1894.] OlS" THE JDIBELPHYID^D OF S.B. BEAZIL. 457 



as Equus boeJimi, had attracted Mr. Sclater's special attention. 

 Amongst the Birds were noticed specimens of Parus varius from 

 Japan, Garrulaa: picticollis from Formosa, of the splendid Cotinga 

 cincta from South-east Brazil (now four years in the Grardens and 

 in full adult plumage), of Chn/sotis hecJci (the type of the species), 

 of the rare Ara azwci', of both species of Bucorax from Africa, 

 of several species of MeUphac/idce (Entomyza cyanofis 

 auricomis, and Anthochcera caruiiculata), and of Anas andamanensis. 

 The Eagles' Aviary contained examples of both Haliaetus pelcKjiciis 

 and //. brannicl-ii, the latter quite adult, the former just coming 

 into full plumage. 



The Hamburg Garden (under the direction of Dr. H. Bolau) 

 presented, as usual, many attractions. Amongst the Mammals 

 there was an example of a black Jaguar (Fclis onca) from Santa 

 Catarina, Brazil, also of Felis licisserum from Argentina, and of 

 ViverricuJa schlegeli from Madagascar. There was likewise a 

 good series of the larger Antelopes, amongst which was a beauti- 

 ful pair of the Sable Antelope {Hippotrarjus niger), accompanied bv 

 a youug one now about six weeks old, and believed to be the first 

 specimen of this species born in Europe. Amongst the Birds 

 were noticed examples of Poltihoroidcs ti/pici(S, Musophaga violacea, 

 and Stntthio molgbdopjhanes from Somali-land, the last being quite 

 adult, and remarkable for its blue-coloured naked skin varied by 

 a bright red patch on the front of the tarsus and for the horny 

 plate on the vertex. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Critical Grleanings on the Didelphyiche of the Serra dos 

 Orgaos, Brazil. By Dr. Emil August Goeldi, Director 

 of the Colonia Alpiua (Theresopolis) ^. 



[Eeceived March 29, 1894.] 

 1. DiDELPHYS ATJEITA. 



I have in my collection of Mammals made here in the Serra dos 

 Orgaos, 800 m. above sea-level, nine specimens of a Didelphys, 

 evidently all belonging to the same species or variety, although 

 they show some slight differences in size, colour, and fur. Of all 

 of them I possess both skin and skull ; one specimen is stuffed 

 and mounted. Seven are adult, while two are rather less than 

 half-grown, as they have still their milk-dentition in place. 



How shall I call the animal ? If I should guide myself merely 

 by the exposition given by the most modern monographer of the 

 Marsupials — Mr. Oldfield Thomas ^ — this question would be very 

 quickly decided. This author admits only one living species of 



1 Ooraraunicated by Dr. A. Guntiier, F.E.S., V.P.Z.S. 



^ ' Catalogue of the Marsiipialia and Monotremata iu the Collection of the 

 British Museum' (London, 1888), p. 315. 



