Bird Fatality along Nebraska Railroads

General /Voles.' 18 7 •895 .]bors as Melossb[zafasciala and 3/.ffeor•,c, iana have tongues quite different from one another.No one would suppose from their tongues that ]¾cus and Sphyrapœcns were members of the same family, while such diverse forms as Micropus, Lrirundo and ]•rocnlas would, from a 'glossological' point of view, stand shoulder to shoulder.On the other hand, so great may be the amount of individual variation, that three distinct species could be made from the four examples of the Cape May Warbler which have passed through my hands.Resemblances between tongues indicate more or less similarity in food or mode of procuring it rather than any real affinity hetween their owners; but while the tongue is apparently of slight taxonomic value it is extremely interesting as showing the remarkable number of modificarlohs which an organ may exhibit and its great susceptibility to physiological adaptation.--F. A. Luc^s, Washinfflon, Z). C. Bird Fatality along Nebraska Railroads.--There is a certain bird fatality along railroad lines which is commonly charged to the telegraph wires.Doubtless they are the chief executioners, but not the dark destroyer of all the dead birds along ore' railroads.In Nebraska more fatality, as I believe, is to be charged to the moving train than to the wires.It is one of the larger States (exceeding in size all New England by xx,ooo square miles), and though treeless, save in the carlons and along river courses, it is quite diversified.Still there are large areas of prairie that seem entirely level and unbroken.Here there are no trees, bushes or stones to offer shelter to xvinter birds.The prairie grasses are very short and give but little protection, and large numbers of misguided birds seek shelter in the lee of the steel rails of railroad tracks.