15 



Mr. C. G. Abbott presented a paper, entitled "The Snipe's 

 Love-Song." He explained the result of certain experiments 

 made by Mr. P. H. Bahr of England, by which it was deter- 

 mined that the "bleating" of Snipe in the nesting season was 

 produced almost exclusively by the two outer rectrices. In 

 support of this theory Mr. Abbott found it possible to produce 

 a loud "bleat" by pinning a Snipe's (Gallinago coelestis) outer 

 tail-feathers to a piece of wood and passing them rapidly 

 through the air by means of a string. Tail-feathers from many 

 closely allied forms and similarly formed feathers from the 

 wings of Snipe failed to produce any such sound. Sketches by 

 Mr. Bahr showing the position of the tail in the living bird at 

 the moment of the "bleat" were shown. 



A series of lantern slides was then exhibited showing some- 

 thing of the home life and habitat of the Snipe, and also of 

 some of its near neighbors and relatives. 



December 26, 1905. — The President in the chair. Nine 

 members and visitors present. 



Mr. Chas. E. Rogers said that Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) 

 had extended their range as far as Princeton, N. J. Mr. E. S. 

 Woodruff recorded them from New Haven, Conn. 



Mr. J. A. Weber told of finding a Starling's nest containing 

 ten eggs last summer. It was not known whether this number 

 represented the laying of more than one bird. 



Mr. Walter Granger believed that some of the first nests 

 of this species in America were made in the Museum Building, 

 where he examined them in the spring of 1891 or 1892. 



Mr. Geo. E. Hix reported three American Rough-legged 

 Hawks {Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis) observed at Leonia, 

 N. J., on December 17; also Myrtle Warblers (Dendroica 

 coronata) at Rockaway Beach, N. Y., on December 24. 



Mr. Rogers stated that European Goldfinches {Carduelis 

 carduelis) were decreasing in numbers in Central Park, due it 

 was believed to trappers. Mr. Woodruff recalled finding a 

 European Goldfinch's nest in the same tree two successive 

 years in Central Park some time ago. 



