346 [Dec. 1847. 



which are South American and Mexican species. M. Bourcier's col- 

 lections contains specimens of nearly all the little known species of New 

 Grenada, and is especially rich in the beautiful Tanagers of that country. 



The collection made in California by Mr. Wm. Gambel, I am happy to 

 state, has also been added to the collection of this Society. This collection 

 contains numerous and remarkably beautiful specimens of the birds of 

 Western America, many of which were not previously in any collection in 

 the United States, and are of rare occurrence in those of Europe. 



The specimens of the hitherto unknown species described by this enter- 

 prising young naturalist, in the Proceedings and Journal of this Academy, 

 are especiolly interesting, as well as those of Tyrannulae Saya (Bonap.) and 

 nigricans, Sw., Ptilogonys Townsendii, Aud., Pica Nuttallii, Aud., Pipilo 

 fascus, Sw., Picus Harri3ii, Aud., Picus scalaris, Wagler, Lanius elegans, 

 Sw., Hasmatopus Bachmannii, Aud., Strepsilas melanocephalus, Vigors, and 

 many others. 



Mr. Edward Harris has presented to the Society several specimens of un- 

 usual value to the collection, of which may be mentioned a specimen of 

 Tyrannus verticalis, (Say,) shot near his residence at Moorestown, N. J., 

 being the first instances of the appearance of this species so far west or 

 north. 



A series of specimens of the genus Parus, including the Parus septentrio- 

 nalis, Harris, has also been presented by this gentleman. 



A collection made by the writer during a period of about fifteen years 

 is also merged into that of the Academy. It is composed principally o r 

 birds from Western Africa, collected under some advantages, and of the 

 rarer birds of North America. Of the African species, I may be allowed 

 to mention a series of specimens of Musophaga violacea, Isert, including 

 males, females and young birds ; specimens of Taracus giganteus, Vieill. 

 Buceros elatus, Temm. Cuculus Klaasii, Le Vaill. Pyrenestes ostrina. 

 Vieill. and others. 



Of the American species, those of most interest are a series of specimens 

 of Archibuteo sanctijohannis, (Gm.) including the perfectly adult bird, and 

 the rare stage of plumage figured by Wilson as a variety ; also several spe- 

 cimens including the perfect adult of Buteo Pennsylvanicus, (Wilson,) or 

 broad winged Hawk ; a specimen of Astur atricapillus, Wilson, from New 

 Jersey; a series of nine specimens of Astur Cooperi, (Bonaparte;) also a 

 specimen of Bombycilla garrula, (Linn.) shot near this city; several speci- 

 mens of Trichas Philadelphia, Wilson, Sylvicolae maritima, (Wilson,) agillis. 

 (Wilson,) coerulea, (Wilson,) and many others of this genus. 



There will also be found several specimens of Rallus Jamaicensis, Briss. 

 obtained near this city ; a series of specimens of Anser hyperboreus, (Gm.) 

 also a specimen of Bernicla nigricans, (Lawrence,) a recently discovered 

 American species, of which this is the third specimen. 



Various collections, including several hundred specimens from the cele- 

 brated Ornithologist M. Temminck of Leyden, and a large number from the 



