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Show 18/0.J THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 665 BIRDS. 3 Patagonian Conures Conurus cyanolyseos. 1 Slight-billed Parrakeet Ilenicognathus leptorhynchus. 1 Condor Sarcorhamphus gryphus. *8 Black-winged Doves Metriopelia melanoptera. 6 Spotted Doves Columba maculosa. *5 Auriculated Doves Zenaida auriculata. 3 Black-faced Ibises Ibis melanopis. 3 Cayenne Lapwings Vanellus cayennensis. *3 Burmeister's Cariama Chunga burmeisteri. 4 Black-necked Swans Cygnus nigricollis. *2 Coscoroba Swans Cygnus coscoroba. *6 Rosy-billed Ducks Metopiana peposaca. *8 Chilian Pintails Dafila spinicauda. *6 Chiloe Widgeons Mareca chiloensis. REPTILES. 1 Annulated Terrapin Geoclemmys annulata. 1 Large-footed Land-tortoise .... Testudo elephantopus. *2 Chilian Land-tortoises Testudo chilensis. It will be observed that the whole of this collection consisted of animals of great interest, no less than 11 out of the 22 species (those marked *) having never been previously received alive by the Society. Those more especially calling for remark are :- 2. MEPHITIS CHILENSIS. This is a smaller species of Skunk than any of which we have hitherto received living examples. Our pair, which seem to be adult, measure only 9 inches, and the tail 6i inches; total, from nose to end of tail, 15^ inches in lengtb. The male and female are nearly alike, black, with a narrow white lateral stripe on each side, nearly joining on the forehead. This stripe is more elongated in the male. There are traces of white hairs at the base of the tail. The animal seems to agree best with the Conepatus nasutus, var. 3. chilensis, of Dr. Gray's Catalogue of Carnivora (p. 135). But the confusion amongst the different species of Skunks is very great. These animals are very tame, and allow themselves to be handled with impunity. 3. CANIS MAGELLANICUS, Gray; Waterhouse in Zool. Voy. Beagle, ii. p. 10, pl. 5. A pair of this fine and distinct species of Canis, of which we have never before received living examples. The pupil is round in this species. 4. The specimen of the Condor (Sarcorhamphus gryphus) received in the present collection is very remarkable for the enormous development of the wattles on the head aud throat, and resembles the fio-ure of this bird given in Temminck's Pl. Col. 494, from a specimen formerly in the Leverian Museum. |