Zoological Society. 49} 
the ends of some of her fingers. The foot is thrown less on the 
external edge than in the lower Quadrumana. , 
I am fully conscious of the imperfection of this account of the 
osteology of the Active Gibbon, yet trust that I have called atten- 
tion to some points in which the organization of the skeleton is 
beautifully adapted to the habits of the creature. No part of the 
studies of a naturalist is more interesting or instructive than thus to 
trace, however imperfectly, the hand of an all-wise Creator in the 
works of nature. Epw. Fry. 
The next paper contained ‘‘ Descriptions of eleven new species of 
Australian Birds,” by John Gould, Esq. :— 
ATHENE MARMORATA. Ath. omni superiore corpore, alis, cauddque, 
saturate fuscis, nuchd autem, alarum tectricibus, et scapularibus, 
obscure albo maculatis ; pogoniis internis primariorum ad basin et 
rectricum lateralium fasciis stramineis, ad extremam pogoniam 
albicantibus, ornatis; facie et mento albidis ; corpore inferiore 
saturate fusco, albo et arenaceo colore maculato. 
Ali the upper surface, wings and tail dark brown, obscurely spotted 
with white round the back of the neck, on the wing-coverts and sca- 
pularies; inner webs of the primaries at their base, and the inner 
webs of the lateral tail-feathers crossed by bands, which are buff next 
the shaft and white towards the extremity of the webs ; face and chin 
whitish ; under surface dark brown, blotched with white and sandy 
brown ; legs and thighs fawn-colour; bill horn-colour ; feet yellow. 
Total length, 14 inches; bill, 1}; wing, 93; tail, 6; tarsi, 2. 
Hab. South Australia. 
Remark.—Nearly allied to Athene maculata, but much exceeding 
that species in size. 
ArHEene rura. Ath. disco faciali saturate fusco; omni corpore, 
supra saturate fusco, infra arenaceo-rufo, multis autem lineis rufo- 
Suscis transversim fasciato. 
Facial disc dark brown; all the upper surface dark brown, crossed 
by numerous narrow bars of reddish brown, the tints becoming paler 
ana the barrings larger and more distinct on the lower part of the 
body, wings and tail; all the under surface sandy red, crossed by 
numerous bars of reddish brown; the feathers of the throat with a 
line of brown down the centre; vent, legs and thighs of a paler tint, 
with the bars more numerous, but not so decided ; bill horn-colour ; 
toes yellowish, slightly clothed with feathers. 
Total length, 20 inches; bill, 12; wing, 135; tail, 93; tarsi, 24. 
Hab. Port Essington. 
Remark.—A very powerful species, nearly allied to Athene sirenua. 
ALcYoNE PuLCHRA. Alc. omni corpore superiore splendidé purpu- 
rascente-cyaneo ; alis fusco-nigris ; loris, cristuld post aurem, et 
guld, stramineis ; lateribus pectoris purpurascenie-cyaneis, in vint 
colorem ad latera mergentibus. 
All the upper surface shining purplish blue ; wings brownish black ; 
lores, tuft behind the ear and throat buff; under surface deep fer- 
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