26 



of their time on land or frequenting shallow pools of water, showed 

 an equal affinity to some of the Waders. This was the case with 

 the Cereopsis, and occurred also in the Semipnlmaled Goose and in 

 another Goose now living in the Society's Gardens, the Anserju- 

 bntiis, Spix. 



It was stated that in proportion as these birds departed from the 

 characters of the true Geese in their external appearance and habits, 

 and in both approached to the Ardeidce, they would also be found 

 on examination to resemble them in their internal organization. In 

 proof of this an extensive series of parts of the skeletons of birds 

 from the true Divers to the Cranes was exhibited, and the peculia- 

 rities pointed out. The keel of the breast-bone in the Ducks and 

 true Geese was shown to be of considerable depth, with its inferior 

 edge nearly straight ; those of the Semipalmated Goose and Cereopsis 

 were shown to be much deeper in the keel, and the inferior edges 

 much more convex ; and comparison with the same pans from the 

 SpoonbiU, Herons, Bitterns, and Storks, showed the approximation 

 to the Ardeidce in form. The peculiarities of the whole series indi- 

 cated, between the two extreme points, the developement of the 

 powers of flight as contrasted with the maximum of the powers of 

 diving, in a succession of characters as easily recognisable in the 

 skeletons as in the external appearances of the birds themselves, and 

 supplied a valuable auxiliary chain of affinities to assist the natura- 

 list in his views of arrangement. 



On the subject of the Cereopsis Mr. Bennett observed, that having 

 lately had occasion to investigate the history of that bird, he had met 

 with some facts respecting it which might not be without interest. 

 After noticing the mistakes in Dr. Latham's original description 

 and figure, which have been already corrected by MM. Temminck 

 and Vieillot, he pointed out certain errors in those given by the 

 two last-named writers, as compared with the bird on the table, 

 and with seven living specimens in the Society's Collection, all of 

 which, he believed, had been hatched in this country. Thus in 

 the description of the latter author it is said, " la tete est couverte 

 d'une peau nue, ridee et jaune, depuis la base du bee jusqu'audela 

 des yeux"; and in that of the former, " une peau ridee et jaunatre 

 couvre le front" ; but this supposed naked skin does not exist in 

 nature, and although represented in M. Vieillot's figure, is very 

 properly omitted in that of M. Temminck. The latter indeed is, 

 with the exception of the legs being coloured of a dingy yellow 

 instead of a deep orange, a very characteristic representation. No 

 synonyms had hitherto been added to the original name ; but Mr. 

 Bennett stated that he had little doubt, both from the description 

 and locality, that a bird mentioned by Labillardiere as seen at 

 Esperance Bay, on the south coast of New Holland, and named by 

 M. Vieillot, in the " Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle," 

 Le Cygne cendrc, was of the same species. To this bird it would ap- 

 pear, from d'Entrecasteaux's Narrative, that the unfortunate Riche 

 had applied in his MSS. the name o^ Anas Terrce Leeiivoin. On a 

 specimen, in all probability not distinct, brought home by Labillar- 



