1839.] Report on the Museum of the Asiatic Society. 243 



one of the principal characters essential to the genus Kroicocephalus of Eton, in every 

 other character it is a true Larus ; and as the colour of the head and neck disappear in 

 winter, we have therefore this species representing in summer the genus Kroicocephalus, 

 and in winter Larus ; shewing the necessity of abandoning the former genus. The 

 specimen in the Society's collection is partly in a state of change from the summer 

 to the winter. In the Edinburgh Royal Museum there is another specimen in perfect 

 summer plumage : these probably are the only two specimens known. The name 

 we have adopted is one which we proposed to the Wernerian Society, being the generic 

 one of Eton reduced to trivial value. Belonging to that interesting genus the 

 Leiothrix, Swains, of which there is but one species described, there are two new species 

 in the collection of the Society, in the Edinburgh Museum there is a third, and in the 

 Zoological Society's Museum of London a fourth, all of which are peculiar to India, 

 and thus the number of species is now increased to five, shewing the necessity and 

 importance of making new genera, if the characters presented are sufficiently marked, 

 although at first only one species should be presented. We could enumerate a 

 large series of genera which were represented a few years ago by one species only, but 

 which now contain from three to twelve species. In a bird lately laid before the 

 Society by Dr. Evans, and considered by him as a variety of the Aquila Chryractos, 

 the Society has a new species belonging to the genera Haliaetus ; the only other 

 specimen we have seen is in the collection of the Zoological Society of London. We 

 cannot omit mentioning the Eurylaimus Dalhousice as exceedingly rare and valuable 

 species, three specimens only being known to exist in collections. Many other 

 novelties, some of them extremely interesting in illustrating ornithological geography 

 could be pointed out, which however would extend our report to an undue length ; we 

 however may state that Dr. Heifer has sent lately to the Society a new Chalcites, and 

 Irena puella, and Calyptomina viridis, both of which were supposed to be confined 

 to the Asiatic Islands. 



Osteology. — The Osteological Department of the Society's collection is small, 

 but still there are several splendid skeletons. The magnificence of the Fossil Osteolo- 

 gical collection cannot be too strongly pointed out ; but it is much and deeply to be 

 regretted that there is no proper accommodation for it ; which we hope will soon be 

 remedied by proper cases being provided, and placed in the new apartments now 

 building, in order that the many unique and valuable specimens may be properly 

 exposed to view. 



In regard to the Icthyological, Erpetological, Conchological, &c. departments of the 

 Society we have not had any leisure to examine, and therefore forbear at present 

 giving any report. But as there is much room for improvement in the departments 

 we have already noticed, we beg to offer a few suggestions. 



Minerals and Rocks. — Before the collections of Minerals and Rocks can be generally 

 useful, there must be proper means for exhibitions, and we hope soon to see cases fitted 

 up on the plan we proposed, or any other which may be suggested, furnished to the rooms. 

 The advantages in having collections of Rocks and Minerals arranged and labelled 

 properly, would no doubt be of the greatest consequence, seeing that it would form 

 the basis for comparison of any collections which may hereafter reach the Museum ; and 

 also be of use to individuals for comparing their own private collections. As far as 

 it lay in our power, during the short space of time we have had, we have arranged the 

 Minerals in the tables formerly occupied by eggs, birds' heads, &c. only temporary 

 however, expecting that more suitable cases will be provided. The Rocks are still lying 



