The latter publication, embodying numerous additions to the list of Chinese birds, and several new species which had been described by the author since the date of his first Catalogue, may be regarded as the most reliable source of information at the present time on the Ornithology of a country still very imperfectly known to European naturalists. In 1870 he contributed to the Natural-History columns of 'The Field' an interesting series of articles on the Natural History of Hainan. Mr. Swinhoe's official position in China enabled him from time to time to arrange for the capture and transmission to England of many rare and valuable animals for the Zoological Society's Gardens, and he never lost an opportunity of furthering the interests of the Society of which he was so distinguished a member. His successful efforts in regard to the importation of several rare species of Phasianidæ, the most beautiful of all the game birds, may be especially called to mind. One of these, from the island of Formosa, has been described and named after him by Mr. Gould. It was much to be deplored that a naturalist of such talent and energy of mind was not equally gifted with physical strength to carry out his enthusiastic aspirations. Unfortunately, an attack of paralysis contracted in China necessitated his return to England, and for a considerable time before his death, his state of health was such as to cause great anxiety to his family and friends. His patience and cheerfulness while prostrated by this affliction were remarked by all who knew him, and it was fortunate for him that his favourite study furnished him with a constant occupation for the mind, which to some extent agreeably distracted his thoughts from his physical suffering. At the time of his death, Mr. Swinhoe had been for some time occupied in the preparation of a large work on the birds of China, which it was intended to illustrate with coloured plates. It will be a source of disappointment to ornithologists that he has not lived to complete it.
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.
Linnean Society of London.
November 1, 1877.—Prof. Allman, President, in the chair.
Messrs. S.M. Samuel and P. Wyatt Squire were duly elected Fellows of the Society.
Two zoological papers were read. The first by Capt. William E. Armit, of Dunrobin, Queensland, was a "Note on Australian Finches of the Genus Poëphila." Mr. Gould having treated P. Gouldiæ and P. mirabilis as distinct species, and Mr. Diggles having asserted his opinion that the former was the female of the latter, Capt. Armit procured specimens and investigated the habits and change of plumage of both, the result being
