21 



Key, and found tins tern breeding there in great numbers, in 

 company with Cabot's Tern, S. acuflavida ; tlie nests of both 

 speeies were mere hollows in the sand, and phiced as near to- 

 gether as the birds could sit without disturbing each other. The 

 eggs of the Cayenne Tern were generally of nearly the same 

 size, and did not offer much variety in the markings compared 

 with those of most terns. Three of them measured as follows : one, 

 63 millimetres in length by 39 in breadth, a second, 57X42, and 

 the third, 58X41, the last two of the more usual form. The eggs 

 of the S. acuflavida varied very little in size or shape, but much 

 more so in the marking than those of the larger species. Beside 

 these two species, I found the Little Tern and Wilson's Tern 

 breeding at different localities among the keys, and along the 

 shore of the mainland. I saw no specimen of the Roseate Tern. 

 The Noddy and Sooty Tern were breeding at the Tortugas in as 

 great numbers as at the time of Audubon's visit. 



Dr. Cabot remarked that he was glad to find his opinion con- 

 firmed that the young Red Owls are mottled, and the adults red ; " 

 an opinion which he had long ago maintained, but which even 

 now is not accepted by all ornithologists. 



Dr. Brewer mentioned that he- had observed differences in the 

 egrss of Caracara Eagles from Cuba an 1 South America; this, 

 with the difference of the tarsal scales noticed by Dr. Bryant, 

 seems to indicate that the two varieties may be distinct species. 

 He also said that a specimen of Bachman's Finch had been shot 

 last year at Berlin, Mass. 



Dr. Brewer read a paper on the distribution and habits 

 of the Summer Yellow-bird, as follows : — 



This familiar warbler extends from 68° N. to the northern 

 parts of South America, and from ocean to ocean. It arrives in 

 New England in the first half of May ; it is familiar and social, 

 building its nest near houses, and even in crowded cities. The 

 nest is usually made in a low bush, not more than three or four 

 feet from the ground, and its construction displays a remark- 

 able power of adaptation to circumstances, approaching almost to 

 reason ; it is firmly and durably built, of a gieat variety of soft 

 materials ; cotton, when it can be found, is a favorite substance. 



