464 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON A LAND-CRAB. [June 6, 



II. Birds. 



1 Grey-winged Blackbird (Turdus pcecilopterus). 



2 Wedge-tailed Pigeons (Treron sphenura). 



5 Domestic Pigeons (Columba domestica, var.). 

 8 Surat Doves (Turtur suratensis). 



1 Black Francolin {Francolinus vulgaris). 



2 Hill Francolins (Arboricola torqueola). 

 4 Chukar Partridges (Cacabis chukar). 



15 lmpeyan Pheasants (Lophophorus impeyanus). 

 21 Cheer Pheasants (Phasianus wallichii). 



2 Pncras Pheasants (Pucrasia macrolojiha) . 



4 White-crested Kaleeges (Eujrfocamiis albocristatus). 



3 Bankiva Jungle-fowl {G alius bankiva). 

 10 Horned Tragopans (Ceriornis satyra). 



5 Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). 

 3 Ostriches (Strut/do camelus). 



86 



The whole collection contains 65 specimens of Mammals and 86 of 

 Birds, referable to about 30 species, not including domestic varieties. 

 Of these the most interesting in a scientific point of view are : — 



1. A pair of Thar Goats (Capra jemlaica), from the higher 

 Himalayan ranges. A male of this fine species of Wild Goat was 

 presented to the Society in 1852, by Capt. Townley Parker, and is 

 correctly figured in Wolf and Sclater's ' Zoological Sketches,' vol. i. 

 pi. 25 ; but no example of it has been since received. 



2. Two examples of the " Khar Laghuna, or Lesser Porcine Deer 

 (Cervus minor)" of Hodgson, from the Terai of Nepaul. Of this 

 form of Deer, which appears to be a valid species intermediate be- 

 tween the Axis and the Hog Deer, no previous specimens have reached 

 this country. 



3. Two male Musk-deer (Moschus moschiferus), from the Hima- 

 layas. The Society have previously had but one female of this 

 delicate animal, presented by Sir F. R. Pollock in 1869. 



The Secretary exhibited specimens of a Land-crab from Ascension 

 Island, which had been presented to the Society by Dr. S. B. Drew, 

 and read the following remarks upon them by Dr. Drew : — 



" The Land-crab, found on the Island of Ascension, belongs, I 

 believe, to the species Geocarciuus lagostoma ; it inhabits the moun- 

 tain-ridges, particularly on the weather-side of the island, owing 

 perhaps to the greater amount of moisture found there. They bur- 

 row in holes, and are but seldom seen during the heat of the day, 

 except after dawn and on their return-journey from the sea, when 

 they are easily killed. They commit great ravages on the island, 

 destroying the eggs and young of the various kinds of game, besides 

 the vegetation. The following incident came under my own obser- 

 vation : — While out shooting, a very young rabbit, which I wished 

 to capture alive, crossed my path and retreated into a hole in the 



