EDITORIAL GLEANINGS. 43 



tion, supported by the Royal Society, and led by Mr. J. E. S. Moore, a 

 Committee has been formed, consisting of Sir John Kirk, Dr. P. L. Sclater, 

 Mr. Thiselton-Dyer, Prof. Ray Lankester, and Mr. G. A. Boulenger, for the 

 purpose of organizing another expedition to the same regions, to thoroughly 

 survey the basin not only of Lake Tanganyika, but also the unknown por- 

 tions of the northern extension of the great series of valleys in which 

 Tanganyika, together with Lakes Kivu and the Albert Nyanza, lie ; to collect 

 specimens of the aquatic fauna and flora, and to study the geological 

 history of this part of Africa. The latter object of the investigation should 

 be of especial interest, for it was shown by Mr. Moore that almost without 

 exception the shells of the singular series of whelk-like molluscs, captured 

 by him in Tanganyika, are indistinguishable from those now found fossi- 

 lized in Europe among the remains of old Jurassic seas. It would thus 

 appear that at some remote period of time the great valley of Tanganyika 

 was in connection with the sea, and that the strangely isolated marine 

 fauna which still inhabits its slightly brackish waters has remained there 

 ever since. — Nature. 



The effect of approaching storms upon song birds is the subject of an 

 interesting contribution by Mr. C. E. Linney to the * U. S. Monthly 

 Weather Review.' It appears that during the night of Aug. 15-1 6th very 

 severe electrical, wind, and rain storms prevailed over the northern district 

 of Illinois. An observer in Henry County, Mr. W. W. Warner, noticed 

 that for forty-eight hours before the storm not a sound was heard from the 

 numerous song birds in the district. This observation was so full of 

 interest that Mr. Linney wrote for additional information, with the result 

 that he received numerous letters, some confirming it, others stating that 

 birds sing louder and more persistently before a great storm, and nearly all 

 agreeing that they are more restless than usual at such a time. Mr. Linney 

 has found the following weather proverbs referring to song birds and 

 storm : — When birds cease to sing, rain and thunder will probably occur. 

 If birds in general pick their feathers, wash themselves, and fly to their 

 nests, expect rain. Parrots and Canaries dress their feathers and are 

 wakeful the evening before a storm. If the Peacock cries when he goes to 

 roost, and indeed much at any time, it is a sign of rain. Long and loud 

 singing of Robins in the morning denotes rain. Robins will perch on the 

 topmost branches of trees and whistle when a storm is approaching. The 

 restlessness of domestic animals and barn-yard fowls before an approaching 

 storm is well known, and many of their peculiarities have been noted ; but 

 the actions of song birds do not appear to have previously received par- 

 ticular attention. — Nature, 



