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Show 1879.] MR. R. TRIMEN ON PLECTROPTERUS NIGER. 5 whole of the south coast of New Ireland, communicating constantly with the natives and anchoring in many of the bays, and that nowhere could he find any traces of the bird or learn that it exists. On the contrary, the natives seemed quite ignorant of all that concerns it, and offered to buy some eggs, which had been brought from New Britain in order to facilitate inquiries on the subject. "P.S. Mr. Brown says the native name in New Britain is Moorup not Mooruk." The following extract was read from a letter addressed to the Secretary by the Rev. G. Brown, C.M.Z.S., dated Port Hunter, Duke-of-York group, Sept. 7, 1878:- "About three weeks ago H.M.S. 'Sandfly,' Capt. A. G. Home, arrived here on her way to the extreme end of New Ireland. Capt. H o m e told me that he had instructions from the Commodore to inquire as to whether the 'Moorup'1 was found on New Ireland or not. He asked me about it; and I told him that, so far as we knew, it was not found on any part of the west coast, but that we knew little or nothing of the east side of the island. Capt. H o m e very kindly asked me to accompany them on their cruise; and as I was not at all well, and as I also wished very much to examine the coast further north, I very gladly accepted his offer. W e were away about twelve days from here, and went as far as the north end of Sandwich Island, but did not reach New Hanover; nor did we visit the east coast of N ew Ireland at all. W e anchored at Wood Harbour, on the mainland opposite Sandwich Island. W e saw no traces of the Moorup-neither eggs, feathers, nor bones, all of which are used by the natives of New Britain-the feathers for head-dresses, and the bones for the ends of their spears. Of these we saw no signs, however, in New Ireland. W e bad a Moorup's egg with us, and showed it everywhere ; but no one seemed to recognize it. I think we may be very certain that neither the Moorup nor the Cockatoo are found on New Ireland. There is much more open country on the east side of the island; but all the natives assure us that they are not found there either." The Secretary read the following extract from a letter addressed to him by Mr. R. Trimen, F.Z.S., dated South-African Museum, Cape Town, 25th Sept. 1878:- " With respect to your Plectropterus niger2,1 have ascertained that all the four specimens were brought down from Zanzibar by Capt. Garrett, of the mail-steamer ' Kafir.' Two were given to General Sir A. Cunynghame, who afterwards sent them to the Society, and the other two to Mr. W . G. Brounger. One of the latter two, while on Mr. Brounger's farm at Constantia, was shot; and the survivor subsequently disappeared, Mr. Brounger believing that it flew away. The following papers were read : - 1 [Casuarius bcnnetti, see above, - P . L. S.] 2 See figure and description, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 47, pi. vii. |