1853.] 381 



not satisfied that this fact was of a generic value, and consequently described the 

 species as a Cambarus with the same propriety as he might have placed it in the 

 genus Astacus. 



August 23d. 



Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



A letter was read from the Librarian of the Koyal Academy of 

 Sciences of Amsterdam, dated 27th July, 1853, asking for certain 

 volumes and numbers of the Proceedings, to complete their series. 



August 30th. 



Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



The Committee on Dr. Hoy's continuation of his paper on the Orni- 

 thology of Wisconsin, reported in favor of publication in the Pro- 

 ceedings, 



Notes on the Ornithology^ Wisconsin. 



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



[Continued from page 313. J 



CERTHIAD.E, (5 species.) 



* Certhia Americana, Bojiap. 



Common throughout the year. 



* SiTTA Carolinensis, LillJl. 



Common, remains during the winter. 



* SiTTA Canadensis, Linn. 



This species does not remain with us during winter. A few nest near Racine, 

 a greater number in the pine regions in the northern part of the State. 



* Parus atricapillus, Lhin. 



Abundant, remain during winter. 



Parus Hudsonicus, Lath. 



A small party of this northern species visited Racine during the unusually cold 

 January of 1S52. 



AMPELID^, (2 species.) 



BOMBYCILLA GARRULA, Yieill. 



Arrives in large parties from the first to the last of November, and leaves by 

 the ISt'.i April. The first arrivals are all young birds, destitute of the yellow 

 markings on the wing, and with less of the wax-like appendages. These young 

 birds generally proceed further south to winter, while the old birds, in perfect 

 plumage, arrive later, and seldom, if ever, go further. I never have seen an 

 individual entirely destitute of the wax ornaments. The only perceptible diflfer- 

 ence between the sexes is in size, the females being slightly the larger. In 

 fifty specimens accurately measured, the average was : 



Females, 8 5-12 14i. 



Males, ..... 82-12131. 



They are unsuspicious, permitting a near approach. Their fare consists of a 

 variety of berries, but those of the mountain ash, {Pyrus Americana,) appear to 

 be preferred to all others. They are frequently seen to eat snow as a substitute 

 for drink. 



