•20 



Noxt in Talue and importance to the Institution, is a Col- 

 lection of the Birds and Reptiles of Demarara ; 75 specimens 

 of the former, and 12 of the latter, procured and presented 

 by W. P. Couchman, Esq. , who is living farther in the 

 interioi of that Settlement by many miles than any other 

 European. This Gentleman, when applied to, expressed in 

 the handsomest terms his wish to aid an Institution in his 

 native City, professing objects like those to which this as- 

 pires : this declaration was immediately followed up by a rich 

 collection of skins, which have arrived in excellent preser- 

 vation. The rare Rock Manakin (Pipra Rupicola,) usually 

 denominated the Cock of the Rock, is one of the most 

 brilliant of the feathered tribe, its color a golden scarlet is so 

 vivid that it eclipses all that are placed in competition with it 

 — this with five species of Toucans, some very beautiful 

 kinds of Jacamars, Tanagers, Chatterers, Manakins, Creep- 

 ers, various Gallinaceous birds, &c., comprise a most valuable 

 and brilliant assortment, and will add considerable splendor 

 to the Cases, when set up and arranged according to their 

 affinities. 



Nor must in this enumeration be omitted the Chesnut Jacana 

 (Parra Jacana), from South America, the gift of3Irs. Cooper 

 Willyams : this singularly elegant bird is remarkable for 

 possessing a well-defined spur on the wing, as well as the 

 longest feet and claws, in proportion to its size, of any kind 

 known. Dr. Chisholm, and E. S. Curling, Esq. have also en- 

 riched this department: the former by adding the Female 

 Painted or Gold Pheasant (Phasianus Pictus), and the latter 

 by the presentation of five brilliantly colored Foreign birds, 

 among which the Crested Kingsfisher (Alcedo Cristata) is 

 eminently conspicuous. A very fine pair of stuffed specimens 

 of the Wood Grous or Cock of the Wood (Tetrao Urogallus), 

 the largest of European Gallinaceous Birds and inhabitin"- 

 Norway, have also been received from G. C. Oxenden, Esq., 

 to whose kindness also on former occasioas, the Museum is 



