692 ZOOLOGY. 
distinct genus, Pentalophus A. De C. It is a pity to lose the 
appropriate name of longiflorum but it must yield to the older one 
imposed by Michaux.—M. S 
Ruexia Virernica L.— This species produces fusiform tubers 
and of course grows from them the following year. In the few 
books accessible to me here (Wethersfield, Conn.), ‘‘ Gray’s Man- 
ual,” ‘*Chapman’s Flora S. U. S.,” “Benth. and Hook. Gen. PL,” 
no mention is made of this character of genus or species. Hence, 
I infer it is not generally known. Will botanists who can readily 
examine other species uae whether or not it is a generic chat 
acter and let us know?—C. V 
CLEIsTOGENOUS FLowers are produced late in the season, and 
almost exclusively by Oxybaphus nyctagineus, as observed by 
H. W. Patterson, of Oquawka, Illinois. In N yctaginia capitata, of 
Texas, as cultivated in the botanic garden here several years ago, 
we noticed the opposite of this, i.e., all the earlier flowers were 
cleistogenous.— A. G 
ZOOLOGY. 
NOTES ON SOME OF THE Rarer Birps or New Eneianp.— The 
occurrence in New England of the birds here mentioned, and the 
nesting therein of many of them, will perhaps be of interest to 
some readers of the NATURALIST :— 
An ornithological friend, Mr. J. N. Clark, residing at sey pinkie 
Ct., writes me that the following species are found in numbers, and 
breed regularly, in that locality: IJcteria virens, Helminthophaga 
pina, Myiodioctes mitratus, Icterus spurius, Ammodromus mari- 
timus, Myiarchus crinitus and Rallus crepitans. He also observes 
in the nesting season Helmitherus vermivorus, but as yet has failed 
to find the nest. Melanerpes erythrocephalus also breeds, and a 
number remained with him all through last winter. Most of the 
above have usually been regarded only as rare and accidental visi- 
tors to the southern portions of New England, and the others as 
found but sparingly and locally in any section of it. The fact of 
the blue-winged, yellow, worm-eating and hooded warblers occur- 
ring constantly is, I think, of special interest. He sends me & 
specimen of Seiurus Noveboracensis and says, “I can testify that 
about the period of nesting they are most extraordinary singers.” 
_ I think it possible, however, that the bird actually nesting with him 
a 
