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Show 1890.] CAPT. P. A R M I T A G E O N C E R V U S E L D I . 97 A communication was read by Mr.T. D. A. Cockerell, of West Cliff, Custer Co., Colorado, containing particulars of a series of Galls obtained in that district and enclosing the specimens for exhibition. Mr. H . Seebohm, F.Z.S., gave an account of his proposed new Classification of Birds as put forward in his recently published book on this subjectl. This communication was followed by a general discussion of Mr. Seebohm's arrangement. March 18, 1890. Prof. Flower, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. Tbe Secretary exhibited on behalf of the Rev. G. H. R. Fisk, C.M.Z.S., an albino Bat shot in January last at Broadlands, the farm of M r . J. Rawbone, at Somerset West, not far from Cape Town. Mr. Oldfield Thomas, F.Z.S., had kindly determined this specimen to be an albino variety of Vesperus capensis, Smith. Capt. Percy Armitage, 24th Regiment, exhibited two mounted heads of the Panolia Deer (Cervus eldi) which had been obtained in Lower Burmah. One of these bore antlers of the normal form of Cervus eldi, widely expanding at their base; in the other head the two antlers rose from the front much nearer together, more as in the Sambur and its allied forms. Both specimens had been obtained in the same district, and were undoubtedly of the same species. Captain Armitage made the following remarks on this subject:- " These two stags, of which the heads are on the table, were both shot on the same day (28th April, 1888) near Wimpeedaw, a small village on the Sittang river, some 52 miles below Shwigyin. Wimpeedaw is in the Shwigyin district of Lower Burmah. The Burmese name for Cervus eldi is 'Thanin.' These Deer are very wild and difficult to approach, and are generally found on large plains covered with patches of ' lime' grass 9 or 10 feet high. After proceeding to the shooting-ground in a bullock-cart, the method pursued is to drive slowly through the lime-grass, the sportsman standing up in the cart and looking over the top of the grass until he sees a herd of deer. The cart is then stopped and the stalking commences. This is very often a long and troublesome business, as the 'Thanin,' when alarmed, leave the jungle and make for the open plain, generally keeping well out of range." 1 Classification of Birds; an attempt to diagnose the Subclasses, Orders, Suborders, and some of the Families of existing Birds. By Henry Seebohm. London: R. H. Porter, 18 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W., 1890. |
