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Show 1871.J THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 623 November 7, 1871. Professor Newton, V.P., in the Chair. The Secretary read the following reports on the additions to the Society's Menagerie during the months of June, July, August, and September, 1871:- The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of June 1871 was 132, of which 42 were by birth, 43 by presentation, 39 by purchase, and 8 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 130. Among the additions the more remarkable were :- 1. Two Turtle-doves from Aldabra Island, an atoll lying between Madagascar and the Seychelles, presented to the Society by Mr. Edward Newton, C.M.Z.S., Colonial Secretary, Mauritius, June 10th. These Doves belong to the group containing Turtur picturatus and its allies, but differ specifically from any of them that I have previously seen. The colour above is nearly uniform vinous, growing more plumbeous towards the tail. The postcervical markings are very indistinct; there is no white on the throat. These characters nearly agree with those attributed by Bonaparte (Consp. ii. p. 62) to Turtur prevostianus. If the locality there given ("the Mariannes") is, as is possible, erroneous, they may be referable to that species. As a temporary designation for them, however, I propose the name Turtur aldabranus. 2. A Nisnas Monkey (Cercopithecus pyrrhonotus, Ehr.) from Southern Nubia, presented by Col. the Hon. P. Fielding, June 16th. Of this eastern representative of the well-known Patas (C. ruber) I am not aware that we have ever previously received a living specimen. 3. Two examples of a fine large species of Tortoise of the genus Platemys, from the fresh waters of the Argentine Republic, presented by our active correspondent Mr. Geo. Wilks, of Buenos Ayres, June 17th. Prof. Burmeister (La Plata-Reise, ii. p. 521) has referred the ordinary Terrapin of that country to Platemys hilarii; but, as Dr. Peters has recently shown*, this supposed species has been based upon young specimens of P. geofifroyana, Schweigg., to which species the present specimens also undoubtedly belong. 4. Three young Eagles from Southern Spain, presented by Major Howard Irby, June 24th. These birds are in exactly the plumage lately described by Mr. Howard Saunders before this Society f as being characteristic of this bird in Spain. Their arrival at this time is most opportune, as it gives us an opportunity of comparing them with the young Chinese Imperial Eagle, of the arrival of which I have already spoken in m y report for May last (see anted, p. 545). * Monatsber. Berlin, 1870, p. 311 (May 12). f See antea, p. 37- PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1871, No. XL. |