PROCEEDINGS 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



January 12, 1836. 



William Yan-ell, Esq., in the Chaii'. 



A NOTE addressed to the Secretary by Sir Robert Heron, Bart. M.P. 

 was read. It referred to the writer's success in the breeding of Ctt- 

 rassows in the last summer at Stubton. 



From two individuals in his possession, the male of which is en- 

 tirely black, and the female of the mottled reddish brown colour 

 which is regarded as characteristic of the Crax rubra, Linn., Sir R. 

 Heron has hatched in the last year six young ones in three broods of 

 two eggs each : the eggs were placed under turkeys and common 

 hens. Respecting one of them no notes were made ; but the other 

 five were all of the red colour of the female parent. Two of these, 

 which were at two or three weeks old very strong, being still in the 

 flower-garden, were killed it the night by a rat that had eaten its 

 way into the coop in which they were. Two others were sent to 

 the Earl of Derby, who wanted hens. The remaining one is now 

 nearly, if not quite, full grown ; and Sir R. Heron proposes to place 

 it with the old pair. 



" There is one great peculiarity," Sir R. Heron remarks, " attend- 

 ing the old pair. Their principal food is Indian corn and greens, 

 both which they eat in common : but whenever any biscuit is given 

 to them, as an occasional treat when visitors are here, the male breaks 

 it and takes it in his mouth ; waiting, however long, until the hen 

 takes it out of his bill ; which she does without the slightest mark 

 of civility, although on excellent terms with him. This proceeding 

 is invariable." 



Mr. Yarrell, on behalf of T. C, Heysham, Esq., of Carlisle, ex- 

 hibited the egg, the young bird of a week old, one of a month old, 

 and the adult female of the Dottrell, Charadrius Morinellus, Linn., 

 obtained on Skiddaw in the summer of 1835. Several pairs were 

 breeding in the same locality. 



He also stated that a specimen of the grey Snipe, Macroramphtts 

 griseus, Leach, a young bird of the year, has been obtained near 

 No. XXXV^II. — Proceedings ok the Zoological Sr>ciETY. 

 W 



