The occurrence of Cicada septemdecim in this vicinity at 

 present was mentioned. 



October 9, 1894. — The Vice-President in the chair. Six 

 members and two visitors present. 



Mr. F. M. Chapman read a paper entitled " Notes on 

 Cuban Mammals," by Juan Gundlach, Ph. D. Much inter- 

 esting information concerning the various species of mam- 

 mals was given, and the remarks on Solenodon were es- 

 pecially valuable. The paper was illustrated by specimens 

 from the American Museum collections. (Printed in this 

 Abstract, postea, pp. 13-20.) 



October 23, 1894. — The President in the chair. Thirteen 

 members and eight visitors present. 



The following report by Mr. William Dutcher concern- 

 ing the protection of the Terns on Great Gull Island, was 

 read : — 



" I take pleasure in reporting, that during the season of 

 1894, protection was given to the colony of Terns, on Great 

 Gull Island, N. Y., during the breeding season. In 1886, 

 the Island was visited and a colony of from three to four 

 thousand Terns was found there. It was ascertained that 

 it was a common practise for persons to visit the Island and 

 shoot the birds, and take the eggs for various purposes, 

 principally, however, for eating. Subsequently it was as- 

 certained that the colony was decreasing year by year, and 

 the necessity for protection became apparent, if the colony 

 was not to be entirely destroyed as has been the result 

 elsewhere on the Long Island coast. The matter was 

 brought to the attention of the Linnaean Society of New 

 York, at a meeting held April 24th, 1894, when the follow- 

 ing resolutions were unanimously adopted : 



" Whereas, It has been brought to the attention of this Society that the Terns 

 breeding on Great Gull Island, Long Island, N. Y., are threatened with com- 

 plete extermination unless measures are promptly taken for their protection 

 during the breeding season, and it having been made known to this Society that 

 Mr. Win. Dutcher of this city is willing to undertake to secure for them the 

 necessary protection, provided the co-operation and pecuniary assistance of 

 this Society can be obtained. Therefore, be it 



