149 



lj\ inches in length by J-| of an inch in breadth. It is an oblong 

 oval, but pliglitly pointed at the smaller end, and, except in size, 

 bears some resemblance to the egg of the common Song Spar- 

 row, ( Zonoti'ichia melodia.) Its ground color is a greenish-white, 

 over which are diffused, in most of the specimens, numerous 

 blotches and markings of a ferruginous brown. The nests were 

 in low bushes in wet places, and did not essentially vary from 

 those constructed by the Red-winged Blackbird. 



Agelaius (juhernator. Crimson-winged Blackbird. The nests 

 and eggs obtained by Mr. Samuels correspond with the descrip- 

 tion given by Dr. A. L. Heermann in the Journal of the Phila- 

 delpliia Academy. 



Cyanocorax Cah'fornicus. California Jay. This is probably 

 the same bird given by Mr. Audubon as the Ultramarine Jay, 

 Garrulus sordidus, of Swainson, and G. idtramarinus, of Bona- 

 parte. Its eggs have been described by Dr. Ileerman 



StunieUa neglecta. Missouri Meadow Lark. 



Zonotrichia grammaca. Lark Bunting. 



Carpodaciis familiaris. California Purple Finch. 



Melanevpes formicivorus. California Woodpecker. 



Ectopistes GaroUneiisis. Carolina Turtle-Dove. 



Gallipepla Califormca. California Quail. 



The Secretary read the following communication from 

 Dr. James Lewis, of Mohawk, N. Y., addressed to the 

 Corresponding Secretary : 



I received yesterday the fourth sheet of Vol. VI. of the Pro- 

 ceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, in which I 

 find some remarks by Dr. Weinland relative to the causes of 

 erosions on fresh-water shells. This subject has atti'acted my 

 attention to a considerable extent, and I am glad there are others 

 who are similarly interested. 



