OCR Text |
Show 530 LETTER FROM M . L. M. D'AI.BERTIS. [Nov. 2, August 16th by Mr. W. E. Oates, being the first example we have received of this scarce bird. The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of September was 104; of these, 43 were acquired by presentation, 22 by purchase, 16 by birth, 8 by exchange, and 15 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and r?movals was 111. The most noticeable additions during the month were as follows :- 1. A White-faced Owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) from New Zealand, purchased 3rd September 18/5, new to the collection. 2. A wild Dog, presented by Mr. Mumford, 7th Sept. 1875. This animal was formerly in Manders's Ti a veiling Menagerie, and was sold when that collection was dispersed by auction in the Agricultural Hall in August last, to Mr. Mumford, who has obligingly presented it to the Society. Its origin is unknown ; but, as far as can be ascertained from examination of the living specimen, it would appear to be an adult male of the Wild Dog of Sumatra (Canis rutilans, Temm.). It has been placed in the same cage along with its near ally, the female Indian Wild Dog (Canus primeevus), received from Lord Northbrook in March last. 3. A n American Darter (Plotus anhinga), from South America, purchased-30th September, 1875. The Society now possesses two living examples of this interesting bird. The first une, obtained 28th December, 1872 (see P. Z. S. 1873, p. 2, where there is an excellent drawing of this bird), is now in adult plumage; the last arrival is in immature dress. The following translation of a letter addressed to the Secretary by M . L. M . D'Albertis, C.M.Z.S., was read : - " Yule Island, May 24, 1875. " Since the 14th of March I am on this island, at the south of New Guinea, from which it is divided by a few miles of sea only. I have already made several excursions on the Papuan coast, and succeeded in penetrating a little way inland-not really far, it is true, but far considering the circumstances of m y situation, and the country in which I am. " First of all, I may observe that the general aspect of the country resembles that of the north of Australia much more than the north of New Guinea. On the coast the beautiful forest-trees are wanting, and Eucalypti abound in their place, and there are large open spaces covered only with long grasses and small shrubs or " scrub," as you call it. There are also lagunes. The climate is dryer than in the north. When I ascended the mountains a little and penetrated the interior, the Australian plants disappeared, and those more specially Papuan were again found. In the same way as the flora, the fauna of the coast shows much affinity to that of Northern Australia ; and in one of the lagunes I have seen in abundance Parra gallinacea, Porphyrio melanotus, and a species oi Lobivanellus, of which I cannot tell |