105 



2. Oyp. Gamhiensis, with the cervical crest commencing some 

 distance below the occiput, arranged in two regular series, one on 

 each side of the neck, with the intermediate space clear, and com- 

 posed of long spatule-shaped feathers, much broader throughout than 

 in the last species, though similarly decreasing in width towards the 

 root. In both these species the two middle feathers of the tail are 

 considerably longer than the others. Inhabits Senegambia. 



3. Gyp. Philippensis, with the cervical crest spread irregularly 

 from the occiput to the bottom of the neck, the longest feathers being 

 those situated the lowest, which is just the reverse of what we ob- 

 serve in Gyp. Gamhiensis, and with the two exterior tail feathers the 

 longest, so that the tail appears forked. This is apparent not only 

 in Sonnerat's figure, but is expressly mentioned in his detailed de- 

 scription, and, if confirmed by future observation, is clearly indicative 

 of a specific distinction. Inhabits the Philippine Islands. Described 

 and figured in Sonnerat's ' Voyage k la Nouvelle Guinee,' p. 87, t. 50. 



The colours of the three species or varieties here indicated do not' 

 seem to be materially different in other respects." — W. O. 



A collection of skins of Birds, formed in Hayti by J. Hearne, Esq., 

 Corr. Memb. Z.S., and presented by him to the Society, was ex- 

 hibited. At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Gould brought the 

 specimens severally under the notice of the meeting. They com- 

 prised sixteen species, two or three of which appeared to be hitherto 

 undescribed ; including a Humming Bird, which Mr. Gould believed 

 to be the representative of a new species, allied to Trochilus pec- 

 tor alis, Lath. 



There was also exhibited the skin of the Mammiferoiis animal 

 recently described by M. Brandt, in the Transactions of the Imperial 

 Academy of St. Petersburgh, as the type of his new genus Soleno- 

 donta. It was obtained by Mr. Hearne in Hayti, where it is known 

 as the Agouta. Respecting it Mr. Hearne writes, " The only qua- 

 druped, I believe, found on the island on the landing of Columbus 

 •wa.^ the Agouta, a little larger than, and somewhat resembling, s.Rat, 

 with an equally long tail and with a longer snout; whose food is 

 chiefly grain, although the animal is carnivorous also; its hair is red. 

 I had one alive intended for the Society, but it received a wound 

 from a cat of which it died, and the skin is too miserably preserved, 

 I fear, to be of use ; but I shall bring it myself, or early send it ; 

 and I shall endeavour to get another alive, and in such state to send 

 it to you." 



^ The following note by H. Bruce Campbell, Esq., on a white va- 

 riety of the Blackbird, Turdus Merula, Linn., recently presented by 

 him to the Society and now living at the Gardens, was read. 



^ " ITie curiosity which 1 have the pleasure to present to the Zoolo- 

 gical Society, (a bird of the common Blackbird kind, the Merle noir 



