FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 77 



are those sent from Asia by Curator Beebe, including Javan 

 jungle fowl, (Galliis varius) , hybrid Javan jungle fowl, {G.varius 

 X G. gallus var. dom.), and Nicobar pigeons, (Caloenas nicobar- 

 ica) . The hybrid fowl are very interesting in the possession of 

 a large median throat-wattle, and two rudimentary lateral ones. 

 The collection now contains three of the four known species of 

 jungle fowl — red, (Gallus gallus), Sonnerat, (G. sonnerati) , and 

 Javan, (G. varius). 



By exchange with the Zoological Society of London, many 

 interesting birds have been received, including the Sonnerat jun- 

 gle fowl, (Gallus so7inerati), paradise sheldrake, (Casarca varie- 

 gata), Schlegel dove, (Calopelia puella) , and black-tailed galli- 

 nule, (Microtrihonyo: v entrails) . 



Not particularly showy as exhibits, but of surpassing value 

 to the student, are the red-faced and striated colies, (CoUus 

 erythromeloiv and C. striatus) . These are birds of small size 

 and dull coloration, but of remarkable structure and habits. 

 They are able to direct forward either two, three or four toes, 

 at will ! 



Two handsome species of cranes — the Manchurian, (Grus 

 japofiensis) and the white-necked, (Pseudogeranus leucauchen) , 

 were obtained, and an attempt is being made to acclimatize them 

 in the Crane Paddock with the Indian sarus, (Antigone anti- 

 gone), and the whooping crane. 



An unusually large series of shore birds collected by mem- 

 bers of the department, includes pectoral, (Pisohia maculata) , 

 semi-palmated, (Ereunetes pusillus) and least sandpipers, (P. 

 minutilla) , killdeer plover, (Oxyechus vociferus) and yellow-legs, 

 (Tetanus flavipes) . Hudsonian, (Numeyiius hudsonicus) , and 

 European curlow, (N. arquata) , black-bellied plover, (Squatarola 

 squatarola) , and American oyster-catcher, (Haematopus pallia- 

 tus) , were added by purchase. 



Other important additions were, cinnamon, (Crypturus cin- 

 wamomezts ), pileated, (C.pileatus) and great tinamou, (Tinamus 

 major), pileated herons, (Pilerodius pileatus) , lesser vasa par- 

 rot, (Coracopsis nigra) and papuan cassowary, (Casuarius pa- 

 puayius) . Mr. Kenyon V. Painter presented two white-eye- 

 browed wood swallows, (Artamus superciliosus) and one masked 

 wood swallow, (A. personatus) , notable as being the only pas- 

 erine birds that are known to possess powder-down patches. 



Observations concerning a number of experiments in color, 

 instituted by the Curator, have been continued during the year, 

 and much data obtained. 



The Director takes pleasure in expressing the satisfaction of 



