462 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [June 6, 



also the legs are somewhat shorter in the northern species, and the body 

 is broader behind. There is considerable difference in the coloration 

 between the young and adult. As is shown by my figure and descrip- 

 tion of the former, the reddish-yellow tint is mixed with the grey over 

 the whole upper surface, leaving the underside white, separated at the 

 sides from the more homogeneous reddish grey colour of the upper 

 surface. In the adult these three colours are more completely separated 

 from each other, only the middle of the back being grey, the sides 

 of the body yellow, and the underside white. This separation, already 

 indicated on the head of the young animal, is continued as it becomes 

 older over the whole body, as is also the case in the Patagonian species, 

 which shows the grey on the front of the body gradually getting 

 darker towards the rump, where it is nearly black. This black shade 

 very well marks the specific difference between the two species ; for 

 in the northern (D. salinicola) the grey colour is more clear and of 

 a more pure whitish-grey; but in the southern species (D ', patagonicci) 

 the tint is somewhat yellower, resembling more an ash-grey. From 

 the middle of the back this colour becomes darker in both species, till 

 it forms over the region of the pelvis a large dark patch, the posterior 

 edge of which is sharply defined from the white of the lower parts in 

 a transverse line, which crosses the rudimentary tail, and extends to 

 the haunches, where the white and yellow colours are shaded into 

 each other. This patch affords a good diagnostic character for the 

 separation of the species, its colour in the Patagonian species being 

 blackish brown and in the northern species blackish-grey ; for in the 

 latter there are a number of white punctuations which are totally 

 wanting in the former. In all other respects the colour is the same ; 

 so that many observers would believe the new species to be only a 

 variety of the other species, if they were not aware of the differences 

 in the skulls already pointed out in my former description. 



1 regret not being able to give any further particulars as regards 

 the skull and skeleton of this Dolichotis, as I was not allowed to kill 

 one of the specimens ; but as soon as one of them dies I will send to 

 the Society a full description of it. 

 Buenos Aires, 28th March, 1876. 



June 6, 1876. 

 Dr. A. Giinther, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 



The following report on the additions to the Society's Menagerie 

 during the month of May 1876 was read by the Secretary : — 



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

 gerie during the month of May 1876 was 99, of which 23 were by 

 birth, 33 were by presentation, 28 by purchase, 4 by exchange, and 

 1 1 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during 

 the same period by death and removals was 1 1 5. 



The most noticeable additions during the month were : — 



1. A fine specimen of the Tooth-billed Pigeon (Didunculus strigi- 

 rcstris), purchased May 9th, being the third example of this rare 

 bird received alive by the Society. 



