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Show 280 DR. R. O. CUNNINGHAM ON THE [May 1 2, 3. A Sootv Crow-shrike (Strepera fuliginosa, Gould) from Australia, purchased April 13th; believed not to have been previously exhibited, and making the third species of this peculiar Australian genus now living in the Society's Gardens. The other two species represented were the Grey Crow-shrike (Strepera anuphonensis) and the Pied Crow-shrike (Strepera graculina). 4. A n Angulated Tortoise (Testudo angulata) from South Africa, believed to be the first individual of this rare species obtained alive by the Society. 5. A Vulturine Guinea-fowl (Numida vulturina) from Brava, on the Somali coast of Eastern Africa, presented to the Society by Dr, John Kirk, C.M.Z.S. Dr. Kirk had despatched from Zanzibar in a steamer to Marseilles, rid the Suez Canal, a single female of this fine Guinea-fowl, along with a small collection of other animals, the remainder of which were expected to arrive in a few days. Living specimens of this Guinea-fowl had already reached the Zoological Gardens of Hamburg; but this was the first individual that had been brought alive to England. The Council had taken steps to endeavour to obtain, through Dr. Kirk's kind agency, a further supply of specimens of this bird, which, if successfully acclimatized, would prove a great ornament to our poultry-vards. The following papers were read :- 1. Notes on some Points in the Anatomy of three Kingfishers (Ceryle stellata, Dacelo gigas, and Alcedo ispida). By ROBERT O. CUNNINGHAM, M.D., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. (Plate XXIV.) In the course of three seasons spent in the Strait of Magellan and the channels on the west coast of Patagonia, I had several op-may be Canis adustus of Sundevall, described ' Kongl. Vet. Ak. Forh.' 1846, p. 121, as follows:- " Canis adustus, n. griseus, varieyalus, pilis dorsi crassis, ante apicem nigrum late albis (curvatis) ; cauda nigricante, apice alba, pilis ttrram altingenlibus; auriculis extus fuscis. Affinis C. mesomela? et prcesertim C. antho, Crzm. Sat gracilis, capite angustato, elongato (fere ut in C. familial i grajo), linea faciali recta. Dentes, ut in C. variegato et affiuibus, sat vulpini; tubere alto, interno in d. ferino superiore. Pili dorsi et laterum fere ut in C. vaiiegato colorati sed in adultis, quos habemus, parte alba sat crassa, curvata, apiculo nigro hie illic amisso, indeque speciem pilorurn igne adustorum prcebentes. Cauda basi pallida, dein vero pilis pallidis, apice longe nigris. Apex caudce pilis tolis albis. Pulluli habent pilos corporis lenues, simplices, minus albos, caudam vero ut in adultis coloratam. Adultus 785 mm. -(- cauda 330 (c. pilis 4 3 0 ) ; planta c. u. 170. Altitudo dorsi 450, caput 185. Habitat in Caffraria interiore." This animal was also met with by Dr. Peters in Mozambique (Reise n. Moz. M a m m . p. 25), and by Dr. Welwitsch in Angola (cf. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 400); but in neither case were perfect specimens obtained. Dr. Peters (who is much better acquainted with African Mammals than I am) is very probably right in his identification ; but it may be remarked that Sundevall says nothing about the lateral stripes, which are very noticeable and very peculiar in this Jackal.- I'. L. S. |
