In the list of the recent Jubilee honours we were glad to see the name of our contributor, Mr. E.W. Brabrook, as a recipient of the distinction of the "C.B."
The Zoological Society are exhibiting in their Gardens a specimen of Testudo daudini, which is said to be the largest land Tortoise now living, and which has been deposited there by the Hon. Walter Rothschild. It was originally obtained from the Aldabra Islands, in the Indian Ocean, but has been a captive elsewhere for over 150 years. The daily papers have not lost so fine a subject for comment, and extraordinary ages have been invented for the animal, which has doubtless attained a considerable but uncertain longevity. Its total length is about 4 ft. 7 in., its breadth 2 ft. 10 in.; while its present weight, about 5 cwt., may be taken as capable of considerable increase by generous and judicious feeding.
We learn from Durban that the largest Turtle known on the coasts of Natal has recently been brought ashore at Port Shepstone, and which when alive weighed upwards of 700 lbs. Its shell, which measured 3 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. 6 in., has been polished, ornamented with a gold shield and suitable inscription, and presented by its owner, Mr. Osler, to President Krüger of the Transvaal Republic. This gift will undoubtedly serve to localize and preserve the specimen.
A giant Salamander of Japan, that had lived for thirty-seven years in the Jardin des Plantes, died on June 15th, having a length of 1·30 metre, and a weight of 24 kilograms.—('Natural Science.')
An egg of the Great Auk was sold to Mr. Middlebrook at Stevens's Sale Rooms, on July 27th, for the sum of 160 guineas. This egg was sold in the same place on June 25th, 1895, for 165 guineas. Its description, as given in the sale catalogue, was as follows:—"Taken in Iceland about 1830, by a shipowner of St. Malo, who bequeathed it to the Comte Raoul de Beracé, whose collection was purchased by the Baron d'Hamonville. This specimen (slightly cracked), which, in colouring and texture, is unique, was figured in the Memoirs of the Société Zoologique de France in 1888, plate 6, fig. c, and additional notes on its history appeared in the Bulletin of the Société in 1891."
The Editor would be glad to receive information as to the remaining eggs of this bird contained in British collections, so that a complete list of the same may be published.
