HAMLYN’S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 75 
like the Spotted-side Finch from East Africa. 
These two birds were hatched from two eggs 
found on the veldt, they arrived in exquisite con- 
dition, and are worth the attention of all ama- 
teurs. The price asked is reasonable considering 
they are the first pair seen here. There are also 
Yellow-billed Hornbills, and White-browed Wea- 
ver Birds, Wattled Starling, Dufresnes and Ru- 
fons-backed Mannakins. 
There will be monthly arrivals of animals, 
birds and reptiles from South Africa for some- 
time to come. 
It is impossible to deal with India at the 
present moment. The Rupee is 2/4—2/6. I can 
only deal on the basis of 1/4. This explains de- 
lay in all Indian consignments. 
The importation of Continental birds are in- 
creasing. The Hartz Mountain Canaries are ar- 
riving by hundreds, although the season is now 
drawing to a close. These birds have wonder- 
ful singing powers. The arrival here of a Hartz 
Mountain Canary trained to pipe a tune deserves 
recording. It is on view here and is a great rarity. 
Piping Bullfinches have arrived in fair num- 
bers. These birds command a ready sale. 
Should any of my readers requgire a Price 
List it shall be sent them. It contains a fund of 
useful information. 
Just as this report closes I receive from a 
reliable man in the Amusement World a firm order 
for six Dromedaries. 
ee pps 
be 
What was it? 
By WALTER WINANS. 
Thirty-five years ago, when I was deer stalk- 
ing in Glen Strath, Ross-shire, one evening I 
sent some men through a clump of fir trees near 
the Black Hill. 
A most curious animal came out, it had long 
thin legs, much higher in the withers than at the 
rump, no neck, but a head sunk between its 
shoulders, long donkey ears; it trotted out slowly 
and stood facing me at some 60 yards off, the 
setting sun being behind it and in my eyes. 
I said to Donald Frazer, the stalker who was 
with me, “What is it?” He said he did not 
know. I said, “Shall I shoot?” He hesitated. 
I said, “Is it the Devil?” He seemed afraid; I 
fired, not being able to see my sights on account 
of the sun in my eyes, and the animal turned 
slowly and went very slowly into the clump. 
I thought it must be hit: we did not see it 
come out of the clump, which we would surely 
have done if it had come out, as the hill was all 
heather burnt short. 
We never found anything. 
A few years ago I was telling this to a man 
who has. shot deer over the greater part of Scot- 
land and he said at once, ‘““You must have seen 
‘The Beast’.” 
He explained that for some years such an 
animal had been seen in various forests on the 
West Coast of Scotland, but I was the first who 
had had a shot at it. 
He said it had been often seen feeding in the 
middle of a herd of deer, and that people heard 
it uttering a very dismal loud cry. 
It was seen for several years and then dis- 
appeared just about the time I had the shot at it. 
Some Hints on Italian Fauna. 
By GEORGE DE SouTHOFF, C.M.Z.S. 
Italian Fauna includes a good many species 
which are interesting for the amateur menagerist. 
Even if one excludes the small animals and 
those which are common to the other countries 
of West Europe, many people do not know how 
numerous are the Italian animals. 
In the Alps are found the Bouguetin, the 
Bear and, very scarcely indeed, the Lynx. The 
Bear is sometimes also found in the Apennines 
(Abruzzi). The Wolf is spread over nearly all 
the mountainous places of the Peninsula, Foxes 
and Badgers are plentiful everywhere. Porcu- 
pines are abundant in Maremma and Campagna 
Romana where it is said they were imported from 
Africa in ancient times. Sardinia possesses the 
Mouflou, which has been imported and is to be 
found in wild state in some places of Central 
Italy. Wild Boars are numerous both in Italy 
and Sardinia. Our Fallow Deer and Roe Deer 
are common in many regions. Last, Jackal is 
found in the Island of Cuzzola (Dalmatia) which 
is sometimes included into the Italian Zoological 
Map. Vultures are plentiful, and in Sardinia 
the Bearded Vulture is not extinct but fairly com- 
mon to meet with. 
Among other menagerie and aviary birds one 
must mention the Eleonora, Feldegg and Saker 
Falcons, the Scops Owl, the Blue and Rock 
Thrushes. 
