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Show 1875.] CAPT. J. B I D D U L P H O N OVIS POLII. 157 ance as almost to lead to the idea that we have here a case of mimetic resemblance on the part of the insectivorous mammal. 3. Four Quica Opossums (Didelphys quica), a mother and three young, purchased 12th February. These are the first examples of this species we have as yet received. 4. A yellow-lored Amazon (Chrysotis xantholora), purchased 26th February, being the first example of this rare Parrot received alive. Mr. Salvin (Ibis, 1874, p. 327) has lately shown that Yucatan is the true habitat of this species. The only specimens of it in this country are, I believe, those in the British Museum, obtained by Mr. Dyson, upon which Mr. Gray based his description. The accompanying figure (Plate XXVI.) will serve to make this species better known. W e have likewise a living example of the nearly allied Chrysotis albifrons. The following communication, addressed to the Secretary by Capt. John Biddulph, dated Government House, Calcutta, Nov. 5, 1874, was read :- " While we were in Kashgar, numerous specimens of a gigantic wild sheep were brought in from the Thien-Shan range by Colonel Gordon's party. This was taken by us to be the O. polii; and a drawing of the animal by Colonel Gordon was sent to the Society, and published in the ' Proceedings ' (1874, p. 425, pl. liii.). "In our trip to Wahhan and back in April and May, numerous specimens of the horns of the O. polii were picked up on the Pamir and brought away. Those of our party who had seen the wild sheep alive on the Thien-Shan, pronounced it to be identical with the 0. polii via saw on the Pamir, though it was remarked by us at the time that the Pamir horns ran larger than the Thien-Shan ones-the latter, on fine full-grown animals, not measuring as a rule over 48 inches from base to tip, measured round the curve, whereas on the Pamir any number of horns averaging from 50 to 60 inches could be picked up ; and one head was picked up measuring 65 inches. " It was not till I arrived in Calcutta that 1 had an opportunity of seeino- the two together, when I was at once struck by the great differences in shape and general appearance. "After a careful examination of the few specimens available, and the photographed animals of the Thien-Shan, I cannot help coming to the conclusion that they differ sufficiently to warrant the idea that they are distinct animals. " The accompanying drawings, carefully made to scale, will give a good idea of the two heads. " The chief characteristic of the O. polii head is the bold and elegant sweep of the horns, of which the tips diverge so much in the second curve as to be 48 and 50 inches apart in heads of an average S1Z6 "The head of the Thien-Shan Sheep approaches somewhat in appearance the head of the 0. amnion, the horns being more massive at the base than the O. polii, and not diverging at the points to the |