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Show 798 LETTER FROM MR. W. H. HUDSON. [Dec. 6, In concluding my report for these last two months, I must not omit to record the existence in the Gardens during a part of that period of an example of the Ka-ka-po, or Night-parrot of New Zealand (Strigops habroptilus). On the 20th of September Mr. G. S. Sale deposited in the Society's care a specimen of this most interesting bird, and removed it on November 3rd, after some unavailing attempts to come to terms with us as to its price. A good illustration of the Kakapo, taken from this bird, was given in the ' Field' for 15th October, 1870 (p. 328); and at p. 411 (November 12th) will be found a notice of its habits by the owner. The Secretary read the following extract from a letter addressed to him by Dr. R. C. Cunningham, C.M.Z.S., concerning a specimen of the Manatee (Manatus americanus) kept alive in captivity :- "The specimen of the Manatee observed by m e at Rio in 1867 and 1869 had been procured, as I was informed, from the Amazons, and was kept in a strip of artificial water in the Passao Publico (Public Gardens) of the city, which was tenanted also by two young Jacares and a variety of water-fowl. It measured, as nearly as I could calculate, between 4 and 5 feet in length. In general it could only be recognized as an inky shadow moving along at some distance below the surface of the water. It evinced a curious predilection for the society of a white Swan, following this bird, which was not at all alarmed by its associate, from place to place, so that we found that the presence of the Swan on any particular spot on the water was a guide to that of the Manatee, or ' Cow-fish' as it is generally termed by the inhabitants of Rio. It was very tame, often protruding its curiously fringed lips above the surface of the water to take bunches of grass from, the hands of the bystanders ; and several times I observed it grazing on the short herbage at the sides of the water. This it accomplished by raising its head and shoulders above the surface, and maintaining itself in this position by means of one pectoral fin placed on the top of the low stone ledge or parapet which separated the water from the adjoining turf, while it slowly moved along sideways in this position, cropping the grass as it went." The following (ninth) letter upon the ornithology of Buenos Ayres, by Mr. W . H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S., was read* :- " Buenos Ayres, June 20th, 1870. " W e are now near the winter solstice, and the weather has become exceedingly mild. This short period of pleasant weather in midwinter is called in Buenos Ayres ' Veranillo de San Juan,' and is experienced here almost every season. So warm have the last few days been, that the Dusky Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) has been heard frequently, though his full delightful song is never put forth till September; but the Cardinal, Black-headed Finch, and Calandria have been singing as if it were really spring. * For Mr. Hudson's last letter see antea, p. 748. |