208 General Notes. [ February, 
the occurrence of Gasterosteus williamsoni in an artesian well at 
San Bernardino, California. Messrs. Evermann and Meek 
(Proceedings Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1883), de 
fine sixteen species of Gerres, and review the species found in 
American waters. G. homonymus is considered identical with 6, 
gula C. and V. and G. harengulus with Eucinostomus pseudoguli 
of Poey and Diapterus gracilis of Gill. 
Birds—Dr. R.W.Shufeldt publishes inthe Journal of Physiology 
and Anatomy (xvii, 86), observations on the osteology of Podas- 
ocys montanus, illustrated by a plate. In 1859 the skins of but two 
of these birds were in the Smithsonian collections. Upon its nats | 
plains, and in the open parks of the Rocky mountains, it has al 
the habits and action of a true plover, iacking only in the nosy 
traits of Vanellas and Ægialites. sia Nut 
Ornithological Club for October, 1883, contains a notice by Dr | 
C. H. Merriam, of the yellow-green vireo, which has not a 
occurred north of Fort Brown, Texas. It was found dead in 
Province of Quebec, Canada, and was probably a storm waif. Dt 
Merriam also states that the harlequin duck, a common summe 
resident in Newfoundland, nests in hollow trees. His au 
na A 
coast, but are found scattered all over the count 1 
but 
bed by 
C. F. Bendire. e 
Mammais—Dr. J. B. Holder, of the American Moa 
Natural History, New York, has added further to on dt 
of the right whale of the north temperate Atlantic (B «ae of De E 
tica Cope) by the publication of figures and descrif mples, 
exterior characters and osteology of three or four Ke rter tha? 
cluding both sexes. The head is always relatively a has? 
in B. mysticetus, but a female from the New Jersey tter to Dt | 
longer head than the males. Dr. Manigault, in 4 South Car f 
Holder respecting an example taken at Charleston ~ | a limite? 
lina, states that a fishery for this whale is carried On Pig that" 
extent off the coast of South Carolina and Georg ™ 
attains a length of sixty feet. 
PHYSIOLOGY. mi E 
DIGESTION WITHOUT A Sromaca.—In the Archiv J le o | 
Physiologie, 1883, M. Ogata describes some reman peint” 
ments upon the digestive powers of animals in Wi” spor, i E 
2 This department is edited by Professor Henry SEWALL, of APRS { 
