June 4, 1921 proceedings: biological society 263 



occurred, and out of this stock the present species seem to have crystallired. 

 (2) Questions of homoplasy. A walking vulture, Tcratornis, also a walking 

 eaglel occur, both simliar to Serpentarius, the secretary bird of Africa, but 

 the former only superficially. (3) Questions of variability. The great 

 variability already referred to exists in other genera also, as in Bubo and 

 Cathartes'. Some forms of these were of tremendous size. Others such as 

 the Calif ornian condor, had reached more stable form. (4) Questions of 

 distribution. Many forms, now Central and South American in distribution, 

 occur at Rancho La Brea. Thus the caracara and the black vulture, rare 

 along the Californian border, are common. Morphus, the eagle hawk, and 

 certain storks of Brazil and Argentina, occur in lesser numbers. Here is 

 found Parapavo, a peacock-like bird, forming a link, both in distribution 

 and development, between the pheasants of the old world and the ocellated 

 turkey of Yucatan and the turkey of the eastern United States. (5) Indices 

 of climate. Inferences from the present chmatic distribution of birds, iden- 

 tical with or similar to those found at Rancho La Brea, indicate a climate 

 more tropical than that of recent times, and supporting a vastly richer assort- 

 ment of forms. The paper was illustrated with pictures of the asphalt beds 

 and specimens from the beds, and restorations of the life and environment 

 there in Pleistocene days. 



H. C. Bryant, of the University of California: Birds and mammals of 

 Yosemite Park. 



The speaker called attention to the changing distribution of birds 

 during the day, or season, or with changes in weather. The white-throated 

 swift, apparently on the wing all the daylight hours, feeds on the floor 

 of the valley in the morning, later it flies at middle heights, and in afternoon 

 only about the highest cliffs. As the season progresses many birds 

 spread from the breeding and feeding grounds of the valley to the higher 

 hill region, such as the jay shrike, and kingbird. On the other hand, storms 

 in the highlands drive birds into the valley, such as the nighthawk. Further 

 notes upon many birds were given. Protection to birds does not 1 ad in all 

 cases to their increase. This is true of grouse and quail, suggesting unsolved 

 problems. Protection cannot be given to all animals alike. The interrela- 

 tion between deer and panther is an example. 



The speaker emphasized the impossibility of appreciating the fauna and 

 flora of Yosemite or other National Parks or Preserves without familiarity 

 with nature in the field. The interest taken by young and old alike in studies 

 afield of animals and plants justifies a greater development of the naturalist 

 who can interpret the work of the specialist and make it accessible to the 

 nonscientific public. The paper was illustrated by numerous views of Yosem- 

 ite and of individual birds and animals. 



The papers presented by Drs. Miller and Bryant were discussed by 

 R. W, Shufeldt, a. S. Hitchcock, David White, and J. C. Merriam. 



A. A. DooLiTTLE, Recording Secretary. 



