proceedings: biological society 177 



lagapus sancti-johannis, Rough-legged Hawk; Spinus pinus, Pine 

 Siskin; PlcctropJienax Jiypcrborais, McKay's vSnow Bunting; J unco 

 Jiycmalis Jiyenialis, State-colored Junco; Pctrodwlidon hinifrons hini- 

 frons, Cliff Swallow; Hylocichla aliciac aliciae, Gray-cheeked Thrush. 



Some notes on the food habits and color phases of Rodger's fulmar, 

 a common Pribilof bird, were given. 



Discussion by A. S. Hitchcock, Wm. Palmer, W. L. McAtee for 

 E. A. Preble, and by L. vStejneger. 



The second and final paper of the regular program was by W. L. 

 McAtee : An account of poisonous sumachs, Rluts poisoning, and 

 remedies therefor. Mr. McAtee gave a detailed account of the classi- 

 fication and natural history of the poisonous sumachs, of the various 

 theories as to why they poison, of the symptoms of poisoning, and 

 of the host of remedies that have been employed against it. Dis- 

 cussion by Dr. V. K. Chesnut. 



The 591st meeting of the vSociety was held in the Assembly Hall 

 of the Cosmos Club, Saturday, February 8, 191 9; called to order at 

 8.00 p.m. by President vSmith; 53 persons present. 



On recommendation of the Council, O. E. Jennings, Curator of 

 Botany, Carnegie Museum, was elected to membership. 



The following amendment to the By-laws read at the 589th meeting 

 was favorably voted on by the vSociety: "The President shall not be 

 eligible for immediate reelection;" to follow at the end of the first 

 paragraph of Article H. 



Under the heading of brief notes and exhibition of specimens. Dr. 

 R. W. vShufeldt exhibited seven lantern slides of pitcher plants, 

 Sarraccnia purpurea, taken about two years ago in an extensive swamp 

 near Glen Burnie, Maryland. He pointed out that this plant is now 

 practically extinct in the District of Columbia. After describing the 

 main characters of this and related species he showed by means of 

 one of the lantern slides some experiments he had been making with 

 5. purpurea extending over an entire summer, the main features of 

 which consisted in keeping a number of growing plants indoors and 

 giving them a very limited amount of light. Gradually the new-coming 

 leaves evinced an entire change of form and color. They became 

 pale green with every semblance of markings effaced while the decided 

 diminution in size was accompanied by a shrinkage of the wing, a 

 change in outline, and an almost complete atrophy of the pitchers. 

 In this connection Prof. W. P.^Hay said one of his students had brought 

 him a pitcher plant leaf stating it had been found in a locality near the 

 city of Washington. Professor Hay had visited the alleged locality 

 with the student, but they had been unable to find the rest of the 

 plant. The student however was a reliable person and Professor Hay 

 had no reason to doubt that the leaf had been found as stated. I. N. 

 Hoffman presented an informal note on certain nesting habits of 

 Shufeldt's junco. 



