Zoological Society. 63 



At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Martin reported the diseased 

 appearances noticed on the examination of the Beaver which re- 

 cently died in the Society's Menagerie. They were stated to be 

 such as result from great and universal inflammation. On exam- 

 ining the stomach, its lining membrane was found covered with a 

 blush of inflammation, prevailing more especially about its cardiac 

 portion, where a number of dark coloured spots and patches indi- 

 cated the existence of gangrene. Both the stomach and the colon 

 contained undissolved fibres of bark in considerable quantity, the 

 function of digestion having been for some time past necessarily de- 

 ranged. Along the course of the small intestines, traces of high arte- 

 rial action were still presented ; in the large intestines the traces of 

 inflammation were more obscure. The pericardium was highly in- 

 flamed, its inner surface presenting a granulated appearance. The 

 heart also, as well as the lungs, gave evidence of having partaken in 

 the general disease. Much disease existed about the lower jaw, 

 which may probably have been the primary cause of all the mis- 

 chief, as it must have existed for several months, and necessarily 

 have produced a continued state of irritation in the system. The 

 alveolar processes of the lower jaw, embracing the incisor teeth, 

 were destroyed by caries, and the teeth themselves had fallen out. 

 In the adjacent soft parts there were extensive abscesses, and a 

 wide spread of discolouration, evidencing the progress of the dis- 

 organization. 



Mr. Cox exhibited a Nightingale in fine plumage and full song, 

 which had been for four years in confinement. He stated that the 

 error generally committed by persons attempting to keep these 

 birds and the other species of Sylviadce, was the over care bestowed 

 upon them. A treatment not more tender than that afforded to 

 granivorous species, agreed well with the Nightingale, for which it 

 was by no means necessary to provide insects as food ; meat scraped 

 fine and mixed with egg forming a sufficient substitute, and furnish, 

 ing a nourishment at once grateful to the bird and fully adequate 

 to supply its wants. 



Mr. Bennett called the attention of the Committee to two birds 

 which had been for some time living in the Society's Garden. In 

 many respects, especially as regards the nakedness of their cheeks, 

 and the nakedness, length, and reticulation of their tarsi, they agree 

 with the Caracaras (Polyborus, Vieill.) ; but differ from the type of 

 that genus in the greater compression of their beaks ; their trans- 

 verse oval nostrils ; their comparatively slender make ; and their 

 more vulturine appearance, which is much increased by the soft 

 downy nature of the plumage of their head and neck. From the 

 genus Morphnus of M. Cuvier, which they resemble in many parti- 

 culars, they are at once distinguished by the length of their wings, 

 which reach, when closed, to the extremity of the tail. He stated 

 his opinion that they would be found, on a close examination, (which 

 could only be made after death,) to constitute a new genus. Until 

 the opportunity of determining this question should occur, he asso- 

 ciated them provisionally with the Caracaras ; and having met with 



no 



