Zoological Society. 539 



new Lamellicorn beetles, brought from the Philippine Islands by H. 

 Cuming, Esq. The first is allied to Scar, longimanus, but being a 

 female, it does not exhibit the elongated fore-legs from which that 

 species derives its name. 



Euchirus, applied by Kirby (Introd. to Ent., vol. iv.. Index Co' 

 leopt.), was, I believe, the first name given to this group. M. La- 

 porte applies the name Porropus. Cheirotonus, Hope, and Propo- 

 macrus, Newm., are decidedly closely allied to the present insect. 

 Euchirus quadrilineatus, Waterh. Obscure nigro-ceneus ; tkorace 

 punctulato, elytris Icevibus, lineis quatuor fusco-jlavescentibus or- 

 natis, corpore subtus pilis fuscis instructo. Long. corp. 2 unc. 

 5 lin. ; lat. 1 unc. 2^ lin. 

 Xylotrupes pubescens, Waterh. Nigrescenti-fuscus, supra et infra 

 pilis decumbentibus vestitus, capite cornu ad apicem bifida, paullo 

 recurvo, thoraceque antice in cornu robusto et elongato antrorsum 

 ducto, ad apicem bifida, armatis. Long. corp. 1 unc. 9 lin. ; lat. 

 11 lin. Allied to S. Gideon and Oromedon. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



September 8, 1840. — James Whishaw, Esq., in the Chair. 



Mr. Gould read a paper on that most singular and anomalous bird, 

 the Brush Turkey (Talegalla Lathami) of New South Wales. The 

 author began by giving the opinions of various ornithologists as re- 

 gards its affinities, and especially quotes Mr. Swainson's account, in 

 which that author attempts to prove, that the bird in question is a 

 Vulture. Mr. Gould proceeded to detail, from his own observations, 

 some interesting facts connected with its habits. The most remark- 

 able circumstance connected with the bird is, that it does not hatch 

 its own eggs, but employs for that purpose similar means to those 

 now in use for artificial incubation. For some weeks prior to the 

 period of laying, the Brush Turkey collects together an immense 

 mass of vegetable matter, varying from two to four cartloads, with 

 which it forms a pyramidal heap ; in this heap it plants its eggs, 

 about eighteen inches deep and from nine to twelve inches apart. 

 The eggs, which are always placed with the large end upwards, being 

 carefully covered, are then left to hatch by the heat engendered by 

 the decomposition of the surrounding matter. The heaps are formed 

 by the labours of several pairs of birds, and frequently contain as 

 many eggs as would fill a bucket. The eggs are white, about three 

 inches and three quarters long by two and a half in diameter, 

 and, having an excellent flavour, are eagerly sought after. A spe- 

 cimen of the Brush Turkey, which Mr. Gould had an opportunity of 

 observing in Mr. MacLeay's garden at Sydney, had formed a heap 

 in a shrubbery similar to that which it would have made in its native 

 woods. Around and over this heap the bird was seen to strut in the 

 same way as the domestic cock ; at the same time frequently utter- 

 ing a clucking noise. The flesh is of a pale salmon colour, juicy and 

 tender. After all he had seen of the bird in a state of nature, he 



