444« Zoological Society. 



In general appearance these animals resemble ArvicotcB. 



Subgenus 4. Calomys*. 

 Fur moderate, soft. Tarsus almost entirely clothed beneath with 

 hair. Front molar with three indentations of enamel on the inner 

 side and two on the outer ; second molar with two on the inner 

 and two on the outer ; and the last molar with one on each side. 



Type Mus {Calomys) bimaculatus. 

 Species 2 Mus (Cal.) elegans. 

 3 graxiilipes. 



Mus Tftiaurus and M. brevirostris I regard as belonging to the re- 

 stricted genus Mus. In Mus Jlavescens the dentition differs slightly 

 from that of the ordinary mice. 



Mr. Gould exhibited, in continuation, the Fissirostral Birds of 

 Mr. Darwin's collection recently presented to the Society, and 

 characterized from among them the following new species : viz. 

 Caprimulgus hifasciatus, and Caprim. parvulus ; Hirundo frontalis 

 and Hirund. Concolor ; and Halcyon Erythrorhynchus : the charac- 

 ters, dimensions, and habits of all which will be found in No. I. ol 

 Society's Proceedings. 



February 28, 1837. — A notice by T. C. Eyton, Esq. of some oste- 

 ological peculiarities in different skeletons of the genus Sus was 

 read; which has appeared in No. I. of the Proceedings. 



A letter was read from Thomas Keir Short, Esq., dated Launces- 

 ton. Van Diemen's Land, August 10th, 1836, containing some re- 

 marks upon the Apteryx, two living specimens of which had been 

 seen by the writer. The general correctness of the description pub- 

 lished by Mr. Yarrellf of this bird is confirmed by the observations 

 of Mr. Short, with the exception of its progressive powers, which 

 are stated to be remarkably great. The natives employ two methods 

 of capturing it ; one by hunting it down with very swift dogs, the 

 other by imitating its call at night, and when by this means the bird 

 is decoyed within a short distance, it is suddenly exposed to a strong 

 light, which so confuses it that it is then readily taken. The usual 

 position is standing, with the head drawn back between the shoul- 

 ders, and the bill pointing to the ground. The food is stated to be 

 principally worms and insects, and these birds are strictly nocturnal 

 in their habits, feeding only during the night. Mr. Short remarks, 

 that he has not been able to learn the place in which the Apteryx 

 builds its nest, or the number of eggs which it lays. In conclusion, 

 he promises to use his utmost endeavours to procure specimens for 

 the Society. 



Mr. Gould resumed the exhibition of his collection of Australian 

 Birds, as also several species, from the same country, forming por- 

 tions of the collections of the United Service Museum, and of King's 

 College, London. Among his own birds Mr. Gould characterized 

 two new species of Meliphagida, constituting a subdivision of that 



* Calomys, from KeeXo^ beautiful, and VLvc. 



t See Lend, and Edinb. Phil. Mag. vol. iii. p. 299. 



