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NOTES AND QUERIES. 



MAMMALIA. 



Experiments in Hybridity at Pretoria.— I have at present five Zebras 

 (Chapman's), three of which have been interviewed by a Donkey stallion ; 

 I am very anxiously awaiting results, which I will not fail to let you know 

 in time. I have been very successful in breeding crosses between Mus 

 chrysophilus and M. decumanus, and have about twenty-four at present. 

 The result of a cross between the ordinary albino Mus musculus with the 

 Striped Mouse {Arvicanthis pumilio) is a peculiarly cream-coloured, not 

 striped specimen, which looks very much like a cream-albino Mouse with 

 black eyes, which stand out very distinct against the cream-coloured fur. I 

 have also bred Galago moholi [Otolicnus galago) and Eliomys nanus with 

 great ease, and am now trying to cross Canis mesomelas with a Collie-Dog, 

 but have not seen any pairing yet, notwithstanding many attempts.— J. W. 

 B. Gunning (Director, Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, Transvaal Colony). 



[The first experiment detailed above is very opportune, Mr. S. A. 

 Deacon, of Cape Colony, having recently written in the ' Field ' that he 

 considers the Quagga to have been originally a cross between Donkey and 

 true or Mountain Zebra. — Ed.] 



AVES. 



The Winter Singing of the Song-Thrush (Turdus musicus). — I am 

 glad that Mr. Warde Fowler has attacked this subject [ante, p. 912), and 

 I hope that gentleman will work out the question involved to a final con- 

 clusion. But I must express surprise at the distinction drawn between the 

 autumn and winter songs of the species. The Thrush is not alone in this 

 matter — the Starling and the Robin are its companions; and I feel con- 

 vinced, from close daily observation for years at Stroud and Cheltenham in 

 Gloucestershire, and at Eltham in Kent, that in the case of each of the 

 above species there is no definite change of voice from autumn to winter 

 song, but only that gradual progressive development from feeble to strong 

 notes, and from simple to complex strains, which occurs in all song-birds 

 (quickly or slowly) when the season of song approaches. I should be glad 

 if Mr. Warde Fowler would ascertain from several districts whether the 

 Song-Thrush was in voice in October. 



What of October singing ? Is it autumn or winter song ? In Sep- 

 tember I have heard only an occasional loud note from the Thrush, but 



