II 



formosa, Lanius ludovicianus, CJiondestes grammactts, Den- 

 droica ccernlea. 



Two European species, the Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 

 and the House Sparrow {Passer domes ticus), have been 

 introduced. The Black-throated Bunting- (Spiza ameri- 

 cana), which was considered of doubtful occurrence in Ohio 

 forty years ago, has since become abundant, but in the last 

 decade has again markedly decreased in numbers. 



The next paper was from Mr. E. S. Gilbert, of Canaseraga, 

 N. Y., who, in treating of " Faunal Changes," refers to 

 the disappearance of Ceophlazus pileaUcs and Melanerpes 

 erythrocephahis, and the scarcity during the breeding season 

 of Colaptes auratus, Sialia sia/i's, and Troglodytes dedon. 

 He says also that, "Bobolinks and Kingbirds are greatly 

 diminished in numbers," while, "on the other hand, the 

 Shore Lark yOtocoris alpestris praticold) is more common 

 than formerly," the reason being its love for regions of 

 cultivated ground. These birds may be expected to arrive 

 in the spring with considerable regularity, never varying" 

 more than one day from February 15. 



The last paper was by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, and was 

 entitled, "The Chionididae, a Review of the Opinions on 

 the Systematic Position of the Family." [See " Auk/' 

 April, 1893, pp. 158-165.] 



Mr. F. M. Chapman showed a specimen of a new form of 

 Oryzomys which he proposed to describe. [See Bull. Am. 

 Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. v., March, 1893, pp. 43-46.] 



Jamiaiy 4, 1893. — The President in the chair. Eleven 

 members and two visitors present. 



The first paper of the evening was by Dr. J. A. Allen, "On 

 Former Land Connections of the American Continents." 



The second paper, also by Dr. Allen, was " On the Dis- 

 tribution and Relationships of the Pocket Gophers." 



Dr. Allen and Messrs. F. M. Chapman and B. H. Dutcher, 

 gave accounts, drawn from personal experience, of the 

 habits of these mammals and the methods employed in 

 trapping them. 



Mr. Chapman stated that the Mockingbird that has 



