12 



frequented the grounds of the American Museum since 

 October 19, 1892, was yet present, notwithstanding the at- 

 tentions of a visiting hawk. He feeds upon the fruit of the 

 Virginia creeper and of a Chinese ailanthus-like tree. 



January 18, 1893. — The President in the chair. Seven 

 members and twelve visitors present. 



Mr. Frank M. Chapman read a paper by Miss Florence 

 A. Merriam on " Habits of the Gray Squirrel, and its Sus- 

 ceptibility to Domestication." 



This animal is plentiful in the valley of the Black River, 

 and at Miss Merriam's home at Locust Grove, Lewis Co., 

 N. Y., is abundant, occupying the woods which are within 

 sight of her house, and being rarely molested they have 

 become remarkably tame ; by coaxing them with corn 

 and nuts, they were enticed into the door-yard and on to 

 the piazza of her house. One female, in particular, which 

 Miss Merriam described under the name of " Gray," grew 

 very tame, accepting food from the hand, and climbing all 

 about one's person. 



She had noticed a number of interesting traits in the 

 character of the Squirrels, notably the extreme nervous- 

 ness they showed when placed in unusual circumstances, 

 or when startled by a sudden apparition or loud sound. 

 They seemed to be guided in their search for food more by 

 smell than by sight, often sniffing about the lawn in a zig 

 -zag fashion, while several nuts lay near by in plain view. 

 Miss Merriam had observed very little friendly intercourse 

 among them. 



The Hon. Clinton L. Merriam stated that until recently 

 the Squirrels in the vicinity of his home (at Locust Grove, 

 N. Y.) always occupied inside nests, but within the past 

 few years he had observed a number of spacious outside 

 nests. 



Mr. Geo. B. Sennett made remarks upon a collection of 

 birds from northeastern Mexico, illustrated by specimens 

 from his collection. He showed 21 of the Mexican species 

 which are found nearest to the United States border, and 

 told something of their habits and characteristics. 



