Zoological Society. 14,1 



Apogon taniopterus ; Acanthueus Desjardinii, Ruppelii, and Blo- 

 chii ; Labrus spilonotus ; and Anampses lineolatus. 



Jan. 12, 1836. — A note addressed to the Secretary by Sir Robert 

 Heron, Bart. M.P., was read. It referred to the writer's success in the 

 breeding of Curassows in the last summer at Stubton. 



From two individuals in his possession, the male of which is en- 

 tirely black, and the female of the mottled reddish brown colour 

 which is regarded as characteristic of the C7-ax rubra, Linn., Sir R. 

 Heron has hatched in the last year six yoimg ones in three broods of 

 two eggs each : the eggs were placed under turkeys and common 

 hens. Respecting one of them no notes were made ; but the other 

 five were all of the red colour of the female parent. Two of these, 

 which were at two or three weeks old very strong, being still in the 

 flower-garden, were killed in the night by a rat that had eaten its 

 way into the coop in which they were. Two others were sent to 

 the Earl of Derby, who wanted hens. The remaining one is now 

 nearly, if not quite, full grown ; and Sir R. Heron proposes to place 

 it vnth the old pair. 



" There is one great peculiarity," Sir R. Heron remarks, " attend- 

 ing the old pair. Their principal food is Indian corn and greens, 

 both which they eat in common : but whenever any biscuit is given 

 to them, as an occasional treat when visitors are here, the male breaks 

 it and takes it in his mouth ; waiting, however long, until the hen 

 takes it out of his bill ; which she does without the slightest mark 

 of civility, although on excellent terms with him. This proceeding 

 is invariable." 



Mr. Yarrell, on behalf of T. C. Heysham, Esq., of Carlisle, ex- 

 hibited the egg, the young bird of a week old, one of a month old, 

 and the adult female of the Dottrell, Charadrius Morinellus, Linn., 

 obtained on Skiddaw in the summer of 1835. Several pairs were 

 breeding in the same locality. 



He also stated that a specimen of the grey Snipe, Macroramphus 

 griseus. Leach, a young bird of the year, has been obtained near 

 Carlisle in the past year. This is the third recorded instance of 

 the occurrence of the species in England. 



Some notes by Mr. Martin of a dissection of a Vulpine Opossum, 

 Phalangista Vulpina, Cuv., were read, and are given in the " Pro- 

 ceedings." 



A notice by Dr. Riippell, For. Memb. Z. S., of the existence of 

 canine teeth in an Abyssinian Aiitelope, Antilope montana, Riipp., 

 was read. It was accompanied by drawings of the structure de- 

 scribed in it, which were exhibited. 



The following is a translation of Dr. Riippell's communication. 



In several Mammalia of the order Ruminanfia the adult males, and 

 even some females, possess canine teeth, which are more or less de- 

 veloped ; to these teeth no other use has been attributed than that 

 of a weapon of defence. The Camels (Camelus), the Musk Deer 

 (Moschus), and the Muntjak of India (Cervus Muntjak), possess these 

 canine teeth in both sexes. In the red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) and 

 in the rein Deer (Cerv. Tarandus), the adult males alone are provided 

 with them. 



