370 Zoological Society. 



were of a dark livid colour, and in a state almost approaching to 

 hepatization. Hurried and impeded respiration was the principal 

 symptom noticed before death. The stomach and small intestines 

 betrayed traces of inordinate vascular action. 



" In the structure of the alimentary canal, especially of the 

 cezcum, and in the remarkable shortness of the large intestines, this 

 animal has a close affinity with the Civet and Genette, as well as in 

 the structure of the kidneys as before mentioned. The inferior sur- 

 face of the tarsus is destitute of hair, as in many of the Viverridce, 

 in the true plantigrade Mammalia, and in the Kangaroo ; like the 

 latter animal, the Suricate is in the habit of assuming the upright 

 position, resting on the tarsus. It is carnivorous, and while in con- 

 finement, manifested great agitation at the sight of small birds." 



In conclusion, Mr. Owen remarked, that the appearances which 

 he had noticed, agreed with the description of the viscera of the ani- 

 mal, as recorded by Daubenton, so far as that distinguished com- 

 parative anatomist had observed them. 



The Chairman exhibited a collection of Birds which had been 

 made in the island of Mauritius by Mr. Telfair, an active and well 

 known Corresponding Member of the Society. They had been 

 consigned to Mr. Barclay of Bury Hill in Surrey, who had pre- 

 sented them to the Society. Several species were of interest, as 

 being confined to the island and its immediate vicinity, and being 

 uncommon in European collections : and others, although found in 

 Europe, as affording some facts respecting the geographical range 

 of species. Mr. Vigors proposed to lay a catalogue of the collec- 

 tion before the Committee at an early Meeting ; and on the present 

 occasion named and characterized the following apparently new 

 species of Spoonbill. 



PLATALEA TELFAIRII. Plat, corpore unicolore albo, rosaceo lem- 

 ter tincto ; regione circa rostrum, mandibuld superiorly pedibus- 

 que rubris ; mandibuld inferiori nigrescenti, basijlava* 



Longitude corporis a mandibula? basi ad apicern caudce, 25^; 

 rostri, 8 ; alee acarpo ad apicem remigis 2dae, 16 ; tarsi, 6 ; caud&,6. 



The Chairman again resumed the exhibition of the Himalayan 

 birds; and calling the attention of the Committee to the number of 

 species now known to belong to the genus Lanius as restricted by 

 modern authors, and to the expediency of subdividing the group 

 according to the modifications of form exhibited in the wings and 

 tail, proposed the following characters as separating the two ge- 

 nera. 



LANIUS. 



Rostrum longitudine mediocre, robustum, compressum, ad basin 

 rectum, ad apicem curvatum, mandibulae superioris tomiis fortiter 

 emarginatis, dentem conspicuum exhibentibus ; naribus basalibus, 

 lateralibus, fere rotundatis, membrana partim tectis j rictu setis 

 rigidis munito. 



Pedes mediocres ; digitis liberis ; acrotarsiis late scutellatis. 



Alee subacuminatae, subbreves ; remise prima brevissimu, tertift 

 longissima, caeteris gradatim decrescentibus. 



Cauda 



