54 [July, 1841. 



A letter was read from Dr. Goheen, dated Monrovia, Africa, 

 April, 8, 1841. Dr. Goheen gives some interesting facts in 

 reference to the natural history of this region, and suggests the 

 importance of sending competent naturalists to explore its 

 numberless and extraordinary productions. 



A letter was also read from Professor John Locke, of Cin- 

 cinnati, Ohio, in answer to the announcement of his election 

 as a corresponding member. 



Verbal Communications. Mr. S. S. Haldeman communi- 

 cated the following facts in Ornithology. 



1. Falco peregrinus. It is asserted in the works on American 

 Ornithology, that this bird builds its nest on trees, and not 

 in the clefts of rocks, as in Europe. So far as my observa- 

 tions have gone, this remark is incorrect, inasmuch as they 

 build in the cliffs which border the Susquehanna. This 

 species remains in Pennsylvania ten or eleven months of the 

 year. 



2. Quiscalus versicolor. Mr. Swainsonin the " Menageries," 

 (p. 298 of the Cabinet Cyclopaedia.) describes the female of 

 this bird as a new species, under the name of Q. purpuratus. 

 I have shot the male and female together, carefully com- 

 pared them with his descriptions, and confidently assert, that 

 they belong to one and the same species. 



3. Anser hyperboreus. I have known but a single individual 

 of this species to occur on this part of the Susquehanna river, 

 (50 miles above tide water.) Wilson states that it is found 

 on the Delaware. 



4. Cygnus Americanus. Many flocks visited this part of the 

 Susquehanna about 15 years ago, during a continuance of 

 foggy weather, but they have not since appeared. 



Dr. Coates exhibited specimens of larva? from the hollow of 

 the straw of wheat, in the upper joint, obtained from a locality 

 near Germantown, in which they were stated to be numerous. 



