108 



of the spermatozoa, iu dlfferent animals, have a great zoological and 

 physiological interest. Already is it in my power, from a drop of 

 blood or semen placed before me, to determine \vith the microscope, 

 not only the class, but freąuently the genus and the species from 

 which these fluids have been taken. R. Wagner." 



Dr. Bany stated that, from his own microscopical examination, 

 he was able fuUy to confirm the correctness of Prof. Wagner's ob- 

 servatlons upon the size and shape of the blood globules in the 

 Protens. 



The Prince of Musignano laid before the Meeting the following 

 communication, contaming notices and descriptions of new or in- 

 teresting birds from Mexico and South America. 



I. Messrs. Swainson and Wagler have, as far as their materials 

 ■Nvould allow them, ably described the Birds of Mexico. Tlirough 

 the kindness of the Messrs. Paris I have been allovved to examine a 

 small coUection from that country, a list of which, ■vvith descriptions 

 of new or interesting species, I shall subjoin ; hoping thereby to add 

 a little to our acquaintance with the ornithology of that interesting 

 part of North America. 



1. Thrasajėtos Harpyia, g. r. Gray. Harpyia destructor , Cuv. 

 Falco destructor, Lath. Vultur Harpyja, L. 



2. PoLYBORUS Brasiliensis, Swains. P. alho nigroque varius ; 

 pileo nigro, plumis cervicalibus elongatis ; rectricibus albis, nigro 

 fasciatis, apice latissime nigris. 



Falco Brasiliensis, Lath. Polyborus vulgaris, Vieill. Ouebranta 



huesos, Mexic. 

 Figured by Vieillot, Swainson, and Audubon. 



3. Ceryle torquata, Nob. C. subcristata, cano-ccerulescens, 

 torgue albo ; subtus castanea ; alis cauddcue albo maculatis. 



Mas. Pectore cano-carulescenti, crisso ferrugineo. Fem. Pectore 

 castaneo, crisso albo. 



Buff. PI. Enl. 284. Alcedo cinerea,Y'ie\]l, Martin pescador, Mcxic. 



Interesting for the locality, as it has been doubted, even by l\Ir. 

 Swainson, the able discriminator of this group. (See Birds of West- 

 ern Aftica, II. p. 93.) 



4. Ceryie alcyon, L. Ispida Alcyon, Sw. 



The most southern limits of this North-American species hithcrto 

 ascertained are Mexico and one or two of the 'VVest Indian islands. 



5. Ramphastos carinatus, Swains., Wagl. R. nigerrirmis, 

 uropygio albo, guld pectoregue flavis ; crisso ac fasciold colli in- 

 fimi coccineis ; rastro viridi apice coccineo, maculd submedid au- 

 rantid, culniine percarinato flnvo. 



Edwards, t. 329. Sw. Zool. 111. t. 45. 



This species, so rarely to be found in coUections, has been con- 



