OCR Text |
Show 1894.] ON THE DIDELPHYIDJE OF S.E. BRAZIL. 457 as Equus boehmi, had attracted Mr. Sclater's special attention. Amongst the Birds were noticed specimens of Parus varius from Japan, Garrulax picticollis from Formosa, of the splendid Cotinga cincta from South-east Brazil (now four years in the Gardens and in full adult plumage), of Chrysotis hecki (the type of the species), 'of the rare Ara azarce, of both species of Bucorax from Africa, "of several species of Meliphagidce (Entomyza cyanotis auricomis, and Anthochcera caruncidata), and of Anas andamanensis. The Eagles' Aviary contained examples of both Haliaetus pelagicus aud H. hrannickii, the latter quite adult, the former just coming into full plumage. The Hamburg Garden (under the direction of Dr. H. Bolau) presented, as usual, many attractions. Amongst the Mammals there was an example of a black Jaguar (Felis onca) from Santa Catarina, Brazil, also of Felis passerum from Argentina, and of Viverricula schlegeli from Madagascar. There was likewise a good series of the larger Antelopes, amongst which was a beautiful pair of the Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger), accompanied by a young one now about six weeks old, and believed to be the first specimen of this species born in Europe. Amongst the Birds were noticed examples of Polyboroides typicus, Musophaga violacea, and Struthio molybdophanes from Somali-land, the last being quite adult, and remarkable for its blue-coloured naked skin varied by a bright red patch on the front of the tarsus and for the horny plate on the vertex. The following papers were read:- 1. Critical Gleanings on the Didelphyidce of the Serra dos Orgaos, Brazil. By Dr. E M I L A U G U S T G O E L D I , Director of the Colonia Alpina (Theresopolis)1. [Received March 29, 1894.] 1. DIDELPHYS AURITA. I have in m y collection of Mammals made here in the Serra dos Orgaos, 800 m. above sea-level, nine specimens of a Didelphys, evidently all belonging to the same species or variety, although they show some slight differences in size, colour, and fur. Of all of them I possess both skin and skull; one specimen is stuffed and mounted. Seven are adult, while two are rather less than half-grown, as they have still their milk-dentition in place. H o w shall I call the animal ? If I should guide myself merely by the exposition given by the most modern monographer of the Marsupials-Mr. Oldfield Thomas 2-this question would be very quickly decided. This author admits only one living species of 1 Communicated by Dr. A. GUNTHER, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. 2 ' Catalogue of tbe Marsupialia and Monotremata in the Collection of the British Museum' (London, 1888), p. 315. |