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Show ("Oft* DR. O. FINSCH ON THE WILD [Nov. 7, been placed in one of the large cages in the parrot-house, and make a fine and novel addition to the series of rarer Passeres. 4. A Bengal Pitta (Pitta bengalensis), purchased August 18th, being the first specimen of any species of this magnificent Asiatic genus of birds that has reached us alive. 5. Two Wattled Guans (Ahurria carunculata), presented by Mr. L. Merino, August 29th. Mr. Merino informs me that these birds, which are the first examples of this form of Guan that have reached us, are from the State of Tolima, U. S. of Columbia. The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of September was 105 ; of these 55 were acquired bv presentation, 35 by purchase, 4 by exchange, 5 were bred in the Gardens, and 6 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and removals was 80. The most noticeable additions during the month were as follows :- 1. A Slaty-headed Parrakeet (Palaornis schisticeps), purchased September 25th, being the first living example we have received of this North-Indian species, which is very rare in captivity. 2. A Riippell's Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus rueppelli), presented by M . J. M . Comely, C.M.Z.S., September 28th. No example of this form of Spur-winged Goose has been living in the Gardens since I860. The present specimen was until recently in the Zoological Gardens at Antwerp. 3. Four American Darters (Plotus anhinga), purchased September 29th. These birds are very acceptable, as we have recently lost the two specimens of this most interesting form that have previously lived in the Gardens. I may take this opportunity of calling attention to the species of Muntjac doubtfully recognized by me in 1875 as Cervulus micrurus (P.Z. S. 1875, p. 422, pl. Ii. fig. 1). The pair of this supposed species bred that year; and a young female was born on the 30th of July, 1875. In this the tail is longer than in the parents, but not so long as in the ordinary Cervulus reevesi. They bred again this year ; and a young male was born on the 30th tilt. In this the tail is fully as long as in the true C. reevesi. I have therefore come to the conclusion that the so-called C. micrurus has been founded on examples of C. reevesi with docked tails, A letter was read from Dr. O. Finsch, C.M.Z.S., dated Saissan, S.W. Siberia, May 22, 1876, containing the subjoined remarks on the supposed existence of the wild Camel in Central Asia:- " During m y recent trip through Turkestan and the northern frontier of China I had the opportunity of collecting some notes relating to the existence of the wild Camel (Camelus bactrianus), which I hope will be of some interest to the members of the Society, "When in St. Petersburg, Colonel Przewalsky had told me that he was sure of finding the Camel wild during his proposed new ex- |