i6 



sent but will also influence humane sentiment in many other 

 localities." 



The resolution was accepted by the Society and the Sec- 

 retary instructed to forward neatly engrossed copies to Sena- 

 tor Slater and Assemblyman Bennett. 



Upon motion of Mr. Dutcher it was voted to appoint a 

 committee of two, of which the chair be one, to confer with 

 a like committee from the Audubon Society for the purpose 

 of formulating some plan to interest and instruct school teach- 

 ers in birds and bird life. The Chair appointed as the other 

 member of this committee, Mr. C. W. Beebe. 



Mr. Eugene Smith presented a paper entitled " Some Wild 

 Life in the vicinity of New York City." It was an account 

 of some of the inhabitants of a stretch of marshy ground, 

 perhaps a hundred acres in extent, at the foot of Bergen Hill, 

 New Jersey, not over three miles from the New York City 

 Hall. This ground, owing to its very swampy and treacher- 

 ous nature has not been occupied by buildings although it 

 is surrounded by a dense population. The vegetation con- 

 sisted of swamp grass and cat-tails. Mr. Smith mentioned the 

 following species which had come under his observation: 

 Muskrat (Fiber zibethicus), not uncommon and their houses 

 built much lower than usual in order, no doubt, to make 

 them less conspicuous ; Common Rat (Mus decumanus) ; 

 Common Mouse (Mus musculus) ; Pied-billed Grebe (Podi- 

 lymbus podiceps), observed several times; Clapper Rail (Rad- 

 ius crepitans) ; Coot (Fulica americand) ; also seven species of 

 reptiles and batrachians. 



Mr. Dutcher suggested that the Coots may have been 

 wounded birds as they are not known to breed in this locality. 

 He mentioned a similar locality in Long Island City where, 

 only a few years ago, the Virginia Rail (Rallus virginianus), 

 Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), and Least Bittern 

 (Ardetta exilis) were to be found breeding and where in the 

 fall visitors like the English Snipe (G-allinago delicatd) and 

 Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris) were abundant. 



