Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/206

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
180
THE ZOOLOGIST.

much like eyebrows, and, of course, the usual black tail-tuft.—H.W. Marsden (40, Triangle, Clifton).

UNGULATA.

Zebra-Horse Hybrids.—I have just read, in the 'Bulletin de la Société Nationale d'Acclimatation de France' (October, 1898), the translation of the article published in 'The Zoologist' (1898, p. 49) on the hybrids of the Burchell Zebra and mare by Prof. J. Cossar Ewart. I have perused this memoir with much interest, because you will see by the publications I forward that I also have crossed the Zebra and mare. Until now I believed that I was the only one who had obtained this production, but by the article in question I see that I am not; and besides, my first production was born three and a half months after that of Prof. Ewart's—my first, Sordello, being born Dec. 5th, 1896, and Prof. Ewart's Romulus Aug. 12th, 1896. It is very curious to note that neither of us has known of the other's writings and ideas, yet have both carried into execution these experiments within a few months of each other. At this moment Prof. Ewart is the first in Europe, and myself the first in America, who have obtained these hybrids by crossing the Zebra with the mare, or, rather, other writings on the subject are unknown to me. I send you some photographs of my first two hybrids, but have not yet any of the others; but when I have will forward them to you. I am writing also to Prof. Ewart, and sending the same documents and photographs.

La Société Nationale d'Acclimatation de France has published, in its Bulletin of October, 1897, my account of "Le Croisement du Zèbre avec la Jument."

Dr. Fr. Steinriede published, in the 'Landwirtschaftliche Presse' of Berlin (Oct. 15th, 1898), an article with illustrations made from photographs of Zebra-Horse hybrids which I sent him.

The 'Journal l'Eleveur de Paris,' No. 726 (Nov. 27th, 1898), published a translation of a communication on the subject which I contributed to the 'Societé Nationale d'Agriculture Brésilienne.'—Baron de Parana (Porto Novo do Cunha, Rio de Janeiro).

AVES.

Nesting of the Mistle-Thrush.—This bird (Turdus viscivorus) is much more common here than it used to be thirty years ago. On April 26th, 1888, I found a nest with four eggs, and the bird sitting on it, in a hole in the stone pier of a field-gate near Clogher Head, Co. Louth. The gate was often used, and the bird was sitting within six inches of it as it swung. There were plenty of high hedges and trees quite close. I consider this the most extraordinary and abnormal place I ever found a nest