112 _MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. _ [Mar. 2, 
March 2, 1875. 
Osbert Salvin, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. 
The following extract was read from a letter addressed to the 
Secretary by Dr. W. Peters, F.M.Z.S. 
“Dr. Gray has figured, in the ‘ Proceedings’ for 1873 (p. 393), 
a skull of a species of Tortoise of the genus Sternotherus, but does 
not give a name to the species. 
‘Tt will interest you to know that the skull in question belongs to 
Sternotherus niger, Dum. et Bibr., the habitat of which was not 
previously known. MM. Duméril and Bibron supposed that it 
might be from Madagascar ; but no traveller has found it there, and 
I have now received the species from the Cameroons, West Africa, 
where it was found by Dr. Reichenow and Prof. Buchholtz.” 
The following papers were read :— 
1. Descriptions of some rare Eggs of Australian Birds. 
By Epwarp P. Ramsay, C.M.Z.S. 
[Received February 22, 1875.] 
1. PriLoNORYNCHUS HOLOSERICEUS, Kuhl; Gould, B. of Austr. 
vol. iv. pl. 10. 
The eggs of this species bear a close resemblance to those of the 
Spotted Bower-bird (Chlamydodera maculata) both in form and 
colour; and when those of the Cat bird (Alurcedus smithii) and of 
the Regent bird (Sericulus melinus) are made known to us, I have 
no doubt that they also will be found to have similar peculiar and 
characteristic markings. 
The eggs of the Satin bird are slightly larger than those of the 
Spotted Bower-bird, more strongly marked if any thing, have the 
same thin delicate shell and elongated form; in length they average 
1:6 inch, in breadth 1:1 inch, are of a light rich cream-colour, and 
are marbled all over, more closely at the thicker end, with short 
wavy irregular lines of deep olive-brown, umber, and sienna. These 
markings are peculiar in form, some resembling ill-shaped figures of 
fives, eights, and sevens, others being long and wavy, but few if any 
encircling the shell altogether. ‘These lines are thick in proportion 
to their length, and in places are looped, curled, and twisted in 
various directions, often crossing each other at right angles. 
