1S60.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 447 



Report of Curator, Zoological Department, for April and May 

 Meetings. 



The following presentations have now to he recorded. 

 1. From J. H. Gurney, Esq. M. P., Catton Hall, Norwich. A 

 series of beautifully prepared skeletons already mounted, viz. : — 



Mammalia. 

 European Fox (Vulpes vulgaris). 

 Polecat or Foumart (Mustela putoeius). 

 Badger (Meles taxus). 

 Seal (Phoca yttulltsa.). 

 Hedgehog (Ebi]na.cetts vulgaris). 

 Water Yole (Arvicola amphibia).' 



Aves. 

 Great Black-hacked Gull (Larus marinus). 

 Goosander (Mergus merganser). 

 Black-throated Loon (Colymbus arcticus). 

 PuiBn (Fratercula arctica). 

 The whole of the above being new to the museum as perfect skele- 

 tons, though it possesses an incomplete skeleton of the Seal. 



Also British examples of three species of birds (skins), for com- 

 parison with their Indian representatives ; viz. the Quail, the common 

 Snipe, and the European Little Grebe or Dabchick. 



The large or common Indian Quail is considered as a particular 

 race by Mr. Gould ; while the late Mr. Yarrell, on comparing speci- 

 mens of Quails from Europe, India, and S. Africa, expressed his 

 opinion that they were identical. In the examples now compared, 

 the only difference that I can perceive consists in the fact, that our 

 Indian Quails were killed during the cold season, with more newly 

 moulted plumage ; while the British examples were as obviously 

 killed during the summer, when their feathers had been longer worn. 

 The same remark applies to the Snipe. 



With regard to the Little Grebes of the two regions, there seems 

 to be more of white at the bases of the remiges in the Indian race 

 (P. philippensis, Scopoli) ; but it may be doubted if this be con- 

 stant, and a Chinese example is intermediate. 



