628 General Notes. [ October, 
cess, as the members of the expedition, with commendable patriotism, 
are taking the animal, on Saturday, via Hull to Berlin. Could it have 
graced our own Zodlogical Gardens it would have been the lion of the 
day; for, in addition to the great scientific interest of the species, the 
abounding life, energy, and joyous spirits of this example would have 
made it a universal favorite. Courteously received at Eberle’s Alexan- 
dra Hotel by the members of the expedition, I found the creature romp- 
ing and rolling in full liberty about the private drawing-room, now look- 
ing out of the window with all becoming gravity and sedateness as though 
interested, but not disconcerted, by the busy multitude and novelty with- 
out; then bounding rapidly along on knuckles and feet to examine and 
poke fun at some new-comer ; playfully mumbling at his calves, pulling 
at his beard (a special delight), clinging to his arms, examining his hat 
(not at all to its improvement), curiously inquisitive as to his umbrella, 
and so on with visitor after visitor. If he becomes overexcited by the 
fun, a gentle box on the ear will bring him to order like a child, — 
like a child, only to be on the romp again immediately. He points with 
the index finger, claps with his hands, pouts out his tongue, feeds on a 
mixed diet, decidedly prefers roast meats to boiled, eats strawberries, as 
I saw, with delicate appreciativeness, is exquisitely clean and mannerly- 
The palms of his hands and feet are beautifully plump, soft, and black as 
jet. He has been eight months and a half in the possession of the expe- 
dition, has grown some six inches in that time, and is supposed to be be- 
tween two and three years of age.” 
Ece or Cutonis, — In the final article of Bulletin No. 3 of the 
National Museum, upon Chionis minor, by Dr. Coues and myself, ap- 
pears (page 89) the following paragraph : — 
“ An egg of C. minor was received by the Zoölogical Society, January 
17, 1871, concerning which Prof. Alfred Newton said, ‘No egg 
either species of this genus had before been known, and this confirms, by 
its appearance, the systematic position of the form shown by © 
its affinity, namely, to the plovers.’” ; 
Since on the preceding page there is cited from the Ibis a mention of 
a leiter from Mr. Layard, dated at Cape Town in 1867, wherein an egg 
of this bird had been described, the impression is naturally conveyed 
that Professor Newton had overlooked this previous description. uch 
an impression was held by us at the time of writing, and a passing sa 
tion thereof was furthermore made by me in an article upon the same 
subject, which appeared in the Popular Science Monthly for March last. 
I have since learned that Mr. Layard was misinformed with reg% 
to the authenticity of his specimen, brought him by a whali 
and that it proved not to belong to Chionis at all. 
A considerable injustice has therefore been unwittingly v 
Newton, which I beg that you will allow me the opportunity for eo" 
Sa by giving publicity to this note. — J. H. KIDDER, Surgeon © 
avy. 
steology: 
done Professor 
