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Show 528 MR. J. BRAZIER ON THE EGG OF A MEGAPODE. [Nov, 25, logne, had accepted the post of Director of the new establishment, which seemed likely to become one of the most flourishing institutions of the sort on the Continent. In the Zoological Gardens of Cologne Mr. Sclater had likewise seen much that was of interest, including breeding pairs and young of Crax yarrelli and Dendrocyyna arborea. The well-known Gardens of Antwerp, under the care of M . Veke-mans, F.Z.S., remained unrivalled as regards their collection of Antelopes and breeding Phasianidee. Amongst the former series were pairs of both Gnus (Catoblepas gnu and C. yoryon), the Kob (Antilope unctuosa), the Dama Antelope (Gazella dama), the Leucoryx (Oryx leucoryx), and the Bless-bok (Damalis albifrons); besides single specimens of the Bontebok (D. pyyargus), the Bubal (Boselaphus bubalus), the Hartebeest (B. caama), and the Reh-bok (A. capreolus). There was likewise a fine male Prongbuck (Antilocapra americana), believed to be the only example ever brought to Europe, except that formerly in the Society's collection. This animal had regularly shed its horns during the two autumns it had passed at Antwerp, and had thus confirmed the previous observations of Mr. Bartlett and Dr. Canfield on this subject*. The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. John Brazier, C.M.Z.S., a specimen of an egg of a species of Megapodius from Banks's Island, and read the following notes by Mr. Brazier concerning it:- " The egg I send to the Society I obtained, with four other specimens, at Vavua Lavu, or the Great Island in Banks's Islands, 13° 52'S. lat., 169° 4'E. long., situated near the New Hebrides group. The bird is well known to the inhabitants of Banks's Island ; and m y specimens were purchased of a native. The Megapode that lays this egg builds its mound on the mountains near the sulphur-springs. The natives told me that the mound is large, or, as they expressed it, a ' big-fellow house.' The contents of the egg were good eating. When I was on shore collecting shells &c. at Sandwich Island, New Hebrides, a native offered me two eggs for sale, but he wanted more than I felt inclined to give him for them. I believe m y friend Sir W . T. Wiseman took four or five of the very same egg, that had been brought alongside of the ship at Vavua Lavu, or Great Island. When I had bought my specimens from the native, I set out at once for the mountains to obtain, if possible, some of the birds ; but it came on to rain, and, night setting in, I had to return to the ship. Our stay there was only one day, for the greater part of which it rained. I was the first naturalist that had ever landed on the island to collect specimens of natural history. I should mention that I obtained the eggs on the 21st of August, 1865. I send you one specimen ; one I keep myself; and the other has gone to Mr. Krefft for our National Museum." Mr. Sclater stated that he was not aware of any previous record * Cf. Pnrtlett, " O n the Affinities of the Prongbuck," P. Z. S. 1865, p. 71*. and Canfield, " On the Habits of the Prongbuck,'' P. Z. S. 1866, p. 105. |
