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Show 680 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE [NOV. 6, Museum. So far as I know, no second individual of this well-marked species of Hylobates has since occurred ; it is therefore of the greatest interest to have obtained a specimen from a distinct locality1. Our present individual, which is a young male, seems to agree in every respect with Mr. Martin's description and figure (Nat. Hist, of M a n and Monk. p. 445). Mr. Smit's figure (Plate LXX.) will, I trust, serve to make this interesting species better known. 2. A Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniee, Gould)2, presented by Monsieur J. M . Comely, of Tours, C.M.Z.S., on the 16th June, being, so far as I am aware, the first example of this fine representative of this well-known species that has been received by the Society. A second specimen of the same bird has since been purchased from Mr. W . Jamrach, from whom, I believe, M . Comely obtained his specimen. 3. A young male Hippopotamus, received June 20th, having been purchased of the Royal Zoological Society of Amsterdam for the sum of £800. The original pair of Hippopotamuses, obtained from the Viceroy of Egypt (the male in 1851, and the female in 1854), being both now well advanced in years and having ceased to breed, the Council thought that it would not be right to miss an opportunity of obtaining a mate for the Society's young female of this species, born in the Gardens on the 5th November, 1872. The Council accordingly entered into an agreement with the sister Society at Amsterdam for the acquisition of the young male Hippopotamus, which was born in their gardens on the 3rd of August, 18/6, and which arrived safely in this country under the care of Mr. Hegt, the subdirector of their Gardens, on the 20th June last. The young animal, which now measures about 2 feet 6 inches in height, has hitherto been fed nearly exclusively on Goat's milk, but is now beginning to take more substantial diet, and appears to be in every way thriving. 4. A fine example of the black variety of the common Leopard (Felis pardus), from Lahore, Malay peninsula, presented by Sir Harry St. George Ord, C.B., F.Z.S. 5. Twenty Common Boas (Boa constrictor), produced alive by one of the Boas in the Society's Gardens on the 30th June. This is the first occasion in which this Serpent has bred in the Society's Gardens; and, so far as I am aware, the fact of the Boa producing living ones was not certainly known. The young Boas are about 15 inches in length, and are lively and active, threatening to bite if touched. They are already beginning to feed; and we have good hopes that some of them, at least, may be reared3. 1 The notice given by Mr. Blyth (P. Z. S. 1841, p. 63) of the supposed occurrence of this species on the Ghauts of Malabar is, no doubt, founded on some error. 2 See Gould's ' Birds of Asia,' pt. ix. M a y 1,1857, for a figure of this species. 3 P.S. (November 6th).-All of these Boas, except one, are still alive and in good condition. |