THE IBIS 



SEVENTH SERIES. 



No. XIX. JULY 1899. 



XXVr. — On a Hybrid between a male Guinea-fowl and a 

 female Domestic Fowl, with some Observations on the 

 Osteology of the Numididse. By Fkank E. Beddard, 

 M.A., F.R.S. 



Some time since Mr. Sclater received as a present from 

 Dr. Goeldij C.M.Z.S., of Para, a living example of a hybrid 

 between the two gallinaceous birds mentioned in the title 

 of this communication. It was stated to have been obtained 

 from Ceara, Brazil, where, it is said, such hybrids are often 

 bred and are known by the name of Tahy. After some 

 weeks the bird was killed and a stuffed skin made of it. 

 The body, minus the skull, the wings, and the distal part of 

 the hind wing (which were left in the skin), Mr. Sclater has 

 kindly allowed me to examine and study. 



It was remarked ^ of the living bird that it presented the 

 general appearance of a Fowl with traces of the casque and 

 wattles of the other parent. I may add, from an examination 

 of the stuffed skin, that the hybrid presented a further likeness 

 to Galliis by reason of the absence of the spurs — the bird being, 

 as determined by myself, a male. The genei'al appearance 

 was undoubtedly that of a Fowl ; there were, for instance, 

 no observable traces of the peculiar plumage of Numida. But 

 the voice, when it cried out, was unmistakably like that of a 

 Guinea-fowl. 



There are not wanting accounts of hybrids between these 

 * See P. Z. S. 1898, p. 348. 



SEK. VII. VOL. V. 2 A 



