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Show 1899.] DR. S. F. HARMER ON CERVUS BELGRANDI. 715 2. MEROPS NUBICOIDES. During the months of October and November these birds were numerous on the Buo and Shire Rivers, breeding in colonies iu the steep banks of those rivers in company with M. bullockoides. On the Ruo, the native children snare scores of them by setting a noose in the entrance to the nest. In one place I am sure I saw fifty snares set. 3. EURYSTOMUS AFER. These birds were not seen until November, when they appeared in small parties of six or eight and were very noisy. Soon after arrival they broke up into pairs and became much quieter. They are not easily shot, being very wary and perching on the highest trees, if possible on a dead branch. 4. PSALIDOPROCNE sp. UOV. This small but interesting Swallow was obtained at the end of August, 1898, on the River Ruo. It was in considerable numbers on this one occasion only, and during the nine months I staved in the district 1 never saw it again. It wTas flying high in the bright sunshine, unlike Psalidoprocne antinorii, which is seldom seen before dusk, then flying low down and usually among the trees. M y specimen differs from the type of P. antinorii, in the British Museum, in having the gloss of the back greenish black instead of purple, and I think it differs in some other points, but I intend making a further examination of it. 5. HALCYON PALLIDIVENTRIS. This bird was shot near the nest and the eggs were taken. The nest was in soft ground beside a dry water-course, the hole in which the nest was placed being about 3 feet deep. I was trying to get at the female, which had flown out of the nest, when the male joined her and was shot, but I was unable to secure the female. Mr. Boulenger exhibited some living specimens of the "Harmut," Clarias lazera C. & V., from Damietta, believed to be the first examples of this curious Siluroid Eish imported alive to this country. Mr. Boulenger was not able to confirm from personal experience the account of its terricole habits that had been given by Dr. Sourd from Senegal specimens determined by Prof. Vaillant as Clarias lazera (Bull. Mus. H. N. 1895, p. 271). Specimens placed by Mr. Boulenger in a terrarium carpeted with turf had died after periods varying between one and three days. Dr. S. F. Harmer, F.R.S., gave an account of the remains of a Deer in the University Museum of Zoology at Cambridge, obtained from the Forest-Bed series at Parkfield, near Lowestoft, and belonging to |
