1871.] THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 625 



worth, F.Z.S., July 17th. It embraces examples of the following- 

 species, mostly new to the Society's collection : — 



1 Paddy-field Deer (Cervus porcinus, var.). 



1 Cheela Eagle (Spiloi-nis cheela). 



2 Ceylonese Spur-fowl (Galloper dix ceylonensis) . 

 4 Indian Crows (Corvus splendens). 



1 Russell's Viper {Viper a russelli). 



3. An example of the Long-nosed Crocodile of Western Africa, 

 Crocodilus (sive Mecistops) cataphr actus, purchased July 19th. I 

 am not aware that we have ever before possessed living individuals of 

 this very distinct and unmistakable Crocodilian. 



4. Six Dorsal Squirrels (Sciurus dorsalis, Gray), purchased July 

 20th. We have placed these and some previously acquired examples 

 of this beautiful species in one large cage together, and have great 

 hopes that they will breed with us. The clever sketch by Mr. 

 Keulemans, which I now exhibit, will serve to show the great varia- 

 tions in colour to which this species is subject. 



The total number of registered additions to the Society's Mena- 

 gerie during the month of August 1871 was 122; of these, 10 were 

 by birth, -34 by presentation, 47 by purchase, 5 by exchange, and 

 26 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during 

 the same period, by death and removal, was 91. 



The most noticeable of the additions were : — 



1. A third specimen of the Tamaudua Ant-eater (Tamandua ie- 

 tradactyla), probably from Brazil, obtained by purchase August 7tb, 

 and agreeing generally in external characters with the specimen pur- 

 chased on June 27th. 



2. Two Bonteboks (Damalis pygarga), purchased August 11th, 

 being the only examples of this beautiful Antelope that have reached 

 us for the last twenty years*. 



3. Two Peruvian Thicknees (CEdicnemus superciliaris, Tsch.), 



* Mr. E. L. Layard gives me the subjoined note concerning this Antelope : — 



" The Bontebok is very nearly exterminated, and, but for the fostering care of 

 the Messrs. Breda and Van der Byl would be quite so in a couple of years. 



" They are confined to the extreme south of the continent of South Africa, to 

 a portion of country called the ' Strand Veldt.' It is an extensive flat, bordered 

 by the sea on the south-west, south, and south-east, and by a range of undulatiug 

 country or low hills rising to the Caledon Ranges and Zwart Bergen on the 

 northern side. It is, in fact, the nearest plateau to the LAgulhas bank, and is 

 called ' Cape LAgulhas.' The whole of this country belongs chiefly to the fami- 

 lies of Breda and Van der Byl ; and they preserve the animals as much as they 

 can. A Government permit is also required to shoot them, whicli must be visa'd 

 by the magistrate at Bredasdorp, the name of the village on this range of land. 



" They are, however, poached and destroyed by one or two small holders, who 

 have small patches of land surrounded by the large properties, and who refuso 

 all offers of purchase, and plant corn on purpose to tempt the animals into it, 

 and then at night shoot them. They roam in herds of about eight or ten, or 

 twenty ; but sometimes fine old bucks are found solitary. They are usually shot 

 from a cart, which they will suffer to approach them, or from horseback. If 

 wounded and approached they will charge desperately ; and I have heard of a 

 Hottentot being killed by them thus." 



