FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 77 



are those sent from Asia by Curator Beebe, including Javan 

 jungle fowl, (Galliis varius) , hybrid Javan jungle fowl, (G.varius 

 X G. galliis var. dom.), and Nicobar pigeons, {Caloenas nicobar- 

 ica) . The hybrid fowl are very interesting in the possession of 

 a large median throat-wattle, and two rudimentary lateral ones. 

 The collection now contains three of the four known species of 

 jungle fowl — red, {Galliis g alius) , Sonnerat, (G. sonnerati), and 

 Javan, (G. rarius). 



By exchange with the Zoological Society of London, many 

 interesting birds have been received, including the Sonnerat jun- 

 gle fowl, (Gallus sonnerati), paradise sheldrake, (Casarca varie- 

 gata), Schlegel dove, (Calopelia imella) , and black-tailed galli- 

 nule, (Microtribo7iyx veiitralis) . 



Not particularly showy as exhibits, but of surpassing value 

 to the student, are the red-faced and striated colies, {CoUiis 

 erythromeloiv and C. striatics) . These are birds of small size 

 and dull coloration, but of remarkable structure and habits. 

 They are able to direct forward either two, three or four toes, 

 at will! 



Two handsome species of cranes — the Manchurian, (Grus 

 japo7iensis) and the white-necked, (Pseudogeranus leucaucJien) , 

 were obtained, and an attempt is being made to acclimatize them 

 in the Crane Paddock with the Indian sarus, {Antigone anti- 

 gone) , and the whooping crane. 



An unusually large series of shore birds collected by mem- 

 bers of the department, includes pectoral, {Pisobia maculata) , 

 semi-palmated, {Eremietes jmsillus) and least sandpipers, (P. 

 minutilla) , killdeer plover, {Oxyechus vociferus) and yellow-legs, 

 {Totanus flavipes) . Hudsonian, {Numenius hiidsoyiicus) , and 

 European curlow, {N. a?Y;?/afa), black-bellied plover, {Sqiiatarola 

 squatarola) , and American oyster-catcher, {Haematopus pallia- 

 tus) , were added by purchase. 



Other important additions were, cinnamon, {Crypturus cin- 

 namomeus) , pileated, (C pileatus) and great tinamou, {Tinamus 

 major) , pileated herons, {Pilerodius pileatus) , lesser vasa par- 

 rot, {Coracopsis nigra) and papuan cassowary, {Casuarius pa- 

 puanus) . Mr. Kenyon V. Painter presented two white-eye- 

 browed wood swallows, {Artamus superciliosus) and one masked 

 wood swallow, (A. personatus) , notable as being the only pas- 

 erine birds that are known to possess powder-down patches. 



Observations concerning a number of experiments in color, 

 instituted by the Curator, have been continued during the year, 

 and much data obtained. 



The Director takes pleasure in expressing the satisfaction of 



