[April Scientific Socteties. 201 
British Columbia, and it has been found from about latitude 44° to about 
latitude 65°; tts southernmost records being on the highest peaks of the 
Sierra Nevada, near Mt. Whitney (‘Forest and Stream,’ Feb. 26, 1885). 
This Goat is in 10 immediate danger of extermination, as it inhabits the 
most inaccessible localities and has few natural enemies. 
Papers were read from the following persons: Mr. E. S. Gilbert, on 
‘Crow Roosts and Crows’; Dr. F. W. Langdon, ‘On the Occurrence in 
large numbers of Sixteen Species of Birds in Ohio,’ as follows: Fudica 
americana, Ectopistes migratorius, Asto acctpitrinus, Conurus carolinen- 
sts, Chordetles virgintanus, Corvus americanus, Molothrus ater, Qutsca- 
lus quiscula eneus, Loxia curvirostra minor, Loxia leucoptera, Habia 
ludoviciana, Progne subis, Clivicola riparia, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 
Ampelis cedrorum, and Helminthophila peregrina; Mr. George N. 
Lawrence, ‘An Account of the Former Abundance of some species of 
Birds on New York Island at the time of their Migration to the South; 
Mr. C. J. Pennock, ‘Thousands of Turkey Buzzards, anda Flight of 
Hawks;’ Mr. John H. Sage, ‘A Flight of Hawks;’ and Mr. E. E. Thomp- 
son, on ‘Bird Hosts in Manitoba.’ Mr. John N. Drake also gave a verbal 
account of Grackles roosting in great numbers in a Maine swamp. Mr. 
Lawrence’s paper having a peculiar personal and local interest is here 
given in full. 
An Account of the Former Abundance of some species of Birds on New 
York Island, at the time of their Migration to the South. By GEoRGEN. 
LAWRENCE. 
At our country place (Forest Hill), eight miles from the City Hall, 
situated on the high ground immediately north of the valley of Manhattan- 
ville and fronting on the Hudson River, the opportunity to observe the 
movements of migratory birds was an excellent one, as they generally 
followed the course of the river in their line of flight. Here our family 
lived, during the summer, until about 1850, when the place was sold. 
From my earliest recollection I had a fondness for birds, and before I 
could use a gun, watched the great numbers passing with much interest. 
I was allowed to have a gun about the year 1820, and from that time until 
leaving our old homestead, I paid more strict attention to their movements 
and the times of their appearance. 
The first birds flying south were the Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelazus 
pheniceus) ; from the middle of July, for some weeks, there would be a 
flight of this species every afternoon, coming in flocks of from twenty-five 
to fifty or more individuals. 
During most of August and September, in the afternoon of each day 
there would be a continuous flight of the White-bellied Swallow (Zachy- 
cineta bicolor), accompanied by a few Barn Swallows (Chelédon erythro- 
gaster) ; the number that passed was very great. 
About the first of September, when there was a strong northwest wind, 
Passenger Pigeons (Ectopistes migratorius) were sure to appear in great ° 
