8 
THE ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. 
[UPPER 
their skins and for the oil derived from their fat. Among the Dolphin 
family may be noticed the curious Platanista, or long-beaked Dolphin 
of the Ganges. 
The General Collection of Corals is exemplified by selections 
arranged in the Table Cases. Tables 1-20 contain the various kinds 
of Madrepores or Star Corals, as the Sea Mushroom ; the Erainstone ; 
the Clove Coral ; the Millepore. On the floor is a large mass of one 
of the corals which forms reefs in the sea, so dangerous to ships. 
Tables 20-31. The Barbed Corals, which generally assume the form 
of trees, as the Tree Coral ; the Bed Coral of commerce ; the Gor- 
gonia or Sea Fans; the Sea-pens, some of which emit a bright phos- 
phorescent light. 
EASTERN ZOOLOGICAL GALLERY. 
The Wall Cases contain the general collection of Birds ; the 
larger Table Cases contain the collection of Shells of Molluscous 
animals ; on the top of the Wall Cases is a series of horns of different 
kinds of Deer and Rhinoceros. 
The Wall Cases on the w r est side of the room, or to the left on 
entering from the Mammalia Saloon, contain (1-35) the diurnal Birds 
of Prey; (31-36) the nocturnal Birds of Prey. Cases 36-42 contain 
the wide-gaped (fissirostral) Perching Birds. Cases 43-47 contain the 
slender-billed or tenuirostral Birds; Cases 48-61, the tooth-billed 
(dentirostral) Passerine Birds ; Cases 62-73, the strong-billed Coniros- 
tral Birds ; Cases 74-83, the climbing or Scansorial Birds. These 
are all on the west side of the room. 
On the east side of the room, Cases 84-106 contain the Gallina- 
ceous Birds; Cases 107-134, the Wading Birds; and Cases 135-166 
the Web-footed Birds. 
Cases 1-35. Raptorial Birds. Some of the most interesting species 
are, the Condor, or Great Vulture of the Andes, which soars higher 
than any other bird ; the Turkey Buzzards, or Carrion Vultures, whieh 
clear away putrifying carcases, and are the most useful scavengers in 
the warmer parts of America; the Eagles, the most formidable of 
which are the Harpy of South America and the Wedge-tailed Eagle of 
Australia ; the Kites, so rapid on the wing ; the true Falcons, whieh 
are the most courageous, in proportion to their size, of all the Birds 
of Prey, and some of which are used in Falconry ; the Secretary Bird 
of South Africa, with its long legs, which kills venomous snakes, and 
derives its name from the plumes, like pens, on the side of the head : 
the above obtain their food during the day. Of the nocturnal Birds of 
Prey, may be noticed the great Hawk and Eagle Owls; the Snowy Owl 
of North Europe and America, often active during the day. The long 
feathers of the eared Owls must assist in collecting the slightest sound ; 
the birds themselves glide noiselessly through the air. 
Cases 36-83. The Perching Birds, divided into five great sections. 
Of the wide-gaped section, maybe specified the Goatsuckers, which fly 
about at night, and live on moths and beetles ; the Trinidad Goat- 
sucker, or Fat-bird, is found in caves in South America; the fat of the 
