205 



4. Indications of the Existence of a Second Species of 

 Emeu (Drom^eus), By A. D. Bartlett. 



The specimen of Bromceus now exhibited was obtained with others 

 far in the interior of South Australia, several hundred miles from 

 Port Philip. 



It differs from Bromceus novce-hollandice in having the whole of 

 the feathers of the body distinctly marked with narrow transverse bars 

 of light grey and dark brownish black. The feathers of the back 

 and sides of the bird are broader and longer and less silky in texture 

 than those of the common species : that this is so, is quite evident 

 to the touch. The upper part of the neck and head is nearly black ; 

 and the feathers appear thicker than those on these parts in the com- 

 mon bird. 



The specimen from which these remarks are taken was one of 

 three examined by me, two of which were adult, and one a young 

 bird about one-third grown. This young bird exhibited the trans- 

 verse bars on its plumage as distinctly as the adult bird ; at the same 

 time the broad longitudinal stripes were clearly to be seen. Judging 

 from the skins, I am inclined to consider this bird to be smaller than 

 the common species. As I hope before long to obtain more in- 

 formation respecting these birds, together with other and more 

 perfect specimens, I beg to propose provisionally the name of 

 Bromceus irroratus for this supposed new species. 



5. A Record of the Number of Days of Incubation of 

 Birds which breed in the Society's Gardens. By 

 Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., F.L.S., Secretary to the 

 Society. 



The subjoined table, furnished to me from the observations of our 

 intelligent Assistant Head-Keeper, Benjamin Misselbrook, gives the 

 period of incubation of eighteen species of birds which ordinarily 

 breed in our Gardens. The time of incubation appears to be as 

 constant in each species of bird as the period of gestation in each 

 species of mammal ; and I think that every addition to our imperfect 

 knowledge of this subject must be of interest to the naturalist, and 

 is worthy of record in our ' Proceedings.' 



Days. 



1. Emeu* (Bromceus novce-hollandice) 56 



2. American Rhea {Rhea americana) 35 



3. Impeyan Pheasant {Lophophorus impeijanus) .... 28 



4. Cheer Pheasant {Catreus wallichii) ... 28 



5. Purple Pheasant (Gallophasis horsfieldii) 24 



6. White-crested Kaleege {Gallophasis albocristatus) 26 



7. Black-backed Kaleege {Gallophasis melanonotus) . 24 



* The eggs of the Emeu and Rhea were hatched in the Society's incubator. 



