Vol. Xin General Notes. 1 87 



1895 J 



bors as Melosfiza fasciata and M. georgiana have tongues quite different 

 from one another. No one would suppose from their tongues that 

 PkH^ and Sphvrapicus were members of the same family, while such 

 diverse forms as Microfus, Hirundo and Procnias would, from a ' glosso- 

 lo-ical ' point of view, stand shoulder to shoulder. On the other hand, 

 so* great may be the amount of individual variation, that three distinct 

 species could be made from the four examples of the Cape May Warbler 

 which have passed through my hands. 



Resemblances between tongues indicate more or less similarity in 

 food or mode of procuring it rather than any real affinity between then- 

 owners ; but while the tongue is apparently of slight taxonomic value ,t 

 is extremely interesting as showing the remarkable number of modifi- 

 cations which an organ may exhibit and its great susceptibility to 

 physiological adaptation.— F. A. Lucas, Washington. D. C. 



Bird Fatality along Nebraska Railroads. — There is a certain bird 

 fatality along railroad lines which is commonly charged to the telegraph 

 wires" Doubtless thev are the chief executioners, but not the dark 

 destroyer of all the dead birds along our railroads. In Nebraska more 

 fatality as I believe, is to be charged to the moving train than to the 

 wire«" It is one of the larger States (exceeding in size all New England 

 by II 000 square miles), and though treeless, save in the canons and along 

 river courses, it is quite diversified. Still there are large areas of praine 

 that seem entirely level and unbroken. Here there are no trees, bushes or 

 stones to offer shelter to winter birds. The prairie grasses are very short 

 and give but little protection, and large numbers of misguided birds seek 

 shelter in the lee of the steel rails of railroad tracks. 



These are almost wholly Horned Larks. As one walks along the track 

 at night they fly up inconsiderable numbers from their dangerous shelter, 

 especially in severe weather. The Larks are attracted thither as much by 

 the food and the grain dribbled along the way by passing trains as by the 

 protection which^the treacherous rails offer. Crouching at night m the 

 shelter of the rails, and stupefied by the noise and light of approachmg 

 trains thev rise too late, are struck by the flying train, and thrown dead to 

 either side of the track. I have seen them lying thus in scattered bunches 

 of ten or a dozen. Railroad men say it is the work of the train, and such 



I believe it to be. 



It is the habit of these Larks to fly low, just skimming the surface of 

 the ground, and it is highly improbable that they came to an "nt.mely 

 end by striking the telegraph wares. - Edwin H. Barhour, Lincoln, Nebr. 



Florida Notes. -Shortly after the late 'freeze' in Florida (on Feb. 9 

 the temperature was 28° F. at 7 A- m. at New River) large numbers of 

 White-bellied Swallows were seen flying about and a tew days^ later 

 numbers of them were found dead. I saw at least a dozen floatmg m the 



