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Show 76 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON GEOPHAPS SCRIPTA. [Feb. 2, P. dorsalis is one of the few species of the group that is quite distinct from all its neighbours, and presents therefore but little difficulty as to its determination. Its long shaggy fur, peculiar coloration, and proportionately large head and small body distinguish it at once from all its allies. Dr. Jentink's Hyrax stampflii presented a remarkable degree of variation in the shape of its lower jaw, and in other characters-variations so great that without a very large sereis of specimens he naturally considered them to be of specific value. Other specimens, however, since obtained both in Liberia and elsewhere prove the essential identity of H. stampflii with dorsalis. February 2, 1892. W. T. Blanford, Esq., F.R.S., F.Z.S., in the Chair. The Secretary read the following report on the additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of January 1892:- The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of January 1892 was 56, of which 29 were acquired by presentation, 7 by birth, 6 by purchase, 8 were received in exchange, and 6 on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 71. Mr. W. Bateson, F.Z.S., exhibited some Crab's limbs bearing supernumerary claws. It was shown that these extra parts are really a complementary (right and left) pair of indices or pollices, according to their position of origin, and not repetitions of the two pincers of the claw, as was commonly stated. A letter was read from Prof. R. Ramsay Wright, F.Z.S., of the University of Toronto, enclosing and calling attention to some photographs of the heaps of skulls of the American Bison (Bison americanus), which are commonly collected on the plains of the Saskatchewan, and are piled up on the sidings of the Canadian Pacific Railway awaiting transport, and which testify to the enormous number of these animals recently exterminated in this district. Mr. Sclater laid on the table two specimens, in spirit, of chicks of the Partridge Bronze-wing Pigeon (Geophaps scripta) which had been hatched in the Society's Gardens on the 7th of June last; also an egg of the same species of bird, laid in the Gardens, and made the following remarks :- I cannot at all agree with Dr. Bowdler Sharpe in his recent proposal to divide the very natural order " Columbae" into two portions, and to associate the Geophabes or Ground-Pigeons with the Gallinaceous birds 1. According to the observations we have made from time to time in 1 See ' Eeview of Eecent Attempts to Classify Birds,' pp. 69, 70.-N.B. The correct plural of Geophaps is Geophabes, from $a\p, gen. <pa(36s. |
