316 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE, [Apr. 20, 
April 20, 1875. 
R. Hudson, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 
The Secretary read the following report on the additions to the 
Society’s Menagerie during the month of March 1875. 
The total number of registered additions to the Society’s Mena- 
gerie during the month of March was 96, of which 58 were by 
presentation, 24 by purchase, 4 by exchange, 4 by birth, and 6 were 
received on deposit. The total number of departures during the 
same period, by death and removals, was 95. 
The most noticeable additions during the month of March were 
as follows :— 
1. An Indian Wild Dog (Canis primevus, Hodgson, sive C. ruti- 
lans, Temminck), from British Burmah, presented March 3rd, by 
Lord Northbrook, the Governor General of India. We have only 
twice before * received living examples of this rare animal, which is 
said to be becoming very rare in all parts of India. 
2. Three Black-crested Kites (Baza lophotes, Temm.) from India, 
purchased 5th March, being the first examples of this peculiar bird 
of prey ever received alive. 
3. A Himalayan Magpie (Pica bottanensis, Delessert, Rev. Zool. 
1840, p. 100) from Bootan, purchased 6th March. This represen- 
tative of our well-known Magpie is likewise new to the Society’s 
collection t. 
4, A Hamadryad Snake (Ophiophagus elaps, Schlegel), purchased 
of Mr. W. Jamrach, 5th March. This specimen is about eight feet 
long, and is the first living example of this large and deadly Serpent 
received in Europe. Mr. Jamrach states that he obtained this speci- 
men at Dhappa near Calcutta, along with some ordinary Cobras. 
5 A Bearded Falcon (Falco biarmicus, Temminck), presented by 
Capt. Parry, of the barque ‘Isabella Blyth,’ March 15th. This 
Falcon was captured by Capt. Parry at sea about 100 miles west of 
the Cape of Good Hope. I am not aware that this southern form 
of our Peregrine has been previously alive in the gardens. 
6. Two Silky Hangnests (Amblyrhamphus holosericus, Scop.) from 
the Argentine Republic, received in exchange. This form is also a 
new addition to our aviaries. 
7. A Blue-faced Amazon (Chrysotis bouqueti, Bechstein), depo- 
sited by Mr. Neville Holland, March 25th. We obtained by purchase 
an example of this rare Parrot some time since (see P. Z. 8. 1874, 
p- 323, and 1875, p. 59, pl. xi.) ; but the present specimenis of special 
interest, as it was obtained by Mr. Holland in the island of St. Lucia, 
West Indies, and thus solves the question of the true patria of this 
scarce species. 
* See Rev. Cat. Vert. (1872) p. 47. 
+ Mr. Dresser, in a recently issued part of the ‘Birds of Europe,’ proposes 
to unite this species to Pica vulgaris ; but, as far as I can tell from an examina- 
tion of the living bird, the Indian form is recognizable not only by its much 
larger size, but also by the different colour of the wings. 
