y8 The Ottawa Naturalist. [ f uly 



midovvn, who describes himself as being very susceptible tc ivy 

 poison, tells of a preventive which makes it possible for him to 

 visit localities in which it is abundant without being affected. 

 He says: "I take with me a bottle filled with a strong solution 

 of saleratus (the common kind used in cooking). When I come 

 out of the swamp I wash my hands, face and neck wherever it 

 is possible that the poison has touched the skin with the solu- 

 tion. Since doing so I have never been poisoned and can roam 

 through the place at will. I take nc needless risks and am 

 always careful not to touch the dogwood (Rhus venenata) if I see 

 it. However, it is so thick that it would be impossible to avoid 

 it altogether." 



Everywhere for nearly a mile along the east side of the 

 Beaver Meadow the ground is covered with poison ivy, spoiling 

 for many collectors one of the most interesting fields for botanical 

 work in this vicinity. Rockliffe, too, is a dangerous place to 

 visit for those whc are at all susceptible. With proper care 

 and a prompt use of the remedies given above the danger of 

 serious poisoning will be greatly lessened if not entirelv remov- 

 ed. 



J. M. M. 



THE CONNECTICUT VS. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER. 



A Correction. 



In the report on the sub-excursion of the club to Rockliffe, 

 May 5th, I am inadvertently made to report having seen a Ken- 

 tucky warbler (Geothlypis formosa). While I would have been 

 delighted to again meet this old acquaintance of mine from the 

 south, I must state that it was the Connecticut warbler (Geothlypis 

 agilis) I saw. This is a great rarity anywhere and has been 

 reported for Ottawa only once before by Mr. J. Fleming, of 

 Toronto, who sau it also at Rockliffe. The song of this bird 

 is very characteristic and cannot easily be mistaken for that of 

 another. It begins with some very low notes, as though the 

 bird was inhaling, then a few a little louder, exhaling, and then 

 several loud, liquid, bubbling notes, in the pitch of the oven- 

 bird or water-thrush. This song I heard May 2nd from a tree 

 in 11- city, once on the same day at Britannia and May 5 al 

 Rockliffe, before I saw the bird plainly. So it may, after all, 

 hoi be so rare here. 



C. W. G. EIFRIG. 



