1889. ] Sctentific Societies. 197 
A discussion of the effects of the ‘blizzard’ of March 12 of the present 
year upon avian life developed evidence as to the extensive destruction 
of English Sparrows (Passer domesticus) in this vicinity. Many of these 
sought the protection of out-buildings and henneries, two being actually 
found the next morning under a hen. Many perished from lack of food 
and the severe cold. In New Jersey great numbers of other species 
sought refuge in sheltered ravines. On Staten Island a Blue Jay ( Cyano- 
citta cristata) was seen to drop dead froma tree, and near Lawrenceburg, 
Long Island, a Seaside Finch (Ammodramus marttimus) was found dead 
on March 12, this date being also an early record for this species. 
Dr. C. Slover Allen instanced the death of many Bank Swallows ( Clzv- 
icola riparia) after a three days’ storm at Grand Menan. He also exhib- 
ited two nestlings of the Black Duck (Azas obscura) and fragments of one 
of the eggs, showing the perforated line around the larger end made by 
the young bird for escaping. This line is always made to the right. 
October 12, 1888.—Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Vice-President, in the chair. 
Mr. L. S. Foster read a list of birds noted this summer at Kiskatom, 
Greene Co., N. Y. 
Mr. Ernest E. Thompson stated that he had heard the following birds 
singing throughout the night, viz.: the Golden-crowned Thrush (Sezv- 
rus aurocapillus), the Chipping Sparrow (Sfzzella socéalis), andthe Song 
Sparrow (Melospiza fasctata),as wellas most of the common songsters. 
Mr. Thompson also remarked upon the effect of wind in repressing the 
songs of birds. 
Mr. William Dutcher remarked that contrary to the usual published 
statements, he believes that Wilson’s Petrel (Oceanztes oceanicus) is the 
common one off our coast, as the majority of Long Island records are of 
this species. They were common at Little Gull Island in August, 1888. 
November 30, 1888.—Mr. George B. Sennett, President, in the chair. 
Mr. Frank M. Chapman read 4a paper entitled ‘Notes on the Birds of 
Aiken, S. C.,’ based on observations made there in November, 1887. Fif- 
ty-seven species were noted, among them a flock of fifty Crossbills, 
probably the third record for the State, and a single Vireo solitarius altz- 
cola, the second record for the State (see Auk, July, 1888, p. 324). About 
nine tenths of the birds seen were Sparrows and nine tenths of these 
Spizella soctalzs. He learned that a Mockingbird (Mimus poylglottos) 
had been observed to herald the approach of each shock of the memora- 
ble South Carolina earthquake by peculiar twitterings several moments 
before the rumble became audible. The English Sparrows left Aiken in 
a body after the earthquake. 
A letter from Mr. William M. Wood of San Francisco spoke of the 
great number of Sea-birds that are washed ashore dead on the Pacific 
coast after a storm. 
Mr. George B. Sennett said that Mr. Paul Babcock of New Jersey had 
found in his chicken coop during ‘the blizzard’ of last March an immense 
number of birds, estimated at fully twenty-five hundred, that had taken 
refuge there. Of these nearly one half were Bluebirds (Sza@lza szalis), 
