Miscellaneous. 309 
rest of the vitellus in all parts, and separating it from the vitelline 
membrane. 
An hour after the completion of this first layer of the blastoderm, 
a second is produced in the same manner. This is formed of similar 
cells and without segmentation of the subjacent portion of the vitel- 
lus. The latter becomes less and less, darker, and more granular, in 
proportion as the blastoderm thickens by the gemmation of new 
cells. After the formation of a third series of cells, the centre of the 
vitellus consists only of contiguous oily drops, which strongly refract 
the light.—Comptes Rendus, Jan. 13 & 20, 1862, pp. 112 & 150. 
On the Young of Leipoa ocellata. By Ricuarp ScHoMBURGK. 
It has hitherto been supposed that the young birds of the Leipoa 
ocellata, after escaping from the egg, remain for some time in the 
sand-heaps before emerging to the light of day, because they first 
show themselves in an advanced state of development. As I was 
recently plundering a nest for the sake of the eggs, I remarked that 
one bird was just beginning to break the egg-shell. I took the egg 
home with me, and placed it under a sitting hen, The next morning 
the bird had crept out. To my great astonishment, it was clothed, 
not with down, like other young birds, but with perfectly formed 
feathers. At the same time, it already showed great wildness and 
much strength in the feet. 
The young birds are not hatched simultaneously, but singly, and 
they do not keep together. A nest usually contains from ten to 
twelve eggs; and if these be opened, the young birds are found of 
all sizes.— Monatsbericht der Akad der Wiss. zu Berlin, November 
1861, p. 1027. 
On a Hybrid Duck. By Autrrep Newton, M.A., F.L.S., F.ZS. 
I am indebted to the kindness of my friend Mr. Newcome for the 
opportunity of exhibiting to the Society a specimen of a fine hybrid 
Duck, beautifully mounted by Mr. Ellis of Swaffham, which presents 
several points of interest. 
This bird (a male) was bred by Mr. Durham of Bremley Grange, 
near Ripon, from a male Widgeon (Mareca Penelope, Selby) and a 
female which was a cross between the common Wild Duck (Anas 
boschas, Linn.) and an ordinary farm-yard Duck. It was sent to 
Mr. Newcome by the intelligent gamekeeper at Hornby Castle, 
Mr. Anthony Savage, from whom I learn that Mr. Durham has 
since bred several other hybrids from the same male Widgeon and a 
female of the domesticated variety of Anas boschas known as the 
“Grey Call-duck.” Of these hybrids Mr. Savage informs me that 
he sent a pair to Mr. Grantley Berkeley, and another pair to Mr. 
John Hancock. 
No detailed notice of the particular cross I now exhibit has to my 
knowledge been hitherto published, though Mr. Yarrell in the last 
edition of his work (‘B. B.’ ed. 3, iii. p. 276) mentions the fact as 
having occurred, and my friend M. de Selys-Longchamps, who has, 
it is well known, devoted especial attention to the subject, informed 
