3352 The Zoologist — January, 1873. 



A Climbing Hoojjoe (Irrisor erythrorliynclius). — " It lives in small flocks, 

 probably consisting of entire families Avhich frequent trees, chiefly of the 

 larger kinds, and examine thera most assiduously in search of insects and 

 their larvae, which they extract from crevices in the wood and from beneath 

 the bark. These birds climb like woodpeckers, and their long tails come 

 into constant contact with the rough surface of the trees, by which the tail- 

 feathers are much injured. When they have finished tlieir examination of 

 one tree, they move to the next convenient one ; but not all togethei", as a 

 short interval generally elapses after the departure of each individual. The 

 moment flight is decided on, they utter harsh discordant cries or chatterings, 

 which are continued until they ai'e safely lodged in their new quarters : 

 these harsh notes are also heard when they conceive themselves in danger 

 from either man, beast, or bird ; and they thus often betray their presence." 

 —P. Oo. 



Edward Newman. 



T7ie Chinese Stag lately at the Zoological Gardens. 



[The interest excited by the arrival, residence and death of the Chinese 

 stag at the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park justifies the reprinting of 

 tlie very elaborate description and details respecting him which appeared in 

 the ' Transactions of the Zoological Society' for 1871. It is from the pen ■ 

 of the talented Secretary, IMr. Sclater, and forms part of a valuable paper 

 " On certain Species of Deer now or lately living in the Society's Menagerie." 

 The death of this stag, from acute inflammation of the intestines, was 

 announced in the September number of the ' Zoologist,' and nothing remains 

 for us but to regret a loss which we cannot suppose will be readily repaired. 

 It gives one rather an exalted idea of tliose Emperors of China, who main- 

 tained hundreds, or probably thousands, of these noble animals expressly 

 for the chase. — Edward Newman.] 



This fine animal is one of the many zoological discoveries which 

 are due to the researches of M. le Pere Armand David, Missionary 

 of the Congregation of Lazarisls at Pekin, an active correspondent 

 of the Museum of Natural History of the Jardin des Plantes, and a 

 Correspondent Mcmbor of this Society. M. David first made known 

 the existence of this deer in ] 865, in a letter addressed to Professor 

 Milne-Edwards, having become acquainted with it by looking over 

 the wall of the Imperial Hunting Park, in which it is kept in a 

 semi-domestic state. This park is situated about two miles south 

 of Pekin, and is called tlie Nan-hai-tsze, or " Southern Marsh." No 



