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Show 528 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [Nov. 2, only recently been described by Sir Victor Brooke from drawings *, is of great interest. Unfortunately the animal was in a very feeble state when received, and died very shortly. I now exhibit the mounted specimen (Plate LIX.). The height of this animal at the shoulders is 28 inches, the length of the horns 7*25 inches. I have also to call attention to the breeding of the Spotted-billed Duck of India (Anas pcecilorhyncha) in these Gardens, which took place for the first time in June last. W e received our first males of this beautiful species from the Babu Rajendra Mullick in August 1868 (see P. Z. S. 18G8, p. 649). In May 18/2, five females were presented by Mr. E. Buck (see P. Z. S. 1872, p. 729). The pairs thus formed, however, never bred until the present year, when two young birds were hatched by one female on the 2nd of June, and seven by another on the Nth of the same month. The male and female of this duck are so much alike that (as I am informed by Mr. Clarence Bartlett, the Assistant Superintendent, who has charge of the breeding Anatidae) the only certain means of distinguishing the sex is by the note. The nest and number of eggs also much resemble those of Anas boschas. The young are undistin-guishable from the young of the same species. I exhibit specimens of the eggs. The registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of July were 202 in number • of these, 37 were acquired by presentation, 113 by purchase, 1 by exchange, 30 by birth, and 21 received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and removals was 94. The most noticeable additions during the month were:- 1. A pair of Giant Tortoises (Testudo indica) purchased July 6. These Tortoises are originally from Aldabra Island in the Indian Ocean, but have been kept (the male, it is said, for upwards of 70 years) in captivity in the Seychelles, and have been forwarded thence by Mr. C. S. Salmon, the Chief Commissioner for the Islands, under the care of Dr. Brooks, Government Medical Officer. The shell of the male measures about 4 ft. 1 in. by 3 ft. 1 in.; and his weight is estimated at 800 lbs. W e have to thank Dr. Gunther (who arranged with Mr. Salmon for the transmission of these last relics of an extinct race to this country) for allowing them to remain, so long as they live, in our Garden. When they die they are to be transferred to the British Museum-f-- 2. A female Sumatran Rhinoceros (Bhinoceros sumatrensis) deposited July 14 by Mr. C. Jamrach. This animal seems to resemble very nearly the individual of the same species formerly in our Gardens, which died in 1872. It is stated to have been captured in the territory of Johore, Malay peninsula. 3. A collection of small birds from S.E. Brazil, purchased July 19, amongst which are specimens of two beautiful little Tanagers * See P. Z. S. 1872, p. 601, pl. xii. t See Dr. Giinther's remarks on these Tortoises and their allies. Ann. Kat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. xiv. p. 311 (1874), and Nature, xii. pp. 2o8 & 259. |
