228 Zoological Society. 



This, however, it doubtless will prove to be, but so modified and 

 adapted to a different kind of diet and mode of life, that its real affi- 

 nities are difficult to recognize. 



With its crest erect, and wings spread out, the Kagu runs or skips 

 about, sometimes pursuing and driving before him all the birds that 

 are confined with him in the same aviary [among these are several 

 Blue Waterhens (Porphyrio)], evidently enjoying the fun of seeing 

 them frightened ; at other times he will seize the end of his wing or 

 tail and run round, holding it in his bill : from a piece of paper or 

 dry leaf he derives amusement by tossing it about and running after 

 it. During his frolic he will thrust his bill into the ground and 

 spread out his wings, kick his legs in the air, and then tumble about 

 as if in a fit. At other times he appears intent upon catching worms: 

 he steps slowly, his neck close to his body, his crest flat on his back, 

 all his feathers smooth and close ; he raises one foot, and with two or 

 three gentle strokes he paws the ground, swiftly he darts his bill into 

 the earth and draws forth a worm, a sudden shake and it is swallowed ; 

 again he runs ; stopping suddenly, he makes another dart ; and thus 

 he continues to capture this kind of food. With respect to feeding, 

 this bird differs much from the Heron family, seeking out, in every 

 hole and corner, worms, snails, and other living things, whenever 

 they are not in motion : as soon as a snail is found, he breaks its 

 shell by repeated knocks upon the ground, and after shaking the 

 fragments of the broken shell off, the animal is swallowed. In no 

 instance, however, that I have observed, does this bird eat bread," 

 seed, or any kind of vegetable, but he strictly confines himself to in- 

 sects and other animal substances. 



The skeleton and internal anatomy of the Kagu being entirely un- 

 known to me, 1 can only form an opinion of the affinities of this 

 bird by its external characters, habits, &c. ; and I find that the re- 

 markable powder-down tufts, which are well developed in all the Ar- 

 deines, are carried to a greater extent in this bird ; for above and 

 around the wings, on the breast beneath the wings, and on the back 

 and belly, this structure exists, and the enormous quantity of the white 

 powder given off is surprising. I have seen the bird enter the small 

 pond and attempt to wash ; and upon dipping partly under water, 

 the whole surface of the water was covered with a white film, like 

 French chalk. The strong resemblance between this bird and Eury- 

 pyga, even in the markings upon the wing- and tail-feathers, the mode 

 of spreading out the wings, and other resemblances, convince me 

 that I am right in considering the Kagu to be more closely allied to 

 Eurypyga than to any other bird that has come within my notice. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Notice of a Flycatcher new to the Fauna of Great Britain. 

 By G. R. Gray. 



An imperfect specimen of a bird in flesh has been received from 

 G. A. Copeland, Esq., of Carneythenack House, Constantine, near 



