BLISHA MITCHELL SCIKNTIFIC SOCIBTY. 17 
the green coloration may be brought about by the addi- 
tion of alkaline substances, and that it is retarded by the 
addition of sulphuric or nitric acid. It is also easy to ap- 
ply this explanation to the cases of-the nitrate, chloride, 
acetate, and soluble compounds of chromium. When we 
have opportunity we propose examining the action of al- 
cohel upon these other compounds. 
NESTING HABITS OF SOME SOUTHERN 
FORMS OF BIRDS IN EASTERN 
NORTH CAROLINA. 
T. GILBERT PEARSON. 
The coastal region of North Carolina, especially south 
of Hatteras, having its temperature moderated by warm- 
er ocean currents affords many interesting forms of life 
both in the fauna and flora whose natural habitat would 
naturally be looked for at a much more southern point. 
Thus the palmetto (Sabal palmetto) which’ grows wild 
to a height of 30 feet on Smith’s Island is also found in a 
more stunted form as far north as the banks of Cape 
Hatteras. This northward extension of the habitat of 
some Southern birds is somewhat in keeping with that of 
the flora. 
While spending some time in eastern North Carolina 
during the past summer I observed there some species of 
southern birds which have hitherto been overlooked by 
ornithologists as occuring within the limits of this State; 
and my purpose in publishing the following notes 1s to 
record such of these observations as may be of interest. 
2 
