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Show 2 LETTERS FROM MR. E. BARTLETT. [Jan. 10, una cum pedibus pallidis: long, tota 6*4 poll. Angl, alee 2*7, caudce rectr. med. 3, lat. 2*5, tarsi 0*8. Hab. In Mexico meridionali, Orizaba (Botteri) ; La Puebla (Boucard). " Obs. I have had three indifferent skins of this species (collected by M . Botteri near Orizaba) for several years without being able to identify it satisfactorily. M. Boucard's recent collections having contained excellently prepared examples, I have been enabled to make a better examination of it, and to satisfy myself that it is, as far as I can tell, undescribed. It is a short-winged species, and may perhaps be placed in the genus Peuceea ; but for the present it is better to leave it with Zonotrichia. The fourth and fifth primaries are longest, but barely exceed the third and sixth. The first is rather shorter than the longest secondaries. The colours of the head and upper back much resemble those of Peuceea cestivalis, but the red markings are rather brighter in tint in the present bird." The Secretary read the following extracts from letters received from Mr. Edward Bartlett, dated November 5th, 1866, Xeberos, Yurimaguas, Huallaga River, Peru :- " I have made a four months' expedition through the Missions of the High Amazons, and have been very successful in collecting Birds, Mammals, Fishes, Insects, and Shells; I have obtained some fine Humming-birds, and I hope some of them will be new." " I have also what I believe to be a new species of Spider Monkey, a tremendous beast when alive. It has a straight, erect, golden-yellow crest, a white stripe on each side of the face, belly and inside flanks brownish yellow, back black ; I obtained it in the mountains. The Indians regarded it as a great prize. I crossed the mountains, taking with me three Indians, from Chyamatos to the Pampas on the other side; I went in search of the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola), but was not very successful; I, however, obtained this rare Monkey ; and afterwards I visited a small Indian town (three days' journey from Chyamatos) in order to secure a young one of this species. The Indians had it alive, and prized it very much. I, however, succeeded in getting the ugly little beast, which is alive and well; it does not differ in marking from the adult, but is not so bright in colour. From here I intend to visit the mouth of the Huallaga, and pass up the Amazons to the First Falls and to the Indian towns on the upper river. This I shall do in a canoe, as I find this the best plan. Afterwards I return to Nauta and try for Porpoises and Manatees in and near the mouth of the Ucayali River, as this is the only chance I have of getting these animals." "I have had perfect health during the last five months : but food is frightfully dear--a small fowl 2s., a very little pig 20*.; and my appetite is alarming. I hope to send home the collections I have made in January next by the steamer." The following papers were read :- |