14 



European Cuckoo (Cuculns canorus), which, by reason of 

 its striking resemblance to a hawk, is able to deposit its 

 eggs in the nests of other birds, while they chatter and 

 scold at a respectful distance. 



Mr. A. H. Howell recorded the breeding of Carpodacus 

 purpureus on Long Island, as shown by a letter from Mr. 

 A. H Helme, of Miller's Place, who says it is "a regular 

 but not very common breeder." Mr. Wm. Dutcher con- 

 firmed this statement and mentioned the fact of its breeding 

 near Westbury, Queens Co. 



Mr. Chapman said that the Mockingbird which had 

 frequented the vicinity of the Museum during the winter 

 had not been seen since January 20. 



February 15, 1893. — The President in the chair. Ten 

 members and six visitors present. 



Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller read a very interesting paper 

 entitled "A June Study," telling, in her charming and 

 popular style, of a month's study of the habits of the Blue 

 Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). 



Mr. L. S. Foster said that he had found, upon investigation 

 of the stomachs of the Blue Jays, that at certain seasons of 

 the year they feed largely upon acorns, and Dr. J. A. Allen 

 stated that by the same process he had found that they 

 destroyed large numbers of the eggs of the tent caterpillar. 



Miss E. Taylor, upon being introduced by the chair, 

 gave a brief but very interesting account of a recent trip 

 she had made to the Mackenzie River, extending to within 

 twenty miles of its mouth. She exhibited many good pho- 

 tographs taken on the trip, and Dr. Allen showed a number 

 of specimens of birds which she obtained and had pre- 

 sented to the American Museum. 



Mr. Frank E. Johnson reported that a Mockingbird 

 (Mimics polyglottos) had spent the past winter in the vicin- 

 ity of Blithewood, L. I. 



He also mentioned seeing 3 or 4 Cowbirds (Molothrus 

 ater) in the same place on January 23. 



