256 Zoology. 



1867. 



Specimens presented, 95 ; purchased, 266. Total, 361. 



66 Domestic Pigeons and Ducks. Presented by Charles 

 Darwin, Esq. 



These specimens were valuable, as having served the cele- 

 brated author as evidence for his work on the " Variation of 

 Animals and Plants under Domestication." 



1868. 



Specimens presented, 18 ; purchased, 274. Total, 292. 



The only noteworthy acquisition in this year was that of 

 126 birds, duplicates from Mr. Osbert Salvin's expedition to 

 Central America. 



1869. 



628 specimens presented ; 217 purchased. Total, 815. 



476 birds from Abyssinia, collected by Dr. W. T. Blanford. 

 Presented by the Government of India. 



This was the second set of specimens from the collection 

 made by Dr. Blanford, the naturalist appointed to the Abyssinian 

 expedition. After the storming of Magdala he visited the 

 Anseba Valley in IJogos Land accompanied by Mr. W. Jesse. 

 The fiist series resulting from this expedition was retained by the 

 Indian Museum in Calcutta, but a very generous selection was 

 presented by the latter institution to the National Collection. 



106 eggs of South African birds. Presented by E. L. 

 Layard, Esq., at that time the Director of the South African 

 Museum at Cape Town. 



1870. 



261 specimens presented ; 184 purchased. Total, 445. 



135 birds from the Paciiic Islands. Presented by Julius 

 Brenchley, Esq. 



Mr. Brenchley accompanied Sir William Wiseman on the 

 cruise of the Curacao in the Pacific. The vessel visited several 

 islands hitherto unexplored, and many new species were 

 procured. 



66 birds from the West Indian Islands. Presented by 

 Mrs. Bryant. 



Dr. Bryant was a celebrated American naturalist, who 

 travolletl throughout the West Indies, and, on his death, be- 



