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Show •f'30 LETTER FROM MR. R. SWINHOE. [Nov. 12, lor the augmentation of their living collection. Amongst these were a Pampas Cat (Felis pajeros) from La Plata, four specimens of Cuming's Octodon (Octodon cumingii), a Patagonian Parrot (Conurus patagonicus), and a young Darwin's Rhea (Rhea darwini) from Chili. The three first-mentioned species were novelties to tbe Society's collection. Of the Darwin's Rhea only one specimen had been previously exhibited in the Society's Menagerie. 11. Two Black-billed Sheath-bills (Chionis minor, Hartl.) from the Crozette Islands, presented by E. L. Layard, Esq., F.Z.S., on the 26th of October. 12. A fine specimen of the Aard Wolf of the Cape of Good Hope (Proteles lalandii), purchased by the Society, October 26th, of Capt. W . R. Dixon, of the Cape Mail Company's service, and believed to be the first example of this rare mammal ever brought to Europe alive. 13. A n example of the Tuatera Lizard of N e w Zealand (Hatteria punctata), deposited in the Gardens by Sir George Grey, K.C.B., F.Z.S., October 28th. Two living specimens of this most singular of existing Saurians, which had been believed to be nearly extinct*, had been obtained in the province of Wellington by Dr. Hector, F.R.S., C.M.Z.S., and delivered to Sir George Grey for transmission to this country. One of these had arrived alive, and appeared to be doing well, feeding readily on meal-worms and insect food. Letters were read, addressed to the Secretary by H.E. Sir Rutherford Alcock, C.M.Z.S., H.B.M. Minister at Pekin, giving an account of the progress made in his endeavours to obtain for the Society living specimens of Elaphurus davidianus. T w o pairs of young ones had been obtained from one of the ministers of Yamen, who was the chief custodian of the parks ; but, in spite of the care lavished upon them by Mr. R. Swinhoe, three of these had been already lost. Sir Rutherford was now endeavouring to get older animals to replace them. Letters were also read, addressed to the Secretary by Mr. R. Swinhoe, now temporarily attached to the embassy at Pekin, upon the same subject. Mr. Swinhoe stated :- " The Elaphurus is known only from the Nan-hai-tsze, a large hunting-park belonging to the Emperor about two miles south of Pekin. They run wild there, and are said to be numerous. No one is allowed to enter the park. The Chinese call this animal the Sze-poo-seang, i. e. * like none of the four'-to wit, the Horse, the Cow, the Deer, and the Goat." Mr. Swinhoe likewise spoke of a journey he had recently made to the little-known island of Hainan, where he had got together a considerable zoological collection. No Pheasant was met with in the island, but only a Jungle-fowl, which, however, was quite new to him. He had also seen there in confinement the Black-winged Pea- * Cf. Giinther, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. vol. clvii. p. 595. |
