NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 55 



these two birds are not unusually short as represented in the plate alluded to, 

 and in other respects the figures are scarcely recognizable with the original 

 specimens before me. These species are included in the genus Turdirostris, Hay, 

 Bonap. Comp. Av. i. p. 217. 



The present bird presents considerable diversity in the shade of colors, and 

 especially in the greater or less prevalence of ferrugineous or dark fulvous on 

 both the upper and under parts of the body. So far as I know, it is the first 

 species yet ascertained to inhabit Western Africa, of a group of birds quite 

 numerous in the islands of the Malay Archipelago, at about the same latitude 

 of Mr. Duchaillu's operations, or within a few degrees of the Equator. In fact, 

 species from equatorial Africa, similar to others in the equatorial Asiatic Isl- 

 ands, have now been discovered to such extent as to be quite remarkable. 



With this species I conclude the Dentiroslres of the present very interesting 

 collection, and hope to continue this Catalogue without intermission next 

 month. 



In accordance with the by-laws, the following members were elected 

 on the Standing Committees for the present year. 



1. Ethnology, J. A. Meigs, S. S. Haldeman, T. G. Morton. 2. 

 Comparative Anatomy and General Zoology, Joseph Leidy, James M 

 Corse, W. A. Hammond. 3. Mammalogy, John Le Conte, J. H. 

 Slack, Wm. Camac. 4. Ornithology, John Cassin, T. B. Wlson, S. 

 W. Woodhouse. 5. Herpetology and Ichthyology , Edward Hallowell, 

 Robert Bridges, J. C. Morris. 6. Conchology, T. A. Conrad, W. Gr. 

 Binney, W. S. W. Ruschenberger. 7. Entomology and Crustacea, 

 Robert Bridges, John L. Le Conte, J. J. Brown. 8. Botany, Elias 

 Durand, A. J. Brazier, Joseph Carson. 9. Geology, Isaac Lea, C. E. 

 Smith, J. P. Lesley. 10. Mineralogy, W. S. Vaux, J. C. Trautwine, 

 W. Gr. E. Agnew. 11. Palaeontology, T. B. Wilson, Joseph Leidy, T. 

 A. Conrad. 12. Physics, B. H. Rand, W. M. Uhler, Edward Tilgh- 

 man. 13. Library, W. S. Vaux, Isaac Barton, T. B. Wilson. 14. 

 Proceedings, John L. Le Conte, Joseph Leidy, W. S. Vaux, C Scull, 

 W. S. W. Ruschenberger. 



February 1st. 



Vice President Bridges in the Chair. 



Forty members present. 



A paper was presented for publication in the Proceedings, entitled 

 Ichthyological Notices, by Charles Girard, M. D., and was referred to 

 a Committee. 



The resignation of Thomas B. Wilson, M. D., as member of the 

 Committees on Palaeontology and the Library, tendered this evening, 

 was accepted. 



On motion of Mr. Cassin, a special vote of thanks was given to 

 Mr. James Hammill, for his handsome donation of the skeleton of a 

 horse, received this evening. 



1859.] 



