138 Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^c. 



in the mountiDg of similar groups of the Buzzard and Golden 

 Eagle. The faithful reproduction of the rock-work^ which 

 forms the base for these two groups, and fills a large wall- 

 case in the Bird-Pavilion, has been executed with great skill 

 by Richard Hall, a mason whose services were obtained 

 from the Geological Department. 



A case, illustrating the nesting of the Hoatzin {Opistho- 

 comus cristatus), comprising nest, eggs, and parent birds 

 from British Guiana, has been mounted for the Bird Gallery. 

 The specimens were presented by J. J. Quelcli, Esq., of the 

 Georgetown Museum. 



The following are noticed as being amongst the ^^most 

 important acquisitions " in zoology : — 



The Collection of Chilian Birds formed by the late Harry 

 Berkeley James, Esq., F.Z.S., consisting of 1042 speci- 

 mens ; presented by Mr. James shortly before his death. 



The eighth instalment of the Salvin-Godman Collection 

 of Birds, referred to in the Report of 1885. This series 

 consists of 4447 specimens^ and contains 13 types and 25 

 species new to the collection. 



The second instalment of a Collection of Birds^ Eggs, 

 consisting of about 3000 specimens belonging to the Orders 

 Striges, Picaria, Coccyges, and Passeriformes ; presented by 

 Henry Seebohm, Esq. 



A series of 1013 skins of Wading Birds ; presented by 

 Henry Seebohm, Esq. 



A valuable series of Vertebrates from the Nyasa high- 

 lands, comprising 264 birds, including examples of many 

 species new to the collection; presented by H. H. John- 

 ston, Esq., C.B., H.B.M. Commissioner for Nyasa-Land. 



Four consignments of zoological specimens collected by 

 Messrs. J. J. Walker, Chief Engineer, and P. W. Bassett- 

 Smith, Medical Officer of H.M.S. 'Penguin.' The specimens 

 were collected in various localities between Australia and 

 China, and comprise 78 birds. 



The folloAving list is given of special acquisitions in the 

 Class of Birds, to which list 11,069 specimens of skins and 

 eggs were added in 1892 : — 



