11 



In conformity with the Natural System, Mr. John Friend 

 has now entirely re-arranged the Rirds aii^reeably to the Re^ne 

 Animal of Cuvier ; by which the connecting links of the 

 Various assemblages become more apparent, and a gradation 

 is preserved that renders the Cases more instructive and en- 

 tertaining. 



The same system has also been pursued by the Curator m 

 the classification of the Mammalia, which now form a very 

 imposing part of the Collection. Many of the skins presented 

 to the iAIuseum by Ilis Excellency the Governor of Madras, 

 (Right lion. S. U. Lushington,) and whicli were noticed in 

 the last Report, have been recently set up, and give a strik- 

 ing effect to the room, that smaller specimens would be 

 incapable of producing — these will long attest that gentleman's 

 liberality, and also the interest he attaches to the intellectual 

 aspirations of the Citizens he formerly represented. The 

 Society is greatly indebted to Capt. Charles Gentham, R. N. 

 fur the skin of a very beautiful young Lion from Barbary, 

 measuring ten feet, and with a mane about half grown — 

 this, with the Bengal Tiger, furnish the most striking ex- 

 amples of the Cnverian Order, Carnassicrs. 



The Contributions in Ornithology have been extensive as 

 well as liighly valuable, for during the j)ast season many 

 Genera have been supplied : and this department may now 

 not alone be considered the most beautiful in tlie IMuscum, 

 but also betler illustrated than any other 'ji-anch of Natural 

 Ilist'iry. TliC extraordinary structure of the Secretarj' or 

 Snake-Eater, (Falco serpentarius) presented by Blr. Rocb- 

 ford, cannot fail to arrest attention ; nor less so, the Superb 

 Menura (Mcnura Novae Hollandiie) from the peculiar forma- 

 tion of the tail feathers ; and the Caledonian Night Ilenm, 

 (Ardea Caledonica) vhich for softness and beauty of coloring 

 has no equal among its cniigcners ; which latter arc all pre- 

 sents from Capt. Stead. A very beautiful and rare little 

 water-bird, the gift of G. C. Oxcuden, Esq. (from whom 



