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Show 496 ON CONTINENTAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. [Nov. 3, have in England ; and these are my grounds for offering it to you. After carrying away a rare species of Stork, it was trapped by some of m y servants at Kinsembo, a place on the borders of Angola and Congo, on the 15th of June last; and I have taken considerable trouble and expense to keep it alive. It is of the same size and not unlike a Serval; long slender legs and tail; the colour is a sort of olive-yellow or sand-colour, spotted here and there with small irregular spots, more particularly along its lower extremities and flanks ; its ears are black and yellow (or white), like those of a Serval. It by no means resembles a Tiger Cat, and it differs much from the Serval, both of which beasts are common in Angola and Loango. It is the true 'Bush-Cat' of the Negroes, and, I believe, is rare in England." I exhibit a drawing by Mr. Smit representing this animal, which will assist in its future recognition (see Plate LXIII.). The species was established on a flat skin, which is now in the collection of the British Museum, and is little known to naturalists. 3. A n interesting collection of animals from the Seychelles Islands, presented, September 21st, by the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon, C.M.Z.S. Amongst these are examples of the Red-crowned Pigeon (Erythroe-nas pulcherrima), the Barkly Parrakeet (Coracopsis barklyi), and examples of three species of Tortoises, concerning which Sir Arthur writes to me as follows:- "Testudo indica. The only island on which I know this gigantic Tortoise to exist now in a state of nature is Aldebra; but there is abundant evidence of their having been wild on most other islands of the Seychelles at no very remote date. At present many are kept in enclosures in the Seychelles and breed there in large numbers; of these some may have escaped into the bush, but I do not think any now exist which are not descended from those brought from Aldebra. " Cinixys belli. These are only found in Mahe, and have evidently been introduced-probably accidentally. " Sternotharus subniger. This Tortoise is found only in marshes in the islands of La Digue and Silhouette, and perhaps Praslin. I never heard of it at Mahe; but very possibly it might be found in the marshes up in the mountains." Mr. Sclater gave an account of the visits which he had made during the summer to several Zoological Gardens and Museums in France and Italy, and made remarks upon the principal objects noticed therein. In the Jardin des Plantes at Paris a new and much improved house for Reptiles and Batrachians had been erected, and had deservedly attracted much public attention. Amongst the rarities living in the Menagerie special attention was called to (1) the typical specimens of Charopotamus edwardsi* of Grandidier, (2) a fine example of the Beisa Antelope (Oryx beisa) lately received from the French Vice-Consul at Aden, (3) a beautiful specimen of Crypto-procta ferox, and (4) the first living example yet brought to Europe * Described Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, p. 318. |