304 [March, 



March lotJi. 

 Vice-President Wetherill in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Mr. Jacob S. Miller, of Philadelpliin, dated 

 March 1, 1853, offering to present to the Academy the (xim of the late 

 Alexander Wilson, the Ornithologis^. Referred to the Curator>. 



Also a letter from Lieut. M. F. Maurj', dated National Ohservatory, 

 Washington, 3Ir.rch 10, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of his notice 

 of election as a Correspondent, 



And a communication from the same, containing observations on 

 Atmospheric Pressure, which was read and referred to a Committee 

 consisting of Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. Eiwyn and Vv. Bridges. 



A letter was read from Dr. H. (ribbons, dated San Francisco, Dec. 

 31, 1852, transmitting the specimens of fruit and leaves of Podocarpus, 

 the donation of which was acknowledged at a previous meeting. 



On motion of Mr Yaux, it was HasolcerJ, That a Committee be ap- 

 pointed to ascertain at what price the Collection of Crania belonging to 

 the Estate of the late Dr. Morton could be purchased for the Academy, 

 and also whether that amount could be raised by subscription. Com- 

 mittee Mr. Vaux, Dr. C. D. Meigs and Mr. John Cooke. 



3Iarch 'Idtlu 

 Vice-President Bridges in tlie Chair. 



The Committee on Dr. Hoy's '' Notes on the Ornithology of Wis- 

 consin,*^ reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings. 



Notes on the Ornithology of Wiscousin, 



By P. R. Hoy, M. D., of Ricine, Wisconsin. 



With few exceptions, the facts contained in the following brief Notes were 

 obtained from personal observations made within 15 miles of Racine, Wisconsin, 

 Lit. N. 42*^ 42' ; long. W. SS'^. This city is situated on the western shore of 

 Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy timbered district 

 where the great prairies approach near the lake from the west, and is a remark- 

 ably favorable position for ornithological investigations. It would appear that 

 This is a grand point, a kind of rendezvous, that birds make during their migra- 

 tions. Here, within the last seven years, I have noticed 283 species of birds, 

 about one-twentieth of all known to naturalists, n)any of which, considered 

 rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. It will be seen 

 that a striking peculiarity of the ornithological fauna of this section is, tliat 

 southern birds go further nortlt in summer, while northern species go further 

 south in winter than they do east of the great lakes. 



[' Indicates those known to nest within ;lie State.] 



VULTURIN.t:, (1 species.) 



*Cathak,tes AtJEA, Linu. 



Found occasionally as far north as Lake Winnebago, lat. 44. More 

 numerous near the Mississippi River. 



FALCOXID.f:, (19 species.) 



*Aqt:ilv cmrys^tos, Linn. 



I have a fine specimen, shot near Racine, Dec. 1S03. 



