with the birds of Central Park (New York City), during 

 the past summer. Several unusual birds have been 

 recorded, among them a Red-bellied Nuthatch {Sitta 

 canadensis) in June and July, and a Canadian Warbler 

 [Sylvania canadensis) in full song, July I. 



The bathing habits of the birds form an interesting 

 feature of their summer life. Mr. Chapman had discovered 

 a little pool which seemed to be a favorite resort, and had 

 watched it quite faithfully. The following species were, ex- 

 cepting the English Sparrows, the most frequent visitors : 

 Melospiza fasciata, GeotJdypis trichas, Vireo olivacetis, 

 Dendroica cestiva, and Menda migratoria. The Vireos 

 differed from the other bathers in the fact that they never 

 entered the water bodily, but, flying from some elevated 

 perch, merely dashed the water over themselves, and were 

 away again. 



A rough estimate of the number of Sparrows bathing 

 there per day places the number at 4,000. 



On August 29, there occurred the first flight of mi- 

 grants, and on this same date the birds ceased bathing in 

 the Park, and since then only two have been seen at their 

 summer resort. 



October 19, 1 892. — The President in the chair. Seven 

 members and nine visitors present. 



Mr. Frank M. Chapman presented a paper entitled, 

 " Notes on the Zoology of the Voyages of Columbus." 



Columbus was not a naturalist, but there are numerous 

 references in his journal to the birds and mammals which 

 he observed on his voyages. Mr. Chapman traced the 

 details of the first and memorable voyage, noting the birds 

 seen at different stages of the voyage, and how Columbus 

 was led to alter his course by reason of meeting a large 

 flight of North American migrants 800 miles from the 

 Bahamas, thus landing at San Salvador instead of Florida. 



Mr. L. S. Foster presented a paper on "The Spring 

 Birds of the Vicinity of New York City." the territory being 



