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Show 168 MR. F. K. BEODARD ON THE CUCKOOS. [Feb. 17, February 17, 1885. Osbert Salvin, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. The Secretary made the following report on the additions to the Society's Menagerie during January 1885 : - The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of January was 81, of which 6 were by birth, 41 by presentation, 22 by purchase, 1 by exchange, and 11 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 100. The most noticeable additions during the month were : - 1. A female Black-and-Yellow Hawfinch (Mycerobas melanoxanthus) from Northern India, and an Andaman Starling (Sturnia andarna-nensis) from the Andaman Islands, purchased January 10th. Both these species are new to the Society's Collection. 2. A young male European Moose (Alces machlis), presented by Evelyn Hubbard, Esq., January 22nd. Mr. Hubbard informs us that this animal was captured on the Ladoga, Russia, when evidently but just dropped, in June 1884. It has been placed in the Gardens in company with an American specimen of the Moose, purchased in April 1884, so that the two forms of this animal, sometimes supposed to be of different species, may now be seen side by side. 3. A pair of Yaks (Poephagusgrunniens), purchased January 23rd. The following papers were read : - 1. On the Structural Characters and Classification of the Cuckoos. By F R A N K E. B E D D A R D , M.A., F.R.S.E., Prosector to the Society. [Eeceived February 17, 1885.] The structure of the Cuckoos and their affinities to other birds have been discussed by several writers ; but no one, so far as I am awrare, has attempted to indicate the mutual resemblances and differences between the very numerous genera which compose the family, except as regards particular structures : thus Nitzsch J has pointed out the variations in the disposition of the feather-tracts, and Garrod has classified the Family by the muscles of the thigh 2. In the present paper it will be m y endeavour to supply this deficiency so far as the material accessible enables me to do so, and to record those structures which vary in the different genera of Cuckoos, laying particular stress upon such as appear to bear upon the classification of the family. 1 Pterylography, Eng. Ed. p. 91. 2 Coll. Papers, p. 220. |