32 



Sharp-tailed Sparrow (P. nelsoni subvirgatus) consorting with 

 ' the other two species on November 5, and mentioned some of 

 the differences in plumage by which it might be distinguished 

 in the field at close range from the Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



Mr. Weber reported big flights of Grackles (Quiscalus) 

 during recent mornings at Palisades Park, N. J. They were 

 observed about half an hour after sunrise, invariably flying 

 in a northerly direction. 



Mr. Cleaves recorded 26 species of birds observed by him on 

 or from the grounds of the Staten Island Museum. The Loon 

 {Gavia immer) and the Common Tern {Sterna hirundo) were 

 noteworthy records, while on the 25th a flock of Canada Geese 

 (Branta c. canadensis) had passed overhead, flying south. 



Mr. Nichols spoke of a trip which he had made on a fishing 

 steamer last week to the edge of the Continental Shelf looking 

 for Tile Fish (Lopholatilus chamoeleonticeps) . Several interest- 

 ing deep-sea fish were found: a Red Sea Robin (Peristedeon 

 miniatum); a rare Shark (Catulus retifer), and a species of 

 Zenopsis (Zenopsis ocellatus). He remarked upon the change 

 of the fish fauna with increasing depth. Two species of 

 Flounders, Paralichthys oblongus and Limanda ferrugineay 

 which had not previously been recorded within 50 miles of 

 New York City, were found in numbers. 



The first paper of the evening was by Mr. Howard H. 

 Cleaves, and was entitled ''Hunting in Nova Scotia, with 

 Special Reference to the Bird Life.'' The speaker gave a 

 most interesting account of a trip to southern Nova Scotia 

 and a visit to Seal Island, where Black Guillemots (Cepphus 

 grylle), Herring Gulls {Larus argentatus), and Eider Ducks 

 (Somateria dresseri) were studied. The scenery, the inhabi- 

 tants, and the characteristic bird life were all described, and 

 the paper was illustrated with a splendid series of colored 

 lantern slides, those of a breeding colony of the Great Black- 

 backed Gull {Larus marinus) being especially noteworthy. 



The second paper of the evening, entitled ''Notes on the 

 Birds of Northern Ontario," by Mr. Clinton G. Abbott, was 

 postponed owing to the lateness of the hour. 



December 10, 1912. — The President in the chair. Twenty- 

 one members and eight visitors present. 



