Letters, Extracts, Notices, !^'c. 163 



type of Ammoperdix cholmleyi, presented by A. J. 

 Cholmley, Esq. A specimen of Idiopsar brachyurus, an 

 aberrant genus of Finches from Bolivia, and 6 Parrots from 

 German New Guinea, presented by Graf von Berlepscb. 

 81 specimens of birds from the Sandwich Islands, including 

 specimens of 3 species new to the collection, presented by 

 the Joint Committee of the Royal Society and British 

 Association. 136 birds from the islands of Lombok and 

 Savu, collected by Mr. Everett, containing examples of six 

 species new to the collection, purchased. 47 birds from 

 the province of Foochow, China, including the type of Yuhina 

 pallida, presented by C. B. Rickett and J. La Touche, Esqrs. 

 135 specimens from Northern Celebes, collected by Charles 

 Hose, Esq., including the type of Dicceum hosii, and examples 

 of 8 species new to the collection, purchased. 34 specimens 

 from Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, collected by 

 Mr. C. W. Andrews, presented by Dr. John Murray, F.R.S. ; 

 and 72 eggs of Philippine birds collected by Mr. John 

 Whitehead, purchased. 



The Report also specially mentions the receipt of a fine 

 collection of birds from Gilgit, consisting of 3386 skins 

 referable to about 250 species, presented by Col. John 

 Biddulph, and of a series of valuable specimens of Natural 

 History, including many birds, collected in British East 

 Africa, and presented by Mr. S. L. Hinde, Resident Medical 

 Officer at Machako's. 



The Diving-habits of the Young Hoatzin. — In ' The Ibis * 

 for 1890, p. 327, in a paper on the habits of the Hoatzin 

 ( OpisthoconiHs cristatus), the writer made a casual note on the 

 peculiar diving-power of a young nestling which had fallen, 

 or had been shaken, into the water. At each attempt ta 

 seize it, the little bird had dived and swum away rapidly by 

 means of its legs and featherless wings, the latter being used 

 as a sort of flippers ; and it being impossible to trace its 

 course in the very dark and dirty water of the Lower Berbice 

 river whei'e the incident took place, the little creature 

 eventually succeeded in getting out of reach or pursuit 



