504 [ Marcu, 
March loth. 
Vice-President WETHERILL in the Chair. 
A letter was read from Mr. Jacob S. Miller, of Philadelphia, dated 
March 1, 18538, offering to present to the Academy the Gun of the late 
Alexander Wilson, the Grnithologist. Referred to the Curators. 
Also a letter from Lient. M. F. Maury, dated National Observatory, 
Washington, March 10, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of his notice 
of election as a Correspondent. 
And a communication from the same, containing observations on 
Atmospherie Pressure, which was read and referred to a Committee 
consisting of Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. Hiwyn and br. Bridges. 
A letter was read from Dr. H. Gibbons, dated San Francisco, Dec. 
351i, 1852, transmitting the specimens of fruit and leaves of Podocarpus, 
the donation of which was acknowledged at a previous meeting. 
On motion of Mr Vaux, it was Resolved, That a Committee be ap- 
pointed to ascertain at what price the Collection of Crania belonging to 
the Estate of the late Dr. Morton could be purchased for the Academy, 
and also whether that amount could be raised by subscription. Com- 
mittee—Mr. Vaux, Dr. C. D. Meigs aad Mr. John Cocke. 
March 29th. 
Vice-President BrinGEs in the Chair. 
The Committee on Dr. Hoy’s “ Notes on the Oruithology ef Wis- 
eonsin,” reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings. 
Notes on the Ornithology of Weésconsin. 
By ®. R. Hoy, M. D., of Racine, Wisconsin. 
With few exceptions, the facts contained in the following ‘brief Notes were 
obtained from personal observations made within 15 miles of Racine, Wisconsin, 
lat. N. 42° 42’; long. W. 88°. ‘This city is situated on the western shore of 
Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy timbered district 
where the great prairies approach near the lake from the west, and is a remark- 
ably faverable position for ornithological investigations. Jt would appear that 
this is a grand point, a kind of rendezvous, that birds make during their migra- 
tions. Here, within the last seven years, a have noticed 283 species of birds, 
about one-twentieth of all known to naturalists, many of which, considered 
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. It will be seen 
that a striking peculiarity of the ornithological fauna of this section is, that 
southern birds go further xorth in summer, while nortkern species go further 
south in winter than they do east of the great lakes. 
[* Indicates those known to nest within the State.] 
VULTURIN A, (1 species.) 
*CATHARTES AURA, Linz. 
Found occasionally as far north as Lake Winnebago, lat. 44°. More 
numerous near the Mississippi River. 
FALCONID, (19 species.) 
*AQUILA CHRYSETOS, Linz. \ 
I have a fine specimen, shot near Racine, Dec. 1853. 
