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Show 722 PROF. W. H. FLOWER ON THE [Dec. 19, who informed me that it had been taken by a bird-catcher in his nets at Elstree Reservoir on Saturday, November 19. I received the bird in the flesh from Mr. Burton, along with a specimen of Reed-Bunting ( Emberiza schaniclus § ), also in the flesh, for comparison. Lt.-Col. Irby called shortly after I had received these birds, and we examined this specimen together, and had the advantage of comparing it with a large series of Buntings in the collection of Mr. H. E. Dresser and with some in m y own collection. W e came to the conclusion that it is a Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica), of which species only one specimen has hitherto been recorded as having been met with in Great Britian. Our opinion was subsequently confirmed by yourself, who saw the bird in the flesh, and since that time by Mr. H . E. Dresser. " Mr. Burton informs me that the bird is a male by dissection ; and I think that it is undoubtedly a bird of the year." The Rev. H. H. Slater, F.Z.S., exhibited an example of a Shrike killed near Spurn Point in Yorkshire, which was believed to be referable to Lanius major of Pallas, or to a dark variety of L. excubitor. Dr. A. Giinther, F.R.S., exhibited on behalf of Sir J. W. P. Campbell Orde, Bart., F.Z.S., a specimen of a Charr (Salmo alpinus) which had been obtained in a loch on North Uist, Hebrides, being the first specimen ever obtained in this loch, and the third known to have been obtained in the island. Prof. Flower exhibited a photograph (presented to the Society by Mr. James Farmer, F.Z.S.) of Seal Point, Farallone Islands', off the coast of California, showing the immense number of Sea-lions (Otaria gillespii) frequenting that locality. Mr. P. H. Carpenter exhibited and made remarks on some microscopical preparations of Antedon eschrichti, in which a nervous plexus derived from the fibrillar envelope of the chambered organ was visible at the siues of the ambulacra of the disk. The following papers were read :- 1. On the Whales of tbe Genus Hyperoodon. By WILLIAM HENRY FLOWER, LL.D., F.R.S., P.Z.S., &c. [Received November 28, 1882.] Apart from that indicated by the waterworn and imperfect cranium from Australia, brought before the notice of the Society in May last1, but one species of the genus Hyperoodon, as constituted by Lacepede2, has been generally recognized. This has long been known under various specific names-H. rostratus, bidentatus, diodon, 1 See P. Z. S. 1882, p. 392. 2 Histoire naturelle des Cetaces. Tableau des Ordres &c, p. xliv (1804). |
