 31, 1925 (Coles) ;
January 16, 17, 1924 (Coles) ; February 4, 1922 (Coles) ; February 13, 1925
(Cruickshank).

Passerculus princeps. Ipswich Sparrow. — Occasional transient, and winter
visitor. October 29, 1916 (Coles) to March 28, 1926 (Kuerzi).

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. — Common transient,
several pairs breeding locally; occasional in winter. March 6, 1924 (Herbert), and
March 13, 1923 (Kuerzi) normally to mid-November, but occasionally lingering
into January, and sometimes wintering. The earliest fall arrival date is August
22, 1925 (Kassoy, Kuerzi).

Ammodramus savannariim australis. Grasshopper Sparrow. — Formerly a com-
mon summer resident; a few still breeding locally. April 17, 1926 (Coles) to
October 29, 1921 (Coles).

Passerherbiilus h. henslozvi. Henslow's Sparrow. — Uncommon or rare
transient. April 4, 1915; April 20, 1916 (L. N. Nichols) to May 20, 1925 (Coles) ;
September 26, 1922 (Coles) to October 28, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi), and casually
later.

Passerherhulus caudacutus. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. — Locally a common
summer resident. April 10, 1923 (Herbert) to November 14, 1922 (Kuerzi), and
occasionally later. December 26, 1926 (Kessler).

Passerherhulus m. maritimns. Seaside Sparrow. — Locally a fairly common
summer resident. April 4, 1920 (Coles) is the earliest arrival date. Occasional
in the fall as late as December 6, 1925 (Kuerzi), and December 27, 1925 (Kassoy,
Matuszewski).

Zonotrichia I. leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Uncommon spring, oc-
casionally fairly numerous fall transient. May 2, 1919 to May 27, 1919 (Coles) ;

104

September 28, 1926 (Kuerzi) to November 3, 1922 (Coles), and occasionally as
late as November 14, 1925 (Kuerzi). A flock of 6 on April 28, 1880 (Bicknell).

Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. — Common transient, and
winter resident. September 12, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 28, 1922 (Kuerzi).

Spizella m. monticola. Tree Sparrow. — Abundant winter resident. October
20, 1920 (Coles) to April 12, 1922, April 25, 1923 (Kuerzi), and April 29, 1875
(Bicknell).

Spisella p. passerina. Chipping Sparrow. — Very common summer resident.
March 21, 1926 (Cruickshank) and March 22, 1923 (Kessler) to November 15, 1921
(Kuerzi), Two winter records: January 17, 1919 and December 24, 1921 (both
by R. Coles).

Spizella p. pusiUa. Field Sparrow. — Common summer resident, wintering
regularly and occasionally in numbers ; transients from the South appear to arrive
about the first week in March.

Junco h. hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. — Abundant transient, and common
winter resident. September 10, 1923 (Kuerzi), and September 12, 1921 (Coles) to
May 15, 1922 (Kuerzi), and occasionally as late as May 27, 1926 (Kessler) and
June 2, 1926 (Coles).

Melospiza m. melodia. Song Sparrow. — Common permanent resident
throughout.

Melospiza I. Uncolni. Lincoln's Sparrow. — Uncommon but regular transient.
April 25, 1922 (Pangburn) to May 26, 1920 (Kuerzi) ; September 12, 1925 (Coles)
to October 12, 1912 (Griscom, Ladow).

Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — Fairly common permanent resident,
somewhat scarcer in winter.

Passerella i. iliaca. Fox Sparrow. — Common, occasional abundant transient,
frequently wintering. February 6, 1921, and February 13, 1922 (Kuerzi) to April
30, 1886 (Dwight) ; October i, 1880 (Bicknell); October 9, 1922 (Kuerzi), and
October 12, 1925 (Coles) to January 2, 1920 (Kuerzi).

Pipilo e. erythrophthahnus. Towhee. — Common summer resident. April 13,
1925 (Kuerzi) to December 23, 1921 (Kuerzi). There are a few records in
January, February and March.

Cardinalis c. cardinalis. Cardinal. — Formerly bred ; now probably only an
occasional visitant. A pair at the Botanical Garden, during the spring and summer
of 1917, doubtless bred (F. F. Houghton and others) ; a singing male in the same
locality from February 22, 1921 to August i^, 1921 (numerous observers) ; a pair
bred at Scarsdale in 1922, 1923, and probably 1924 (Kuerzi). Otherwise an
occasional visitant. April 9, 1916 (L. N. Nichols) ; December 29, 1916, three birds
(Coles) ; December 25, 1916, flock of six (L. N. Nichols) ; May 12, 1919, one
male (Coles) ; February i, 1920 (W. Beebe) ; May 19, 1922 (Coles) ; May 24,
1923, female (Coles).

Zamelodia ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. — Fairly common summer
resident, subject to some variation in numbers from year to year. April 28, 1925
(Kassoy), and May i, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October 21, 1921 (L. N. Nichols).

Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting. — Common summer resident. April 26, 1925
(Coles), April 29, 1924 (Matuszewski, Kuerzi), and May i, 1922 (Kuerzi) to
October 16, 1924 (Coles).

105

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Common summer resident. April
29, 1881 and May 3, 1878 (Bicknell) to October 2T), 1922 (Kuerzi).

Prognc s. subis. Purple Martin. — Rare transient and summer resident, breed-
ing at Rye and possibly further southward. April 13, 1921 (Coles) to September
24, 1925 (Coles). In recent years there seems to have been a slight increase in
transients locally.

Petrochelidon I. lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. — Uncommon but regular transient.
April 19, 1919 (Coles) to May 29, 1921 (Kuerzi), and casually later; July 2, 1883
(Bicknell) to October 6, 1921 (L. N. Nichols).

Hirundo erythrogastra. Barn Swallow. — Common summer resident. April 7,
1923 (Kessler), and April 11, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 21, 1922 (Kuerzi), and
casually to November 9, 1920 (Coles).

Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Common, frequently abundant transient.
March 20, 1919 (Coles) to June 13, 1926 (Herbert) ; June 20, 1923 (Kessler), and
July I, regularly to October 31, 1909 (Griscom), and occasionally as late as
December 6, 1919 (Coles).

Riparia riparia. Bank Swallow. — Comm.on transient, occasionally breeding
where favorable habitat happens to exist. April 2, 1925 (Coles) to September 20,

1921 (Kuerzi); casual October 11, 1891 (Bicknell).

Stelgidoptcryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. — Fairly common summer
resident. April 10, 1926 (Hickey, Quindry) to September 9, 1877 (Bicknell).

Bomhycilla cedronim. Cedar \\'axwing. — Common transient, uncommon
summer resident, occasional in winter. February 27, 1919 (Coles) ; March 9 and
20, 1923 (Kuerzi); April 27, 1922 (Kuerzi) to December 7, 1920 (Coles), and
December 27, 1924 (Kuerzi).

Lanius borealis. Northern Shrike. — Irregular winter visitant, sometimes
absent, occasionally fairly numerous as in the winter of 1921-1922. October 30,
1881 and October 31, 1875 (Bicknell) to April 12, 1922 (Kuerzi), and April 22,

1922 (Coles).

Lanius ludoviciunus migrans. Migrant Shrike. — Somewhat irregular and un-
common fall transient. August 4, 1924 (L. N. Nichols) to November 12, 1922
(Kuerzi), and rarely as late as December 13 and 16, 1925 (Kassoy, Kessler,
Kuerzi). Very rare in spring, April 24, 1926 (A. Cruickshank).

Vireosylva olivacea. Red-eyed A'ireo. — \'ery common summer resident. April
24, 1913 (L. N. Nichols) to October 27, 1921 (Kuerzi), and casually to Novem-
ber 14, 1926 (Cruickshank).

Vireosylva philadelphica. Philadelphia Vireo. — Rare transient; specimen
collected September 17, 1885 (Dwight). There are several recent sight records:
September 23, 1923 (G. E. Hix) ; October 3, 1923 (R. C. Murphy) ; May 7, 1926
(Kessler), and May 21, 1920 (Starck).

Vireosylva g. gilva. Warbling Vireo. — Uncommon summer resident. April
28, 1923 (Kuerzi) to September 20, 1925 (Kuerzi). On October 12, 1922, a single
bird was discovered at the Botanical Garden which was singing "in snatches"
(F. F. Houghton, Kuerzi).

JLanivireo flavifrons. Yellow-throated \'ireo. — Fairly common summer resi-
dent; there has been a perceptible increase in recent years. April 26, 1879 (Bick-

io6

nell), April 2y, 1924 (Cruickshank), and April 28, 1922 (Kuerzi) to September 29,
1921, and October 1, 1920 (Kuerzi).

Lanivireo s. solitarius. Solitary Vireo.— Fairly common transient. April 20,
1923 (R. S. Williams) to May 28, 1925 (Kuerzi) ; September 13, 1922 (Herbert)
to October 26, 1922 (Kuerzi), and October 27, 1876 (Bicknell) ; probably casual
on September 9, 1877 (Bicknell).

Vireo g. grueus. White-eyed Vireo. — Fairly common summer resident ; April
29, 1880 (Bicknell) to October 2, 1920 (Kuerzi and others).

Mniotilta varia. Black and WTiite Warbler. — Common summer resident. April
18, 1880 (Bicknell) to Oct. 23, 1926 (Kuerzi), and casually to Nov. i, 1921 (Coles).

Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler. — Very rare visitant in spring;
a singing male between Van Cortlandt Park and Yonkers, June 2, 1895 (E. P.
Bicknell) ; another at the Botanical Garden, May 13 to 16, 1923 (numerous
observers) ; male bird on the estate of R. R. Coles, June 6, 1924; and lastly a
fine male in full song, under observation for over a half hour, at the Botanical
Garden, April 28, 1925 (F. Ruff)

Helmitheros vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — Fairly common transient
and summer resident. April 30, 1922 (Kuerzi) to September 20, 1923 (Kuerzi),
and casually to October 2, 1925 (Coles).

Vermivora pinus. Blue-winged Warbler. — Common summer resident. April
26, 1913 (G. K. Noble) to September 25, 1921 (Kuerzi). Reported as seen in the
Botanical Garden in December, many years ago, and a fresh specimen was picked
up there on January 6, 1900, by Mrs. E. G. Britton. According to Mr. Williams,
the bird died but a short time before, and it was perfectly limp when found.

Vermivora chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler. — Uncommon but regular
spring and fall transient. May 4, 1925 and 1926 (Kuerzi) to May 2I, 1925
(Kuerzi) ; July 20, 1921 (F F. Houghton) to September 15, 1922 (Kuerzi), and
casually later.

Vermivora "leucohronchialis." Brewster's Warbler. — Transients have been
noted from May 9, 1923 (numerous observers) to May 25, 1924 (Kessler, Kuerzi).
On May 29, 1926, a female Brewster's Warbler was found mated to a Blue-wing
on the Grassy Sprain Ridge (T. D. Carter, Kuerzi). The nest was found on
June 6, and the female and young birds banded. A male Brewster's Warbler was
subsequently found nearby, presumably unmated, but once observed in song; last
seen July 3 (Carter, Kuerzi).

Vermivora "lawrenci." Lawrence's Warbler. — Transients have been observed
on May 7, 1925 (Coles) ; May 9, 1924, at Kingsbridge (Cruickshank) ; and for
several years in September at the Botanical Garden, the last September 10, 1925
(Kessler, Kuerzi). Found breeding at Bronx Park in 1903 and the next year
another returned but did not remain (Wiegmann, Beebe). Bred in Van Cortlandt
Park in 1923 ; discovered by I. Farfel. A male Lawrence's Warbler has been found
annually in May, on the Sprain Ridge, since about 1923. In 1926 it arrived as
early as Alay 15; was observed in full song on June 6; and on June 12, the nest
was found ; the mate of V. Lawrenci being a female V. Pinus. The male bird, and
the young were banded on June 12, and the female bird five days later (T. D.
Carter, Kuerzi). Mr. Carter subsequently found the nest of what he believed

107

to be a female Lawrence's Warbler, nearby, but unfortunately this was destroyed
before the eggs hatched.

Vennivora r. ruhricapilla. Nashville Warbler. — Common transient. April 26^

1925 (Kuerzi) to May 30, 1924 (Kuerzi) ; August 16, 1919 (Coles) to October
18, 1925 (Kuerzi). Casual December 16, 1917 to January 9, 1918 (Chubb).

Vermivora c. celafa. Orange-crowned Warbler. — ^Very rare transient. Octo-
ber 9 and 29, 1876 (Bicknell) ; October 18, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ; January 20^

1926 (Cruickshank) ; a single bird at the Botanical Garden, May 13, 1926 (Kuerzi),.
and Mr. Coles reports seeing two birds on the same date, several miles to the
north.

Vermivora peregrina. Tennessee Warbler. — Regular and fairly common spring,,
sometimes abundant fall transient. May 6, 1923 (Kuerzi) to May 30, 1917
(Janvrin) ; August 9, 1923 (Griscom) to October 17, 1921 (Griscom).

Compsothlypis americana umece. Parula Warbler. — Very common transient.
April 23, 1919 (Coles), and April 26, 1878 (Bicknell) to June 8, 1879 (Bicknell) ;
August 14, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 18, 1922, and casually to October 28, 1921
(Kuerzi). A singing male just west of the Grassy Sprain Ridge, from June 10,.
until after the middle of July, 1923, probably bred (Kuerzi).

Dendroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler. — Fairly common spring and fall
transient; May 6, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 31, 1917 (L. N. Nichols), and June 5,
1926 (Kuerzi) ; August 22, 1880 (Bicknell) to October 14, 1922 (G. E. Hix).

Dendroica <r. custiva. Yellow Warbler. — Common summer resident. About
April 20, 1922 and April 27, 1923 (Kessler, Kuerzi) to September 25, 1921
(Kuerzi), and casually to October 5, 1924 (Coles).

Dendroica c. ccerulescens. Black-throated Blue W^arbler. — Common transient.
April 26, 1925 (Kuerzi) to May 28, 1882 (Bicknell) ; August 16, 1922 (Kuerzi) to-
October 29, 1876 (Bicknell) ; casual November 27, to December 9, 1906, at Irving-
ton (L. Dunham) ; on the latter date the bird was found dead and sent to the
American Museum of Natural History.

Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. — Abundant transient, occasionally-
wintering. April 5, 1922 (Kuerzi) to May 28, and June 5, 1923 (Coles) ; August
23, 1922 (Kuerzi), and September 6, 1924 (Kuerzi) to November 16, 1921
(Kuerzi).

Dendroica magnolia. Magnolia W'arbler. — Very common transient. May i^
1922 (L. N. Nichols), and May 2, 1919 (Coles) to June 12, 1922 (Kuerzi) ;.
August 15, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 19, 1876 (Bicknell), and casually later.

Dendroica cenda. Cerulean Warbler. — An adult male in full song, carefully
studied on May 4, 1921 (Dr. W. H. Wiegmann) ; another very satisfactorily
observed on May 27, 1926, at Van Cortlandt Park (A. Cruickshank).

Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided W^arbler. — Common transient, and
fairly common summer resident. April 26, ig2^ (Coles) to September 22, 1922
(Kuerzi) ; casual October 4, 1921 (Kuerzi), and October 9, 1922 (Coles).

Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler. — Common transient ; May 4,.
1919 (Coles) to June 6, 1922 (Kuerzi) ; August 16, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 4,.
1925 (Kuerzi) ; casual July 26, 1875 (Bicknell), and a fully plumaged male, about
July 25, 1919 (Kuerzi) ; one collected October 13, 1876 (Bicknell).

Dendroica striata. Blackpoll Warbler. — Abundant transient; May 3, 1878

io8

^Bicknell) to June ii, 1921 (Coles), and June 17, 1926 (Kuerzi) ; September 2,
1923 (Kuerzi) to October 29, 1922 (Kuerzi), and casually to November i, 1926
(Kuerzi) ; lingered until July 5, 1886 (Bicknell).

Dendroica d. dominica. Yellow-throated Warbler. — \'ery rare, one record, an
adult on Quaker Ridge, May 18 to 21, 1925 (R. R. Coles). (See Auk, October,
1925, page 591.)

Dendroica fxisca. Blackburnian Warbler. — Common transient. May i, 1926
<Kuerzi) to June 6, 1926 (Coles) ; August 12, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October 4, 1925
(Coles).

Dendroica virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — Common transient ; sev-
eral pairs breeding locally. April 21, 1920 (Kuerzi) to June 9, 1922 (Kuerzi) ;
August 21, 1922 to October 31, 1925 (Kuerzi), and casually to November 7, 19 19
(Coles).

Dendroica vigorsi. Pine W^arbler. — Uncommon transient ; perhaps breeding
about Kensico Reservoir (Coles). March 24, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 10, 1920
(Kuerzi); September 23, 1921 (Coles), and September 25, 1923 (Kuerzi) to
November 7, 1926 (Kuerzi), and early December, several years ago (numerous
observers).

Dendroica palmariim palmarum. Palm \\'arbler. — Uncommon transient ;
chiefly in fall. April 20, 1919 (C. L. Lewis) to May 15, 1926 (Kessler, Kuerzi) ;
September 5, 1920 (F. F. Houghton) to October 26, 1920 (Starck).

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. Yellow Palm Warbler. — Common transient.
(March 24, 1924) ; April 3, 1921 (Kuerzi) to May 18, 1913 (L. N. Nichols) ;
September 16, 1924 (Kuerzi) to November 11, 1922 (Kuerzi), and occasionally as
late as November 27, 1924 (Coles).

Dendroica discolor. Prairie Warbler. — Common spring, fairly common fall
transient. April 26, 1925 (Kuerzi) to May 28, 1922 (Kuerzi), and occasionally
later; August 16, 1923 (Ki -^rzi) to September 30, 1922 (Kuerzi), and casually
later.

Seiiirus aurocapillus. Ovenbird. — Common, frequently abundant transient ;
common summer resident. April 15, 1920 (Kuerzi), and April 26, 1923 (Hickey)
to October 22, 1921 (Kuerzi), and casually to November 6, 1917 (E. G. Nichols).

Seiurus n. novehoracensis. Water-thrush. — Common transient. April 23, 1924
(Coles) to June 8, 1922 (Kuerzi) ; July 30, 1923 (Kuerzi) to October 9, 1921
(R. S. Williams), and casually to October 20, 1921 (Kuerzi).

Seiurus motacilla. Louisiana Water-thrush. — Fairly common summer resi-
dent. April 7, 1922 to October 4, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Oporornis formosus. Kentucky Warbler. — Rare transient and summer resi-
dent several pairs breeding on the Elmsford Ridge above W^orthington, and locally
northward. Formerly of more general distribution. There is no reliable arrival
date earlier than May 12, and the latest fall record is September 11, 1925 (Kuerzi).

Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — Irregular fall transient, sometimes
unrecorded, occasionally fairly numerous. August 20, 1922 (F. E. Watson) to
October 12, 1925 (Cruickshank).

Oporornis Philadelphia. ^Mourning Warbler. — Rare transient. May 18, 1913,
and 1918 (L. N. Nichols) to June i, 1925 (Herbert), and June 5, 1922 (Coles) ;
August 5, 1926 (Kuerzi) to September 24, 1924 (Coles).

I09

Geothlypis t. trichas. Maryland Yellow-throat. — Very common summer resi-
dent. April 26, 1921 (Kuerzi) to October 24, 1875 (Bicknell) ; casual November
3, 1925 (Kuerzi), and November 15, 1921, specimen collected (Coles).

Icteria v. vircns. Yellow-breasted Chat. — Fairly common summer resident,
locally abundant on the Sprain Ridge in summer. May i, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October
3, 192 1 (Kuerzi), and October 7, 1922 (Coles).

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. — In recent years, a regular though un-
common transient ; fairly common, and increasing in most of the wooded sections^
as a summer resident. May 2, 1925 (Cruickshank, Kuerzi) to September 26, 1921
(Kuerzi), and casually to October i, 1923 (Coles).

Wilsonia p. pusilla. Wilson's Warbler. — Fairly common spring, uncommon
fall transient. May 8, 1926 (Kuerzi) to June 6, 1923 (Kuerzi) ; August 14, 1922
(Kuerzi) to September 29, 1916 (Coles), and October 9, 1922 (Kuerzi), and
casually to November 22, 1885 (Bicknell).

Wilsoniu canadensis. Canadian Warbler. — Very common transient. May 2,
1925 (Coles), and May 3, 1924 (Kuerzi) to June 11, 1921. (Kuerzi) ; August 9,
1923 (Kuerzi) to September 30, 1922 (Kuerzi), and casually to October 29, 1904
(Hix, Wiegmann).

Setophaga ruficilla. Redstart. — Abundant transient, and common summer resi-
dent. April 24, 1923 (Kessler) to October 16, 1921 (Kuerzi), and casually to
November 16, 1923 (Coles).

Anthus rubescens. Pipit. — Uncommon spring, common fall transient. Feb-
ruary 22, 1925 (Kassoy, Herbert), and February 28, 1919 (Coles) to Alay 15, 1926
(Cruickshank) ; September 18, 1924 (Kuerzi) to December i, 1923 (Coles).
Casually as early as August 28, 1925 (Kuerzi).

Mimiis p. polyglottos. Mockingbird. — Recorded October 28 to November 21^
1877; October 29 to November 9, 1878; October 9, 1880; July 22^, 1884 (all
Bicknell) ; September 30 to October 22, 1910 (Coles) ; February 17, 1912 (Gris-
com, Hix) ; May 6 to 14, 191 9 (Coles) ; February 9, 1920 (L. S. Crandall) ;
October 9, 1922 (Kuerzi).

DumeteJla carolinensis. Catbird. — Very common summer resident; several
winter records. April 16, 1925 (Hickey), and April 25, 1878 (Bicknell) to Novem-
ber 30, 1884 (Bicknell), and December 25, 1921 (F. F. Houghton, and others) ; a
single bird spent the winter of 1922- 1923 at the Botanical Garden (numerous
observers).

Toxostoma rufiim. Brown Thrasher. — Common summer resident. April 10,
1925 (Cruickshank) to November 1, 1921 (Kuerzi), and November 22, 1925
(Hickey) ; one during the winter of 1919 (F. F. Houghton).

Thryothorus I. ludovicianus. Carolina Wren. — Occasional visitant, and rare
permanent resident. There are numerous recent record' in all seasons.

Troglodytes a. aedon. House Wren. — Common sLmmer resident. April 12,
1922 (Kessler), and April 13, 1921 (Kuerzi) to October 22,, 1926 (Kuerzi).

Nanniis h. hietnalis. Winter Wren. — Fairly common transient, frequently
wintering. September 17, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 13, 1922 (Coles).

Cisfothorus stellaris. Short-billed Marsh Wren. — Formerly bred in several
different localities; now a rare transient, and summer resident. April 22, 1919, and

no

May 3, 1926 (Coles) to September 25, 1924 (Coles), and 1925 (Cruickshank), and
October 23, 1880 (Bicknell).

Telmatodytes p. palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — Locally a common or
abundant summer resident. April 19, 1924 (Herbert) to November 14, 1922
(Kuerzi), and casual to December, and January.

Certhia familiaris americaua. Brown Creeper. — Common transient, and fairly
common winter resident; one breeding record. September 3, 1919 (Starck) to
May 15, 1924 (Coles). On May 27, 1926, a nest with young was found in the
Van Cortlandt Park swamp (A. D. Cruickshank).

Sitta c. carolinensis. White-breasted Nuthatch. — Fairly common permanent
resident,

Sitta can-adensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Irregular transient, sometimes
numerous ; occasionally wintering. Definitely southbound July 10, 1878 and
abundant by August 12 (Bicknell) ; also southbound July 18 and August 8, 1889
(Bicknell) ; earliest in recent years August 19, 1921 (F. Houghton) ; remaining
until May 24, 1924 (Kuerzi) and casually to June; casual July i to 5, 1886
(Bicknell).

Bceolophus hicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — Occasional visitant. November 29,
1874 to March 28, 1875, at Riverdale (Bicknell) ; February 12, 1911 (Griscom) ;
late March, 1914 (A. A. Saunders) ; November 6, 1919 (L. N. Nichols) to May
20, 1920, at the Botanical Garden (numerous observers) ; May 15, 1922 (Cruick-
shank) ; March 22,, to April 7, 1924 (Coles).

Penthestes a. atricapUhis. Black-capped Chickadee. — Permanent resident ; fairly
common in summer, usually abundant during migrations and in winter, but notably
absent during the winter of 1922-1923.

Penthestes hudsonicns nigricans. Labrador Chickadee. — A Brown-rapped
Chickadee, presumably nigricans was discovered in \^an Cortlandt Park on October
29, 1916 (C. L. Lewis) ; also November 25 to December 30, 1916, near New
Rochelle Lake, a maximum of five birds (Coles).

Reguhis s. satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Common transient, and fairly
common in winter. September 10, 1898 (Bicknell) and September 12, 1923"
(Kuerzi) to May 3, 1923 (Kuerzi), and May 7, 1920 (Coles).

Reguhis c. calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common transient, occasional
in winter. March 20, 1927 (Kuerzi) to May 21, 1925 (Coles) ; September 14, 1922
(Kuerzi) to November 22, 1925 (Coles) ; December 23, 1921 (Kuerzi) ; December
26, 1925 (Cruickshank) ; January 18, 1885 (Bicknell) ; January 11, 1921 (S. H.
Chubb) ; February 3, 1924 (Kuerzi).

Polioptila c. ccuj'ulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Rare visitant, or perhaps
transient ; there are about twelve records in the past ten years. April 15, 1912
(Coles), and April 25, 1924 (Kuerzi) to May 20, 1926 (Cruickshank) ; the only
fall records are September 3, 1925 (Cruickshank), and September 12, 1895, speci-
men taken at New Rochelle (E. L Haines) ; October 11, 1926 (Kuerzi).

Hylocichla musfelina. Wood Thrush. — Common summer resident. April 23,
1896 (Bicknell) to October 23, 1921 (Kuerzi), and casually later.

Hylocichla f. fuscescens. Wilson's Thrush. — Common summer resident. April
12, 1912 (G. K. Noble) ; April 27, 1923 (Kuerzi) to September 28, 1881 (Bicknell).

Hylocichla alicice alicicc. Gray-cheeked Thrush. — Common transient. May

Ill

5, 1887 (Bicknell) ; May 7, 19^2 (Starck) to June 2, 1921 (Coles), and June 6,

1886 (Bicknell) ; September 9, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October 21, 1916 (C. L. Lewis).
Hylocichla alicico hicknelli. Bicknell's Thrush. — Specimens collected May 16,

1887 and May 12, 1890 (Dwight) ; May 24, 1877, May 16, 1883, September 20, 1881
(Bicknell).

Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. — Very common
transient. April 28, 1925 (Coles), and May 2, 1922 (Kuerzi) to June 5, 1921
(Kuerzi) ; September 3, 1922 (Kuerzi) to October 18, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi),
and casually to November 3, 1923 (Kuerzi).

Hylocichla guttata pallasi. Hermit Thrush. — Common transient ; occasionally
wintering. March 23, 1922 (Kuerzi) to May 17, 1920 (Kuerzi) ; September 23,
1922 (Kuerzi) to the end of November, and frequently into December; casual
August II, 1926, Riverdale (Griscom).

Plancsticus m. migratorius. Robin. — Abundant summer resident, frequently
wintering. There was a decided flight, presumably from the south, January 22
and 23, 1926 (Cruickshank, Kuerzi, and others), although such flights normally
do not occur until several weeks later.

Sialia s. sialis. Bluebird. — Common transient, fairly common summer resi-
dent, occasionally wintering. January 29, 1925 (Kessler, Kuerzi), and February 6,
1922 (Kuerzi) to December 29, 1925 (Kuerzi). There are numerous records in
January and February.

112

Birds of Prospect Park, Brooklyn

By Lester L. Walsh

The section of country which is worked the most consistently
yields the most satisfactory results. Information of greater value can
be secured by systematic observation in a restricted area than by
spasmodic trips to areas made attractive by distance.

The purpose of this paper is to present in tabulated form the
results of consistent observation on the part of four local ornithologists
of the bird life of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N. Y. The ensuing notes
represent a period of seventeen years' work, from 1908 to 1925 in-
clusive, supplemented by occasional notes of a few others.

Change in physical aspect of the Park may be traced by changing
bird life. ^lodern "improvements" are most disastrous to the wild
life of any region. This is perhaps only a corollary of a developing
industrial center.

Although centrally located in a large metropolis Prospect Park
seems to have been signally neglected by those interested in the study
of birds. Parks of similar character in other cities have long
received their full share of attention. The number of those whose
observations bear the stamp of consistency may fairly be counted on
the fingers of one hand, but the lack in numerical force may be said
to be overbalanced by the zeal of the few. Upwards of one hundred
trips annually have been made by one devotee over a period of years.

As an analogy, the dearth of published material may be expected.
Nothing of scientific value has been attempted. Several contributions
have appeared at various times in local publications, dealing in a very
restricted way with certain general phases of the bird life of the Park.
The earliest data that have come to the writer's attention concerning
bird observation in Prospect Park date back to 1883 when an article
appeared in Forest and Stream in which a list of some eighty birds
is given. It is, however, so full of obvious misidentifications that its
value is chiefly historical. Since that time several fragmentary lists
have appeared, the importance of which has been materially decreased
by the lack of specific data.

It is interesting to note that the following species are definitely
known to have nested within the borders of the Park : Black Duck,
Black-crowned Night Herom Sparrow Hawk, Screech Owl, Yellow-
billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Downy Woodpecker, Flicker,
Chimney Swift, Nighthawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Crested

113

Flycatcher, Wood Pewee, Fish Crow, Starling, Cowbird, Baltimore
Oriole, Purple Crackle, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping
Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo,
Yellow Warbler, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, House Wren, Wood
Thrush and Robin. The number has somewhat decreased within re-
cent years, but it is safe to say that twenty of the list still nest in the
Park. The permanent residents may be mentioned as follows : Spar-
row Hawk, Screech Owl, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Star-
ling, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow and Robin.

The writer desires to express his appreciation to the following for
permission to use material in their notes : Dr. and Mrs. E. W. Victor,
around whose untiring efforts the present list is formed, Mr. Edward
Fleisher and ]\lr. Jerome Allen.

Colymbiis holboelli. Holboell's Grebe. — Casual visitant. March 3, 1921
(Allen) and March 16, 1918 (Fleisher).

Podilymhus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — No spring records, rare fall
transient. September 13, 1917 to November 24, 1912 (Victor).

Gavia immer. Loon. — Frequently seen flying over singly and in small groups
during migration.

Rissa tridactyJa. Kittiwake. — Very rare winter visitant. March 13, 191 8
(Victor). Regarding this record Dr. Victor has to say, 'Among many hundred
gulls I saw this Kittiwake with black feet."

Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — Commonly observed resting on the lake or
passing over park. September 8, 1918 to May 20, 1921 and May 28, 1912 (Victor).

Lanis delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. — Uncommon winter visitant ; four
records worthy of consideration. December 12, 1915, December 22, 1918 (Victor),
January i, 1924 (Walsh) and March 9, 1913 (Victor).

Lams atricilla. Laughing Gull. — One record. July 6, 1915 (Victor).

Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. — One record. August 12, 1917 (Victor).

Mergus americaniis. American Merganser. — One record. January i, 1924
(Walsh).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Uncommon spring visitant; no
fall records. April 14, 1920 (Victor) and May 6, 1926 (Miss Elizabeth Tompkins).

Lophodyfes cucullafus. Hooded Merganser. — Uncommon fall and winter
transient. August 12, 1913 tc December 12, 1914 (Victor).

Anas riibripes. Black Duck. — Formerly alighted during migrations ; des-
cendants of liberated, wing-tipped birds now resident.

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Rare transient. November 21 to
29, 1924 (Walsh). Doubtless same bird.

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Uncommon transient. March 18, 191 6 (Fleisher)
to March 23' 1916 (Victor) ; September 23, 1915 (Fleisher) to January i, 1913
(Victor).

Marila americana. Redhead. — Casual on the lake. October 14, 1918; March
19, 191 1 (Victor) to March 22, 1914 (Fleisher). None seen in recent years.

114

Clangiila clangula americana. American Golden-eye. — \"ery rare winter
visitant. December 12, 1914 (\^ietor).

Charitonetta albeola. Bufflehead. — \^ery rare winter visitant. November 10,
1924 (Walsh).

Branta c. canadensis. Canada Goose. — Formerly alighted during migrations ;
now infrequently seen passing over. Descendants of wing-tipped birds resident.

Botaiinis lentiginosus. American Bittern. — Rare visitant. September 16, 191 1
(Victor).

Ardea h. herodias. Great Blue Heron. — Uncommon transient. May 11, 1917
to June 14, 1910; July 3, 1918 to September 30, 1913 (Victor).

Florida ccErulea. Little Blue Heron. — Once ; reported by Dr. \''ietor on August
15, 1915; immature birds.

Butorides v. znrescens. Green Heron. — Regular spring and fall transient.
April 15, 1910 (Victor), April 20, 1925 (Walsh) to June i, 1909 (Victor) ; July
8, 1914 to September 24, 1913 (Victor). The best place to observe this bird in
the Park is in the small pool west of the Quaker cemetery.

Nycticorax nycticorax nccznus. Black-crowned Night Heron. — Formerly
permanent resident ; now absent in winter ; has been known to breed. Arrives in
recent years in late Alarch.

RaJIus virginiamis. Virginia Rail. — One record. October 22, 1918 (Allen).

GaUiniila galeafa. Florida Gallinulc. — Uncommon transient. Maj^ 4, 1918
(Allen) to May 26, 1918 (Victor).

Fulica americana. American Coot. — Casual spring and fall transient. April
14 (Victor) to 17 (Allen), 1918,- November 11 (Victor) to 21 (Fleishcr), 1914.

Phil oh el a minor. American Woodcock. — Uncommon transient. March 7,
1909, July 31, 1921 (Victor), August 17, 1908 to December 13, 1908 (Fleishcr).

Fisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — Casual spring transient. Alay 10, 191 3
(Victor) and May 20, 1913 (Fleishcr).

Calidris Iciicophcea. Sandcrling. — One record. July 6, 1915 (\^ietor).

Totanus melanolen'ciis. Greater Yellow-legs. — Casual transient. May 19, 1916
(Flcisher) and ^May 21, 1916 (Victor), possibly the same bird; August 14, 1918
(Victor).

Helodromas s. solitariiis. Solitary Sandpiper. — Regular spring and fall
transient. April 2/, 1915 to June i, 1909; July 17, 1921 to October 8,
191 1 (Victor).

Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Common spring and fall transient.
April 21, 1916 to June 7, 1909; July 6, 1919 (Victor) to October 8, 1910 (Flcisher).

Oxyechus vociferns. Killdccr. — Rare transient. December 13, 1914 and May
10, 1921 (Victor). This bird occurs more frequently in the open country sur-
rounding the Park. I have seen it on the Parade Grounds.

Colinus V. virginianns. Bob-white. — One record. November 4, 1917 (Victor).
Doubtless a former resident of the Park.

Zeyvaidiira macroiira carolinensis. Mourning Dove. — One record. October
20, 1918 (Victor).

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — Uncommon spring visitant.
March 19, 1908 (Flcisher) to May 13, 1914 (Victor).

Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Uncommon during migration, March 10,

115

igog (Fleisher) to May 29, 1910 (Victor) ; August 20, 1914 to October 16, 1912
(Victor).

Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Regular spring and fall transient.
Has occurred during every month except July. There are several winter records.
March 24, 1918 to Alay 30, 1913 (Victor) ; August 28, 1912 to December 10, 1913
(Victor).

Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — Irregular transient. Alarch 16, 1913
(Fleisher) to June 26, 1910 (Victor) ; August 15, 1917 to December i, 1912
(Victor).

Bufeo b. borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. — Uncommon during migration. March

26, 1915 to April 25, 1915 (Victor) ; September 4, 1910 (\'ietor) to December 3,
1922 (W^alsh).

Buteo I. lineafus. Red-shouldered Hawk. — Has been recorded every month
except February and July. Uncommon and irregular transient. March 10, 1909
(Fleisher) to May 12, 1912 (Victor) ; September 25, 1921 to January 7, 1916
(Victor).

Biifco platyptenis. Broad-winged Hawk. — Rare transient; frequently mis-
identified. April 18, 1920 (Victor) to April 26, 1924 (Walsh) ; September 6, 1909
to November 30, 1909 (Victor).

Archibiiteo lagopiis saucti-johannis. Rough-legged Hawk. — Rare winter visi-
tant. November 7, 1917 and March 26, 1915 (Victor).

Aquila chryscstos. Golden Eagle. — Recorded by Dr. Braislin on May i, 1902,
in his "Birds of Long Island."

Haliccctus L Icncocephalus. Bald Eagle. — One record. May 28, 1909 (Victor).

Falco percgrinus anatum. Duck Hawk. — Occurs irregularly during fall and
winter. October 15, 1913- (Victor) to February 23, 1921 (Walsh).

Falco c. columbariiis. Pigeon Hawk. — Uncommon spring, rare tall transient.
Several winter records are open to suspicion. April 17, 1912 (Victor) to May
2, 1914 (Fleisher) ; September 7, 1911 (Metor) to October 3, 1914 (Fleisher).

Falco s. spaji'eriiis. Sparrow Hawk. — Permanent resident; irregular in
winter. Breeds regularly in the Quaker cemetery.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. Fish Hawk. — Frequently seen fishing in the
lake. Recorded daily during the summer of 191 7. Uncommon transient. March

27, 1908 to June 2, 1916; September 19, 1909 to November 15, 1908 (Victor).
Asio wilsonianus. Long-cared Owl. — Irregular winter visitant; has not been

recorded in recent years. November 26, 1909 to February 13, 1910 (Victor).

Cryptoglaux a. acadia. Saw-whet Owl. — Casual in winter. October 30, 1907
(Victor).

Otiis a. asio. Screech Owl. — Permanent resident; a few pairs breeding.

CoccyEits a. americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — Uncommon summer resi-
dent. May II, 1912 (Victor) to October 12, 1915 (Fleisher).

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Irregular summer resi-
dent. May 9, 1912 to October 5, 1913 (Victor).

Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. — Common transient ; has spent at least four
summers. March 25, 1912 to May 30, 1920; one winter record, December 12, 1915
(Victor).

ii6

Dryobates v. villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — Irregular winter visitant. Septem-
ber 1 6, 1 91 7 to May 2, 19 18 (Victor).

Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy Woodpecker. — Common permanent
resident.

Sphyrapicus v. varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Regular spring and fall
transient. March 2j, 1910 to May 11, 1917; September 21, 1911 to November 9,
1910; one midsummer record, July 14, 1909 (Victor).

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — Rare spring, uncom-
mon fall transient. May 10, 1924 (Walsh) ; September 4, 1908 (Flcisher) to
October 28, 1923 (Walsh).

Colaptes auratus liiteus. Flicker. — Common summer resident ; several winter
records. March 20, 1921 (Victor) to December 31, 1913 (Victor), January 18,

1914 (Fleishcr), February 8, 1914 (Victor), and February 24, 1922 (R. Friedmann).
Antrostomus v. vocifenis. Whip-poor-will. — Uncommon spring and fall

transient. May 20, 1917 to June i, 1909; September 8, 1908 and September 28, 1913
(Victor).

Chordeiles v. znrginiamis. Nighthawk. — Breeds on gravelly roofs of Brooklyn
houses and doubtless on Park buildings. May 15, 1925 (Walsh) to October 20,

1915 (Victor).

Chcetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. — Common summer resident. April 26y
1912 (Fleishcr) to October 6, 1915 (Victor).

Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — Uncommon transient.
May II, 1910 to May 30, 1910; July 28, 1912 to September 22,, 1917 (Victor).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. — Regular transient. May 2, 1916 to May 30,
1920; August 8; 1920 to September 4, 1908 (Victor).

Myiarchns crinitus. Crested Flycatcher. — Summer resident. May 2, 1909 to
October 2, 1912 (Victor).

Sayornis phcebe. Phoebe. — Abundant transient. March 14, 1909 (Flcisher)
to May 16, 1916 (Victor) ; September 17, 1912 to November 8, 1914 (Victor).

Nuttallornis borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Rare spring, uncommon fall
transient. June i, 1915 to June 12, 1908 (Victor) ; August 24, 1908 (Fleishcr) to
September 16, 1917 (Victor).

Myiochanes virens. Wood Pewce. — Common summer resident. May 5, 1925
(Walsh) to October 3, 1915 (Victor).

Empidonax flaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. — Common spring, uncom-
mon fall transient. May 12, 1916 to June 7, 1910; September 6, 1914 to October
8, 191 1 (Victor).

Empidonax frailli alnoriim. Alder Flycatcher. — One definite record. May 25,
1919 (Victor).

Empidonax iiiinimus. Least Flycatcher. — Common transient. April 28,
1908 (Flcisher) to June i, 1909 (Victor) ; August 21, 1921 to October 19, 1910
(Victor).

Otoe oris alpestris alpestris. Horned Lark. — Recorded by Dr. Braislin a num-
ber of years ago.

Cyanocitta e. erisfata. Blue Jay. — Regular spring and fall transient; has
summered occasionally. May 4, 1913 to June 3, 1917; September 11, 1910 to
November 20, 1916 (Victor).

117

Corvus b. brachyrhynchos. American Crow. — Permanent resident; uncommon
during summer and winter months,

Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — Summer resident ; breeding in Quaker
cemetery. February 7, 1915 to December 25, 1908 (Vietor).

SUirnus vulgaris. Starling. — Permanent resident. This species has decreased
in numbers in the past ten years.

Molothrus a. ater. Cowbird. — Uncommon spring transient. I have found
several eggs of this species in nests of other birds. April 11. 1909 to June 5, 1910
(Vietor).

Agelaius p. phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. — Uncommon spring, rare fall
transient. Flocks occasionally seen passing over. March 18, 1917 to June i, 1921 ;
two fall records, both in August, 1914 (Vietor).

Shirnella m. magna. Meadowlark. — Rare visitant. March 15, 1913- (Vietor)
and November 6, 1909 (Fleisher).

Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Uncommon spring transient. May 11, 1912
(Fleisher) to June 29, 1909 (Vietor).

Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Abundant summer resident. April 28,

1910 (Vietor) to November 25, 1909 (Fleisher).

Euphagus caroUnus. Rusty Blackbird. — Uncommon spring and fall transient.
March 10, 1909 (Fleisher) to May 6, 1910 (Vietor) ; September i, 1914 to Novem-
ber 22, 1914 (Vietor).

Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Purple Crackle. — Formerly permanent resident;
now absent in winter. Earliest spring arrival February 17, 1909 (L. F. Bowdish).

Passer domesticus. House Sparrow. — Permanent resident in the Park,
although it can be said that it is less numerous than ten years ago.

Carpodacus p. purpureus. Purple Finch. — Uncommon transient ; has wintered
on several occasions. March 5, 1909 (Fleisher) to May 17, 1914; September 23,
1917 to December 20, 191 1 (Vietor).

Loxia curvirostra muwr. American Crossbill. — Irregular winter visitant.
November 23, 1919 to March 14, 1909 (Fleisher) and x\pril 22, 1923 (Allen).

Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Three records. Winter of 1900
(Braislin) ; February 14, 1909 and March 5, 1909 (Vietor).

Acanthis linaria linaria. Redpoll. — Uncommon winter visitant. December 26,

1911 to March 21, 1920 (Vietor).

Astragalimis t. tristis. Goldfinch. — Regular spring and fall transient, winter-
ing occasionally. March 10, 1909 to May 30, 1917; September 7, 1910 to Decem-
ber 30, 1915 (Vietor). Several midsummer records.

Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Uncommon spring, common fall transient;
several winter records. March 21, 1908 (Fleisher) to May 9, 1909 (Vietor) ;
October 15, 1913 to December 30, 1908 (Vietor).

Pooocetes g. gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Two records. May 22, 1900 and
October 20, 1912 (Vietor).

Passerculus saudunchensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. — Uncomm.on spring,
rare fall transient. April 20, 1925 (Walsh) to ^lay 27, 191 7 (Vietor) ; and
October 26, 1918 (Allen).

Ammodramns savannarum australis. Grasshopper Sparrow. — Two records.
May 4, 1918 (Allen) and May 19, 1913 (Vietor).

ii8

Zonotrichia 1. leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Uncommon spring and
fall transient. May 12, 1908 to May 20, 1917; October 16, 1912 to October 21,
1917 (Victor).

Zonotrichia albicoUis. White-throated Sparrow. — Common transient;
wintered regularly to 1921. September 17, 191 1 to May 30, 1917 (Victor).

Spisella in. monticola. Tree Sparrow. — Uncommon winter visitant. Novem-
ber II, 1917 to April 14, 1913 (Victor).

Spisella p. passerina. Chipping Sparrow. — Abundant summer resident. April
I, 1908 (Fleisher) to December 2, 1917 (Victor).

Spizella p. pusilla. Field Sparrow. — Common spring, uncommon fall
transient. March 2<S, 1915 to May 18, 1916; October 11, 1916 to November 9,
1909 (Victor). This species does not pass through the Park in spring as com-
monly as formerly.

Jiinco h. hycmalis. Slate-colored Junco. — Ytvy abundant transient ; winters
commonly. September 20, 1915 to May 11, 1908 (Victor).

Melospiza m. mclodia. Song Sparrow. — Permanent resident ; nests commonly
throughout Park.

Melospiza I. lincolni. Lincoln's Sparrow. — Rare transient. April 30, 1916
(Victor), September 27 (Fleisher) and 29 (Victor), 1914.

Melospica georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — Uncommon transient, April 3, 1910
to May 18, 1917; October 20, 1909 to December 26, 1912 (Victor).

Passerella i. iliaca. Fox Sparrow. — Common transient, wintering regularly,
February 28, 1925 (Walsh) to April 12, 1914 (Victor) ; October 11, 1908 to
December 30, 1908 (Victor).

Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus. Towhee. — Common transient. April 13, 1910 to
May 2-j, 1917 (Victor) ; August 28, 1912 to November 16, 1910 (Victor). One
winter record. January 10 to 17, 1912. Summered in 1909.

Cardinalis c. cardinalis. Cardinal. — Formerly nested (Braislin). Recent
records as follows: March 26, 1902 (Braislin); April 11, 1902 (C. G. Abbot);
May 2, 1914 (Fleisher) and May 7, 1914 (Victor).

Zamelodia ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. — Common transient. May
7, 1916 to May 30, 1920; September 3, 1911 to October 14, 1908. Two midsummer
records. July 24, 1910 and August 28, 1912 (Victor).

Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting. — Regular spring transient. May 11, 1913
to May 22, 1917 (Victor). No fall records. A favorite spot for these birds
is the grassy meadow border just south of the Vale of Cashmere.

Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Bred until 1912 ; now common
transient. April 28, 1910 to June 3, 1917; August 2, 1909 to October 17, 1917
(Victor).

Piranga rubra. Summer Tanager. — One record. May 13, 1913 (Victor).

Progne s. subis. Purple Martin. — Rare transient. May 6, 1916 and May 13,
1914 (Victor).

Petrochelidon I. lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. — Rare transient. May 25, 1918
(Allen) and May 27, 1919 (Victor).

Hinindo eryfhrogastra. Barn Swallow. — Common transient. April 20, 1912
to June 5, 1921 ; July 24, 1921 to September 16, 1917 (Victor).

119

Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Common transient. April i6, 1917 to
June 7, 1910; July 17, 1914 to October 17, 1917 (Vietor).

Riparia riparia. Bank Swallow. — Formerly common, now uncommon spring
transient. April 27, 1919 to May 20, 1913 (Vietor). No fall records.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough- winged Swallow^ — One record. May I,
1916 (Fleisher). Absence of observations may be due to the difficulty of identifica-
tion for many observers.

Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — Recorded every month except Feb-
ruary and July. Common spring and abundant fall transient. March 6, 1921 to
June 6, 1920; August 5, 1910 to December 12, 1915 (Vietor).

Lanius horcaJis. Northern Shrike. — Irregular winter visitant. November 5,

1913 to April 14, 1918 (Vietor).

Vireosylva olivacca. Red-eyed Vireo. — Common summer resident. May 6,
1915 to October 27, 1909 (Vietor).

Vireosylva g. gilva. Warbling Vireo. — Common spring, uncommon fall
transient. Bred prior to 1909. May 6, 1915 to June 9, 1912; September 21, 1920
to October i, 191 1 (Vietor).

Lanivireo flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. — Fairly regular summer resi-
dent until 1918; less regular since. April 25, 1920 to October 8, 1916 (Vietor).

Lanivireo s. solitarius. Solitary Vireo. — Regular spring and fall transient.
April 13, 1910 to ^lay 24, 1917; September 26, 1920 to November 20, 1910 (Vietor).

Vireo g. griscus. White-eyed Vireo. — Regular spring, rare fall transient.
May 2, 1918 to June 5, 1909; September 17, 191 1, September 19, 1909 and
September 24, 1914 (Vietor).

Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler. — Very abundant transient both
spring and fall. April 23, 1909 to May 28, 1916; August 6, 1909 to October 24, 1919
(Vietor).

Helmitheros vennivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — Uncommon spring, rare
fall transient. May 7, 1916 (Vietor) to May 18, 1912 (C. Johnston) ; August 7,
1921 to August 22, 1915 (Vietor).

Vermivora pinus. Blue- winged Warbler. — Uncommon spring, common fall
transient. May 5, 1916 to May 18, 1920; July 28, 1910 to September 22, 1912
(Vietor).

Vermivora chrysopfera. Golden-winged Warbler. — Rare spring and fall
transient. April 29, 1923 (Walsh) to Alay 30, 1917 (Vietor) ; September 3, 1911
and October 2, 1917 (Vietor).

Vermiovora pinus x V. chrysoptera or V. leucobronchialis. Brewster's
Warbler. — Casual transient. May 7, 1916 (Fleisher), May 14, 1912 (Vietor) and
August 28, 1915 (Fleisher).

Vermivora r. rubricapilla. Nashville Warbler. — Common spring, uncommon
fall transient. April 28, 1925 (Walsh) to May 24, 1917 (Vietor) ; August 13,

1914 (Vietor) and August 28, 1925 (Walsh) to October 4, 1914 (Vietor). This
species has been classed by Braislin in his "Birds of Long Island" as a rare
spring transient.

Vermivora c. celata. Orange-crow^ned Warbler. — One record. May 20, 1918
(Allen).

V ermivora peregrina. Tennessee Warbler. — Rare spring, uncommon fall

120

transient. May 20 and 2-], 1917 and May 26, 1916; August 16, 1914 to October 14,
1 91 8 (Victor).

Cotnpsothlypis americana usnccc. Parula Warbler. — Abundant spring and fall
transient. April 25, 1920 to June 16, 1918; August 2, 1912 to October 23, 1911
(Victor).

Dcndroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler. — Regular spring and fall transient,
commoner now than formerly. May 2, 1914 (Fleisher) to May 30, 1917 (Viator) ;
September 6, 1914 to September 20, 1915 (Victor).

Dendroica a;, (cstiva. Yellow Warbler. — Common summer resident. April
27, 1910 to September 22), 1917 (Victor).

Dendroica c. ccunilescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler. — Common transient.
May 2, 1914 (Fleisher) to May 30, 1917 (Victor) ; August 30, 1908 to October 27,
1909 ( Victor).

Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. — \^ery common spring and fall transient.
April 3, 1921 to May 27, 1915 (Victor) ; September 16, 1915 (Victor) to Novem-
ber 29, 1924 (Walsh).

Dendroica magnolia. Magnolia Warbler. — Common spring and fall transient.
May 2, 1915 to June 5, 1910; August 16, 1914 to October 2^, 191 1 (Victor).

Dendroica cerulea. Cerulean W^arbler. — A single bird was reported to me by
Mr. George Chilton in the spring several years ago.

Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. — Common spring and fall
transient. May i, 1914 to May 30, 1915; August 13, 1914 to September 29, 1914
(Victor).

Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler. — Common spring and fall
transient. April 28, 1910 to June 3, 1917; August 21, 1921 to September 26, 1913
(Victor).

Dendroica striata. Blackpoll Warbler. — Common spring and fall transient.
May 6, 1912 to July i, 1917; August 21, 1921 to November 13, 1908 (Victor).

Dendroica d. dominica. Yellow-throated Warbler. — Casual spring visitant.
April 28, 191 7 (Fleisher).

Dendroica fnsca. Blackburnian Warbler. — Common spring transient, rarer in
the fall. May 2, 1914 (Fleisher) to May 30, 1917 (Victor) ; August 27, 1914 to
October 4, 1914 (Victor).

Dendroica virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — Ytry common spring and
fall transient. April 22, 1913 to June i, 1915; August 28, 1912 to November 10,
1922 (Victor).

Dendroica vigorsi. Pine Warbler. — Common spring, uncommon fall transient.
March 27, 1921 to May 7, 191 1; September 20, 1914 to October 19, 1913 (Victor).

Dendroica palmarmn palmariim. Palm Warbler. — Three fall records.
September 4, 1921, October 9, 1921 and December 12, 1920 (Victor).

Dendroica palmariim hypocJirysea. Yellow Palm Warbler. — Common
transient. April 6, 1913 to May 2/, 1917 (Victor) ; August 28, 1912 (Victor) to
November 20, 1908 (Fleisher).

Dendroica discolor. Prairie Warbler. — Common spring, uncommon fall
transient. April 28, 1925 (Walsh) to May 24, 1914 (Victor) ; August 8, 1908 to
October 9, 1921 (Victor).

121

Seiiiriis aurocapillus. Ovenbird. — Common spring and fall transient. April 27,
1908 to June 14, 1915; July 27, 1913 to November 23, 1913 (Vietor).

Seiurus n. noveboracensis. Northern Water-thrush. — Common spring and fall
transient. April 15, 1910 to June i, 1919; July 26, 1914 to October 18, 1908
(Vietor).

Seiurus motacUla. Louisiana Water-thrush. — Uncommon spring and fall
transient. April 19, 1914 (Vietor) to June 2, 1908 (Fleisher) ; July 13, 1913 to
October 4, 1914 (Vietor).

Oporornis formosiis. Kentucky Warbler. — Exceedingly rare transient. One
record. May 15, 1914 (Vietor).

Oporornis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — Very rare spring and uncommon fall
transient. May 18, 1913 (Vietor) ; September 7, 1908 to September 27, 1914
(Vietor).

Oporornis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. — Rare spring and fall transient.
May 9, 1916 (Walsh) to May 25, 1919 (Vietor) ; September 29, 1912 (Fleisher)
and October 7, 1917 (Vietor).

Geothlypis t. trichas. Maryland Yellow-throat. — Very common spring and fall
transient. April 13, 1917 to June 21, 1908; July 3, 1910 to November i, 1914
(Vietor). Some of the dates seem to indicate the possibility of breeding, although
there is no definite breeding record.

Icteria v. virens. Yellow-breasted Chat. — Casual in spring. May 21, 1916
(Vietor) and May 2;^, lyzo (Allen).

Wilsonia citrina. Hooded Warbler. — Uncommon spring, rare fall transient.
May 5, 1915 to May 30, 1917; August 13, 1908 to September 13, 1908 (Vietor).

Wilsonia p. pusilla. Wilson's Warbler. — Common spring, uncommon fall
transient. May 12, 1914 to June 6, 1915 (Vietor) ; August 27, 1908 (Fleisher) to
November 25, 1914 (Vietor).

Wilsonia canadensis. Canadian W^arbler. — Common transient. May 8, 1915
(Fleisher) to June 3, 1917 (Vietor) ; August 13, 1916 to September 26, 1909
(Vietor).

Setophaga riiticilla. Redstart. — Common spring and fall transient. Alay 6,
1920 to June 18, 1912; August 2, 1908 to November 23, 1919 (Vietor).

Mimus p. polyglottos. Mockingbird. — Casual in fall. September 24, 1915
(Vietor) and October 5, 1918 (Allen).

Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. — Common summer resident. April 24. 1914
to November 12, 1922 (Vietor).

Toxostoma rufiim. Brown Thrasher. — Common transient. An individual
spent the winter of 1912-1913 and it has bred on at least one occasion. March
24, 1908 to May 31, 1909 (Vietor) ; August 2, 1908 (Vietor) to November 8,
1924 (Walsh).

Thryothoriis I. ludovicianus. Carolina Vv'ren. — Uncommon visitant, although
it has been recorded every month of the year. An individual spent the winters
of 1908-1909 and 1920-1921.

Troglodytes a. aedon. House Wren. — Common summer resident. April 21,
1916 to November 25, 1914 (Vietor).

Nannus h. hiemalis. Winter Wren. — Rare transient, occasionally wintering.

122

April 8, 1909 to May 5, 1917 (Fleisher) ; September 27, 1914 to December 11, 1912
(Vietor).

Tehnatodytes p. palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. — A single individual seen
by Mrs. Caroline Hartwell several years ago.

Certhia familiaris amcricana. Brown Creeper. — Common transient, wintering
regularly. Does not arrive in numbers until October. September 17, 1913 to
May 18, 1917 (Vietor).

Sitta c. carolinensis. White-breasted Nuthatch. — Has been recorded every
month except June. There is a conspicuous movement from October on. Common
fall and spring transient, wintering regularly. September 17, 1913 to May 11,
191 7 (Vietor).

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. — The dates for this bird in Prospect
Park are very erratic. It arrives generally from the middle to the end of September
and has left by mid-November. It has wintered on at least two occasions. It can
be classed as an uncommon fall and rare spring transient. There are also two
summer records. August 28, 1912 (Vietor) to December 16 (Walsh) and
December 20 (Vietor), 191 6; March 8, 191 1 to May 21, 191 6 (Vietor).

Penthestes a. atricapillus. Black-cap Chickadee. — Has been recorded every
month except June, but can be classed as an uncommon winter resident. September
25, 1921 to May 20, 1920 (Vietor).

Rcgiihis s. satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Common spring and fall
transient, wintering rarely. March 19, 1908 to May i, 1912; September 28, 1913
to January 22, 1909 (Vietor).

Regulus c. calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common spring and fall
transient. March 31, 1912 to May 24, 1917; September 13, 1914 to December 24,
1922 (Vietor).

Polioptila c. ccerulca. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Rare spring and fall visitant.
April 7, 1909 to April 29, 1920; and August 22, 1912 (Vietor).

Hylocichla mustelina. Wood Thrush. — Bred regularly until 1917. Now regu-
lar spring and fall transient. April 28, 1908 to May 24, 1918; September 22, 1917
to October 10, 191 7 (Vietor).

Hylocichla f. fuscesccns. Wilson's Thrush. — Common spring, now uncommon
fall transient. April 28, 1908 to June 22, 1919; August 28, 1912 to October 11,
1916 (Vietor).

Hylocichla alicice alicicu. Gray-cheeked Thrush. — Included in Dr. Murphy's
list of Birds of Prospect Park. Observed in spring by Air. Charles Johnston.

Hylocichla ustulata szvainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. — Common spring, less
common fall transient. May 7, 1913 to June 5, 1910; September 8, 1914 to Novem-
ber 3, 1918 (Vietor).

Hylocichla guttata pallasi. Hermit Thrush. — Common transient ; has
wintered at times. March 26, 1925 (Walsh) to May 18, 1917 (Vietor) ; September
29, 1912 (Vietor) to December 30, 1923 (Walsh).

Planesticiis in. migratorius. Robin. — Permanent resident. A few birds spend
almost every winter in the Park. Average spring arrival date is March 7.

Sialia s. siulis. Bluebird. — Rare spring, uncommon fall transient. March 19,
191 1 to April 24, 1908; October 7, 1909 to November 27, 1910 (Vietor).

123

Constitution and By-Laws of the Linnaean Society of New

York, Adopted at Meeting of April 14, 1925;

As Amended April 13, 1927

Sectiox I. General Organization.

Article i. This Society shall be composed of persons, amateur or profes-
sional, interested in one or more branches of zoology, with particular reference
to the Xew York City region.

Article 2. It shall consist of Resident, Life, Non-Resident, and Honorary
Members and Fellows.

Article 3. Resident Members, Life Members and Fellows only shall be entitled
to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees and Council and to transact business.
Non-resident Members and Honorary Members may attend the meetings and take
part in the scientific discussions of the Society.

Article 4. The officers of the Society shall be a President, a Vice-President,
a Secretary and a Treasurer. (With the exception of the treasurer no officer
shall hold the same office more than two consecutive years, but shall again be
eligible for election one year after the expiration of such a term.) Such officers,
together with nine members at large, shall form a committee for the management
of the concerns of the Society, to be called the Council. Councilors shall serve for
a term of three years, three to retire annually.

Article 5. By-laws for the more particular regulation of the Society shall
from time to time be made.

Article 6. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote to that
effect of three-fourths of the Resident Members, Life Members and Fellows
present at any meeting of the Society ; each Resident Member, Life Member and
Fellow having been notified in writing at least thirty days previous to action on
the proposed change.

Sec. 2. Of Members.

Article i. Resident Members shall be persons living in New York City and
vicinity who have shown interest for several years in one or more branches of
zoology. Resident ^Members may become Life Members upon the payment to the
Treasurer of Fifty Dollars, at one time, which shall be in lieu of annual dues.

Article 2. Non-Resident Alembers shall be similarly qualified persons, residing
outside the New York City region, desirous of promoting the interests of the
Society.

Honorary Members shall not exceed ten in number, and shall be persons
eminent for their attainments in zoology.

Any Member may be elected a Fellow in recognition of distinguished service
to the Society.

Article 3. All classes of Members shall be chosen by majority vote, after
having been nominated at a preceding meeting and approved by the Council. Can-
didates for Resident Membership must be known personally to at least two members
of the Council.

124

Sec. 3. Officers and Their Duties.

Article i. The President shall preside at meetings of the Society and of the
Council; shall preserve order; regulate debate; and conduct all business proceed-
ings, strictly in accordance with parliamentary usage.

Article 2. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of President in the
absence of the latter.

Article 3. The Secretary shall take and preserve correct minutes of the pro-
ceedings of the Society; shall have charge of its archives; shall give notice to
persons of their election as members, and to committees of their appointment ; shall
call special meetings when directed by the President; and shall inform officers of
all matters requiring their attention.

Article 4. The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due; shall pay all bills
against the Society when approved by vote of the Council; shall keep a correct
account of all receipts and expenditures and shall make a detailed report of the
same at the Annual Meeting.

Article 5. Officers shall be nominated by the Council and chosen at the Annual
Meeting, and a majority vote of the Resident and Life Members and Fellows
present shall be sufficient for a choice. Any office which becomes vacant during
the year shall be filled at the next meeting of the Society in the same manner.

Sec. 4. Of the Council and its Duties.

Article i. The Council shall pass upon all nominations of candidates for
membership, and shall make such recommendations as it sees fit on new business
initiated by properly qualified members. Its recommendations shall be presented
by the Secretary at the next meeting whenever possible. A majority vote of the
members present shall be sufficient to ratify favorable recommendations.

Article 2. It may initiate any new business, promoting the general interests
and welfare of the Society, and a majority vote of the members attending the
meeting at which such new business is presented shall be sufficient for ratification.

Article 3. It shall act as a nominating committee for officers and shall hold
a special meeting for this purpose prior to the annual meeting of the Society.

Article 4. It shall hold regular meetings for the transaction of general busi-
ness. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of any
three Councilors.

Article 5. Councilors shall be chosen by ballot without nomination at the
annual meeting and a three-quarter vote of the Resident Members, Life Members
and Fellows present shall be sufficient for a choice. Vacancies caused by election
to office or any other cause shall be filled at the next meeting of the Society in the
same manner.

Sec. 5. Of Meetings.

Article i. A meeting shall be held annually for the choice of officers and
■councilors and for other general purposes. At this meeting the Secretary shall
present a report upon the publications, meetings, membership, etc. ; the Treasurer
upon the receipts and expenditures. Previous to the annual meeting the President
shall appoint a committee of two members, neither of whom shall be a member of
the Council, to audit the accounts of the Treasurer.

125

By-Laws

Section i. Of Members.

Article i. Every Resident Member shall be subject to annual dues of three
dollars ($3.00) and every Non-resident Member annual dues of One Dollar and a
half ($1.50), payable at the first regular meeting in March; but no dues shall be
required of any member during two months succeeding his election. Any member
absent on a scientific expedition during an entire year shall be excused from pay-
ment of dues for that year.

Article 2. Any member who shall neglect to pay his regular dues for one year,
upon receiving due notification from the Treasurer, shall have his name erased
from the roll of members.

Article 3. Any Resident or Non-resident Member may withdraw from the
Society, by giving written notice of his intention and paying all arrearages due
from him.

Article 4. Any undesirable member may be expelled from the Society upon
recommendation of the Council by a three-fourths vote of the Resident and Life
Members and Fellows present at any regular meeting, notice having been sent to
each Resident Member, Life Member and Fellow, and to the person accused at
least 30 days previously.

Sec. 2. Of Meetings.

Article i. The annual meeting shall be held the second Tuesday in March.

Article 2. Regular meetings shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays
of each month from May to October inclusive, except when suspended by a majority
vote of the Society at a preceding meeting.

Article 3. Nine Resident Members, Life Members and Fellows shall form
a quorum.

Article 4. The order of proceedings at meetings shall be as follows :

I. Reading of minutes of the previous meeting by the Secretary.

9

Reading of correspondence received by the Secretary.

Proposal of candidates for membership.

Election of members.

Business (a) Unfinished; (b) New.

Presentation of field notes.

Presentation of formal papers.

General discussion.

Adjournment.

Sec. 3. Of Changes of By-laws.

Article i. The By-laws of the Society may be altered or amended by a
three-fourths vote of the Resident Members, Life Members and Fellows present
at any meeting, notice of the proposed change having been sent to each 30 days
previously.

126

Officers and Members of the Linnaean Society

OF NEW YORK

OFFICERS 1925-1926

President Johx T. Nichols axd Dr. E. R. P. Janvrin

Vice-President Dr. E. R. P. Janvrix axd L. Xelsox Nichols

Secretary Charles A. Urxer

Treasurer Johx H. Baker

OFFICERS 1926-1927

President Dr. E. R. P. Jaxvrix

Vice-President L. Nelsox Nichols

Secretary Warrex F. Eaton

Treasurer Johx H. Baker

OFFICERS 1927-1928

President Ludlow Griscom

Vice-President Charles A. Urner

Secretary Warrex F. Eatox

Treasurer Johx H. Baker

MEMBERSHIP LIST MAY, 1927

Honorary Members

DwiGHT, JoxATHAX, M.D., 43 W. 70th Street.

Merriam, C. Hart, M.D., 1919 16th Street, Washington, D. C.

Stoxe, Wither, Ph.D., Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fellows

DwiGHT, Joxathax, M.D., 43 W. 70th Street.
Griscom, Ludlow. American Museum of Natural History.
Nichols, Johx T., American Museum of Natural History.

Non-Resident Members
Agersborg, G. S., Vermillion, S. D.

Bexxer, Fr.^xklix'^, Minneapolis, Minn.
Burgess, Thorxtox W., Springfield, Mass.

Cox, Philip, Newcastle, N. B.

Dury, Charles, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fisher, A. K., M.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Fox, Wm. H., :M.D., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washington, D. C.

Graxt, W. W., 818 S. Main Street, Geneva, N. Y.

127

Harper, Francis, Boston Society Natural History, 234 Berkeley Street, Boston,

Mass.
Howell, Arthur H., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ingersoll, a. M., 818 Fifth Street, San Diego, Cal.

Langdon, F. W., M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio.

Latham, Mrs. F. E. B., Micco, Fla.

LooMis, Leverett M., California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal.

Marshall, Alfred. 64 South Canal Street, Chicago, 111.
Mead, Theo. L., Oviedo, Fla.

Oberholser, Harry C, Ph.D., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Setox, Ernest Thompson, Greenwich, Conn.

Shufeldt, R. W., M.D., 3356 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D. C.

Trotter, Spencer, M.D., Swarthmore, Pa.

Warren, B. H., M.D., Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa.
W'lLLiSTON, S. \y., M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.

Resident Members

Baasch, K. W., Baldwin, L. I.

Baker, John H., 1165 Fifth Avenue.

Barrows, Ira, 15 Alaiden Lane and 860 Park Avenue.

Bishop, Louis B., M.D., 450 Bradford Street, Pasadena, Cal.

Borodin, Dr. O., Brooklyn Aluseum, Brooklyn, X. Y.

BouLTON, W. R., Jr., American ^luseum of Natural History.

BouLTON, Mrs. W. R., 399 Bronxville Road, Bronxville, N. Y.

Bowdish, Beecher S.. Demarest, N. J.

Brandreth, Courtenay, Ossining, N. Y.

Breder, Charles M., Jr., New York Aquarium.

Breder, Mrs. C. M., Jr., 137 Roseville Avenue, Newark, N. J.

Briggs, George D., 476 First Avenue N., St. Petersburg, Fla.

Briggs, Mrs. George D., 476 First Avenue N., St. Petersburg, Fla.

Bristol, Jno. I. D., Grand Central Terminal.

Brody, J. G., M.D., Flower Hospital Medical College.

Butler, Mrs. Ellis Parker, 242 State Street, Flushing, L. I.

Gapen, Miss Ethel Adele, 100 W. 80th Street.

Gafen, Frederick :M., 100 W. 80th Street.

Carr, Wm. H., 6 Neff Place, Flushing, L. I.

Carr, Mrs. W. H., 6 Neff Place, Flushing, L. I.

Carter, T. Donald, American Museum of Natural History.

Chapin, James P., Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.

Chapman, Frank M., Sc.D., American Museum of Natural History.

•Chubb, Samuel H., American Museum of Natural History.

Cleaves, Howard H., 242 W. 109th Street. ' '

Coles, Rutgers R.. Nestledo\wi Farms, ]Mamaroneck, N. Y.

128

Crandall, Lee S., New York Zoological Park.
Crosby, Maunsell S., Rhinebeck, N. Y.
Cruickshaxk, Allan D., 2605 Sedgwick Avenue.
CuRTiss, Roy, 11 W. 76th Street.

*Davis, William T., 146 Stuyvesant Place, New Brighton, S. I.
Denton, Myron P., M.D., 129 E. 30th Street.
Dietrich, Charles F., 51 E. 42nd Street.

Eaton, Warren F., 65 Worth Street.

Edwards, James L., 196 Howard Street, Passaic, N. J.

Eliot, Ellsworth, Jr., M.D., 34 E. 67th Street.

Ferguson, Henry L., 247 Park Avenue.

Fisher, G. Clyde, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History.

Fleisher, Edward, 1068 Park Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Friedman, Ralph, 32 Garden Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Frost, Allen, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Fry, Mrs. Gladys Gordon, 66 Eagle Rock Way, Montclair, N. J.

Garvan, Mrs. Francis, 22 E. 47th Street.

Gotthold, Arthur F., 27 William Street.

Granger, Walter, American Museum of Natural History.

Green, Mrs. M. H., 51 E. 78th Street.

Hagood, Major Lee, Army & Navy Club, 30 W. 44th Street.

Hasbrouck, Henry C, 929 West End Avenue.

Helme, Arthur H., Miller Place, L. L

Herrick, Harold, 95 Maiden Lane.

HicKEY, Joseph, 839 Hunts Point Avenue.

Hix, George E., care of Equitable Life, 393 Seventh Avenue.

HoLGATE, W. D., 155 W. 82nd Street.

HowLAND, R. H., 1 Mountain Place, Upper Montclair, N. J.

*HuNTER, Roland Jackson, 88 Delavan Avenue, Newark, N. J.

Hyde, E. Francis, 36 W. 58th Street.

Hyde, Frederick Wm., 340 43rd Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Ingle, John W., Jr., 15 Crary Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
Irving, John, Glen Cove, L. I.

Janvrin, E. R. p., M.D., 515 Park Avenue.

Jaques, F. L., American Museum Natural History.

Johnson, Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.

Johnson, Julius M., 179 South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood, N. J.

Johnson, Lacy F., 15 Crary Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.

Johnston, Charles, 26 Washington Square.

*Life member.

129

Kassoy, Irvixg, 817 Bryant Avenue.
Kessler, Philip, 2077 Mapes Avenue.
KiERAN, JoHx F., 6065 Broadway.
Klots, Alex. B., 55 E. 92nd Street.
Knoblauch, Geo. W., 27 W. 44th Street.
KuERZi, John F., 978 Woodycrest Avenue.
KuERZi, Richard, 978 Woodycrest Avenue.
KusER, JoHx Drydex, Beriiardsville, N. J.

LaDow, Staxley Vaughax, 56 W. 12th Street.
Lang, Herbert, American Museum of Natural History.
Lawrexce, John B., 126 E. 30th Street.
Leale, Charles A., Al.D., 1261 Madison Avenue.
Litchfield, Miss Gertrude, 56 W. 75th Street.

Marks, E. Sydney, 655 Kearney Avenue, Arhngton, N. J.
Matuszewski, Johx F., 136 W. 16th Street.
McAuliffe, George B., M.D., 26 W. 87th Street.
Mead, Mrs. C. \Y., 51 E. 78th Street.
Monroe, Will S., Crouching Lion Farm, Waterbury, Vt.
Morris, Robert T., M.D., 114 E. 54th Street.

Nathan, Bernard, 539 51st Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Naumburg, Mrs. Elsie M. B.. American Museum of Natural History.

Nichols, Edward G., 181 Claremont Avenue.

Nichols, L. Nelson. N. Y. Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street,

OsBORX, Prof. Hexry F., American Museum of Natural History.

OsBORx, William C, 170 Broadway.

Oastler, Frank R., M.D., 45 E. 85th Street.

Overton, Frank, M.D., Patchogue, L. I.

Pangburn, Clifford H., 244 Madison Avenue.
Pearson, T. Gilbert, 1974 Broadway.
Philhower, Charles A., Westfield, N. J.
Philipp, p. Bernard, 220 Broadway.
Plant, Miss Caroline, 61 W. 55th Street.
Porter, Louis H., Stamford, Conn.

Raven, H. C, American Museum of Natural History.

Rich, Mrs. M. C, 92 Morningside Avenue.

RiGGENBACH, H. E., 36 Wall Street.

Riker, Clarence B., 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J.

*RoGERS, Charles H., Princeton University, Princeton, N. J.

Rundall, Clarence A., Brewster, N. Y.

Runyon, Mrs. Clarkson, Jr., 101 E. 74th Street.

Samek, Miss Blanche, 511 W. 113th Street.
Schiffer, Miss Louise, 124 Ft. George Avenue.
Smith, Mrs. H. W., Box 461, Islip, N, Y.
Stern, Bexjamix, 542 Fifth Avenue.

I30

Stewart, James B., 268 E. Third Ave., Roselle, N. J.
Streeter, Daniel D., 214 Fenimore Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Stryker, Caryl, Staten Island Museum, New Brighton,

Taylor, Irving K., 33 W. 67th Street.
Thomas, Mrs. Margaret L., 316 W. 93rd Street.
Thornton, A. P., 27 W. 44th Street.
Tucker, Mrs. Carll, 733 Park Avenue.
Tucker, Carll, 733 Park Avenue.

Urner, Charles A., 173 Chambers Street.

Van Duyne, Wilmer C, 270 North Maple Avenue, East Orange, N. J.

Walker, Lewis W., Douglas Manor, L. I.

Walsh, Lester L., 11 Walthery Avenue, Ridgewood, N. J.

Walters, Frank, 520 Grand Central Palace.

Warthin, Alfred S., Jr., 404 W. 115th Street.

Weber, J, A., Moore and Grand Avenues, Leonia, N. J.

Webster, Mrs. J. E. B., 16 Davis Place, East Orange, N. J.

Williams, Laidlaw O., Box 665, Carmel, Cal.

Woodward, Miss L. E., 196 Inwood Avenue, Upper Montclair, N. J.

Di Zerega, Louis A., 616 Madison Avenue.

131

INDEX

Acanthis hornemanni exilipes, 103.

linaria Unaria, 58, 59, 67, 68, 69, S3,

102, 115, 117.
Accipiter cooperi, 30, 52, 53, 81, 98.

velox, 8, 98, 115.
Actitis macularia, 4, 6, 12, 19, 34, 36, 47,

57, 80, 97, 114.
^ffialitis duhia, 19.
hiaticula, 19.

meloda, 2, 8, 29, 33, 36, 42, 97.
semipalmata, 19, 97.
Albatrosses, 69.
Albatross, Great, 69.
Agelaius phceniceus phaeniceus, 3, 17, 18,

24, 25, m, 68, 83, 101, 117.
Aix sponsa, 28, 29, 30, 32, 41, 42, 45, 47,

56, 57. 69, 78, 92, 113.
Albino, 4.
Alca torda, 72.
Alcidae, 63.
Alle alle, 23.
Aluco pratincola, 12, 14, 17, 18, 43, 45,

48, 57, 62. M, 65, 99.
Amenia, N. Y., 25, 38, 42.
Ammodramus savannarnim australis, 13,

a5, 38, 84, 103, 117.
Anas platyrhynchos, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28,

29, 30, 32, m, 65, 69, 92.
rulripes, 7, 10, 17, 21, 22, 29, 78,

92, 113.
Annandale, N. Y., 5
Anthus ruhescens, 25, 26, 29, 37, 42, 54,

'50, 86, 109.
Antrostomtis vocdferus vociferus, 4, 36,

37, 44, 47, 81, 100, 116.
Aquila chryswtos, 115.
Archihu-teo lagopns sancti-johannis, 1, 21,

48, 57, 59, 62, 65, 67, 98, 115.
Archilochus colulyns, 5, 38, 41, 43, 44, 49,

52, 82. 100, 116.
Ardea herodias herodias, 2, 18, 23, 45, 49,

52, 59, 60. 62, 66, 67, 94. 114.
Arenaria interpres morinella, 5, 49, 54,

97.
Arlington, N. J., 2, 5, 17, 56.
Arquatella maritima maritima, 14, 24,

63, 95.
Asio flammeus, 13. 18, 25, 31, 32, 34, 36,

39, 41, 42, 62, 69, 99.
wUsonianus, 12, 17, 18, 23, 25, 59,

62, 65, 68, 99, 115.
Astragalinus tristis tristis, 103, 117.
Astur a. atricapilhts. 47, 67, 81, 98.
Auk, 'RazorJbilled, 72.

Boeolophus hicolor, 87, 110.
Baldpate (see Widgeon).
Baldwin, L. I., 40, 66, 68.
Barnegat Region, N. J., 3, 7, 10, 23, 26,
32. 37, 45, 51, 58, 59, 66.

Barrytown, IN. Y., 3, 13.

Bartramia longicauda, 9, 50, 54, 55, 96.

Battery Park, N. Y. C, 40.

Bay Ridge, 31.

Baychester and Marshes, N. Y., 8, 49, 53,

54, 55.
Bayville, L. I., 54.
Bear, Black. 10.

Grizzly, 14.
Beaver, 24.
Bee-eaters, 20.
Bird Banding, 4, 37.
Birds of Prey, 20.

Bittern, American, 4, 10, 32, 35, 37, 59,
80, 94, 114,

'Least, 10, 41. 53, 94.
Blackbird, Red-winged, 3, 17, 18, 24, 25,

64, 68. 79, 83, 101, 117.

Rusty, 17. 29, 40, 64, 67, 83, 102, 117.
Bluebird, 1, 17, 23. 24, 25, 29, 67, 69,

111, 122.
Blue Point, L. I., 50.
Bobolink, 6, 7, 26, 30, 38, 39, 43, 47, 53,

82, 101.
Bob-white, 12, 18, 28, 54, 57, 61, SO,

97, 114.
Bomhydlla oedrorum, 6, 17, 23, 25, 34,

44, m, 84, 105, 119.
garrula, 14.
Bonasa umhellus umhellus, 10, 97.

umhellus umhelloides, 30.
Bonaventure Island. 48, 72.
Boonton, N. J., 2, 3, 5, 32, 41, 45, 50,

55, 56.
Boobies, 2.
Botanical Gardens (iBronx), 7, 8, 12, 14,

18, 21, 43, 49, 55, 65, 67, 90.
Botaurus lentiginosus, 4, 10, 32, 35, 37,

59 80 94 114.
Brant, 4,' 16,' 17.' 18, 23, 26, 36, 45, 59, 64,

65, 69, 72. 94.

Branta hernicla glaunogastra, 4, 16, 17,

18, 23, 26, 36, 45, 59, 64, 65, 69,

72, 94.

canadensis canadensis, 4, 16, 26, 29,

30. 32, 36, 42, 45, 48, 78, 94, 114.

Breeding Seasons, 20.

Bronx Park, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 18, 23, 24,
29, 31, 34, 35, 43. 49, 50, 53, 54,
57, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. 67, 72.

Bronx Region, 2, 4. 5. 6, 9, 10, 12, 14,
,15, 16, 18, 21, 22. 23, 25, 29, 31,
34, 35. 38. 41. 43. 46, 49, 50, 52, 53,
54. 55, 57, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,
67, 68, 69, 72, 88.

Buho virginianus pallescens, 41.

V. virginianus, 1, 2, 14, 18. 23. 24,

41. 50. 60, 62, 63. m, 72, 81, 99.
virginianus suharcticus, 99,

Bufflehead. 5. 14, 17, 18. 22. 24, 59, 60, 62,
65, 93, 114.

132

Bunting, Indigo, 3, 5, 7, 37, 38, 39, 40,
H>1, 118.

Snow, 50, 57, 09, 83, 103.
Buteo b. horealis, 50, 81, 98, 115.

lineatus, 81, 98, 115.

plntypierus, 34, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53,

81, 98, 115.

Butorides vireiscens virescens, 10, 12, 34,
-^ .3<j, 50. 80, 94, 114.

Galcwrius lapponicits lapponiciis, 57, 66,

67, 103.
Calidris leucophoea, 5, IS, 19, 23, 59,

96, 114.
Canvasback, 1, 2, 11, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22,

23, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 59, 60, 62,

64, 65, 67, 69, 98.
Caracara, 72.

Cardinal, 1, 6, 17, 2.5, 65, 84, 104, 118.
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis, 1, 6, 17,

25,, 65, 84, 101, 118.
Carduclis cardueUs, iiS, 83, 104.
Carpodacus purpureus purpureus, 21, 43,

51, 71, 83, 102, 117.
Cantor canadensis, 24.
Catbird, 14, 35, 40, 59, 87, 109, 113, 121.
Catskills, 10.
Cathai'tes aura septentrionalis, 5, 8, 26,

30, 42, 45, 48, 81, 98, 114.
Ca topirophorus semipalm<itus semipalnui-

tus, 9, 12, 51, 53, 54, 80, 96.
Census, 3, 16, 27, 71.
Central Park, N. Y., 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13,

23, 24, 31, 35, 40, 44, 46, 47, 50,
55, 56. 59, 65, 68.

Cepphus grylle, 23, 72.

Certhia familiaris americana, 38, 51, 58,

, 71, 110, 122.
Ceryle alcyon, 25, 28, 29, 65, 81, 99, 115.
Chwtura pelagica, 36, 37, 50, 57, 100, 116.
Chaffinch. European, 1.
Cl.appaqua. X. Y., 8, 34, 38, 43, 68. •
Charadriits dominieus dominicus, 9, 12, 49,

53, 55, 57, 97.
Charitonetta alheola, 5, 14, 17, 18, 22,

24. 59. 60, 62, 65. 93, 114.

Chat, Yellow-breasted, 37, 40, 79, 86, 109,

121.
Chaulelasmus streperus, 11. 28, 47, 48,67.
Chen hyperhoreus nivalis, 2. 94.
Chickadee. Black-capped, 54, 110, 122.

Acadian, 48.

Long-tailed, 30.

LalK>i*ador, 110.
Chordeiles virginianus virginianus, 42, 44,

82, lOT), 116.

Circus hudsonius. 4-1, 64. 98, 114.
Cistothorus siellaris, 7, 36, 38, 41. 4.3, 47,

53, 87, 109.
City Hall Park, X. Y., 1.
Clangula clanquJa americana. 2. 6, 8. 17,

18. 21, 22, .32, 57, 68, 72, 93, 114.
islandica, 24.
Clason Point. X. Y., 18, 50, 62, 67.
Clinton. X. .T., 2.5.
'Oobb's Island. Va., 9.
Coccyzus a. americanus, 38, 41, 43, 52,

57, 99, 115.

erythrophihalmus, 4, 38, 81, 99, 115
Colaptes auratus luteus, 18, 23, 28, 28,

29, 81, 1<X>, 116.
Cold Spring Harbor, L. I., 14.
Colinus virginianus virginianus, 12, 18,

28, 54, 57, 61, 80, 97, 114.
Colymhus auritus, 1, 2, 10, 17, 29, 32,
42, 47, 54, 61, 64, 90.
holbceUi, 10, 59, 60, 90, 113.
Committee on Hawk and Owl Protection,

67.
Compsothlypis americana usnece, 34, 48,

49, 5(J, 52, 55, 71, 85, 107, 120.
Constitution and By-Laws of Linnsean

Society, 123.
Coot, American, 10, 32, 40, 48, 56, 59,

80, 95. 114.
Cormorant, 23.

Double-crested, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18,
23. 36, 42, 91.
Cornwall, X. Y., 8.

Corvus hrachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos,
101, 117.
corax pi-incipaUs, 4.
ossif vagus, 21, 23, 25, 42, 82, 101, 117.
Coturnicops noveboracensis, SO, 95.
Cowbird. 10, 28, 29, 37, 68, 83, 101,

113, 117.
Coytesville, X. J., 48.
Cranberry Lake Region, X. Y., 48.
Creciscus jamaicensis, 49, 51.
Creeper, Brown, 38, 51, 58, 71, 110, 122.
Crossbill. American, 83, 102, 117.

White-winged. 48, 83, 102, 117.
Crow. 101, 113, 117.

Fish, 21, 23, 25, 42, 82, 101, 113, 117.
CryptogUiux aoadica acadica, 17, 24. 64,

99, 115.
Cuckoo. Black-billed, 4. 38, 81, 99, 112,
115.
Yellow-billed. 38, 41, 43, 52, 57, 81,
99. 112. 115.
Curlew. Hudsonian. 54. 97.

.Tack. (See Hudsonian.)
Cyanocitta cristata eristata, 101, 116.
Cygnus olor, 23.

Dafila acuta, 2, 17, 24. 25, 28, 29, 30,

37, 38, 41, 45, 47, 57, 92.
Dead River Region, X"^. .1., 7, 8.
Deer, 14.
Dendroica wstiva cestita, 4, 35, 37, 47, 85,

107, 120.

c. ccEvulescens, 34, 40, 52, 71, 85, 107,
120.

castanea, 37, 43, 44, 49, 50, 52, 54,

55, 86, 107. 120.
cerulea, 5, 37, 43, 107,- 120.
coronata, 31. 44, .50, .58, 69, 107, 120.
discolor, 5, 8, 35, 36, 38, 45, 52, 86,

108, 120.

d. dominica. 45. 108, 120.

fusca. 38, 40, 44, 46, 52, 71, 86, 108,

120.
magnolia, 40, 50, 52, 55, 85, 107 120.
palmarum hi/pochrysea, 8, 12, 32, 45,

49, 57, 108, 120.

133

pahnarum palmarum, 8, 34, 35, 38,

39, 47, 52, 53, 8G, 108, 120. _
pcnsylvanica, 4, 34, 35, oG, 37, 50, 86,

107, 120.
striata, 12, 39, 49, 57, 86, 107, 120.
tigrina, 4, 7, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 46,

47, 58, 85, 107, 120.
vigoi-si, 31, 37, 48, 57, 86, lOS, 120.
virens, 3, 34, 30, t>8, 1U8, 120.
Demarest, N. J., 26.
Dioniedia exitluns, 69.
DoUchonijx oryzivoriis, 6, 7, 38, 39, 43,

47. 53, 82, 101.
Douglaston, L. I., 67.
Dove, Mourning, 4, 17, 18, 30, 68, 81,

97, 114.
Dovekie, 23.

Dowitcher, 5, 42, 49, 52, 53, 95.
Dri/ohates puhescens medianus, 99, 116.

villosus villosiis, 50, 81, 99, 116,
Duck, Black, 7, lU, 17, 21, 22, 29, 78, 92,
112, 113.
Harlequin, 63.

Lesser Scaup, 28. 29, 31, 32, 93.
Ring-n<jcked, 3, 17, 22, 28, 30, 32,

61, 93

Ruddy, 1, 10, 13, 30, 48, 63, 93.
Scaup, 1, 18, 22, 25, 32. 49, 53, 64,

65, 69. 72, 93.
Wood, 28, 29, 30, 32, 41, 42, 45, 47,
56, 57, («3, 78. 92, 113.
Dumetella caroJineusis, 14, 35, 40, 59,

87, lOi}, 121.
Dutchess County, X. Y., 5, 8, 10, 17, 28,

30. as, 37, 42, 48. 56, 61.
Dyker Heights. Brooklyn, 10, 35, 40, 42,
47, 48, 50, 53, 56. 59, 65.

Eagle, Bald, 5, 17, 18, 65, 81, 115.

Golden, 115.
Eastchester^ X. Y., 61.
Eastchester Bay, X. Y., 2, 4, 57, 60, 64,

Easthampton, L. I., 3.

Eclipse, Effect on Birds, 26.

Ectopistes migrtitorius, 80, 97.

Egret, American, 4, 13, 48, 51, 52, 53,

54, .55.
Eider, King, 8, 16.

Pacific, 12.
Eiders, 63. s

Elizabeth Region, X. J.. 5, 9, 13, 23, 25,

32, 37, 41. 45, 50, 51, 55, 58, 59,

62, 64, 65, 66.
Elk. 14. 30.

Empidonax fiaviventris, 6, 43, 44, 49, 82,
KX), 116.
minhnus, 35, 37, 39, 82, 101, 116.
traiUi alnonim, 8, 44, 49, 54, 55. 82,

101, 116.
viresceus, 42, 43, 82, 106.
Englewood Region, X. J., 1, 4, 8, 12, 17,
21, 24, 29, 31, 36, 41. 44, 47, 50,
52, .53. 54. .55. 57. 59. 63.
Eremietei^ niauri. 5, 51. 52. .53, 66, 96.

pusillus. 11. 12, 19, 36, 66, 9<5.
Erismatiira jamaiceusis, 1, 10, 13, 30, 48,

63, 93.

Eskimos, 12.

Essex County, Mass., 23.

Euphagus caroUnus, 17, 29, 40, 64, 67,

83, 102, 117.
Euaretos am^ricanus, 10.

FaJco coJumbarius coJiimharius, 4, 36, 47,
49, 53, 81, 98, 115.
peregrinus anatum, 15, 38, 43, 49,

98, 115.
sparverius, 98, 112, 113, 115.
Field Work, 15.

Finch, Purple, 21, 43, 51, 71, S3, 102, 117.
Fire Island Beach, L. I., 29, 50.
Flatbrook\'ille, X. J., 55.
Flicker, Xorthern. 18, 23, 28, 29, 81, 100,

112, 116.
Florida ccrrulea, 3, 9, 47, 51, 53, 54, 55,

94, 114.
Florida, 72.

Flushing, L. I., 23, 31. 35, 42. 59.
Flycatcher, Acadian, 42, 43, 82, 101.

Alder, 8, 44, 49, 54, 55, 79, 82,

101, 116.
Crested, 35, 47, 82. 100. 113, 116.
Least, 35, 37, 39, 82. 101, 116.
01iv(^sided, 9, 47, 50, 82, 100, 116.
Yellow-bellied. 6, 43, 44, 49, 82, 100,
116.
Flycatchers, 6.
Foot-prints 0(f Birds, 19.
Fort Lee Ferrv, 40.
Fox. Red. 21, 72.
Fratercul<i arctica arctica, 72.
Frcgata aquiJa. 2.
Fiingilla ca^lehs, 1,

Fulica americana, 10, 32, 40, 48, 56, 59,
80, 95, 114.

Gadwall, 11, 28, 47, 48, 67.

Galera Island, 2.

GaUinago delicata, 5, 7, 8, 17, 18, 30, 31,

32, 35, 39, 44, 45, 50, 62, 64, 80, 95.
GalUnuIa galeata, 7, 10, 11, 34, 39. 40, 42,

47, 53, 95, 114.
Gallinule, Florida. 7, 10. 11, 34, 39, 40,

42. 47, 53, 95. 114.
Gannet, 36. 48, 57, 63, 72, 91.
Garden City, X. Y., 59.
Gavia immer, 38, 39, 43, 53, 90, 113.

stellata, 11, 36, 45. 59, 60, 90.
Gelochelidon nilotica, 9.
Geothli/pis trichas trichas, 35, 40, 86,

109, 121.
Gnatcateher, Blue-gray, 3, 5, 6, 45, 53,

55. 110, 122.
Goats, 14.
Goatsuckers, 20.
Godwit, Hudsonian, 42, 51.
Golden-eve. American, 2, 6. 8. 17, 18, 21,

22, 32, 57, 68, 72, 93, 114.
Barrow's. 24.
Goldfinch. 104, 117. «

European, 63, .^, T^4>\^3*
Goose, Canada. 4. 16, 26, 29, 30, 32, 36,

42. 45, 48, 78, 94, 114.
Greater Snow, 2. 94.

134

Goshawk, 47, 67, 81, 98.
Grackle. Bronzed, 28, 102.

Purple, 83, 102, 113, 117.
Grackles. 18, 24, 65, 6S.
Grand Canyon, 64.
Grassy Sprain River, 88.
Grass-warblerSj 20.
Great Piece Meadows, X. J., 25.
Grebe, Holboell's 10. 48, 59, 60, 64. 90,
113.
Horned, 1, 2, 10. 17, 29. 32, 42, 47,

4S, .>4, 61, 90.
Pied-billed, 10, 28, 31, 32, 34, 36, 40,
41, 47, 48. .06. 57, 90, 113.
Grosbeak, Evening, 56, 57, 102.
Pine, 56, 83, 102.

Rose-breasted. 4. 39, 40, 84, 104, 118.
Grouse, Ruffed, 10, 97.

Gray Ruffed, 30.
Guar a alha, 63.
Guillemot, Black, 23, 72.
Gull. Black-backed. (See Great Black-
backed.)
Bonaparte's, 1, 3, 7, 11, 36, 50, 54,

91.
Glaucous. 2, 3, 16, 29, 55, 65, 67,

68, 91.
Great Black-backed, 2, 17, 25, 29,

36. 55. .59, 69, 91.
Herrin?,' 72. 91. 113.
Iceland, 4, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 29,

64. 68. 69. 72, 91.
Laughing. 6, 13. 36. 37, 40, 50, 54,

.59, 60, 62. 91. 113.
Ring-billed, 21, 23, 25, 50, 55, 91, 113.

Hackensack River, N. J., 32, 56.

HcBmaiopus palKatus, 9.

Haiti, 2.

UaliweUis leucocephalus leucocephalus, 5,

17, 18. 65. 81, 98, 115.
Hare. Varving, 72.

Harelda hyetnalis. 4, 23, 42, 62, 65, 78, 93.
Harrier. (See Marsh Hawk.)
Hawk, Broad- winged, 34,, 42, 44, 45, 52,
53, 81, 98, 115.

Cooper's, 30, 52. 53, 81, 98, 115.

Duck, 15. 38, 43, 49, 98, 115.

Fish. (See Osprey.)

Marsh, 44, 64, 98, 114.

Pigeon. 4, 36, 47, 49, 53, 81, 98, 115.

Red-shouldered, 81, 98, 115.

iRed-tailed, 50, 81, 98, 115.

Rough-legged, 1, 21, 48, 57, 59, 62,
65, 67. 98, 115.

Sharp-shinned, 8, 98. 115.

Sparrow, 98, 112, 113, 115.
Hawks. 60, 61.
Helinaia swainsoni, 9.
Helmitheros vermivorus, 3-5, 39, 44, 85,

106, 119.
Helodromas s. solitarius, 7, 36, 49, 96,

114.
Herpetology, 66.
Herpetological Committee, 67.
Herodias egretta, 4, 13, 48, 51, 52, 53, 54,
55. 94.

Heron, Black-crowned Night, 16, 45, 63,
66, 80, 94, 112, 114.
Great Blue, 2. 18, 23, 45, 49, 52, 59,

60, 62, 66, 67, 94, 114.
Green, 10, 12, 34, 36, 50, M, 114.
Little Blue, 3, 9. 47, 51, 53, 54, 55,

94. 114.
Yellow-crowned Night, 40, 51, 56.
Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina, 56,

57, 102.
Hirundo erylhrogastra, 31, 32, 36, 47, 84,

105, 118.
Histrionicus histrionicus, 63.
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 5, 38, 42,

43, 44. 49, 52, 82, 100, 112, 116.
Hudson River, 6, 12, 17, 18, 23, 29, 50,

57, 67, 88.
Hunters Island, 6, 25. 34, 64.
Hunts Point. 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 21,

22, 25, 29. 31, 34, 39, 43, 48, 49,

52, .53, 54, 57, 59, 62, 64, 65. 67.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis, 42, 45,

50, 51, 54, 91.
Hyla rosenhergi, 28.
Hylocichla alicicB alicice, 5, 39, 40, 49,

87, no. 122.
alicice hickneUi, 58, 87, 111.
fuscescens fuscescens, 35, 37, 49, 50,

110, 122.

guttata pallasi, 4, 8, 18, 30, 38, 39,

44, 4.5, 65, 111. 122.
mustelina, 10, 35. 37, 47, 87, 110,

122.
usttilata swainsoni, 9, 40, 41, 49, 50,

111. 122.

Ibis, Glossy. 72.

Wihite. 63.
Icteria virens virens, 37, 40, 86, 109, 121.
Icterus galhula, 14, 37, 38, 40, 41, 102,
117.

spurius, 9, 42, 43, 44, 83, 101, 117.
Interstate Park. 47, 52.
Inwood, N. Y.. 6.5.
Iridopi-ocne hicolor, 3, 29, 32, 34, 49, 50,

52, 55, 105, 119.
Ixohrychus ewilis, 10, 41, 53, 94.

Jaeger, Parasitic, 50, 51, 59.

Pomarine, 9, 51.
.Jay. Blue, 101, 116.
.Tones Beach. L. I., 9.
Junco h. hyemalis, 8, 38, 43, 104. 118.
Junco, Slate-colored. 8, 38, 43, 104, 118.
Junior Auxiliaries of the Linnaean
Society, 3, 4, 5.

Katonah, N. Y., 13.

Kensico. 88.

Killdeer. 17. 18. 19, 23, 25, 29, 33, 72,

80, 97. 114.
Kingbird. 4. 6. 38, 40, 82, 100, 116.

Arkansas. 82. 100.
Kingfisher. Belted, 25, 28, 29, 65, 81,

99. 11.5.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 5, 87. 110, 122.
Ruhv-crowned, 5, 30, 32, 64, 87, 110,

122.

135

Kingsbridge, Bronx, 39, 43, 53, 72.
Kittatinny Mts., 71.

Kittiwake, 4, 13, 16, 18, 59, 64, 72, 113.
Knot, 5, 8, 13, 42, 43, 50, 55, 95.
Kruger's Island, 3^ 17.

Ladentown, N. Y., 49.

Lake MasMpacong, N. J., 71.

Lake Okeechobee. Fla., 72.

Lake Waooabuc, N. Y., 3^, 50, 52.

Lanius horealis, 65, 66, 85, 105, 119.

ludovicianus migrans, 9, 49, 51, 52,
54, 55, 62, 85, 105.
Lanivireo flavifrons, 37, 39, 40, 49, 85,
105, 119.
soUtarius solitarius, 10, 34, 39,
43, 44, 45. 57, 71, 85, 106, 119.
Lapland, 67.

Lark, Horned, 28, 69, 101, 116.
Desert Horned, 30.
Prairie Horned, 12, 17, 101.
Larus argentatus, 72, 91, 113.

atricillu, 6, 8, 13, 36, 37, 40, 50, 54,

59, 60, 62, 91, 113.
delawarensis, 21, 23, 25, 50, 55, 91,

113.
hyperboreus, 2, 3, 16, 29, 55, 65, 67,

68, 91.
leiicopterus, 4, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 29,

64, 68, 69, 72, 91.
maHnus, 2, 17, 25, 29, 36, 55, 59,

64, 69, 91.
Philadelphia, 1, 3, 7, 11, 36, 50, 54,
91.
Lemming, 67.
Lemmus lemmus, 67.
Lepus americanus, 72.
Lighthouse Casualties, 58.
Limosa haemastica, 42, 51.
Lincoln, X. Y., 28.
Little Island Beach, N. J., 51.
Lohipes lotatus, 5, 47, 95.
Local Avifauna Committee, 21, 27.
LongS'pur, Lapland, 57, 66. 67. 103.
Loon, 38, 39, 43, 53. 90. 113.

Red-throated. 11, 36, 45, 59, 60, 90.
Lophodyt^ cucuUafus, 6, 14, 17, 28, 30,

32, 56, 57, 59. 68, 78, 92. 113.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 83, 102, 117.

leucoptera, 48, 83, 102, 117.
Long Beach, L. I.. 1, 2. 3. 4, 5. 6. 7, 8.
13. 16, 18, 21, 29, 36, 42, 47, 49,
.53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 69, 72.
Long Island, 4, 9.
Long Island Sound, 88.

Macrorhamphus griseiis grisens, 5, 42, 49,

52, 53, 95.
Mallard, 17, 21. 23. 24, 28, 29, 30, 32,

04, 65, 69, 92.
Mamaroneck, iN. Y., 17, 38.
Man-o-war birds. 2.
Manhattan Beach, L. I., 13, 72.
Mareca americana, 25, 2S, 29, 30, 33,

47, 92.
penelope, 32, 63, 92.

Marila affinis, 28, 29, 31, 32, 93.

ameriaina, 11, 14, 18, 22, 30, 53, 67,

92, lis.
coUaris, 3, 17, 22, 28, 30, 32, 61, 93.
marila, 1, 22, 25, 32, 49, 53, 64, 65,

69, 72. 93.
valisineria, 1, 2, 11, 14, 17, 18, 21,

22, 23, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 59, 60,

62. 64, 65, 67, 69, 93.
Martin, Purple, 6, 33, 50, 84, 105, 118.
Mastic, L. I., 18, 36, 59.
Meadowlark, 35, 83, 101, 117.
Melanerpes crythrocephalus, 5, 7, 9, 18,

25, 34, 38, 39, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51,

100, 116.
Melospiza Uncolni lincolni, 38, 39, 42, 43,

44, 46, 47, 49, 53. 84, 104, 118.
georgiana, 1. 41. .58, 59. 84. 104, 118.
m. welodiGy 37, 58, 104, 118.
lie ph if is nigra, 24.
Merganser. American, 14, 17, 21, 22, 26,

29. 34, 41. 43, 49, 64, 68, 91, 113.
Red-breasted. 2, 47, 92. 113.
Hooded. 6, 14. 17. 28, 30, 32, 56, 57,

59. 6S, 78, 92, 113.
ilergits americanus. 14, 17. 21, 22, 26,

29. ai. 41. 43. 49. 64, OS, 91, 113.
serrator, 2. 47. 92, 113.
Micropalama himantopus, 9, 12, 50, 53,

54, 95,
Migration, 11, 45, 63, 76, 79.
Milburn. N. .J., 10.
Milford. Conn, 48.
Millington. N. J., 44. 47.
Mimus polynloiios pohjglottos, 23, 51, 50,

64. 87. 109. 121.
Mniotilia varia, 3, 34, 41, 85, 119.
[Mockingbird. 23. 51, 59. 64. 87. 109. 121.
Moloilmis afer ater. 10, 28, 29, 37, 56,

68, 83, 101, 117.
Monarch Butterflies, 10.
Montauk. 16, 25.
Moose. 14.

Mount Kisco. N. Y., 14. 38, 57.
^Fountain Lion, 14.
A fur re, 72.

^rurre. Brunnich's. 23. 56. 59. 90.
Myiarchvs crimtus, 35. 38. 47. 82. 100,

116.
Mi/iochanes virens, 38. 44, 47. 53. 82.

100, 116.

Nannns hiemalis hiemalts. 18. 23. 25. 31.
35. 38. 41, .50, .53, 54. .55, 65.
109. 121.

National Association of Audubon Socie-
ties. 60. 61.

NeUion onrolinense. 13. 15. 28. 29. 30,
32. .36. 41. 62. 64. 92. 113.

Xf»w Hack ens nek. X. Y., 48.

X'ew .Tersey Audubon Societv. 30.

Xewnrk Bar. N. .T.. 2. 59. 62.

Xewton. X. .T.. 7. 24. 44. 47.

Xew York Bar. 1. 40. .50.

Xew York Citv Besnon. 16, .35. .36. 42.

Xighthawk. 42. 44. 82. 100. 112, 116.

X^orth Caldwell, X. .J., 8.

136

Numenius hudsonicus, 54, 97.

IjhoeopKs, 19.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 48, 59, 64, 05,
71. 87, 110, 122.

White-breasted, 110, 122.
Nuttallornis horealis, 9, 47, 50, 82, 100,

116.
Nyctatiassa violacea, 40^ 51, 56.
Nyctea nyctea, 33, 99.
Nycticorace nycticorax nwvius, 16, 45, 63,

66, 80, 94, 114.

Oakwood Beach. S. I., 36, 43, 53, 55, 68.
Oakwood 'Heig-hts, N. Y., 50.
Oceanites oceanicus, 70, 91.
Ooeanodroma leucorhoa, 70, 72.
Ochthodromus ivilsonius, 9, 72.
Oidemia americana, 10, 13, 14, 45, 64, 65,

67, 93.

deglandi, 10, 13, 22, 58, 64, 93.
perspicillata, 59, 64, 93.
Old-squaw, 4, 13, 23, 42, 62, 65, 78, 93.
Oporornis agilis. 48, 49. .52, 10<S, 121.
formosns, 44, 86, 108, 121.
Philadelphia, 42, 43, 86, 108. 121.
Oradell. X. .J., 45.
Orient, L. I., 51.

Oriole. Baltimore, 14, 37, 38, 40, 41, 79,
102. 113, 117.
Orchard, 9, 42. 43. 44, 79, 83, 101,
117.
Ossining, N. Y., 29, 62.
Osprey, 10, 29, 31, 32, 34. 40, 53, 98,

115.
Otocoris alpestris alpestris, 28, 69, 101,
116.
alpeslris leucolcema. 30.
alpestris praticola, 12. 17, 101.
Otus asio asio, 81, 99, 115.
Ovenbiixl. .35. 36. 40. 49. 86. 108, 121.
Overpeck Creek, N. J., 2, 4, 6, 13, 24,

52. 53, 63.
Owl. Arctic Horned. 99.

Barn, 12. 14, 17, 18, 43, 45, 48. 57,

62. 64, 0x5. 99.
Barred, 2, 11, 41, .57. 65, 81, 99.
Great PTorned. 1, 2. 14, 18. 23, 24.

41. .50. 60, 62. 66. 72, 81, 89. 99.
Long-eared. 12, 17, 18, 23, 2.5, 59, 62,

65, 68, 99. 115.
Saw-whet, 17, 24, (>4, 99. 115.
Screech, 81. 99. 112, 113. 115.
Short-eared. 13, 18. 25. .31, 32 34,

36, 39, 41, 42, 62, 69, 99.
Snowy. 38, 99.
Owl Protection. 60, 61.
Oxyechns vociferits, 17. 18, 19, 23 .25,

29. 33. 72, 80, 97, 114.
Oyster-catcher, American, 9.

Palisades, 12. 14, 23.

Panama. 21. 27.

Pandion haliaeius carolinensis, 10 29 31,

32. 34, 40. .53. 98. 115.
Passer domesticus, (>4, 83, 102. 117.
Passerculus princeps, .56, 59, CA, 68, 69,

103.
sandimchensis savanna. 18, 23, • 51,

54, 59. 84, 103, 117.

Passerella iliaca iliaca, 18, 21, 65, 84,

104, lis.
Passerherhulus caudacutus, 83, 103.
li. hensloivi, 43, 4.5, 57, 83, 103.
maritimus mo/ritimus, 23, 36, 60, 83,

103.
nelsoni suhvirgatus, 7, 56, 58.
Passerina cyanea, 3, 5, 7, 37, 38, 39, 40,

104, 118.
Passerines, 20.
Pea, Arctic, 12.
Pelham, 1, 18, 43, 05, 88.
Pelham Bay, 14, 16, 17, .31. 34, 58, 60,

62. 65, 6.S, 72.
Pelham Bay Park, 25, 59, 67, 68.
Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus, 54,
110, 122.
atricapiTlus septentrionalis, 30.
hudsonicus littoraUs, 48.
hudsonicus nigricans, 110.
Petrel, Leach's, 70, 72.
S^orm. 69.
Wilson's, 70, 91.
Petrels, 60. 70.
Petrochelidon lunifrons liinifrons, 7, 36,

43, 44. .52, 55, 84, 105, 118.
Pewee, Wood, 38, 44, 47, 53, 79, 82, 100,

113, 116.
Phalacrocorax auritus auritus, 3, 4, 6, 9,
11, 12, 18, 23, 36, 42, 91.
carlo, 23.
Phalarope, Northern, 5. 47, 95.

Wilson's. 11, 12. 95.
Phasianus colchiciis, 97.

torcjuatus, 97.
Pheasant, 97.
Philohela minor, 14, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32,

45. 47, 56, 80, 95, 114.
Phlceoiomus pileatus ahieticola, 71.
Ph.pbe, 17, 29, 77, 79, 82, 100, 116.
Picoides arcticus, 53, 56, 57, 62, 67, 68,

99.
Pigeon. Passenger. 97.
Pine Brook, N. .J.. 8.
Pine Plains, N. Y., 5.
Pinicola enncleator leucura, .56. 83, 102.
Pintail, 2, 17. 24, 25. 28, 29, 30, 37, 38,

41, 45, 47, 57, 92.
Pipilo erythrophfhahnus erythrophthal-
miis, 17, 28. 29, 31, 40, .59, 104,
118
Pipit, 2.5, 29, 37, 42, .54, .59, 86, 109.
Piranga erythromelas. 4, 35, 39, 40. 48,
84. 105, 118.
ruhra, 118.
Pisohia fuscncollis, 6. 11. 42, 57. 96.

macnlata, 11, 12. 52, 53, .54. 55. 96.

minutilla, 6, 7. 12. 19, 36, 40, 41, 42,

66, 80, 96, 114.

Plainfield. X. J., 4.5, 66.

Plandisticus miaratonus migratorins, 18,

23, 24. 34, 64, 65, 66, 67. Ill, 122.

Plecfronhetiax nivalis nivalis, 56, 57. 69,

83, 103.
Plegadis aniumnalis. 72.
Plover. Black^bellied, 5, 12. ]3, 19, 20,
49. 57. 66. 97.
Golden. 9. 12. 49, .53. 55, 57. 97.
Little Ringed, 19.
Piping, 2, 8, 29, 33, 36, 42, 97.

137

Ringed, 19.
Semipalmated, 19, 97.
Upland, 9, 50, 54. 55, 96.
Wilson's. 9, 72.
Podilymhus podiceps, 10, 2S, 31, 32, 34,

3(>, 40, 41, 48. 56, 57, 90, 113.
Point Pleasant, N. J., 51.
Polioptila cwrulea ccEridea, 3, 5, 6, 45,

53, 55, 110, 122.
Polyhoriis ch^riivay, 72.
Pooecetes gramineus gramineus, 3, 16, 17,

25. 31, 64, S4, 103, 117.
Portland, Conn., 33.
Porzana Carolina, 6, 7, 10, 11, 34, 38,

57, 58, 80, 95.
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 5, 48.
Princeton. N. J., 32, 41.
Procellaria pelagica, 69.

Progne suhis suhis, 6, 33, 50, 84, 105, 118.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 10. 13, 40, 112.
Protonotaria citrea, 8, 85, 106.
Puffin, 72.
Ptiffinus harealis, 9.
Putnam County, N. Y., 6.

Querquedula discors, 28, 32, 53, 78, 92.
Quiscalus quiscula ceneus, 28, 102.

quiscnda quiscula, 83, 102, 117.

sulsp.r 24, 65, 68.

'Rabbits, 24.

Rahway, N. J., 13.

Rail, Black. (See Little Black.)

Clapper, 8, 36, 80, 95.

King, 10, 34, 38, 44, 63, 67, 94.

Little Black, 49, 51.

Sora, 6, 7, 10, 11. S4. 38. 40, 57,

58, 80. 95.

Virginia, 10 11, 31, 34, 53, 80, 95,

114.
Yellow, 80, 95.
Rallus c. crepitans, 8, 36, 80, 95.

elegans, 10, Si, 38, 44, 63, 67, 94.
virginianus, 10, 11, 31, 34, 53, 80,
95 114.
Rat, Brown, 24.
Rattus norvegicus, 24.
Raven, Northern, 4.
Redhead, 11. 14, 18, 22, 30, 53, 67, 92,

113.
Redpoll, 58, 59, 67, 08, 69, 83, 102. 117.

Hoary, 103.
Redstart, 4, 13, 34. 36, 41, 49, 50, 79,

86, 109, 121.
Regulus c. calendula, 5, 30, 32, 64, 87,

110. 122.

satrapa, 5, 87. 110. 122.
Reservoir. Grassy Sprain, 7, 52, 57.

Hillview, 7.

Jerome, 16, 17, 21, 29, 54, 5«, 65.
Rhinebeck. N. Y., 48. 65.
Ridgewood, N: J.. 29.
Ripara riparia, 36, 84, 105, 119.
Rissa tridactyln tridactyla, 4, 13, 16, 16,

59, 64. 72.
Riverdale. N. J.. 56.

Riverdale. N. Y., 18, 25. 41, 46, 73.
Riverside Drive, New York City, 65.
Robin, 18. 23, 24. 34. 64, 65, QQ, 67, 77,

111. 113, 122.

Rye, 88.

Rye Lake, 67.

Rynchops nigra, 7, 9, 12, 45, 51, 91.

Sanderling, 5. 18, 19, 23, 59, 6i, 96, 114.

Sandpiper, Least, 6, 7, 12, 19, 36, 40, 41,

42, 66, 80, 96. 114.

Pectoral, 11, 12, 52, 53, 54, 55. 96.

Purple, 13, 24, 63. 95.

Red-backed, 5, 8, 11, 36, 42, 43, 49,

55, 57, 96.
Semipalmated. 11, 12, 19, 36, 66, 96.
Solitary, 7, 36, 49, 96, 114.
Spotted, 4, 6, 12, 19, 34, 36, 47, 57,

80, 97, 114.
Stilt, 9, 12, 50. 53, 54, 95.
Western, 5, 51, 52, 53. 66. 96.
White-rumped, 6, 11, 42. 57, 96.
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 17, 30, 31, 35,

53, 54, 81, 99. 116.
Saxon Woods, 38.

Sayornis phoehe, 17, 29, 82, 100, 116.
Scarsdale. N. Y.. 1, 17, 31, 65.
Scoter, American, 10, 13, 14, 45, 64, 65,
67, 93.
White-winged, 10, 13, 22, 58, 64, 93.
Surf, 59, 64, 93.
Sea-snakes, 22.

Seiurus aurocapillus, 35, 36, 40, 49, 86,
108, 121.
novehoracensis novehoracensis, 35, 36,

37, 38, 42, 48, 50, 71. 108, 121.
moiadlla, 34, 40, 86, 108, 121.
Setophaga rtiticnlla, 4, 13, 34, 36, 41, 49,

50, 86, 109, 121.
Shearwater, Cory's, 9.
Shearwaters, 70.
Shoveller, 31, 32, 36, 41, 92.
Shrike, Migrant, 9, 49, 51, 52. 54, 55,
62, 85, 105.
Northei-n, 65, 06. 85, 105, 119.
Sialia sialis sialis, 1, 17, 23, 24, 25. 29,

67, 69, 111, 122.
Siskin, Pine, 8, 47, 48. 51. 54, 56, 59,

88, 103, 117.
Sitta canadensis, 48, 59, 64, 65, 71, 87,
110, 122.
caroUnensis carolinensis, 110, 122.
Skimmer. Black, 7, 9, 12. 45, 51, 91.
Skunk, 24.

Snipe, Wilson's, 5, 7, 8, 17, 18, 30, 31,
32, 35, 39, 44, 45, 50, 62, 64. 80,
95.
Somateria spectahilis, 8.

V. nigra, 12.
Somateria, 63.
Sora. (See Rail, "Sora.")
South River, N. J., 30.
Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed, 7, 56 58.
Chipping, 2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 79, 104,

Field,' 21,' 28. 65, 104, 118.
Fox, 18, 21, 65, 84, 104, 118.
Grasshopper, 13, 35, 38, 84, 103. 117.
Henslow's 8, 43. 45. 57, S4. 103.
House, 63. 83. 102. 113, 117
Ipswich, 56, 59, 64, 68. 69, 10(3
Lincoln's, 38, 39, 42, 43. 44, 46 47.
49. 53. 84. 104. 118

138

Savauuah, IS, 23, 51, 54, 59, 84,

103, 117.
Seaside, 23, 36, 60, 84, 103.
Sharp-tailed, &4, 103.
Song, 37, 58. 104, 113, 118.
Swamp, 1, 41, 58, 59, 84, 104, 118.
Tree, 5^, 84, KM, 118.
Vesper, 3, 16, 17, 25, 31, &4, 84,

103, 117.
White-crowned, 10, 38, 40, 42, 43. 49,

53, 54, 55, 57, 68, 84, 103, 118.
White-throated, 40, 52, 55, 58, lOi,
118.
Spatula clypeaia, 31, 32, 36, 41, 92.
Sphifrapicus varius varius, 17, 30, 31, 35,

53, 54. 81, 99, 116.
Spinus pinus, 8, 47, 48, 51, 54, 56, 59,

83, 103, 117.
Spizella tnontieola monticola, 56, 84, 104,
118.
passerina passerina, 2, 29, 30, 31,

32, 104, 118.
pusilla pusilla, 21. 28, 65, 66. 104,
118.
Springfield, L. I., 33.
SqUratarola squatarola, 5, 12, 13. 19, 20,

49, 57, 66, 97.
Stag Lake, N. J., 47.
Starling, 23, 82, 101, 113, 117.
Staten Island, 6, 12, 14, 25. 36. 43. 50,

53, 54, 55, 66, 68.
Steganopus tricolor, 11, 12, 95.
Stelffidapteryx serripennis, 3, 30. 84. 105,

119.
Stercorarius parasiticus, 50, 59.

pomarinus, 9, 51.
Sterna antillarum, 7, 9, 50, 54.
caspia, 59.
dougalU, 9, 12, 51.

forsteri, 9, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 58, 91.
hirundo, 9, 42, 45. 47. 54, 91, 113.
Stony Point, N. Y., 42.
Storks, 20.
Strix varia varia, 2, 11, 41, 57, 65, 81,

99.
Sturnella m. magna, 35, 83, 101. IIT.
Sturnus vulgaris, 23, 82, 101, 117.
Sula ha^sana, 36, 48, 57, 72, 91.

etesiaca, 2.
Sun-birds, 20.
Swallow, Bank, 36, 84, 105, 119.

Barn, 31, 32, 36, 47, 84, 105, 118.
Cliff. 7, 36, 43, 44, 52. 55, 84, 105,

Rough-winged, 3, 30, 84, 105, 119.
Tree, 3, 29, 32, S4, 49. 50. 52. 55,
105, 119.
Swallows, 20.
Swan, Mute, 23.
Swift, Chimney, 36, 37, 50, 57, 100. 112,

116.
Sylvilagus floridanus, 24.

Tanager, Scarlet, 4, 35, 39, 40, 48. 84,
105. 113, 118.
Summer, 118.
Tarrytown, N. Y., 88.
Teal, Blue-winged, 28, 32, 53, 78, 92.
Green-winged, 13 15, 28, 29, 30. 31,
32, 36, 41. 6i\ 64. 92. 113.

Telmatodytes palustris palustris, 2, 7, 31,

37, 39, 40, 41, 87, 110, 122.
Tern, Black, 42, 45, 50, 51, 54, 91.

Caspian, 59.

Common, 9, 42, 45, 47, 54, 91, 113.

Forster's. 9, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 58, 91.

Least, 7, 9, 50, 54.

Roseate, 9, 12, 51.
Thrasher, Brown, 13, 30, 31, 41, 57, 59,

79, 87, 109, 113, 121.
Thrush, Bicknell's, 58. 87, 111.

•Gray ^cheeked, 5, 39, 40, 49. 87, 110,

199

Herlnit, 4, 8, 18, 30, 38, 39, 44,

45, 65, 111, 122.
Olive-backed, 9, 40, 41, 49, 50. Ill,

122.
Wilson's. (iSee Veery.)
Wood, 10, 35, 37, 47, 79, 87, 110,
113, 122.
Thrushes, 20.

Thryothorus hewicki hewichi, 47, 50, 51,
ludovicianus ludovicianus, 3. 6, 10,
39, 54, 55, 59, 62, 87, 109, 121.
Tibbetts Brook Park. 28.
Titmouse, Tufted, 87. 110.
Tompkins Cove, N. Y.. 42.
Tetanus fiavipes, 11, 37, 39, 41, 42, 44, 53,
96.
melanoleucus, 11. 31. 32, 34, 39, 44,
57. 96, 114.
Toltenville, S. I., 25.
Towhee, 17, 28, 29, 31, 40, 59, 104, 118.
Toxostoma rufum, 13, 30, 31, 41, 57, 59,

87, 109, 121.
T ring a canutus, 5, 8. 13, 42, 43, 50, .55,

95.
Troglodytes aedon aedon, 34, 35, 36, 41,

109, 121.
Tuhinares, 69.

Turnstone, Ruddy, 5, 9, 49, 54, 97.
Tyr annus tyr annus, 4, 6, 38, 82, 100, 116.
v&rticalis, 82. 100.

Upper Montclair, N. J., 66. 68.
Vria I. lomvia, 23, 56, 59, 90.
troile troile, 72.

Van Cortlandt Park, 4, 6, 12, 14, 17, 18,
21, 24, 29, 30, 34, 35. 39, 49, 53,

54. 55, 57, 62, 75.

Veerv or Wilson's Thrush, 35, 37, 49, 50,

110, 122.

Vermivora celata celata, 38, 56, 58, 65, 85,
107, 119.
chrysoptera, 37, 39, 40, 43, 44, 52,

55, 85, 106, 119.
"tow^rewcet," 8, 43, 48, 54, 106.
'leucohronchiaUsy (See F. pinus

X V. chrysoptera.)
peregrina, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50,

85, 107, 119.
pinus, 8, 34, 35, 55, 85, 106, 119.
pinus X chrysoptera, 7, 8, 38, 44, 45,

53, 55, 106, 119.
r. ruhricapilla, 4, 16, 33. 34, 35, 37,

46, 50, 52, 55, 71. 85. 107. 119.

139

Vireo, Blue-headed. (See Solitary.) ^
griseus griseus, 38, 40, 43, 47, 85,

106, 119.
Philadelphia. 51, 85, 105.
Red-eyed, 12, 38, 39, 40, 41, 79, 85,

105, 113, 119.

Solitary, 34, 39, 43, 44, 45. 57. 71,

85, 106, 119.
Warbling, 34, 37, 39, 41, 43, 85, 105,

119.
White-eved. 38, 40, 43, 85, 106. 119.
Yellow-throated, 37, 39, 40, 49, 79,

85, 105, 113, 119.
Yoreosylva gilva gilva, 34, 37, 39, 41, 43.

85, 105, 119.

olivacea, 12, 38, 39, 40. 41, 85, 105,

119.
philaddphica, 51, 85, 105.
Vulpes fulva, 21, 72.

Vulture, Turkey, 5, 8. 26, 30, 42, 44, 48,
81, 98. 114.

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 37, 43, 44, 49, 50,

52, 54, 55, 86, 107, 120.
Black-and-white. 3, 34, 37, 41, 85, 119.
[Blackburnian, 37, 38, 40, 44, 46, 52,

71, 86, 108, 120.
Black-throated Blue, 6, 34, 40, 52,

71, 85. 107, 120.
iBlack-throated Green, 3, 34, 36, 58,

108, 120.
iBlackpoll, 12, 39, 49, 57, 79. 86, 107,

120.
Blue-winged, 8, 34, 35, 55, 85, 106,

119.
Brewster's. 7, 8, 38, 44, 45, 53, 55,

106, 119.

Canadian, 39, 49, 55, 71, 109, 121.
Cape May, 4, 7, 37. 39. 40. 41, 43,

46, 47, 58, 85, 107, 120.
Cerulean, 5. 43. 107. 120.
Chestnut-sided, 4, 34. 35, 36, 37, 50,

86, 107, 120.

Connecticut, 48. 49. 52, 108. 121.
Golden-winged, 37, 39, 40, 43, 44, 52,

55, 85, 106, 119.
Hooded. 4. 6, 8, 9, 39, 41. 43, 44,

45, 86, 109, 121.
Kentucky, 44, 86, 108, 121.
Lawrence's, 8. 43. 48, 54. 106.
Magnolia, 40. 50, 52, 55. 85, 107, 120.
Mourning, 42. 43. 86, 108. 121.
Mvrtle. 31, 44. 50. 58. 69. 107, 120.
Nashville, 4, 16, 33, 34. 35, 37. 46,

50. 52, 55, 71, 85, 107, 119.
Northern Parula. (See Parula.)
Orange-crowned, 38, 56. 58, 65, 85,

107, 119.

Palm, 8. 34, 35, 38, 39, 47, 52, 53.

86. 108, 120.
Parula. ai, 48, 49, 50, 52, 55, 71, 85,

107, 120.

Pine. 31, 37. 48. 57, 86. 108. 120.
Prairie, 5. 8, 35, 36, 3^8. 45, 52, 86,

108, 120.
Prothonotary. 8, 85, 106.
Swainson's. 9.

Tennessee, 38. 39, 40. 42, 43, 44, 50,

&5. 107, 119.
Wilson's. 38 43, 46, 47, 49. 50. 55,

86. 109. 121.

Worm-eating, 35, 39, 44, 85. 106, 119.
Yellow, 4, 35, 37, 47, 85, 107. 113,

120.
Yellow-palm, 12, 32, 45, 49, 57, 108,

120.
Yellow-throated, 45, 108, 120.
Washington Square Park, N. Y., 11, 35.
Water-thrush. Louisiana, 8, 34, 40, 52,
86, 108, 121.
Northern. 35. 36, 37, 38, 42. 48. 50,
71, 108, 121.
Waxwing, Cedar, 6, 17, 23, 25, 34, 44, 64,
84, 105, 119.
Bohemian, 14.
Weaver-birds, 20.
West Milford, N. J., 48.
West Point, N. Y.. 56.
Westwood. N. J.. 50, 54.
Westchester County, 8, 17, 28, 38.
Whimbrel. 19.
Whip-poor-will, 4, 36, 37, 44, 47. 70, 81,

100. 116.
Widgeon. 25, 28, 29, 30. 33, 47, 92.

lEuropean, 32, 63, 92,
Willet, 9, 12, 51, 53, 54, 80, 96.
Wilsonia canademsis, 39, 49, 55, 71, 109,
121.
citrina, 4, 6, 10, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45,

86, 109, 121.
p. pusilla, 38. 43, 46, 47, 49, 50, 55,
86. 109, 121.
Winchendon, Mass., 52.
Woodcock. 14, 25, 26. 2S. 31, 32, 45, 47,

54, 56. 80, 95. 114.
Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed, 53, 56, 57,
62, 67. 68. 99.
Downy. 99, 112. 113, 116.
Hairy. 50, 81, 99, 116.
Northern Pileated, 71.
Red-headed. 5, 7, 9, 18. 25, 34. 3S.

39, 43, 44, 47. 48. 51, 64, 100, 116.
Woodpeckers. 20.

Wren, Carolina, 3, 6, 10, 39, 47. 50, 51,
54, 55. 59, 62, 87, 109, 121.
House, 34, 35, 36, 41, 79, 109, 113,

Long-billed Marsh. 2. 7, 31, 37, 39,

40. 41. 87. 110, 122.
Short-billed Marsh, 7, 36, 38, 41, 43,

47, 53. 87, 109.
Winter. 18. 23. 25, 31, 35, 38, 41.
50. 53. 54, 55, 65. 109, 121.
Wyanokie, N. J., 45.

Yellow-legs, Greater, 11. 19, 31, 32, 34.
39. 44. 57. 96. 114.
Lesser, 7, 11, 37, 39. 41, 42. 44, 53,
96.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 40, 86, 109, 121.

Northern. 35.
Yonkers. N. Y.. 88.

Zamelodia Itidoviciana, 4. 39, 40, 84, 104,

118.
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis, 4, 17,

18, 30, 68, 81, 97. 114.
Zonotrichia alhicollis, 40, 41, 52, 55, 58,

104, 118.
leucophrys leucophrys, 10. 38. 42, 43,

49, 53. 54, 55. 57. 68, 84, 103. 118.

1927-1928 Nos. 39, 40

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINNAEAN SOCIETY

OF
NEW YORK

For the Two Years Ending
March 27, 1928

CONTAINING

The Ornithological Year 1926 in the
New York City Region

By Ludlow Griscom

The Ornithological Year 1927 in the
New York City Region

By Ludlow Griscom and Warren F. Eaton

Birds of Union County, N. J., and Its Immediate
Vicinity — A Statistical Study

By Charles A. Urner

Date of Issue, February 10, 1930

ABSTRACT

OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LINN^AN SOCIETY

OF

NEW YORK
FOR THE TWO YEARS EXDIXG .MARCH 2-], 1928

Report of Secretary, 1926-1927

During the past 3ear the Linnaean Society has had 16 regular
and 4 informal summer meetings, at which the total attendance was
967. This number, even with the summer attendance deducted, is well
in advance of the two preceding years, showing that interest in the
Society is not declining.

The fourteenth annual dinner which was held at the Hotel ]\Ian-
hattan Square was attended by 52 members and guests and the annual
meeting attracted 38 members and 26 guests.

At the remaining 15 regular meetings the attendance averaged
55.1, that of members 29.7, surpassing all previous years for regularity.

The suminer meetings, of which one each was held for informal
discussion during June, July, August and September, proved a success-
ful experiment although attended on an average by only 19 persons.
They served to add to the interest in summer study, bound the mem-
bers more closely together and furnished pleasurable debates and notes.

The most populous meeting of the year was that ot January 25,
1927, attended by 33 members and 55 guests, a total of 88, when the
Society was addressed by ]\Ir. Julius M. Johnson on "The Hawaiian
Islands, as Regards C'rnithology and Volcanic Activity." The smallest
attendance was that of October 5, when only 22 were present.

Two of the regular meetings were devoted to discussion and field
notes, as well as the four informal summer meetings ; two were on
Herpetology, two on Mammals, one on bird-banding, two largely on
travel and the balance were primarily ornithological. Following the
custom of the preceding year an effort was made to spend two evenings

in discussing field identifications of certain groups of birds to be seen
locally. ^Members who have been afield with the various collecting
expeditions, namely Alessrs. Boulton, Griscom and Raven, favored
the Society with illustrated lectures on these trips.

The Society lost by death Dr. C. W. B. Wheeler of 54 Park Ave.,
a resident member.

Nine new members were elected during the course of the year
bringing the list, after dropping several through resignation or non-
payment of dues, to

Resident members 114

Life members 3

Fellows 3

Honorary members 2

Corresponding members 23

Total 145

The abstract of proceedings for the two years from Alarch 25,
1924, to March 9, 1926, is now on the press, thanks to the energy of
our last Secretary, Air. Charles A. Urner. Included with these notes
are three papers of local interest which have been excellently pre-
pared. "The Birds of Prospect Park" by ]\lr. Lester L- Walsh; "The
Birds of the Bronx Region" by Mr. John F. Kuerzi and a summary
of Mr. E. P. Bicknell's Riverdale notes edited by Mr. Ludlow Griscom.
It is to be the policy of the Society as adopted by the Council to en-
courage the publication of worthy local papers and to adopt a new
method of recording the minutes to take effect commencing with the
past year, so that there shall be an annotated list summarizing the
data for each species, with an outline of the meetings of the Society
appended. This plan it is felt will give our abstract more scientific
value, will make it better reading and will enable the Society for
the same expense to publish more material of general interest

The Society has made great strides in the past year in its knowl-
edge of local conditions. Through the cooperation of the members
with the Secretary a vast amount of data on seasonal abundance of
species in given type localities has been gathered and summarized.
This carries on the work previously started and is a very worth while
cause. Migration notes have been most detailed and the past year
has been unusual for the occurrence of rare and casual species and
for abundance of new records both early and late. The past fall for

example was a season of unprecedented abundance of the Goshawk
and saw the largest flight of Snowy Owls in 40 years.

With a view to the protection of the hawks and owls, the Society
appropriated $50.00 on March 23, 1926, to help finance a circular pre-
pared by Mr. JMiller and others. In December the Secretary at the
request of the Society sent a circular letter to the New York papers
protesting against the wholesale slaughter of the Snowy Owl. It was
published by at least four papers and several letters of approval of this
stand were received by officers of the Society.

The Survey of breeding birds was undertaken again in two locali-
ties in Westchester County the week-end of June 12 and 13 and in
the Wawayanda Region of North Jersey, June 19 and 20- Both trips
were exceedingly complete and successful although it was found that
owing to the lateness of the season a half dozen or so migrants were
still present June 12 and 13- In addition, Mr. Charles A. Urner
gave an illuminating paper on the "Birds of the Barnegat Region,
New Jersey" on October 26, representing two weeks intensive observa-
tion in the summer.

The Council recommended as a means of facilitating the report-
ing of field-notes that sectional chairmen receive the data for report
at each meeting. These chairmen were appointed by the President.

Under the generous will of the late Mr. Lew^s B. Woodruff mem-
bers have been enabled to purchase for their own use various books
of his ornithological collection at half their estimated value. A num-
ber have availed themselves of this opportunity.

The Secretary wishes to thank particularly ]\Iessrs. Carter, Urner
and Griscom for their cooperation during the past year.

Warren F. Eaton^ Secretary.

Report of Secretary, 1927-1928

During the past year the Linnaean Society has held as usual i6
regular and during the summer 4 informal meetings, at which the total
attendance was 1,057. This figure shows a gain over all preceding
years, which may be owing to the more general nature of some of tlie
talks, bringing an increase of visitors, but it at least shows a gratifying
interest in the subjects presented before the Society.

The fifteenth annual dinner which was held at the Hotel Man-
hattan Square, was attended by only 38 members and guests, a smaller
number than usual, due in part to various people being out of town
at that particular time; the annual meeting afterwards attracted 33
members and 60 guests. At the remaining 15 regular meetings the
attendance averaged 59.6, that of members 29.7 by coincidence the
same as the year before.

The experiment of 1926 of having informal meetings in June,
July, August and September was continued in 1927 and proved a suc-
cess. It is suggested that these meetings might be improved by devot-
ing each one to a particular region such as New Jersey, Westchester
County, Long Island, etc., as an aid to local study.

The best attended meeting was that of February 7, 1928, when

Mr. Howard H. Cleaves gave his illustrated lecture on ''Cruising the

Labrador" before 32 members and 106 guests, a total of 138. The

smallest meeting was that of November 8, when only 26 were present.

Other formal papers were as follows :

Dr. F. R. Oastler, March 9, "Ascent of Mt. Rainer, its Birds,
Flowers and Scenery-"

Mr. H. H. Cleaves, March 29, "On the Long's Peak Trail."
Mr. Alden H. Hadley, May 24, "Birds and Conservation •"
Mr. Ludlow Griscom, October 25, "An Ornithological Visit to
Panama."

Mr. Julian K. Potter, November 22, "Present Day Ornithology."
Mr. Frank B. Levy, December 13, "The Training of a Falcon-"
Dr. PVank R. Oastler, December 27, "Alaska — Flora and Fauna."
Mr. M. S. Crosby, January 24, "Birds of Dutchess County."
Dr. C. W. Townsend, February 28, "Ipswich Sand Dunes and
Salt Marshes."

In addition beside the four summer evenings, two meetings were
devoted to field notes on migration and distribution and one to bird
banding. As before, informal lectures and discussions were held on

5

the identification and distribution of certain groups, that on the fresh
water ducks being led by Air. Griscom and that on the sparrows by
Mr. J. T. Nichols.

Dr. William j\I. Patterson spoke on the interpretation of bird song
and expounded his idea of studying bird speech.

It was with the purpose of associating more closely with our
neighbor clubs, the D. V. O. C. and the N. O. C-, that Mr. Potter and
Dr. Townsend were induced to speak before the Society- It is to be
hoped that such good relations as now exist will continue.

Unfortunately the Society lost by death on February lo one of
its founders, ]\Ir. H. B. Bailey. By referring to the list of members
in the abstract published May, 1927, it will be seen that the names of
Alessrs. Fox, Warren and Williston are included. Unfortunately we
have since been notified of their deaths.

During the course of the year twelve new members were elected,
and the class of corresponding members was changed to non-resident
honorary members- At the meeting of February 28, 1928, it was
voted to elect all the Founders of the Society now living to the rank
of fellows, making the list to-day.

Resident members 129

Life members 3

Fellows 8

Honorary members 2

Non-resident honorary members 18

Total 160

The abstract of proceedings for 1925-1926, numbers 37 and 38,
was published May 15, 1927, as expected. The Secretary is at present
working on the Summary of the years 1927-1928 and has at hand an
excellent paper, "The Birds of Union County," by Mr. Charles A.
Urner to be published with the abstract. It is to be hoped that print-
ing can be accomplished this year and that other interesting papers
will be contributed. It is a matter of regret that Mr. Ludlow Griscom,
who has done so much for local work and for the Society has "mi-
grated" to Cambridge.

During the last year we have tried to aid in the work of the
Biological Survey in taking monthly duck censuses and Mr. Urner
with his trips to Barnegat has furnished a good proof of the interest-
ing results which can be attained. So far as possible the Society has

worked against shooting not only of protected birds but of Hawks
and Owls- It was voted to contribute to the Ridgeway Memorial
Fund a sum of Sioo.oo and an effort has been made to work with
the Bird-banding Association and the Audubon Societies. The Sec-
retary received a large number of pamphlets on Hawk Protection from
the National Association of Audubon Societies which are being
distributed.

The new organization provided by the Constitution has proved
effective in facilitating business through the Council and has made
possible periodical meetings of this body to discuss the aims of the
Society and the various problems which arise. The Secretary hopes
that the work which has been done for the last three years in plotting
the maximum number of individuals of each species seen each season
in a given section can be continued at least two years more. The
results thus obtained depend largely on the individual members turn-
ing in their lists to the recording parties. During June the field trips
were continued and gratifying results wxre obtained both on northern
Long Island and in New Jersey. The proposed census in Putnam
County was not taken but can be done this year.

In closing it might be said that the Secretary received a letter
during the past year from one of our oldest and most respected mem-
bers to the effect that the Society runs a risk of falling between the
Scylla of being too amateurish in its study of ornithology and the
Char}^'bdis of becoming an exclusive organization without any vigor.
I am sure it is the feeling of most of us, however, that the Society is
working toward the goal of becoming more and more scientific but
at the same time of exercising an influence on an ever widening circle
in the interests of bird protection and general knowledge among the
unprofessional. In resigning after two years as Secretary I wish to
thank the members for their cooperation and especially Messrs. Gris-
com, Urner, Carter and Dr. Chapin for their assistance.

Warrkn F. Eaton, Secretary.

The Ornithological Year 1 926 in the New York City Region

By LudIvOw Griscom

For some time it has been planned to issue a yearly report on
the bird life of the New York City Region, to be published in con-
nection with the Abstract of Proceedings of this Society- The great
increase in active members has naturally resulted not only in a great
increase in records, but also in the more thorough investigation an-
nually of a greater section of the local territory. The "field reports
by members" now sometimes occupy an entire evening, and in the
year 1926 special meetings were heVl throughout the summer, as the
best means of obtaining and preservi*^ the mass of data, which could
not possibly have been presented at the first regular session of the
Society in October. We have adopted, therefore, the excellent plan
of our neighbor, the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, and com-
bine all the records of interest in the annotated list of species in A.
O. U. Check List order which follows. This renders them far more
easily available for reference, than if scattered through the minutes
of the various meetings, as formerly. For the sake of completeness,
all available sources of ifaformation have been used, in addition to
the records supplied by members of this Society. The season reports
in Bird-Lore have been of great assistance in this connection, and con-
tain interesting items by students not affiliated with the Linnseaii
Society. The American Museum of Natural History annually ac-
quires specimens of local interest from other independent sources. Mr-
Roy Latham of Orient, Long Island, has once more kindly furnished
the Society with his observations. The writer is greatly indebted to
the Secretary, Mr. Eaton, for invaluable assistance in card-indexing
the records in the minutes, and to Mrs. Griscom for similar statistical
work, and typing.

The year 1926 was ornithologically the most notable one in many
respects in the chronicles of the Linnsean Society. Never before have
so great a number of the rare and casual species been reported in one
year. The spring migration of land-birds was unusually heavy, the
more uncommon transients were present in unusual numbers, and
every species of Warbler ever recorded in this Region was noted; The
spring flight of ducks nearly equalled the best previous record (1925).
The fall migration of shore-birds was unusually good and most of
the rarer species were observed. There was 'a spring and summer

8

flight of various southern stragglers, Herons and Shearwaters. The
flight of Jaegers was the greatest on record. In the late fall and early
winter, visitations of certain arctic and northern species broke all
records, such as the Goshawk and Snowy Owl, while Snowflakes,
Longspurs, Shrikes, the Alcidae, and the white-winged Gulls were un-
usually numerous. If we eliminate the 66 accidental visitants from
consideration, 311 species are a theoretical possibility in this region
annually. Xo less than 281 of these were recorded during the past
year. At least half a dozen observers saw over 225 species each in
the course of their field work in the Region. Mr. Frank E. Watson
and ^Ir. J. Kuerzi each saw 251 species without special effort to "get
a list," and the writer observed 239 species in only 7 months field
work. These figures are given, not because there is any special merit
in making a large list of species, but because they furnish a reliable
index of the unusual abundance of bird life. If they be compared
with results obtained by active observers fifteen to twenty years ago,
they furnish an even more striking index of the increase in birds local-
ly during that period. In 1909 I made over 200 field trips in this
region and recorded 209 species, a record unbroken for many years.
The chief reason why an observer today cjn see 225 species in half
as many field trips is that 48 species of Gulls, Terns, Ducks, Herons,
Shorebirds and Warblers are now of regular occurrence, and anybody
can certainly see the majority of these in one year. In 1909 only
fifteen of these were recorded, and I naturally did not see them all.

The month of January was perhaps a little milder than usual
with a week's thaw after the middle of the month. There were per-
haos the usual number of winter casuals, and almost none of the
rarer northern visitors, a notable exception being the Arctic Three-
toed Woodpecker, which now occurs almost every year in the Re-
gion. The chief event of the month was the phenomenal flight of
Robins after the thaw in numerous sections, especially marked on
January 24. This flight has been analyzed in detail by Mr. J. T.
Nichols in Bird-Lore, and his data need not be repeated here- I
accept his conclusions that some at least of these Robins were north-
bound, and a southward movement was actually observed in early
February with the advent of cold and snow.

There was no severe weather after mid-February, but the first
half of March was abnonnally cold- The commencement of spring
was greatly delayed, and all the earlier migrants were very late in

attaining normal numbers. At Englevvood, Red-wings did not be
come comm.on until ]\Iarch 21, while the arrival of the breeding
Flickers and Robins was not completed until the unprecedented date
of April II. In this summary I eliminate from consideration the
records of casually early stragglers. Such records increase an-
nually, as the number of observers increases, and if accepted too
literally would turn a generally late spring into an apparently early
one. As the first half of April was also abnormally cold, there was
absolutely no wave of the first group of April migrants, and they
did not become common or generally distributed until April 22. Dur-
ing this entire period the only compensation for local students was
the relative abundance of the fresh water ducks and the presence of
other marsh birds, which like the Bittern, Mrginia Rail and Greater
Yellow-legs, did not reflect the general lateness of the season. ^lany
winter visitants rem.ained exceptionally late.

April 22. First real flight of the season, after two verv warm
days. Continued migration the next day- By Sunday, April 25,
this flight had passed on, leaving the countryside markedly deficient
in bird-life, though fresh-water ducks were present in greater num-
bers and variety than ever before so late.

April 26-2(^. Another period of abnormally cold or chilly
weather, migration almost suspended. An astonishing peculiarity,
however, was the arrival of the Gnatcatcher in Central Park on
April 26, and the Prothonotary and Yellow-throated Warblers on
April 29.

April JO. Another flight, bringing individuals of most of the
late April group. The Chewink and Thrasher arrive in numbers
for the first time.

May 1-12. This period of the month produced a most anomal-
ous migration. Only two nights were really warm, at least four
were notably cool. There was not a single 'Svave" or flight of
marked proportions during the entire period- The great majority
of the species of Groups I and II were reported, but not a single
one was common or generally distributed at its close. Their erratic
arrival was equally remarkable. On Sunday, May 2, at Englewood
(Griscom), the Least Flycatcher, Meadowlark, Vesper, Chipping,
Field and Swamp Sparrows, Chewink, and Black and White Warb-
ler reached normal numbers for the first time, wdiile the Thrasher
was distinctly scarce. One individual each of half a dozen Group I

10

species was noted. Pangburn in Westchester County, found none of
these, but recorded eight others. Miller at Plainfield and Carter at
Boonton, reported still other groupings. In Central Park, individuals
of various Group II species arrived before many Group I species, in
some cases establishing early records. The outstandingly late species
were the Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole. The Blackburnian
Warbler was the only species far more numerous than usual, and the
number of Gnatcatchers broke all previous records. Crosby's census
of 109 species in northern Dutchess County on May 9, reflected con-
ditions perfectly — almost all the possible species present, and almost
all very scarce in individuals. The relatively large list was due to (i)
9 species of ducks (unprecedented so late) and (2) his perfect knowl-
edge of just where to look for the advance guard of the more recent
arrivals.

May zj- By all odds the best flight of the year to date, but not
of real "wave" proportions. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak suddenly
arrived in numbers, and the Orange-crowned Warbler was found in
Central Park (Griscom) and in the Bronx (Kuerzi).

May 73. Big "wave" throughout the Region, combining Groups
I-II-III in numbers. Pangburn in Westchester County, obtained 119
species alone (the record), and noted 2^ species of Warblers (only
I less than the record), including an Orange-crowned. One party in
the Bronx Region noted 112 species, an unequalled feat in a territory
so largely metropolitan in character.

May 18. Another big wave, combining Groups III and IV. The
Cuckoos, Nighthawk and Wood Pewee in numbers for the first time.
The White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows in unprecedented num-
bers. The ]\Iagnolia and Canadian Warblers, the Northern Yellow-
throat and the Thrushes in great abundance.

May 19-31- The balance of the month was relatively cool, with
northwest winds a considerable number of nights. Migration erratic,
and relatively slight. Very late dates were obtained for numerous
April transients, and the Brown Creeper was found nesting casually
in Van Cortlandt Park, May 27 (Cruikshank). On the same day this
enterprising observer discovered a singing male Cerulean Warbler and
a pair of Kentucky Warblers at Grassy Sprain. The Shore-bird and
Tern migration on the coast was notably poor.

June. On June i, the BlackpoU Warbler became common for
the first time, and there were marked flights on the 2nd and 3rd, char-

II

acterized by the abundance of the Red-eyed \'ireo and Redstart. In
Westchester County numerous transients were noted on June ii, 12,
and 13. On these three days various parties of the Linnsean Society
undertook a cooperative census of Westchester County, covering almost
its entire area, and adding notably to our knowledge of the bird life
of the more rural northern half. The next week a similar census was
made in the W^awayanda Plateau region of northern New Jersey, and
over I (DO species were observed, including many characteristic of the
Canadian Zone. Another notable event was the rediscovery by Wat-
son of the breeding of the Kentucky Warbler at W^orthington, W^est-
chester County. The Least Tern was found breeding definitely at
Long Beach by several observers independently, the first record for
Long Island since 1882.

July. The month was uneventful. A relatively small flight of
southern herons began about July 25. There was an unusually large
flight of Curlew on the coast.

In August and September the scene of chief interest shifts to
the coast. The Shorebird migration was fairly good. Early in the
month there were more Knots than usual. The Caspian Tern was
reported four times, 20 individuals in all, exceeding the combined
records of the past thirty years. The Parasitic Jaeger was common
oft'-shore the entire fall. The Golden Plover was even more numerous
than last year, and is undoubtedly increasing, an interesting case of a
fast vanishing species apparently saved at the eleventh hour. Dyker
Heights Park was again worked by numerous enthusiasts. This little
oasis in South Brooklyn has proved to be a veritable bird-trap, and is
the "Fair Isle" of this Region- The season's "catch" included the
Arctic Tern, Sabine's Gull, Yellow and Little Black Rails, Bufif-breasted
Sandpiper, and Say's Phoebe. The land-bird migration inland was
unusually poor and monotonous. The very late spring combined with
a hot mugg}^ summer resulted in a very late start. The Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher, for instance, did not appear in Central Park until August
31, whereas it is almost invariably present there by August 15.

During the entire month of September and the first half of Octo-
ber there were no sharp frosts or oscillations of temperature, and
summer slipped away by imperceptible degrees. So did the birds,
both species and individuals. ]\Iany observers report not a single in-
teresting day, when birds were really numerous in species. ]\Iany very

12

late dates were made in consequence, the number of lingering Shore-
birds being particularly noteworthy.

The season changed rapidly in November, and December was
abnormally cold and snowy. The early arrival of the Snowflake and
Longspur heralded the great flights of Arctic birds which arrived
during the last two months of the year. The Snowy Owl first ap-
peared on November 4, and reached its maximum numbers the end
-of the month. Goshawks poured into northwestern New Jersey and
eastern Long Island the end of October and early November, but did
not become generally distributed until late in December- Shrikes first
appeared the middle of November, and became positively abundant
along the coast two weeks later. By the first week in December Glau-
cous, Iceland, and Black-backed Gulls were arriving in unusual num-
bers, colliding with the rear guard of the Jaegers and Laughing Gulls.
Close on their heels came Alcidce of several species, and inland Long-
eared and Saw-whet Owls were distinctly on the move the first week
in the month. So many northern visitors and so many late stragglers
combined to make Christmas the most exciting ever known in this
Region. Every census made locally was notable in one way or another,
but space is lacking to mention them all. With every unusual bird
marked down to a question of yards by weeks of intensive field work
in advance, the Bronx County Bird Club, working in 5 parties, on
December 26, rolled up the almost incredible hst of 83 species in the
Bronx Region. This list included, of course, the rarer Gulls, Gos-
hawks, Snowy Owls, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Siskin and
Northern Shrike. It also included numerous ducks driven into the
Sound by severe weather for shelter. On the other hand it included
a long list of Blackbirds, Sparrows, and other late fall migrants like
the Kingfisher, Dove, and Winter Wren, which frequently linger until
Christmas in years when the early part of the fall has been very mild.
The best measure, however, of thorough preparation for this census
was the list of 6 species of Owls, represented by nineteen individuals.
No one can find so many Owls in one day in this Region by happy
accident. Mr. F. E. Watson closed a remarkable year dramatically
enough on December 31 at Long Beach, by discovering a Razor-billed
Auk sitting in the sand. Mutual recognition took place at a distance
of fifty yards. The Auk won the ensuing sprint with about two feet
to spare. This type of winter sport is so nearly unique in this Region
that it deserves permanent record.

13

1926 Records

Colymbus holboclli. Holboell's Grebe. — Overpeck Creek, Englewood region,.
N. J., March 21 (Baker, Griscom and Janvrin), March 27 (Eaton), April 3.
(Eaton, Griscom, Hickey and Kuerzi) ; Pelham Bay, April 7 (Kuerzi) ; at least
twenty at Montauk, L. I., Dec. 27 (Baker, Boulton, Crosby and Griscom).

Colymbus atiritus. Horned Grebe. — Englewood region, N. J., Dec. 27 (Edw..
G. Nichols).

Podilymbns podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — Noted May 22 on Little Swarts-
wood Lake, Sussex County, N. J. (Carter, Griscom and Rowland) ", one pair on
Wanda Lake, Sussex County, N. J. (Linnsean Society census, June 19) ; bred on-
Wampus Pond, Westchester County, N. Y. (Coles) ; Dyker Heights, Brooklyn,
Nov. 17 (C. Johnston).

Gavia immer. Loon. — Boonton Reservoir, N. J., May 22 (Carter).

Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. — Unusually common during the fall ; noted
in Eastchester Bay on the Sound, Oct. 11 (Kuerzi) and Oct. 14 at Dyker Heights
(C. Johnston).

Alca torda. Razor-billed Auk. — One found dead and partly decomposed at
Long Beach, May 23 (Nathan) ; two seen from the Jersey City ferry, Dec. 5
(Urner).

Uria lomzna. Brunnich's Murre. — Greenport, L. L, Dec. 3, i shot by C. L.
Fournier ; Bayshore, L. L, Dec. 4, i shot by Edwin Thorne ; Belmar, N. J., i in the
surf, Dec. 12 (Watson) ; Dec. 20-22, off Brighton Beach (Wm. H. Wiegmann) ;.
Long Beach, Dec. 19 (Carter and J. M. Johnson) ; Bayshore, L. L, i shot by a
Capt. Harrison between Dec. 26-31 and presented to American Museum of Natural
History by W. Huntling Powell.

AUe alle. Dovekie. — Long Beach, i found dead Dec. i (Quattlebaum).

Stcrcorarius poviarinns. Pomarine Jaeger. — i at Long Beach, Nov. 2
(Griscom).

Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. — Great flight all along the coast up'
to December. First noted Aug. 8 at Long Beach (Matuszewski) ; reported also-
at Jones Beach, Dyker Heights and Oakwood Beach, Staten Island.

Rissa tridactyla. Kittiwake. — Manhattan Beach, Feb. 27 (Hickey) ; Montauk
Point, I on Aug. 14 (Baker).

Lams Jiyperboreus. Glaucous Gull. — Noted in the Sound at Hunt's Point,
Jan. 15 (Cruickshank) ; Clason Point, Jan. 9 (Kuerzi) ; Pelham Bay Park, Feb.
16, and again in the Bronx region, Dec. 26; noted in New York Harbor, Feb. 7
(Eaton) ; Elizabeth, March 13 (Urner) ; Oakwood Beach, Staten Island, in mid-
summer (Matuszewski) ; Jones Beach, May 29 and 30 (Eaton and Griscom) ; Long
Beach, Nov. 21 (Watson) ; Montauk, Dec. 27 (Baker and Griscom).

Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull. — Bronx region, Jan. 10 (Herbert, Kassoy
and Kuerzi), April i (Kuerzi), May 15 (Bronx County Bird Club) and Dec. 26-^
Hudson River, March 4 (Cruickshank) and April 25 (Baker, Eaton and Griscom) ;
Staten Island, Feb.- 7 (Eaton) and April 18 (Kuerzi) ; Long Beach, Feb. 12

14

"(Kuerzi and others) and Dec. 5 (Baker, Eliot and Griscom) ; Montauk, Dec. 27
(Baker and Griscom) ; Elizabeth, N. J., March 13 (Urner).

Lams atricilla. Laughing Gull. — A winter straggler at Belmar, N. J., Jan. 8
(Thurston) ; now a regular spring visitor to the Sound, where it is commoner
than on the South Shore of Long Island, first noted April 24 (Kuerzi) ; now
abundant throughout the region all fall, noted regularly on the Central Park
Reservoirs as late as Oct. 30 (Cruickshank) and seen from the Staten Island
ferry, Nov. 21 (Cleaves).

Xema sabini. Sabine's Gull. — One immature at Dyker Heights, Oct. 14 (C.
Johnston and Watson).

Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern. — 14 at Jones Beach, Aug. 16 (R. Friedmann)
and 3 on Sept. 4 (Griscom) ; 2 at Oak Island Beach, Sept. 12 (C. Johnston) and
I the same day at Long Beach (Cruickshank).

Sterna paradiscea. Arctic Tern. — Excellently seen with Common Terns at
Dyker Heights, Aug. 21 and Sept. 5 (C. Johnston) to Sept. 18 (Eaton).

Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. — Unusually scarce during the spring, noted
in the Sound as late as June 11 (R. R. Coles) ; seen on the Hudson River off Pier-
mont, Aug. 8 (C. Johnston) ; observed in Central Park, Sept. 15 (Griscom) ; at
Dyker Heights, Nov. 7 (Hix).

Sterna dougalli. Roseate Tern. — Noted Aug. 21 and Sept. 5 at Dyker Heights
(C. Johnston).

Sterna antillarum. Least Tern. — First noted at Long Beach, May 22,, and four
pairs bred on the flats just east of the golf links, where young were found Aug. i
(Rogers and Hix) ; also noticed on migration at Oak Island Beach, Aug. 28, and
on the Sound at Northport, Aug. 27 (Mrs. Fry), a most unusual record.

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamcnsis. Black Tern. — One adult on Peach Lake,
Westchester County, N. Y., Aug. 7 (Griscom).

Rynchops nigra. Black Skimmer. — One at Echo Bay, New Rochelle, July 17
(Mrs. E. Rich) ; 2 off Jones Inlet, L. I., May 22 (R. C. Whitman).

Puff inns borealis. Cory's Shearwater. — Two off Jones Beach, Aug. 16 (R.
Friedmann) ; one partly disabled at Montauk Point, Nov. 21 (Cruickshank).

Puffinus gravis. Greater Shearwater. — Off Jones Beach, Aug. 16 (R.
Friedmann) .

Sula bassana. Gannet. — Two noted off Jones Beach, May 30 (Eaton and
Friedmann).

Phalacrocorax carbo. Common Cormorant. — One immature with white
abdomen and belly with the smaller species at Jones Beach, May 29 (Griscom).

Phalacrocorax aiiritus. Double-crested Cormorant. — Seen in the Sound oflF
Hunters Island, April 25 (Kuerzi) ; 2 on the Hudson at Croton Point, July 12
(C. Johnston).

Mergiis americanus. American Merganser. — Noted May 23 at Culver's Lake,
Sussex County, N. J. (Carter, Griscom and Howland).

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Casual on the Hudson at Pier-

15

mont, June 25 and Aug. 8 (C. Johnston) ; a pair on Overpeck Creek, April 25
(Kassoy).

Lophodyfes cticullatus. Hooded Merangser. — Montauk, Dec. 27 (Griscom and
others) ; Pelham Bay Park, Feb. 16 (L. N. Nichols) ; Jerome Reservoir, March
28, Nov. 5 and 6 (Cruickshank) ; Kensico Reservoir, 2 on April 6 (Kuerzi) ; Lake
Wampus, 15 on Nov. 7 (Kuerzi) ; Overpeck Creek, N. J., 2 on March 27 (Eaton),
a pair on April 11 (Hix) ; South River, March 14 (W. H. Wiegmann) ; Boonton,
May 16 (Carter) ; Culvers Lake, Sussex County, Nov. 14 (Griscom).

Anas platyrhynchos. Mallard. — Van Cortlandt Park, 45 on Feb. ij (Cruick-
shank) ; Overpeck Creek, N. J., on May 2 (Bronx County Bird Club) ; Boonton,
May 9 (Carter) ; Jones Beach, 5 on Sept. 4 (Griscom) ; Croton Lake census, 2
June 13.

Anas rubripes. Black Duck. — Found breeding at Larchmont and Kensico Lake
(Coles) ; 2 pairs noted in Westchester County on June 13 (Kessler and Kuerzi) ;
8 young on Wanda Lake, June 19 (Eaton).

Chaulelasmiis strepenis. Gadwall. — Rye Lake, Jan. 17 (R. R. Coles).

Mareca americana. Baldpate. — Scarcer than usual spring of 1926. Jones
Beach, L. L, 3 on Sept. 4 (Griscom) ; Montauk, 100 on Dec. 17 (Baker, Boulton,
Crosby and Griscom).

Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Jones Beach, L. L, 3 on Sept. 4
(Griscom) ; Lake Agassiz, Bronx Park, a female has wintered the last two
seasons; Van Cortlandt Park, March 20 (Cruickshank); Overpeck Creek, N. J.,
common from March 21 to May 2 (Kassoy).

Querquedula disc or s. Blue-winged Teal. — Jones Beach, May 30 (Eaton and
Friedmann), 10 on Sept. 4 (Griscom) ; Bronx region, April 25 (Cruickshank) ;
Hudson River, Nov. 14 (Cruickshank) ; South River, i male March 28 and April 4
(Miller) ; Overpeck Creek, pair April 25 (Baker, Eaton and Griscom).

Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — Elizabeth, N. J., April 10 (Urner) ; Overpeck
Creek, N. J., April 17 (Cruickshank).

Dajila acuta. Pintail. — Quogue, 2 on May 23 (Watson and Lewis) ; Over-

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Van Cortlandt Park, Feb. 13 and 4 on March 20
peck Creek, N. J., May 2 (Kassoy) ; Jones Beach, 10 on Sept. 4 (Griscom).
(Cruickshank) ; Elizabeth, N. J., Feb. 27 (Urner