348 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1889. 



species are weak when compared with those of the typical wood- 

 pecker. 



Dr. Sharp held that this deviation from the woodpecker type in 

 the structure of the bird was due to the change of habit ; the change 

 of function preceding and causing the change in structure, and not, 

 as was suggested, that the curve in the bill leads to the change in the 

 habit. 



This change in the species could hardly be looked upon as being 

 caused by anything but the direct will or desire of the individual 

 itself, as the surrounding conditions, climate, general character of 

 food, enemies, etc., remained the same, as far as is known. He con- 

 cluded by saying that the changes were as yet so slight that the 

 species could hardly be looked upon as degenerate, but was probably 

 tending to become so. 



November 26. 



Mr. Chakles Morris, in the chair. 



Twenty-two persons present. 



A paper entitled " Catalogue of the Owls, Strigae, in the collection 

 of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia " by Witmer 

 Stone, was presented for publication. 



The following were elected members : — 



James F. Sullivan, Thomas M. Lightfoot, C. D. Lippincott, 

 Minford Levis, M. D., Samuel Stryker Kneass, M. D., and Mrs. 

 Elizabeth S. Bladen.' 



N. M. Romanoff (Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia), was elected a 

 correspondent. 



The following was ordered to be printed : — 



