187 



quiries to trace the progress and annual advance of the bird, its 

 brumal retreat, &c. 



Mr. Ord stated, that the bird referred to by Mr. Miner had 

 been known for years, and had been described and figured in 

 the Prince of Canino's additions to Wilson, as well as in Mr. 

 Audubon's works. It has been seen for many years at Lam- 

 bertsville, on the Delaware, where it annually breeds, and has 

 been gradually advancing eastward from the Missouri. 



Mr. Trego referred to cases in which the bird had been seen 

 in various parts of Eastern Pennsylvania; and at Bellefonte, 

 in the central part of the State, in great numbers. 



Dr. Patterson called attention to a work on the Trigonome- 

 trical Survey of India, commenced by Lieut. Col. Lambton, 

 and continued by Col. Everest, and gave a detailed account of 

 the same, explaining the mode in which the survey had been 

 accomplished. Col. Everest is now on a visit to this country, 

 and had sent the work laid before the Society by Dr. P. by 

 Assistant Surgeon E. K. Kane, of the Navy, who had recently 

 returned from the east. 



The allusion to Dr. Kane gave occasion to the reading of 

 an extract of a letter from him to Mr. J. K. Kane, dated at 

 Thebes, May, 1845, in which he refers to his own observa- 

 tions in the Nile Valley, but especially to the ardent and im- 

 portant labours of Dr. Lepsius, now occupied in archaical in- 

 vestigations there. 



Mr. Eckfeldt stated, that he had examined the specimen 

 sent to the Society by Mr. Sartori, and could not observe a 

 trace of mercury. He considered it to be zinc, containing 

 small quantities of lead and other metals. Its specific gravity 

 vs^as 7.05. 



On motion, the Committee on Finance were discharged from 

 the further consideration of a letter from Mr. Smith, on the 

 subject of taxes on the Museum property, referred to them on 

 15th December, 1843. 



On motion, the Librarian was discharged from the further 

 consideration of the subject of the instruments lent to the late 

 Mr. Hassler, referred to him 15th December, 1843. 



On motion, the Committee appointed to take charge of the 



