30 



this process was observed . The bird, however, went thi'ough another 

 complete moult in March to April of the present year (1912), and 

 shortly after this was completed the epidermal covering of these 

 orange-coloured patches became loose and finally fell off; the 

 pieces somewhat resembled the wing-cases of a large beetle, 

 being semi-transparent and of a clear orange-colour. 



Dr. Francis Ward, F.Z.S., showed a number of photographs 

 and diagrams illustrating a method of observation of fishes, birds, 

 and mammals under the water, the principle being that the 

 subjects under consideration were ilkiminated by natural light, 

 and the observer being in a dark chamber in the water was not 

 seen. The appearance of black -feathered birds was shown ; 

 these, by carrying down air-bubbles among the feathers, were 

 converted into reflectors : and a Water-Hen was shown bright red 

 and then green as it reflected the diflferent surroundings in 

 which it had been placed. Otters and Seals were also shown as 

 seen under the water. The demonstration was illustrated by 

 numerous slides and by the cinematograph. 



Mr. G. A. BouLENGER, F.R.S., F.Z.S., presented a paper on a 

 collection of Fishes made by Mr. A. Blayney Percival in British 

 East Africa to the east of Lake Baringo. This collection was of 

 special importance as coming from a district the fishes of which 

 had not been collected before, and contained examples of five new- 

 species. 



Dr. F. E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Prosector to the 

 Society, gave an account of his paper on a new Genus of the 

 Cestoidea, founded on some specimens of Tapeworms which he 

 had discovered in the small intestine of an example of the 

 Tasmanian Devil {Basyur%is xirsinus). In briefly describing the 

 most salient points of anatomical interest in this form, which 

 formed the type of a new Family, he remarked that in view of 

 the very considerable peculiarities of structure observed it was 

 remarkable that the generative organs did not show anj^ marked 

 features of interest as compared with those of other Tapeworms. 



Mr. R. E. Turner, F.Z.S., F.E.S., communicated a memoir 

 entitled " Studies in the Fossorial Wasps of the Family Scoliida-, 

 Subfamilies Elidinse and Anthoboscinee." Several new species of 

 Elidinse from South Africa were described, including a new 

 genus in which the female was wingless, and the genus 

 Anthohosca was monographed. The geographical distribution of 

 Anthohosca, which was almost entirely confined to the Southern 

 Hemisphere, was discussed, and the conclusion was reached that 

 the distribution was due to survival from a wider range in the 

 past, and not to a southern oi'igin. 



