160 
American Museum of Natural History, and Mr. C. William 
Beebe, of the New York Zodlogical Park, were also present and 
gave interesting accounts of their recent explorations in Tropical 
America. 
On August 28, 1908, a thousand or more dead English spar- 
rows were found on the grounds of the Garden, especially in the 
shrubbery about the elevated approach and along the railway 
line on the west side. In one small area 620 dead birds were 
picked up where they had fallen from the shrubs at night. Their 
death was due to the heavy cold rain of August 25 and 26 ac- 
companied by a night temperature of 50° or lower. The pre- 
mature cold was too great for the young birds as yet poorly 
supplied with feathers. The death of sparrows in other places 
about the city was noted in the papers at this time. The 
English sparrow is a decided nuisance on the grounds and about 
the buildings of the Garden, especially in the conservatories and 
around the eaves of the museum building. It will be interesting 
to note the effect of this wholesale slaughter upon the number of 
birds next year. 
Meteorology for August. — The total precipitation recorded for 
the month was 7.19 inches, 6 inches being recorded for the week 
beginning August 22, Maximum temperatures were recorded 
of 92.5° on the 11th, 94° on the 14th, 88° on the 19th, and 
81.5° on the 30th; also minimum temperatures of 69.5° on the 
8th, ae on the 11th and 16th, 50.5° on the 2Ist, and 45.5% 
on the 2 
ACCESSIONS. 
LIBRARY ACCESSIONS FROM JULY 1 TO AUGUST 31, 1908. 
BusEMANN, L. Der Pflanzenbestimmer. Stuttgart, 1908. 
Cuun, CARL, oe e Er, ie der pas Tiefsee- Gir ne auf 
dem Dampfer “ Valdivia” 1898-99, Zweiter Band, erster Teil, Lieferung 1-2; 
Zweiter Band, zweiter Teil. poe 1905~ . 
PauL. Werden und Vergehen der Pflanzen, Leipzig, 1907. 
(Given by the Trustees of Columbia University. ) 
GoRDINIER, HERMON Camp, & Howe, ELLIOT CaLvin. The flora of Rensselaer 
County, New York. Troy, 1894. (Given by Dr. H. C. Gordinier. ) 
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