274 Tlic Field Naturalist's Quarterly August 



Answers to Correspondents. 



G. B. S., Dublin. 



The three-toed echidna comes from New Guinea, the recorded 

 specimens being from the north-western regions of that country. It 

 inhabits rocky ground in the mountains. The specimens first described 

 were obtained at an elevation of 3500 feet. The Papuans capture it by 

 digging trenches in the ground about a yard deep, by which means they 

 generally come upon its runs. {Mammals, Living and Extinct, p. 127. 

 Flower and Lydekker.) 



E. G. M., London. 



The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is about i\ feet high. Hair is short and 

 smooth in summer, of grey colour ; in winter a longer coat is grown. 

 Horns 2 feet, shorter than those of the Himalayan ibex. 



Piscator, Hull. 



By a domesticated fish is meant a species which can be bred in 

 captivity, and which is capable of transportation within certain climatic 

 limits. The carp and tench are examples. Artificial impregnation of 

 fish ova was first practised by Jacobi, a native of Westphalia, in 17 57- 1763, 

 who employed the same method followed now. {The Study of Fishes, 

 p. 1 86. Gunther.) 



S. H., Sydney. 



The Megapodes, or mound-builders, are amongst the most remarkable 

 birds found in Australia. The vegetable and other debris is thrown up 

 by a backward movement of the powerful hooked feet, and it has been 

 shown by actual observation {Proc. Zoo!. Soc, xliv. 117) by Mr. Ramsay 

 that several females visit the same mound. This co-operation had long 

 been suspected from the large number of eggs, as many as would go to 

 a bushel, found in some of the larger mounds. Curiously enough, this 

 had been denied by the aboriginals. The circumference of the mounds 

 at the base is in some cases as much as 30 feet. In the warm interior 

 of these incubators are laid the long thin-shelled eggs, placed in a ring, 

 no two in contact. {Natural History of Australia. F. G. Aflalo.) 



Moth, Swansea. 



Both the red admiral and the painted lady may be taken in August 

 on fruit or ivy blossom, but the latter species is more common in 

 September. When a branch is shaken some larvae are loosened and 

 fall, others adhere more tightly, e.g. that of the puss moth. 



Young Naturalist's Quarterly Competition. 



In order to encourage the study of natural history and other scientific 

 subjects, the Editor offers prizes every quarter for the best essays sent 

 to him on the prescribed subjects. The competitions are open to all 



