Jan. r, 1 89 1, by Messrs. A. H. Howell and L. S. Foster, the third 

 record for New York State, was reported. [Ornith. and Oologist, XVI, 

 1891, p. 61.] Mr. Foster stated that the food of the immense flocks 

 of Herring Gulls seen on Long Island in winter seemed to consist 

 mainly of the quahog clam. He also spoke of the unusual abund- 

 ance of the Snowy Owl {Nyctea nyctea) this winter all along the 

 coast as far south even as Delaware. One was seen in Central Park, 

 New York City, about the middle of December. 



Dr. Morris called attention to a habit he had noticed of the 

 Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) feeding in winter upon the leaves 

 of Bishop's Cap {Tiarelld). They seem to prefer these leaves, which 

 persist green, to any other food, and in western swamps feed exclu- 

 sively upon them, as proved by examination of their crops. 



Mr. Chapman described the notes of the Virginia and Sora Rails, 

 and the Florida Gallinule, as recently observed by him in the Fresh 

 Pond marshes, Cambridge, Mass. [Mr. Wm. Brewster's article on 

 the Florida Gallinule, Auk, VIII, 1891, pp. 1-7, is of interest in 

 this connection.] 



Dr. C. S. Allen occupied the evening with an informal paper upon 

 the habits of some rattlesnakes and other snakes that he had in con- 

 finement. He showed specimens of the venom, fangs, etc., and also 

 introduced a King Snake and a Hoop Snake alive, both harmless spe- 

 cies, to show how they had acquired, by living in bad company, the 

 habit of striking in imitation of their poisonous associates. 



January 16, 1891. — The President in the chair. Twelve persons 

 present. 



Dr. J. A. Allen presented an extended paper entitled, ' Geographical 

 Distribution of North American Mammals ', illustrated with maps and 

 charts. The mammalian fauna of North America was first compared 

 with that of northern Europe and Asia and then discussed in detail 

 in respect to the lesser faunal areas of the continent. Colored maps 

 were shown illustrating the distribution of the North American 

 Hares. 



February 6, 1891. — The President in the chair. Sixteen persons 

 present. 



Mr. Leverett M. Loomis read a paper entitled 'An Historical 

 sketch of South Carolinian Ornithology '. [This has been published 

 by the author as a separate pamphlet.] 



A letter from Mr. H. A. Cash of Pawtucket, R. I., was read giving 



