655 
hoe, F.Z.S., containing an account of the Lepidoptera collected by him at 
Kurrachee between the years 1878 and 1880. — A communication was 
read from Mr. Thomas H. Potts, of Ohinitaki, New Zealand, in which he 
described a case of hybridism between two species of Flycatchers of the 
genus Rhipidura. 
18th November, 1884. — The Secretary read a report on the addi- 
tions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of 
October 1884, and called attention to a specimen of a Black-necked Coly 
(Colius nigricollis), purchased October 20th, being the first example of this 
species received alive by the Society. — A communication was read from 
Mr. J. G. F. Riedel, C.M.Z.S., containing comments on certain passages 
in Mr. H. O. Forbes’s paper on Timor-Laut birds, read before the Society 
on the 17th June, 1884. — A communication was read from Mr. H. Pryer, 
C.M.Z.S., giving an account of a recent visit to the Edible-Birds'-nest 
Caves of British North Borneo. In illustration of this paper, Mr. Pryer sent 
specimens of the Swift (Collocaha fuciphaga), of its nest and eggs, of the 
Alga on which the bird was supposed to feed, and of the Bat which inhabi- 
ted the same caves. — Mr. Sclater read an account of some skins of 
Mammals from Somali-land, which belonged apparently to five species. 
Amongst these was an apparently new form of Wild Ass, which was propo- 
sed to be called Equus asinus somalicus. — Mr. F. E. Beddard read a paper 
on the anatomy of the Umbrette (Scopus umbretta). The author observed that 
as regards its exact systematic position, which had been hitherto a matter of 
doubt, he was inclined to place this peculiar form as the type of a separate 
family, between the Herons (Ardeidae) and the Storks (Ciconiidae). — A 
second paper by Mr. Beddard contained the results of some recent investi- 
gations into the structure of Ze/idna, and related to the presence of a per- 
sistent umbilical vein in that animal. — Captain Shelley read a paper on 
some new or little-known species of East-African birds. Three of these 
were described under the names Muscicapa Johnstoni, Pratincola axillaris, and 
Nectarinia kilimensis. The collection, which contained altogether 94 spe- 
cimens, referable to 38 species, was the first fruits of Mr. H. H. Johnston’s 
Expedition to Kilimandjaro. — A communication was read from Mr. J. H. 
Gurney, F.Z.S., on the geographical distribution of Huhua nipalensis, with 
remarks on this and other allied species of Owls. — P. L. Selater, Se- 
cretary. 
2. Linnean Society of London. 
6th November, 1884. — Mr. R. A. Rolfe exhibited and made re- 
marks on examples of British Oakgalls produced by Cynipidian insects of 
the genus Neuroterus, collected by him chiefly at Kew Gardens. He ad- 
mitted that as a rule the plan and detail of the galls depend on the nature of 
the irritating fluid deposited by the insect; but at the same time the various 
species of oak have special influence in determining colour and often size of 
the galls. — A paper was read by Mr. George Brook, on some points in the 
Development of the Five-bearded Rockling, Motella mustela. In this atten- 
tion was called to the following points: — 1) Whereas there is only one 
large oil globule in the normal egg of Motella, some times this is subdivided 
into from two to eight or even more, but in these cases there is always an 
abnormal development which often results in the death of the embryo. In 
those that survive the small oil globules always coalesce to form one large 
