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11

Mr. Blyth¹ remarked that greater difference in the 4 Struthionidae, than in many large orders of birds. The Emu & Cassowary closest. — Ostrich & Rhea closest. — (& 2 Rheas still closer). — M^r Blyth asked whether structure of pelvis &c was not adaptive structure, like little wings of Auk which does not make that bird a Penguin. — (i.e. whether relation in one point or many) Owen² answered that all characters might be considered as adaptative and that he did not see where the line could be drawn. — thus the most remarkable character in Apteryx, small respiratory system;
even much smaller

¹ Edward Blyth.
² Richard Owen.

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than in other Struthios was adaption to little movement. — nocturnal crawling bird. — Wings reduced to rudiment. — clavicle scapula &c. strongly developed to aid in breathing. —

Animals from Hobart Town mentioned, it seems most of species from there now found in Australia. —
New species of Moschus characterized by Ogilby.¹ who observed that the young of this animal which is so anomalous among true deer yet is spotted like so many deer. — very curious like some facts of M^r Blyth on birds. —

¹ William Ogilby.

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D^r Bachman¹ tells me line of Rocky Mountains separates almost all Mammals of N. America & many birds, which however are most closely represented. — Thus the red breasted thrush is separated by one not differing except by black line. — A Bunting by one only differing by some permanent white streaks. — &c. &c.

D^r Bachman has crossed cock Guinea Fowl with Pea Hen. — offspring female, yet so infertile never even in seven years produced even an egg. —

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¹ Rev. John Bachman.

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a most curious bird, did not seem to know itself, at last associated with the ducks. — most strange voice often in the night, like peacock. — tail as long as Pea hen. — about intermediate. — (In Zoolog. Garden there is hybrid of Penguin duck a variety of Muscovy with goose!!)

D^r Bachman regularly breeds in Carolina for his table Muscovy & common ducks — they are produced in full equal numbers with pure bred (just like common mules) & lay many eggs but never produce inter se or with

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parent species. — The hybrids do not vary (i.e. the hens all alike & cocks all alike) more than parent species. — M^r Blyth remarked only near species or varieties produce heterogenous offsprings. — are not the hybrid pheasant & grouse different — (if so Chinese pigs & common must be considered as distant species?? or is time the varying element). Then do those species which breed most freely & produce somewhat fertile offspring produce heterogenous offspring.

It appears certain that hybrid Muscovy & common duck have been shot wild (escaped from Carolina)? off New York, therefore instincts not imperfect. Are Pheasant & Grouse homogenous?

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I observe Bachman calls these Hybrids new species.

Yarrell says the bird fanciers say the throw of any two species crossed is uncertain.

Yarrell remarks he has somewhere met conjecture that all salt-water fish were once salt water (as they almost must have been on elevation of continents) but Ogilby well answers that nearly all F.W. Fish are Abdominals ' that order first converted. — is it an old order geologically?