British Association for the Advancemetit of Science. 55 



protornis, (never before seen alive in this country,) — a group pe- 

 culiar to Africa, excited, by its brilliant coloring, elegant shape, 

 and peculiar eye, the attention of all who saw it. The large eye 

 is perhaps the most striking part of the bird, having a deep yellow 

 iris surrounding a small and apparently black pupil, which con- 

 trasted remarkably with its dark purple plumage. There were 

 many other rare and beautiful species in this order, especially one 

 of the genus Euplectes. Of the Scansores there were several fine 

 specimens ; as Nymphicfiis Novce-Hollandia;^ the Psittacns No- 

 vcB-HoUandim of Latreille, the Paleornis Barabandics, the Pla- 

 tycercus Stanleyii, (named after the noble Earl,) the Platycercus 

 Bauerii; also a living specimen of the red-billed Toucan, Ram- 

 phastos Erythrorhyncus. Amongst the Rasores were some red 

 grouse — specimens of the Sand and Blackcock — which had been 

 bred in the cage — a very rare circumstance. There were also a 

 great variety of pigeons, and gallinaceous birds. Amongst the 

 former was the beautiful and interesting passenger-pigeon, in great 

 numbers, leading to the hope that it may soon become naturalized 

 in this country. Of the Cursorial birds there were several fine 

 specimens. Amongst the Grallatores, the Stanley crane (Anthro- 

 poides Stanleyanns) formed a striking object. It is a native of 

 Africa, and has lately been brought into this country. Of the 

 Natatores there were also numerous species. Two very fine peli- 

 cans were in close confinement, on account of the ravages they 

 committed on the young of their colleagues, the Anatidae, &c. 

 Amongst the animals were several valuable species of deer and 

 antelope ; also various Marsupiata from Australia. The noble 

 Earl accompanied the party around the aviary, and seemed to 

 take great interest in his extensive collections. 



The Salt Mines at Northwich also attracted a good deal of 

 attention, and a party of about eighty set off on Saturday morn- 

 ing to visit them. - According to previous arrangement, the gen- 

 tlemen who were furnished by the President of the Geological 

 Section with the necessary tickets, assembled at the railway sta- 

 tion at a quarter before eight o'clock, but, owing to some misman- 

 agement, the train appropriated to the party did not start until 

 within a quarter of nine. A little after ten, the train, after a run 

 of thirty miles, came to a stop, and the rest of the journey, a dis- 

 tance of about four miles, was accomplished in vehicles which 

 were in waiting for the party. On their arrival at the works. 



