FLOOR.] 
EASTERN ZOOLOGICAL GALLERY. 
13 
which has been long extinct : with the skeleton are exhibited a 
foot, belonging to a specimen which was formerly contained in 
Tradescant's Museum at Lambeth, and also various models of 
head, skulls, and bones of the foot. An oil-painting of this re- 
markable bird is hung in the upright case 108, which is said to 
have been made from a living bird, brought from the island of 
Mauritius, to v^hich island the bird was peculiar. The selection 
of bones of the Dodo, shown in a small case on the right side of 
the skeleton, was obtained from a turbary in the island mentioned. 
On the left side of the skeleton is also placed a small case containing 
a series of bones of the Pezojjhaps solitarius, which bird was peculiar 
to the island of Rodriguez. These birds exemplify many affinities 
with the Pigeons. Cases 110, 111, 112. The Bustards and Coursers, 
quick running birds, inhabitants of the barren parts of Europe, 
Africa, Asia, and Australia, where they feed on grain, herbage, worms, 
and insects. Cases 1 1 o- 134. The Wading Birds, generally provided 
with long legs. Cases 113, 114. The Plovers, Turnstones, and Oyster- 
catchers ; the last are so named because they are said to open bivalve 
shells with their bills, to feed on the contents. Case 114. The 
Trumpeters of South America; one of these is employed to guard 
poultry from the attacks of hawks. Cases 115-117. The Cranes, 
found on the borders of rivers and marshes, feeding on insects and 
seeds ; some of them famed for the regularity of their migrations ; 
the fine-crested Egrets, with their delicate white plumes ; the Bitterns 
and Night-Herons; the wide-beaked Boatbill and Spoonbills; the 
Demoiselles, so named from their graceful and elegant motions. 
Cases 124, 125. The Storks and Ibises; the Ethiopian Ibis, the mum- 
mies of which were preserved b}^ the ancient Egyptians ; the Balceni- 
ceps of the Upper Nile, which is enabled by its powerful beak to feed 
on hard-scaled fishes and tortoises. Cases 127-129. The Godwits, 
Sandpipers, and Phalaropes ; the Avocets, with their very long legs, 
and upturned or recurved bills ; the long-legged Plover, which seems 
to walk on stilts. Case 130. The Snipes, which feed among marshes; 
the Painted Snipes of India. Case 131. The Jacanas, with their long 
toes, enabling them to walk with ease over the floating leaves of water 
plants ; the Screamers of South America, with spurs on their 
shoulders. Case 132. The Rails. Cases 133, 134. The Gallinules, 
which live on the borders of rivers and lakes. In a glazed case, 
one of the most notable, as it is the rarest, is the Notornis Mantelli 
of New Zealand, now nearly extinct. Case 134. The Finfoots of 
South America and West Africa have curiously lobed feet, and dive 
like the Grebes. 
Cases 135-100. The Web-footed Birds. Case 135. The Fla- 
mingos, the longest-legged birds of the group. Ancient epicures re- 
garded their tongues as a most luxurious dish. Cases 13G-139. 
The Geese, such as the Spur-winged Geese, so named from the spurs 
with which the wings are armed ; the Geese feed chiefly on grass 
and other herbage. Cases 140, 141. The Swans, with their long and 
graceful neck ; the Black Swans of Australia, giving the names to one 
