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Show 1892.] MR. P. L. SCLATER ON CONTINENTAL MENAGERIES. 471 ampelinus) from Fao, Persian Gulf, presented by W. D. Cumming, Esq., and received M a y 6th. W e had previously received from the same donor a male of this bird, which is still alive and in splendid condition. The drawing by Mr. Keulemans which I exhibit (see p. 470) shows the attitude taken by the male of this species when courting. Mr. Sclater made some remarks on the Zoological Gardens at Rotterdam, the Hague, Amsterdam, and Antwerp, which he had visited since the last meeting, and on the principal animals he had noticed in each of them. At Rotterdam was an example of an Antelope lately received from the Congo, a male of Cephalolophus sylvicultor or of a nearly allied species, believed to be the first example of this fine animal brought to Europe. Besides this, the specimens of Tragelaphus gratus and Cephalolophus badius (cf. P. Z. S. 1891, p. 327) were still living. In the Monkey-house were examples of Macacus ocreatus, M. speciosus of Japan, and Semnopithecus pruinosus of Java. The Zebras were represented by a pair of Equus burchelli chapmanni. Amongst the birds, Mr. Sclater had noticed examples of Gyps rueppelli, Ketupa javanensis, a fine series of six Snowy Owls (Nyctea nivea), Squatarola helvetica in full summer plumage, Tricho-glossus forsteni of Sumbawa, Ardetta sinensis from Java, Plotus anhinga (a fine adult bird), and Gallinula orientalis from Java. The Heronry in the Rotterdam Gardens (of wild herons, see P. Z. S. 1891, p. 327) was in full vigour, there being 28 nests this year, and a pair of Black Storks (Ciconia nigra) were nesting inside the adjacent Night-Herons' Aviary. At the Hague Zoological Gardens the greatest attraction was the large series of caged European Passeres, many Sylviidse (e. g. Ruti-cilla phcenicurus, R. titys, Sylvia cinerea and S. curruca) being amongst the number. At Amsterdam the principal Antelopes noted were a pair of Hippotragus equinus and a female of H. niger; a pair of Cobus ellipsiprymnus and 3 males and a female of C. defassa 1; also examples of Gazella darna, of both species of Gnu, and of Bubalis albifrons. The herd of Tragelaphus gratus was still flourishing, and consisted of two males, two females, and a young male lately born. A Cephalophus lately received from Western Africa appeared to be C. nigrifrons. The Giraffes had become reduced in number to a single female, but there were a fine pair of Mountain Zebras (Equus zebra) and a young one. From the Zoological Gardens at Antwerp a number of desirable acquisitions had been obtained for the Society's Collection, amongst which were examples of Casuarius uniappendiculatus, a male Ostrich, and a pair of Victoria Crown-Pigeons (Goura victories). A young male Hippopotamus, horn on the 6th September, 1891, the fourth of the offspring of the adult pair now for several years in these Gardens, seemed to be in splendid health and condition. It was hoped that this animal might be acquired later on for the Society's Collection. 1 Cobus sing-sing (Bennett), Oat. Vert. 1883, p. 144. |
