84 TRANSACTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC SECTION. 



suffer defeat. Once or twice the male sparrows attacked, 

 in numbers, a single male robin, but were demoralized 

 and routed by his vigorous onslaught, slashing right and 

 left among them. 



In my own vicinity there has been a decided falling- 

 off in the annoyance of sparrows' nests and sparrows' 

 quarrelsomeness till the departure of the robins in the 

 fall. Since then the chickadees have suffered at the 

 hands of the sparrows. 



Simple facts like these show the importance of an ac- 

 curate and extended observation of the habits of birds. 

 Only let it be accurate, and not imaginary, that it may 

 be of service to the scientist. 



An additional circumstance of importance is the 

 change in the papllio thoas, by its transplanting to the 

 northern latitudes. It has greatly increased the appar- 

 ent vigor of the butterfly ; and such a metamorphosis 

 has been made, that unskilled eyes have pronounced the 

 northern and southern specimens different species. The 

 northern specimens are heavier, stronger looking, coarser, 

 with markings more pronounced, and I doubt not that 

 in time the changes will be equivalent to a new species. 



The following note was also read by Dr. De Garmo : 



Rhinebeek, N. Y. 



In the fall, 18S3, I noticed a downy woodpecker 

 (Pious pubiscius) that had a hole nearly excavated in 

 an old limb of a maple tree. The entrance is nearly two 

 inches in diameter, and the body is large and roomy. 

 The woodpecker went there every night dining the past 

 winter. It stored no food in it, but simply used it to 

 rest in over night, and for protection in storms. 



Geo. Tremper. 



JANUARY 14, 1885— THIRTY-FIRST STATED MEETING. 



Prof. W. B. Dwight, chairman, presiding ; eight mem- 

 bers and nineteen guests present. 



68 



