72 CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



Skssiok— 1865-66. 



Notes on a few new and interesting Canadian Birds, exhibited by George McKay, Esq.^ 

 Mr. Passmore taxidermist, and from the Museum of the University, by Rev. W. Hincks, 

 6th January, 1866. 



We record very concisely the substance of the remarks made. The pintailed Grouse, Cen. 

 trocercus phasianellus, though common more to the north, is rarely seen within the bounds 

 of Canada, as commonly understood. "We are much indebted to G. McKay, Esq. for the 

 exhibition of a specimen in his possession from the neighborhood of Sault Ste. Marie. 



Mr. Passmore exhibited a specimen of Anser Hutchinsii, which seems to be not uncommon, 

 but generally mistaken for the young of the Canada Gorse. Through Mr. Passmore's kind- 

 ness. Professor Hincks was enabled also to call attention to the peculiarities of a Swan,, 

 proposed by him, though with hesitation, as a new species, under the name of Cygnus 

 Passmori. The remarkable difiference in weight seemed hardly to be accounted for from 

 age alone. There is, also, a sensible difference in the position of the eye, and in the directiou 

 of the line bounding the beak ; and the bend of the trachea within the keel of the sternum 

 is very different, so that it was thought difllcult to explain it from difference of ages. Yet 

 the question requires examination by the comparison of series of specimens, and can scarcely,. 

 SB yet, be decided satisfactorily. The comparison of a full grown Trumpeter Swan with th« 

 supposed new species, and with a specimen of Cygnus Americanus, could not fail to be- 

 interesting to the members present. 



FIRST ORDINARY MEETING — 2nd December, 1865. 



Peop. E. J. Chapman, Ph.D., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



I. Papers were read as follows : 



1. By the Rev. Prof. W. Hincks, F.L.S , &c. : 



" On chorisis as a means of explaining certain phenomena of Plants." 



2. By the Rer. J. McOaul, LL.D.: 



" On ancient Factions at Rome and Constantinople." 



3. Prof. Croft, D.C.L. : 



Exhibited Pharaohs' Serpents and explained their construction and compo- 

 sition. 



BBCONO ORDINAKT UEETINO. 



9th December, 1 865. 



Prof. E. J. Chapman, Ph D., "Vice-President, in the Chair. 



I. The following Gentlemen were elected Members ; 



Life member, John Dickson, Esq , Toronto. 



Ordinary members, J. C. Hamilton, M.A., Barrister, Toronto. 



" G. M. Macdonnell, B.A., " " 



II. The nomination for oflSce-bearers for the ensuing year took place. 



THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. 



16th December, 1865. 



Pbof. E. J. Chapman, Ph.D., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



I. Mr. James Fraseb was-elected a member. 



