1848.] 65 



June 6th, 1848- 

 Vice President Mouton in the Chair. 



Letters were read from Prof. J. Sturm, of Nuremburg, dated March 

 2o, 1848, and from Dr. Wm. L. Jones, of Georgia, dated 29th May, 

 1848, severally acknowledging the receipt of their notices of election 

 as Correspondents. 



A letter was read from A. H. Bowman, Esq., dated Fort Johnson, 

 South Carolina, in relation to exchanges with the Academy of coast 

 shells from that vicinity. 



A communication was read from Dr. R. W. Gibbes, of Columbia, 

 S. C, entitled " Monograph of the Fossil Squalidse of the United 

 States," and intended for publication in the Journal. Referred to a 

 Committee, consisting of Drs. Gambel and Morton, and Mr. Conrad. 



June 20tk, 1848. 

 Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



Mr. Cassin read a paper, describing new species of the genera Vidua, 

 Euplectus, Pyrenestes and Pitylus. Referred to Dr. Gambel, Dr. 

 Townsend and Mr. Harris. 



Mr. Cassin also read a communication on the probable identity of 

 Pica Nuttalii with the P. Hudsonica. Referred to the same Com- 

 mittee. 



On leave granted, a report from the Committee on Dr. R. W. Gibbes' 

 paper, on the Fossil Squalidte of the United States, was read and 

 adopted, recommending the same for publication in the next No. of 

 the Journal. 



A circular was read from the "Society for the development of the 

 Mineral resources of the United States," announcing its recent forma- 

 tion in Philadelphia, and stating its objects, and requesting the co- 

 operation of the Academy in the same. 



June 27th, 1848. 

 Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



The Committee on the following paper by Mr. Cassin, reported in 

 favour of publication. 



Descriptions ofnevj species of Birds of ilie genera Vidua, Briss.,- Euplectus, Sw.,- 

 Pyrenestes, Sw.; and Pitylus, Cuv.; specimens of which are in the collection 

 of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 



By John Cassin. 



Vidua albonotata, nobis. 

 Shoulders yellow. 



Primaries white at their bases, and for about one-third of their length. 

 Greater wing coverts also tipped with white, which, with that portion of the 

 primaries of the same colour, forms a conspicuous white spot on the wing. 



10 



