15 
Museum renders it probable that they are Sciurus plantani, 
a species from Java. 
7. On the 12th of April a pair of nylghaie (Boselaphus 
pidus) were received by purchase. This species, the largest 
of Indian antelopes, does well under confinement, and 
usually breeds freely. 
8. Three reindeer {Rangifer tarandus) were procured in 
June, by exchange, from the Zoological Gardens at Copen- 
hagen. Though probably identical with the caribou of 
northern America, the reindeer has been domesticated for 
so long a period in its native home that it was hoped 
they would better endure the unfavorable climate and food 
of this latitude than is usually the case with our native 
specimens. The female, however, died shortly after arrival, 
and the youngest male some months later. The old male 
still appears to be in fair health, but it has been found 
necessary to supply him constantly with moss from the 
Adirondacks as a substitute for that which forms their main 
food in their native range. 
9. A Merian's opossum {Didelphys dorsigera) from South 
America, was presented on September 19th, by the " Eight 
O'clock Club " of the Times. 
Birds : — 
1. A pair of silver-blue tanagers {Tanagra cana) from 
Mexico and Central America, purchased March 1st. 
2. A pair of paradise weaver birds ( Vidua paradised) of 
South Africa. 
3. A specimen of the red-backed hangnest {Cassicus 
hoemorrhous) of South America. A closely related species (C 
persicus), also represented in the collection, is said to have 
the strange habit of attaching its long, hanging nest to the 
under side of a branch in close proximity to the similarly 
hanging nest of a species of fiercely stinging wasp com- 
monly found in the Guianas, the association serving to pro- 
tect the eggs and young birds from their worst enemy — the 
monkey. 
4. The European roller {Coracias garrulus). 
