proceedings: biological society 25 



pendence and wa's proclaimed a kingdom in 1881, later taking her 

 place as a leading country among the Balkan States. 



One of the most remarkable traits of the Roumanian is his love of 

 his national music. This music is so distinct from that of all other 

 nations that only the native musician can render it with the mysterious 

 quality that stirs the Roumanian soul. 



Although the misfortunes of war have temporarily prostrated 

 Roumania, it is to be hoped, in the light of her past history, that she 

 will emerge intact, to prepetuate her Latin civilization in the midst of 

 her alien neighbors. 



Frances Densmore, Secretary. 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



The 572d regular meeting of the society was held in the Assembly 

 Hall of the Cosmos Club, Saturday, October 20, 1917; called to order 

 by President Hay at 8.15; 42 persons present. 



Informal brief notes were presented as follows: 



Gen. T. E. Wilcox: Occurrence of California vulture in Idaho. He 

 said: I have been requested to record, as it has been doubted, the 

 occurrence of the California vulture in Idaho, then a territory. In the 

 fall of 1879 I came upon two which were feeding on the carcass of a 

 sheep. They hissed at me and ran along the ground for some dis- 

 tance before they were able to rise in flight. They were much larger 

 than turkey buzzards, with which I was quite familiar, and I was very 

 close to them so that I could not be mistaken in their identity. The 

 cattle-men said that the California vulture or buzzard w^as not uncom- 

 mon there before they began to poison carcasses to kill wolves. Dr. 

 Coues gives as their habitat ''Rocky Mts. to the Pacific." Boise River 

 mountains rise to over 7000 feet just back of where the vultures were 

 feeding. The exact locality was near the Hot Springs above Boise 

 City. Poison and population have now destroyed that far northern 

 habitat. The Boise Statesman, if any of Editor Kelly's time are now 

 living, may be able to confirm the above statement. 



Dr. R.W. Shufeldt exhibited a small living specimen of the south- 

 ern tortoise, or "gopher," Testudo 'polyphemus, and made remarks on 

 its habits. 



Dr. L. O. Howard, referring to the previous note, called attention 

 to the peculiar insect fauna found in the burrows of the "gopher," 

 many of the species having the characteristics of cavern dwelling 

 insects. 



President W. P. Hay in the same connection remarked on the fact 

 that a species of frog of the genus Rana so far as is known is only found 

 in the burrows of the "gopher." 



Dr. T. S. Palmer remarked on bird roosts that had lately been 

 observed in the vicinit.y of Washington, calling particular attention 

 to the martins and starlings in them. 



