636 EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM DR. G. BENNETT. [May 21, 



recently cut the gum. I could not manage to examine the molars ; 

 but they are certainly present. 



The drawing of the ordinary Tapirus terrestris (Plate LII.), which 

 I also exhibit, represents our adult female specimen of this species, 

 purchased July 30, 1869, and still living in the Gardens. It will 

 serve to show the external differences between the two allied species. 



3. A pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros), purchased 

 April 13th. 



The following extracts were read from a letter addressed to the 

 Secretary by Dr. G. Bennett, F.Z.S., dated Sydney, March 21, 

 1872:— 



" A pair of living Didunculi (said to be male and female) arrived 

 at Sydney on the 6th of February from the Island of Upulu (Sa- 

 moan or Navigator Islands). One was a fine well-grown bird in 

 excellent plumage ; the other was a smaller bird in poor condition, 

 and was probably a younger bird ; they were both placed in the 

 aviary of the Botanic Gardens : the latter bird died on the 2nd of 

 March, apparently from an injury of the head accidentally received ; 

 I have placed it in spirits for a skeleton. I would have secured and 

 sent both these birds to the Society ; but, unfortunately, Broughton 

 in the • Parramatta ' (to whom only I could have intrusted such 

 delicate birds) had sailed early in the morning, on the day of 

 their arrival, so that so desirable an opportunity was lost. At 

 present the surviving bird is in the aviary, in a large wire enclo- 

 sure together with Nicobar, Wonga, and other Pigeons ; it is very 

 lively, in excellent health and plumage, and feeds almost exclusively 

 on yams and hemp-seed, and occasionally amuses itself by chasing 

 and assuming a mastery over the other Pigeons, but does not appear 

 to injure them. 



" If a favourable opportunity occurs and the bird survives, I will 

 purchase and send it to the Society. We have in the aviary the 

 Weka (Ocydromus australis), 'Wood Hen' (O. sylvestris), and 

 the New-Caledonian Rail (0. lafresnayamts), all of whom we find to 

 be excellent rat-catchers, more especially the two former species. 



"The Red-billed Curassows (Crax carunculata) have been per- 

 mitted to roam about the gardens, and eventually built a nest in one 

 of the trees, and hatched two young birds, now seven weeks old 

 (March 10th). They walk about with the mother, feeding upon 

 berries of various kinds, and appear very fond of acorns, which are 

 strewed under the English oaks in the gardens ; these birds are 

 quite domesticated, and wander about the grounds, not in the least 

 intimidated by the numerous visitors. 



"We have a curious hybrid Pheasant, a cross between the male 

 Reeves's and a female of the Ring-necked Pheasant ; it is a large-sized 

 and fine bird, larger than either of the parent birds, and the mottled 

 plumage has a very remarkable appearance. 



"A living specimen of the little Penguin (Spheniscus minor) was 

 captured near Sydney, on the 3rd of March ; it only survived a few 

 days. These birds are rare so near Sydney." 



