10 
had brought out, in the hope of being able to test the deep sea 
fisheries, and this net was placed by the Council at the service of the 
Fishing Expedition recently fitted out by the Government. 
By recent advices from Mr. E. L. Layard, of Cape Town, the 
Council learn with delight that he has purchased for the Society two 
pairs of elands and two pairs of ostriches, all of which may shortly 
be expected to arrive. With reference to the ostriches it may be 
well to mention that quite a new industry, and one of a most profit¬ 
able nature, is being formed in South Africa by farmers who keep 
these birds in a state of semi-captivity, and pluck the wing feathers 
every year. The produce of each bird is estimated as worth about 
£25 per annum, and by this means the barbarous’practice of shooting 
the birds with poisoned arrows, which has hitherto so extensively 
prevailed, is largely done away with. The Council have also been 
informed that four young ostriches are being sent out by the French 
Society. 
The pheasants and other magnificient birds from India which 
were expected have not arrived, owing to the difficulty experienced 
in getting any person willing to act for the Society, but this difficulty 
may be looked upon as at an end, Dr. Chalmers having kindly 
promised to uso his exertions in procuring the birds most suited for 
this climate. 
Mr, Edward Wilson, whose devotion to the cause of acclimatisation 
continues unabated, has had prepared at his own' expense a large 
number of Virginian nightingales, robins, and other birds* for 
presentation to the Society, and they are expected to arrive here 
soon. 
The Council have, at the instigation of Mr. Bindon, resolved 
to devote the sum of £200 for the introduction of the roebuck, as 
being an animal admirably suited for many of the more mountainous 
districts of the country. 
As an interesting and useful experiment in Acclimatisation, the 
Couucil took advantage of an offer made by the Hon. the Commis¬ 
sioner of Customs upon the occasion of the recent visit of II.M.C.S. 
“ Victoria ” to the Auckland, Campbell, and other Islands 
of the Antartic group to send down a number of goats, 
pigs, rabbits, and fowls. These were set free on these islands by 
Commander Norman, and it is hoped that they will increase and 
prove «of value to persons who may be shipwrecked upon the 
islands. 
A second Exhibition of Dogs has been held under the auspices 
