1SS4.I Notes and Neivs. 20 



tlie 'Genus Eiiipiihvuix," and two hj Mr. II. K. Coale, respectively on 

 the 'Summer Birds of Hyde Park, 111.,' and on the 'Winter Birds of 

 Stark County, Indiana.' At tiie March meeting Mr. Gault read a paper on 

 the breeding habits of Piciis n/itialli, and Mr. Coale one on Cypseloides 

 nigcr borealis. Mr. G. L. Tappan exhibited a fine male '■Milvultis tyran- 

 )iits,' recently taken 'in California'. 



— In the 'Proceedings' of the last annual meeting (1883) of the Boston 

 Society of Natural History we notice the reported existence in the Soci- 

 ety's collection of a specimen of the Labrador Duck {CatnpiolcBtnus 

 lab rado fills) and an immature Black-throated Diver (^Colymbus arcticus) 

 which have been identified by the donor, the Hon. Theodore Lyman, 

 as specimens which came into his possession in the flesh in 1S5C, under 

 circumstances leaving little doubt of their Massachusetts origin, thev 

 having in all probability been killed in Boston Harbor. This example of 

 the Labrador Duck is additional to those mentioned by the late Mr. G. D. 

 Rowley, in his memoir on this species, as existing in museums. 



— The a. O. U. Committee on the 'Classification and Nomenclature of 

 North American Birds' has held a second session in Washington, lasting 

 eighteen days, which was devoted mainly to a consideration of the status 

 of the species and subspecies. From the progress already made, it 

 seems probable that the Committee will be able to make a detailed and 

 final report to the Union at its next meeting. 



— The plan of the work undertaken by the Committee on Bird Migra- 

 tion was fully set forth in the first number of 'The Auk' (pp. 71-76), and 

 a list of the Districts, with their respective Superintendents, as far as at 

 that time arranged, was also given. Eastern Canada, having proved too 

 large for a single District, has since been divided into two : Quebec and 

 the Maritime Provinces remain in charge of Mr. Chamberlain; while 

 Ontario has been placed under the able superintendence of the vetei-an 

 ornithologist, Mr. Thomas Mcllwrath, of Hamilton. Mr. John Fannin of 

 Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, has been appointed Superintendent of 

 British Columbia. 



The article published in 'The Auk' was reprinted in circular form, and 

 3000 copies of it were soon distributed. This number proving insufficient, 

 a second edition of 2000 copies (corrected to date), subsequently issued, 

 was whollj' exhausted within a week from the date of leaving the press. 

 Another impression of 1000 copies has since been struck oft", and will, it is 

 believed, meet the demands for the remainder of the season. 



As a result of this distribution of five thousand circulars, the Committee 

 has already secured about five hundred observers, and the number is daily 

 increasing. At present writing there are observers in every State and 

 Territory in the United States, excepting Alabama, Utah, Wyoming, 

 Idaho, and Nevada, and these vacancies will probably soon be supplied. 



Our Canadian Superintendents have thus far secured more than sixty 

 observers — a much larger number than the Committee expected. 



