512 Letters, Noles and Extracts. 
ditions for gathering zoological specimens during a mountain- 
expedition, the aims of which were directed to quite another 
domain. Still we did not altogether neglect this branch cf 
science. ‘The specimens collected are numerous, and many 
of them are of high interest.” In reply to enquiries whether 
any birds were obtained, Dr. Merzbacher kindly informs 
us that he brought home a series of from 400 to 500 
bird-skins from this interesting and little-known district 
in the centre of the great continent of Asia, and that the 
‘* systematic elaboration ” of them has been undertaken by 
Dr. H. Schalow, of Berlin. Dr. Schalow has already 
described two new subspecies from Dr. Merzbacher’s col- 
lection (Sylvia nisoria merzbacheri and Acanthis cannabina 
merzbacheri, Orn. Monatsb. 1907, p. 3), and will shortly 
publish a complete account of it. Dr. Merzbacher is on the 
eve of departure for another exploring expedition in the 
Thian-Shan. 
The Ostrich-Farm at Matarieh, Egypt.—The Ostrich-farm 
at Matarich, near Cairo (belonging to the Société Anonyme 
du Pare de Matarich), seems to be still in a prosperous 
condition. On the occasion of a recent visit (March 7th) 
the writer was informed that there were about 1400 birds on 
the farm, and that about 300 young birds were reared every 
year. As they mate, the pairs are separated from the herd 
and placed by themselves in different small enclosures, the 
males being at this epoch, in many cases, savage and even 
dangerous, unless great care be taken. Pairs were seen in 
process of laying, incubating, and attending to young birds 
of different stages of growth. ‘The chief food given at that 
time of year was fresh clover, The price asked for a pair 
at the farm is £50. 
From what I have observed at this and other Ostrich- 
farms *, I have come to the conclusion that in captivity, 
at any rate, the Ostrich is strictly monogamous, and that 
the old and oft-repeated stories about several females laying 
in one nest attended by one male are more or less mythical. 
The Ostriches examined on this occasion appeared to be 
* See ‘Ibis,’ 1903, p. 436; P. Z.S. 1895, p. 400. 
