REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 



only twenty-seven days out of four months being recorded as without 

 snow or rain, and a still smaller number of nights. The range of the 

 thermometer was not far from the freezing-point, being a little below in 

 September and October and a little above in November and December. 

 The violent gales, which almost constantly prevailed, and which often 

 arise with great suddenness, rendered it dangerous to make collections 

 in small boats. The climatic conditions greatly affect the flora aud 

 fauna of the island, there being no trees or shrubs, no plant, indeed, 

 larger than a kind of cabbage. As a consequence of this condition, 

 there are no land-birds or mammals strictly indigenous, and but a single 

 shore-bird. The island is of considerable size, about ninety miles long 

 by fifty miles wide, aud is composed of volcanic rocks. No flying insects 

 were observed except minute gnats, nor were the remains of any found 

 in the stomachs of birds. But two species of vegetable-feeding birds 

 were observed, all the others living exclusively on fish or marine 

 invertebrata. An English party (also to observe the transit) established 

 itself about fourteen miles southwest of the American station, and at 

 about the same distance to the northwest wasaGerman party, associated 

 with each of which was a naturalist. 



The oruithological collections made by Dr. Kidder are believed to 

 fully indicate the character ot the avi- fauna of the locality, very few 

 species having been overlooked. The specimens possess a high interest 

 from the fact that they are among the rarities of American museums, 

 while most of the eggs are new to collections, if not hitherto unknown 

 to naturalists. " The contribution to science which the specimens repre- 

 sent," says Dr. Coues, " is very ably complemented by Dr. Kidder's 

 field-notes, carefully recorded upon the spot when the impressions 

 of the observer were fresh. They possess a vigor and vividness not 

 invariably accompanying descriptions of nature, while their entire 

 trustworthiness is assured both by the character of the observer and 

 by the favorable circumstances of observation." The extended bio- 

 graphical sketches of the Kerguelen birds will be welcomed by ornith- 

 ologists as an important and interesting contribution to the life-history 

 of these imperfectly-known species. This paper forms an octavo pam- 

 phlet of 60 pages, and has been distributed to naturalists and museums. 



The first volume of the exploration of the Colorado Eiver of the West 

 and its tributaries, by Prof. J. W. Powell, under the direction of the 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has been published during the 

 last year by the Department of the Interior. It forms a quarto volume 

 of 303 pages with 80 illustrations and a map. It gives a history of the 

 explorations during the years 1809, 1870, 1871, and 1872. The work to 

 which this volume relates was originally commenced as an exploration, 

 but was afterward developed into a survey embracing the geography, 

 geology, ethnography, and natural history of the country. It is ex- 

 pected that the results of the several investigations relative to these 

 subjects, which have been intrusted to several specialists for elabora- 

 S. Mis. 115 2 



