" Both the Prairie Hen and Ruffed Grouse have laid about fourteen eggs each, some of which are set, 

 and I hope will do well."— May 19, 1845. 



"One young Ruffed Grouse has been hatched." — May 31, 1845. 



"The eight Ruffed Grouse are all together and going on w^ell." — July 13, 1844. 



" I have not heard as yet any news of the Grey Hen's nest ; but though the cocks are constantly seen, 

 the hens have not been for some time, so it is hoped they are sitting." — May 19, 1845. 



" I have some Ruffed Grouse, and have turned some out, but probably too late for their breeding, as I 

 have not heard of that in any one instance, though I know that some have continued to be seen about, and 

 I hope we shall yet succeed." — 1843. 



" My Black Game I fear have taken to wandering, as I have heard of a hen having been killed on Lord 

 Sefton's property, at some distance, which had evidently, from the state of its breast, &c., been sitting; but 

 she was alone, and with no other appearance of a nest anywhere around. She was killed by the scythe. 

 In one other instance at home here she was disturbed and forsook the eggs, which were set, but in vain, not 

 having been removed soon enough. 1 am not without hopes." — 1843. 



" A line today from Thompson tells me the female Tinamus has only laid one solitary egg : I will how- 

 ever try whether it may prove fertile." 



" I shall certainly tell Thompson to try to hatch the Tinamus egg, even if she lays no more." 



" Some few years back I was stating, in the presence of Mr. Audubon, that in my Aviary the Passenger 

 Pigeon {Ectopistes migratoria of Swains.) never had but one young one in a nest ; at which Mr. Audubon 

 seemed much surprised and rather doubtful, asserting that the species in its own country, like other Pigeons, 

 produced two, and he therefore seemed to think there was some mistake in my tale. On talking with my 

 man Thompson on such matters this night, I asked him how the case really stood with us ; when he again 

 confirmed my first impression, adding, that these birds cannot well have more tban one young, as he had 

 never known more than one egg, but that they bred remarkably quick, as the female generally began a new 

 nest when the young was three or four days old : in these cases the old male attended and fed the young 

 bird, and sometimes also incubated it ; in which case the female brought it food until it was fledged." — 

 April 8, 1846. 



EYED TYRSE. Tyrse Argus. 



PLATE XVn. 

 Tyrse Argus, Gray, Cat. Kept. Brit. Mus. ii. 48. 

 Inhabits Western Africa. 



This very interesting new species of soft Turtle lived for some time in the pond in Knowsley Park, and 

 at its death it was kindly presented to the British Museum, and described in the Catalogue of the Tor- 

 toises, Crocodiles and Amphisbseneans in that collection. It was brought home by Mr. Whitfield. 



It is easily known from the soft Turtles of the Nile by the black-edged yellow streaks on the side of 

 the head, and the numerous eyed spots on the back. The latter species has been well figured from life in 

 Mr. Bell's beautiful work on Tortoises, under the name of Tnonyx labiatus. 



