crowned Warbler {Helminthophila celata), now in the col- 

 lection of the Long Island Historical Society, taken many 

 years ago in Brooklyn. [See "Auk," Vol. x., 1893, 

 P- 2 77-] 



A discussion of the nesting habits of the Crested Fly- 

 catcher {Myiarchtis crinitus) disclosed the fact that many 

 nests of this species lack the usually-expected snake-skin. 



Mr. H. W. Floyd recorded the capture of two specimens 

 of the Lapland Longspur {Calcarins lapponicus) at Rocka- 

 way Beach, Long Island, on February 22, 1893. 



April 5, 1893. — The President in the chair. Ten mem- 

 bers and thirteen visitors present. 



Louis B. Bishop, M. D., presented a paper entitled 

 " Change of Color in the Plumage of the Kestrel (Tinnnn- 

 cirius alaudarius) ." Dr. Bishop's paper was based upon a 

 series of skins collected by himself in Egypt, during the 

 winter of 1890-91 ; this series embraced various stages 

 of plumage from the rufous of the young to the slate -gray of 

 the adult bird. He considered that the bird changed from 

 immature to adult plumage principally without a moult. 

 Dr. J. A. Allen considered that Dr. Bishop's theory did 

 not seem to be substantiated by the facts, and stated that 

 continuous observations of living birds were necessary to 

 a proper understanding of the case. 



C. S. Allen, M. D., gave a practical illustration of the 

 manner of safely handling poisonous snakes. He exhibited 

 living specimens of the Florida Diamond-backed Rattle- 

 snake (Crotalus horridus) and the Moccasin {Ancistrodon 

 contortrix), and showed the effect of the poison upon two 

 Guinea Pigs. 



April 19, 1893. — The President in the chair. Seven 

 members and two visitors present. 



J. A. Allen, Ph. D., presented a paper entitled "Protective 

 Coloration and Mimicry," which was a review of various 

 theories of these subjects. Dr. Allen held that protective 

 coloration is largely due to environment. 



May 3, 1893. — No quorum present. 



