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Show 322 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON A NEW PHEASANT. [Apr. 21, species, their present geographical distribution becomes less puzzling otherwise we should expect a priori that the eastern form would differ more from the two others than these do from each other. Moreover, since it rarely happens that two large species of a certain order or family of creatures inhabit the same tracts of country unless they do so through immigration, it is probable that the original home of Rh. americana was Central South America, and that it spread from there into regions occupied by Rh. darwini. April 21, 1885. Prof. Flower, LL.D., V.P.R.S., President, in the Chair. The Secretary read the following report on the additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March 1885 :- The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March was 94, of which 3 were by birth, 35 by presentation, 35 by purchase, 4 were received on deposit, and 17 by exchange. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 114. The most noticeable additions during the month of March were as follows :- 1. A female Roan Kangaroo (Macropus erubescens)1, being the third specimen of this Kangaroo acquired by the Society, and the first of the female sex. During the present month we have, singularly enough, acquired a second female specimen of the same animal, along with other Kangaroos, in exchange from the Zoological and Acclimatization Society of Victoria, Melbourne. 2. Six Wattled Starlings (Dilophus carunculatus) from South Africa, purchased March 20th and 27th. These are the first examples we have received of this curious Starling, which is remarkable for the extreme development of the wattles in the adult male. W e have specimens believed to be of both sexes, but all are in immature dress at present. 3. Two Cape Colies (Colius capensis), purchased March 20th. These are the first examples of this Coly yet received ; they have been placed in the Parrot House along with the specimens of two other species of the same genus recently acquired, viz. C. erythromelon and C. nigricollis. Mr. Sclater exhibited specimens of a pair of Pheasants from Bala Munjhab, Northern Afghanistan, belonging to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. Mr. Sclater was inclined to refer this bird to Ph. insignis, Elliot (P.Z.S. 1870, p. 404, and Mon. Ph. vol. ii. pi. 3), of which the true locality (unknown to Mr. Elliot) was thus established. Mr. Elliot's skins were without heads, but Mr. Elliot had correctly 1 Cf. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 216, pi. x., and p. 368 ; P. Z. S. 1871, p. 240. |