1875. ] CAPT. J. BIDDULPH ON OVIS POLII. 157 
ance as almost to lead to the idea that we have here a case of mimetic 
resemblance on the part of the insectivorous mammal. 
3. Four Quica Opossums (Didelphys quica), a mother and three 
young, purchased 12th February. These are the first examples of 
this species we have as yet received. 
4, A yellow-lored Amazon (Chrysotis xantholora), purchased 26th 
February, being the first example of this rare Parrot received alive. 
Mr. Salvin (Ibis, 1874, p. 327) has lately shown that Yucatan is 
the true habitat of this species. The only specimens of it in this 
country are, I believe, those in the British Museum, obtained by Mr. 
Dyson, upon which Mr. Gray based his description. The accom- 
panying figure (Plate XX VI.) will serve to make this species better 
known. We have likewise a living example of the nearly allied Chry- 
sotis albifrons. 
The following communication, addressed to the Secretary by Capt. 
John Biddulph, dated Government House, Calcutta, Nov. 5, 1874, 
was read :— 
«‘ While we were in Kashgar, numerous specimens of a gigantic 
wild sheep were brought in from the Thien-Shan range by Colonel 
Gordon’s party. This was taken by us to be the O. polit; anda 
drawing of the animal by Colonel Gordon was sent to the Society, and 
published in the ‘ Proceedings ’ (1874, p. 425, pl. liii.). 
“In our trip to Wahhan and back in April and May, numerous 
specimens of the horns of the O. polti were picked up on the Pamir 
and brought away. Those of our party who had seen the wild sheep 
alive on the Thien-Shan, pronounced it to be identical with the O. 
polii we saw on the Pamir, though it was remarked by us at the time 
that the Pamir horns ran larger than the Thien-Shan ones—the 
latter, on fine full-grown animals, not measuring as a rule over 48 
inches from base to tip, measured round the curve, whereas on the 
Pamir any number of horns averaging from 50 to 60 inches could be 
picked up ; and one head was picked up measuring 65 inches. 
“ Tt was not till I arrived in Calcutta that I had an opportunity of 
seeing the two together, when I was at once struck by the great dif- 
ferences in shape and general appearance. 
«‘ After a careful examination of the few specimens available, and 
the photographed animals of the Thien-Shan, I cannot help coming 
to the conclusion that they differ sufficiently to warrant the idea that 
they are distinct animals. 
“«« The accompanying drawings, carefully made to scale, will give a 
good idea of the two heads. 
“The chief characteristic of the O. polit head is the bold and 
elegant sweep of the horns, of which the tips diverge so much in the 
second curve as to be 48 and 50 inches apart in heads of an average 
size. 
«The head of the Thien-Shan Sheep approaches somewhat in ap- 
pearance the head of the O. ammon, the horns being more massive 
at the base than the O. polii, and not diverging at the points to the 
