19°^. SCHARFF. — Determination of Sfx in the Woodcock, 73 



and made notes of the colour, which was practically the same 

 in all except No. 6. The latter was darker than the others. 



A dissection of the ten birds revealed the fact that eight of 

 them were females and two males, and that all were immature 

 except No. 6. An examination of the gizzard showed that 

 the birds had been feeding on beetles, as well as vegetable 

 matter and earthworms. No mollusc remains were found, 

 but Mr. Halbert, to whom I handed the contents of the 

 gizzards for further examination, intends to publish a note on 

 the subject of their food shortl}'. 



The following table indicates the weight (in ounces) and 

 size (in milimetres) of the 10 specimens of Woodcock : — 



Dublin Museum. 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Cliacma Baboon from Mr. C. Leslie, a Sparrow 

 Hawk from Mr. D. Deuagher, a Blue-fronted Amazon from Mr. R. P. 

 Grevlish, a pair of Pheasants from Mr. \V. T. Potts, Badgers from Mrs, 

 Phipps and Mr. W. W. Despard, five Guinea Pigs from Mrs. F. S. Smith, 

 an Alexandrian Parrakeet from Lad}- Clarke, a pair of Barred Owls from 

 Mr. J. R. Leutaigne, a pair of Muscovy Ducks from Mr. W. W. Despard, 

 a pair of Chinese Geese from Mrs. V. C. Singleton, six Telescopic Fish 

 from Col. J. J. Cronin, and a Bonnet Monkey from Mr. J. Watts. Six 

 Marmosets, three Spotted African Owls, and a number of Rheas have 

 been obtained by exchange or purchase. The Rheas are from the col- 

 lection of the late vSir Douglas Brooke. Like the Rheas already in the 

 Gardens, they will be accorded liberty in the grounds. The Emeus have 

 lately been moved from their old house into an open paddock, to the great 

 improvement of their health. 



