THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



71 



Experiments in dog-breeding were proposed, but nothing 

 practical seems to have been done. There was a suggestion that 

 fox cubs and terrier puppies should be reared together, and kept 

 loose in an enclosed place. A similar proposal was made with 

 respect to hares and rabbits, the object in each case being to 

 produce hybrids. The possibility of the hare x rabbit cross 

 was not doubted at that time ; and at the meeting of May 10, 

 1831, a letter was read giving the history of a supposed hare x 

 rabbit hybrid that had been kept at the Farm, though not bred 

 there. The evidence of parentage is not convincing ; it is, how- 

 ever, of interest to know that the cadaver was examined by 

 Owen, who reported that the size and colour were those of the 

 hare, but the hinder legs were shorter than in that species, 

 agreeing rather with those of the rabbit. The length of its 

 small intestines corresponded with that of the hare ; its coecum 

 was seven inches shorter; while its large intestines measured 

 one foot more than those of the hare. 



The struthious birds consisted of three pairs of emus and a 

 pair of ostriches. The hen ostrich laid two eggs, one of which 

 was placed under a sitting emu, but the result is not recorded. 



Under the heading " GalHnaceous Birds " there is some in- 

 formation about the curassows. Those turned out in the previous 

 summer " soon acquired all the habits of domestic fowls, remain- 

 ing quiet in the yards, and roosting with the turkeys." It was 

 not, however, till 1834 that three were hatched at Stubton 

 Hall, Lincolnshire, from eggs laid by birds belonging to the 

 Society, and sent down to Sir Robert Heron's place. These 

 were probably the first reared in England. 



Peafowl, turkeys, and guinea-fowl were kept. Observations 

 were made on various breeds of poultry to discover the best 

 foster-mothers, as they were then called. Other points investi- 

 gated were " the comparative quality of the different kinds as 

 layers, and the different qualities of their eggs." A good many 

 crosses were obtained, and the birds were " upon trial, as nurses, 

 as being ornamental, or of utility for the table." Even at this 

 early date there was a desire to obtain pheasants from Nepal ; 

 grouse were to be kept, and an attempt made to breed partridges 

 and stock-doves in confinement. 



There is little to note concerning aquatic birds. Cereopsis 



