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Zool. Soc. 1S69, p. 142) with a peculiarity as remark- 

 able, which he was the first to notice. This is the fact 

 that Honibills at intervals of time, whether periodical 

 or irregular is not \'et known, cast the epithelial layer 

 of their gizzard, that layer being formed by a secretion 

 derived from the glands of the proventriculus or some 

 other upper part of the alimentary canal. The epithe- 

 lium is ejected in the form of a sack or bag, the mouth 

 of which is closely folded, and is filled with the fruit 

 that the bird has been eating. The announcement of 

 a circumstance so extraordinary naturally caused some 

 hesitation in its acceptance, but the essential truth of 

 Bartlett's observations has been abundanth^ confirmed 

 by Professor Flower (tom. cit. p. 150), and especially by 

 Dr. Murie (op. cit. 1874, p. 420), and what seems now 

 to be most wanted is to know whether these castings 

 are really intended to form the hen bird's food during 

 her confinement." On referring to Mr. Bartlett's re- 

 marks (Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 142, 1869) : " A few weeks 

 after the Wrinkled Hornbill {Buceros corrtcgaiics) was 

 received in the Society's Gardens, the keeper called my 

 attention to a queer-looking fig-like substance he had 

 picked up in the aviary. Struck with its appearance, 

 I took it home and endeavoured to examine it carefully, 

 and opened its closely folded mouth. I found this 

 fig-like bag contained plums or grapes well packed 

 together, the wrapper or envelope looking much like 

 the inner lining of a gizzard, somewhat tough, elastic, 

 and gelatinous. Almost alarmed for the safety of the 

 bird that had thrown it up, and at the same time hav- 

 ing some doubt as to its real nature, I at once sought 

 the assistance of our Prosector Dr. Murie, handing 

 him the specimen and telling him its history." 



