8 
THE ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. [UPPER 
merce ; the Gorgonia or Sea Fans ; the Sea-pens, some of which emit 
a bright phosphorescent 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 west 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 cont£iin 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, which 
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, which 
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, may be 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 
young is used in cookery. The Leona Goatsucker of West Africa, 
with very long feathers appended to its wings, so that it looks like 
three birds when it flies. Case 38 contains the Swallows and Swifts, 
which pursue flies on the wing; their tails and wings are very long, 
their legs very short. The Esculent Swallow constructs its nest of a 
substance wliich when dissolved in soups is esteemed a great luxury 
in China and elsewhere in the East. Case 39. The Todies, Rollers, 
Jjroadbills, and Motmots, living chiefly on insects and fruits; the 
plumage of many of these is very showy. Case 40. The Trogons, living- 
