614 MR.. J. G. MILLAIS OJf RHINOCEROS SIMUS. [NoV. 7, 



lately become Director, there were a pair of the Bhick-tailed Gnu 

 {Connochceies (jorg^n), a male and two females of Cohus sing-sing, 

 and examples of Galidia elegans and Bucorax ahyssinicus. The 

 series of German native birds M'as large and contained a specimen 

 of Mdanocory pha yeltoniensis, and of several other species rarely 

 seen in captivity. 



In the Zoological Gardeu of Cologne there were many fine 

 Antelopes — Hijypotragus equinus, Cohus sing-sing, Oryx leucoryx 

 ( d" , $ , et 2 jr.), and Buhalis mauritanica ((5,5,$,$ jr.), — besides 

 examples of such scarce mammals as Bassaris astiUa {S et $ ), 

 Ursus ornatus, and Microcehus myoxinus. Amongst the birds 

 Mr. Sclater had noticed specimens of Geoj^haj^s •plumifera, Crax 

 albini, Plectroptenis niger, Anas andamanensis, Haliaetus hranickii, 

 and Chunga hurmeisteri. 



The following extract was read from a letter addressed to Mr. 

 Sclater by Mr. J. G. Millais, F.Z.S., dated " Kroonstad, Orange 

 Free State, September 19, 1893 " :— 



" I have been all this year far in the heart of Eastern Mashona- 

 land, searching for that much-desired creature the White Rhino- 

 ceros {Rhinoceros simus), and, though I did not get one, I found 

 what was most undoubtedly its spoor and droppings. 1 do not at 

 present wish to particularize the place too exactly, but it lies in 

 the most horrible thirst-land on the earth, and it was only with 

 considerable difficulty that I managed to get back to one of the 

 big rivers, having nearly died of thirst. I took a small wagon, 

 which I and our old Dutch hunter had constructed out of 

 wheels and logs, and this we found the donkeys could hardly pull 

 through the dense bush, which must be passed through to get to 

 this unholy country. On arriving at the pan where a black hunter 

 had told me the animals drank, we found that it was dry, and 

 though the spot was still damp we could do nothing but make all 

 possible haste back to the mountains, to obtain water for ourselves 

 and our emaciated beasts. To make matters worse, my companion 

 was seized with dysentery. Moreover, a lion came in the night 

 into a native village and killed three of my best donkeys. Thus 

 we got stuck a week without being able to move, having a real 

 bad time with the natives, who saw our condition and would have 

 stolen everything of value if they could. 



" I am quite sure the Rhinoceroses could be obtained, from what I 

 learnt from the natives, but the country would have to be ap- 

 proached from an entirely different direction and with pack- 

 donkeys. 



" The natives know and describe the two species of Rhinoceros 

 quite correctly. One, the \^hite, which they call ni'comho, they say 

 feeds only on gi'ass, has a square mouth, and the females drive 

 their calves in front. The black is much more savage, feeds on 

 bushes, has a long lip, and the calves follow the mother. This 

 shows that thej- know the animal well, although they admit that 

 it is scarce." 



