us in summer are much less than might be supposed, however, from my note in the "Geology of New Jersey,” p. 776.

16. Red-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis). A careful observer of the birds that now (November) are enlivening our generally leafless trees will not fail to notice continually a woodpecker-like moving little bird that has as unmusical a note as ever fell upon one's ear or added cacophonic variety to a harsh mixture, for verily the music of the woods hath now departed. Of the three birds to which these remarks are applicable, we refer particularly to that named above. A strictly northern species, early in November by ones and twos they make their appearance in company with Sitta Carolinensis, and to the casual observer they appear to be one and the same. In their habits, they, with us, present nothing distinctive. They number, we should judge, about one to twenty compared with "Carolinensis," and three or four per cent. remain during the summer. The locality of

their nests and breeding habits are generally the same as in S. Carolinensis.

17. Black-throated Bunting (Euspizá Americana). Although abundant during the summer in Pennsylvania, less than one hundred miles from the state line (Delaware River), we had never, up to the end of the summer of 1867, been able to see these birds later than May, until they appeared in numbers in September. In the spring of 1868, and again during the past spring and summer, we found in various localities colonies of them breeding in low bushes, several nests being found in one field. We believe that for some reason we have not ascertained, they have annually left the state to breed and then reappeared. They are now with us (November) and we think that a few remain during the winter.

18. Rusty Black-bird (Scolecophagus ferrugineus). During the summers of '67, '68 and '69, these birds have been quite abundant about Trenton, New Jersey, associating with

the Quiscalus versicolor and Agelaius phoeniceus. They built their nests invariably in trees growing upon the banks of streams, raising one brood only.

19. Snipe (Gallinago Wilsonii). We find on conversing with intelligent observers throughout the state, that in the immediate neighborhood of all those tracts of meadows where the Snipe first appear in March, or even earlier, that quite a number remain during the summer and breed. This has been our opinion and coincides with the results of our observations about the extensive tract of meadow extending along the Delaware River from Trenton to Bordentown, New Jersey. During the past few years we think the number remaining has increased steadily. In the autumn many arrive from the North and remain a longer or shorter time according to the weather. Indeed, so long as the ground is not too much frozen to enable them to feed, they are abundant; and after the formation of thick ice some still remain, resorting to spring-holes, and such open water as gives them a chance to thrust their bills in the mud; but we cannot imagine what they then find to eat. During the winter we have examined the stomachs of many, but the mass contained therein was invariably so far digested as to render it impossible to recognize anything, except that it appeared to be largely animal matter.

20. Tell-tale Sandpiper (Gambetta melanoleuca). 21. Yellow-legged Sandpiper (Gambetta flavipes).

Early in May, following the course of the Delaware River, these birds in company with other Scolopacidæ arrive in the neighborhood of Trenton, New Jersey, and on the muddy shores and marshy inland of Duck Island, and the extensive sand bars and grassy islands near and above the city mentioned, make themselves at home. By the first of June the great majority have gone North; but with the few smaller species that remain, and the myriads of Tringoides macularius, the "Tell-tale" and "Yellow-legs" now reduced .in numbers, associate, and when feeding along the river act

as guides, apparently, and certainly as guards. Being at this time of the year very shy, they give notice of the approach of danger, and leading the flock, "Tell-tales," "Yellow-legs," "Solitaries" and "Teeter," fly in large circles, at a great height, and then resume their feeding near where they were previously to being flushed. During the breeding season, if frequently disturbed while feeding, they fly to their nests. Both the "Tell-tale" and "Yellow-legs" have been found breeding in Mercer county, New Jersey. They seek some quiet nook along a small stream, and in the high grasses build quite a substantial nest, raising one brood that leaves the nest before being able to fly. At this time they are a dull mouse color, and when approached, squat so closely to the ground and remain so motionless, that it is nearly impossible to detect them..

22. Solitary Sandpiper (Rhyacophilus solitarius). Although the numbers remaining in New Jersey during the summer vary very much, we have never failed to find them during June and July, and August brings them again plentifully from the North. They breed as regularly in the state as the Spizella socialis, if not as abundantly. While the number of isolated specimens we meet with is large enough to warrant the descriptive name solitarius, yet many are seen associated with the other Sandpipers, especially in May and early autumn.

23. Mallard (Anas boschas). 24. Green-winged Teal (Nettion Carolinensis). 25. Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors). 26. Buffle-headed Duck (Bucephala albeola).

There is generally in April or May a freshet in the Delaware River, and one that usually overflows the tract of meadow mentioned when speaking of the Snipe (Gallinago Wilsonii). During the prevalence of this high water the ducks usually make their appearance in large numbers, feeding over the meadows in loose flocks, the species being the Mallard (Anas boschas), Black-duck (Anas obscura), Sprigtail (Dafila acuta), the two Teal (Nettion Carolinensis and

Querquedula discors), Shoveller (Spatula clypeata), Widgeon (Mareca Americana), Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Whistler (Bucephala Americana), and Buffle-head (Bucephala albeola).

After the waters have subsided they generally congregate at the river, and after a week or more, during which time many are killed, they have left. But not wholly so, as during the summer months, besides the beautiful Aix sponsa, which we always have, there are quite a number of Anas obscura always to be met with, and not unfrequently the four species we have mentioned above. Of the four species the Mallard is the most abundant, and the "Buffle-head" least. That they all breed in the state there can be no question.

We conclude with the above, the selections from our notes, made in the field and at various times, on the peculiarities, if we may call them such, in, the ornithology of New Jersey, with the thoughts they have suggested, believing they will be of interest to those especially giving attention to the subject of geographical distribution. Of the three hundred species of birds included in the ornithic fauna of New Jersey, of course there are many that are exceedingly rare in our territory. Among some species there have happened freaks of habit, unique instances so far as our experience goes, that though entertaining, are doubtfully of sufficient value to warrant their publication; but as apparently trivial occurrences have sometimes proved a help in the solution of difficult questions, we propose to give a plain narration of one or more such occurrences.

In January, 1869, an acquaintance in hunting over the Delaware (Trenton) meadows for hawks came to a lively spring in a hillside having a southern exposure. As he was about leaving it he flushed from grass still green and long, a pair of Virginia Rails (Rallus Virginianus), and fortunately killed them. They were both fat, showed no signs of having been previously wounded and thereby detained, and

flew as rapidly and with as much apparent vigor as in September. Farther search failed to discover others at the time. Two weeks later three others were killed, and in the first week of February, one more. These latter specimens were equally fat and vigorous. No similar circumstance has come under our notice.

Similar instances of the presence of the Night Heron (Nyctiardea Gardenii) have three times come under our notice. We have found these birds sitting on trees near springs, from whence the water flowed swiftly, and about which the grass remained quite fresh. Leaving them undisturbed, but watching them frequently, they were never seen to leave their perch. From the accumulation of droppings it was evident that the particular branch even, on which they were first seen, was that on which they had been resting for some time past. Only single specimens have been thus found, all male birds, and they have always been much emaciated. When forced to move they all proved able to fly, but returned to their accustomed place, after a circuitous flight of short duration. Were they too old to go South? Did they get any food? If so, what and where? On dissection the stomachs of these three specimens proved to be empty, but the uppermost droppings were fresh!

THE FORMER EXISTENCE OF LOCAL GLACIERS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.*

BY PROFESSOR L. AGASSIZ.

TWENTY-THREE years ago, when I first visited the White Mountains, in the summer of 1847, I noticed unmistakable evidences of the former existence of local glaciers. They

* Read, in the absence of Professor Agassiz, by J. B. Perry, before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Troy meeting, Aug., 1870.