8 



At the request of the Chair, Mr. Loomis made some remarks upon 

 bird migration. The subject was discussed at length by others. 



Mr. Wm. Dutcher considered that the appearance in the autumn 

 of the Long-billed Curlew (Numenius longiroslris), as well as of the 

 Willet ( Sytnphemia semipahnatd) and the Black Skimmer (Rhynchops 

 7iigra), could be accounted for only by supposing a northward move- 

 ment after breeding. It was his opinion that the occasional flights 

 of Black Terns {Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) come from the 

 West, where these birds are common. 



Mr. F. M. Chapman spoke of the appearance of Spoonbills (Ajaja 

 ajaja)— adults and birds of the year — at Corpus Christi, Texas, early 

 in April. This species arrives after having bred in some other locality. 



February 17, 1892. — The President in the chair. Nine members 

 and four visitors present. 



Mr. B. H. Dutcher read a paper entitled "A Summer's Collecting 

 in Southern California/' illustrating it by an extensive series of photo- 

 graphs taken by himself during this trip, — June to September, 1891. 

 After crossing the Mojave Desert, Mr. Dutcher, outfitting at Keeler, 

 camped on the banks of Big Cottonwood Creek, and from thence, 

 made the ascent of Mt. Whitney. Breaking camp, September 15, a 

 visit was paid to Death Valley, where a camp of Piute Indians was 

 visited, and a number of photographs of the region taken. 



Mr. Wm. Dutcher gave an account of the habits of a Short-eared 

 Owl ( Asio accipitrinus), which he held in captivity for a month in the 

 fall of 1 89 1. During this time it did not become appreciably tamer. 



March 2, 1892. — Annual Meeting. The President in the chair. 

 Eleven members and one visitor present. 



The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. President, 

 Dr. J. A. Allen ; Vice-President, Mr. Frank M. Chapman ; Secretary, 

 Mr. Arthur H. Howell; Treasurer, Mr. L. S. Foster. 



Mr. L. M. Loomis presented a paper entitled ■' A Theory of Mi- 

 gration." This paper was but a part of a more extended one to 

 appear later, and dealt only with cold and food as factors influencing 

 the southward migration of birds. The theory advanced was that 

 food supply was the chief factor to be considered, cold influencing 

 the southward movement in so far only as it occasioned a lack of food. 



Arthur H. Howell, 



Secretary, 



