Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/363

Rh out that it is simply impossible to get the correct form of a large mammal for the purpose of a model by taking casts in plaster "of its lifeless, flayed body."

importance of understanding the correct attitude of birds in a state of nature cannot be minimised by the taxidermist. Dr. R.W. Shufeldt, in 'Shooting and Fishing' (New York, June 2nd), has given some "Pictures of American Partridges," the result of studies with the photographic camera made on the Texan Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus texanus), and the Chestnut-bellied Scaled Partridge (Callipepla squamata castanogastris). Referring to the first photograph, Dr. Shufeldt remarks:—"The picture not only shows the correct form and colour distribution of the bird, but in addition thereto one of the very common attitudes it is likely to assume after alighting in a tree." Some interesting notes on the life-history of this bird are given. "William Lloyd, of Marfa, Texas, informed Major Bendire by letter, several years ago, that 'the Texan Bobwhite is a bird of the lowlands, and is not found above an altitude of 2000 feet. Their food consists of small berries, acorns, grain, buds and leaves of aromatic herbs and small shrubs, varied with occasional beetles, grasshoppers, and ants, especially the winged females, of which they seem to be very fond. They are very insuspicious, and their low notes, uttered while feeding, attract a good many enemies. I have seen Foxes on the watch, and the Marsh Harrier perched in a clump of grass on the look-out, waiting for them to pass. But the many large Rattlesnakes found here are their worst enemies. One killed in May had swallowed five of these birds at one meal; another, a female, evidently caught on her nest, and a half-dozen of her eggs; a third, four Bobwhite and a Scaled Partridge. The young are also greatly affected, and many killed by heavy rains in June and July; numbers perish then from cold and protracted wet weather. When alarmed by a Hawk sailing overhead they run under the mother for protection, as domestic chickens do.'"

Annual Report of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland contains many items of considerable zoological interest. The Council has learned by gradual experience that one of the most essential conditions in the construction of a zoological house is to raise both it and the adjoining paddocks high above the level of the surrounding ground, and to provide in this way a ready and sure means of drainage. Damp is much more destructive to animals than cold, and in a perfectly dry house, with dry paddocks, it is often remarkable the amount of cold which animals generally supposed to be delicate will endure without any appreciable effect on their health or spirits.

In the breeding of Lions, the Society has not met this year (1897) with its