1862,] LETTER FROM DR. G. BENNETT. 107 



crossing the ridges they rise in minute scabrous plications. The 

 aperture is enamelled with a tinge of ruddy colour. 



The upper figure represents the shell of the natural size. In the 

 lower figures it is enlarged to show the scabrous plications. 



March 25, 1862. 



Dr. J. E. Gray, V.P., in the Chair. 



The Secretary announced that Dr. G. Bennett, F.Z.S., had shipped 

 a living Kagu {Rhinochetus jubatus) for the Society from Sydney 

 on the 1 6th of January previous, and read the following extracts from 

 a letter just received from that gentleman relating to the habits of 

 this remarkable bird : — 



" Of the two Kagus brought from New Caledonia alive, one died 

 on the 4th of January, 1862, and on dissection proved to be a female. 

 It was larger than the one now sent to England alive ; and when that 

 one dies (as the plumage and crest are similar, and both appeared 

 to be fully grown, the only distinction being size) it would be inter- 

 esting to ascertain the sex. The Kagu is a very interesting bird, 

 readily domesticated. It is amusing to see them politely bowing 

 their heads one to the other, elevating their crests at the same time, 

 and then finish by coquetting about. They climb up the wires in 

 front of their place of confinement just as the Red-billed Porphyrios. 

 They often leap, aided by the wings, upon the stumps or low branches 

 of trees ; but they invariably roost on the ground, in an erect posi- 

 tion, with the head buried between the shoulders or under the wing, 

 and in confinement never seek any elevated position for roosting. 

 In New Caledonia they are usually seen about the sea-coast, by the 

 side of rivers ; and although in some parts of the island they are 

 very numerous, yet about the settlement of Port du France they are 

 seldom seen more than from two to four together at the same time. 

 When disturbed they only fly to the height of a few feet, and escape 

 into the thick brushwood. They are eaten by the natives. A lady 

 just returned from New Caledonia informs me that a pair have been 

 kept tame at Port du France for nearly three years, and are well- 

 known roaraers of the streets of that settlement. "When a dog ap- 

 proaches them, they elevate their crests and flap their wings to drive 

 it away. They are usually to be seen about those places where the men 

 are digging, approaching them fearlessly for the sake of procuring 

 worms or grubs that are turned up from the ground by the hoe or 

 spade. The same lady describes a noise they make in their wild 

 state, when concealed among the reeds or bushes, as resembling that 

 of a young puppy crying for its mother." 



The following extract was read from a letter addressed by Colonel 

 Abbott to George O. Wray, Esq., and communicated by the latter 

 gentleman to the Secretary : — 



