Zoological Society, 65 



as to be evidently adapted for carrying fluids. M. Geoffroy-Saint- 

 Hilaire's subsequent and most recent opinion is that they secrete 

 mucus, which being squeezed out by the mother in the water, be- 

 comes thereby thickened, and adapted for the aliment of the young ; 

 but Mr. Owen remarked that as he had shown that similar glands exist 

 in Echidna, animals inhabiting sandy places, and unfitted for going 

 into the water, such cannot be their use in Echidna at least, and it 

 may therefore be concluded that such is not their use in Omit ho - 

 rhynchus. 



Mr. Owen added, that he had purposely limited his observations 

 on the present occasion to the theories propounded by M. Geoffroy- 

 Saint-Hilaire respecting the uses of the abdominal glands of Orni- 

 thorhynchus. Lest, however, it should be inferred from Ins silence as 

 to the other views advanced by that distinguished zoologist in the 

 two communications recently laid before the Society, that he coin- 

 cided in them, he thought it necessary to remark that he was by no 

 means disposed to admit their general correctness. 



Extracts were read from a letter addressed to the Secretary of the 

 Society, by Charles Telfair, Esq., Corr. Memb. Z.S., and dated Port 

 Louis (Mauritius), November 8th, 1832. It accompanied some skins 

 of Mammalia and Birds, and a collection of Fishes, Mollusca, and 

 Crustacea, presented to the Society by its writer. It also announces 

 it as probable that specimens of the Tendraka and Sokina of Mada- 

 gascar, will shortly be obtained for the Society. Mr. Telfair has re- 

 cently had opportunities of making some researches about the buried 

 bones of the Dronte or Dodo, found in the island of Rodriguez. The 

 result of these researches he communicates, and incloses letters ad- 

 dressed to him by Col. Dawkins, Military Secretary to the Governor 

 of the Mauritius, and by M. Eudes, resident at Rodriguez. 



At the request of the President, Mr. William Thompson of Belfast 

 exhibited a specimen of a Tern shot by him in June last on one of 

 the three Copeland Islands, which are situated a few miles off the 

 north-east coast of the county of Down, Ireland. Mr.Thompson stated 

 that the bird was evidently identical with those described as the 

 young of the Arctic Tern, Sterna Arctica, Temm., in the Appendix to 

 Capt. Parry's Voyage in 1819-20, page 203. In a detailed description 

 of the specimen, which was read, Mr. Thompson pointed out various 

 differences of proportions and colouring between it and the adult 

 Arctic Tern, specimens of which, as well as of Sterna Hirundo and 

 Sterna Dougalii, were shot by him on the same day, thus affording 

 opportunity for comparison of these several species in a recent state 

 and at precisely the same season. 



Mr. Thompson availed himself of the opportunity to exhibit also 

 specimens of the black-headed Gull, Larus capistratus, Temm., and 

 of the Sandwich Tern, Sterna Cantiana, Temm., which were shot in the 

 neighbourhood of Belfast. It is believed that no previous instance of 

 the occurrence of these birds in Ireland has been recorded. 



Specimens were exhibited of the woolly and hairy Penguins (so 

 called) of Dr. Latham. They form part of the collection of the Pre- 

 sident, by whom they were communicated for exhibition. Mr. Yarrell 

 briefly described them. 



Third Series. Vol. 3. No. 13. July 1833. K 



