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PREFACE

The publication of this revised and extended edition ofthe Guide to the Zoological Park is necessary in order tobring our most important collections down to date. Withthe completion of the Zebra House and Eagle Aviary, weare now able to offer a Guide Book to the Zoological Parkas practically finished.

The visitor is not to understand, however, that with thecompletion of the features named above nothing more willremain to be done. An institution of this kind neverreaches a state of absolute completion, with no furtherpossibilities of improvement. But the building of boundarywalls, and the rebuilding of temporary entrances, are mattersof small moment in comparison with the completion ofa grand series of installations for animals, and buildingsfor public comfort.

Few indeed are the persons who know, or who ever willknow, the extent to which both the general design and thedetails of the Zoological Park have been originated, andhammered out of the raw materials. From the inceptionof the undertaking, the work of development has involveda continuous struggle to meet new conditions. Althoughprecedents and models for things to be done were soughtfar and wide, in all save a very few instances, our needswere so peculiar, and so different from those of otherzoological gardens and parks, we have found really verylittle that we could copy. The abundant-room idea onwhich the Zoological Park was founded, and our desire forthe full utilization of the works of nature, have from thefirst taxed the creative faculties of the Society to the utmost.

It has been gratifying to find in other zoological establishmentsa number of features which we could utilize here,thereby saving ourselves something in the eternal grind ofinvention and experiment, and we have gladly made prominentmention of such cases.

While it is possible to complete the equipment of animalinstallations for a Zoological Park, and fill them with finecollections, the demand for more animals is continuous.Our wild creatures are not immortal; and, like human beings,they live out their allotted lives and pass away. Thegreat majority do not perpetuate themselves in captivity,6and the depleted ranks must be filled by new gifts andnew purchases. Gifts of specimens, and funds for purchases,must constantly be forthcoming.

In the acquisition of certain representative species ofgreat variety but particular desirability, the Society hasbeen much favored by its friends, both at home and abroad.Frequently it happens that the greatest zoological raritiesare obtainable only through the good will and tireless industryof friends who travel into the most remote and inaccessibleregions of the earth. It is to such sources that weowe our musk-ox herd, walrus, mountain goat herd, spectacledbear and many other species.

The Executive Committee makes grateful acknowledgmentof the loyal and generous support it has constantlyreceived from the Board of Managers, the members ofthe Zoological Society, and from the Government of theCity of New York. Thanks to a judicious union of theseforces, the development of the Zoological Park has goneforward rapidly and satisfactorily. Although the actualperiod of construction has been remarkably short for so vastan undertaking, everything constructed is of the most permanentcharacter. It is only just to note the fact thatwhile the Zoological Park is an institution of national interestand importance, and free to all the world, with theexception of a few gifts of animals it has been created andis maintained wholly by the citizens of the City of NewYork. The State has contributed nothing.

CONTENTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

STATISTICS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

January, 1915.
Final plan of the Zoological Park approved by Park Board, November 22, 1897.
Zoological Society assumed control of grounds, July 1, 1898.
First building begun, August 11, 1898.
Park formally opened to the public, November 9, 1899.
Administration and Service Buildings	2
Large Animal Buildings (all heated)	14
Small Animal Buildings (4 heated)	10
Large Groups of Outdoor Dens, Aviaries and Corrals	13
Animal Storehouses, for winter use	3
Restaurants	2
Public-Comfort Buildings	6
Entrances	7
Area of Park Land and Water	264 acres
Area of Water	30 acres
Walks and Roads	7.78 miles
Fences	10.55 miles

LIVE ANIMALS IN THE COLLECTIONS.
January, 1915.
Mammals	204	species,	586	specimens.
Birds	811	“	2,753	“
Reptiles	164	“	1,014	“
Total	1,179		4,353

MADISON GRANT,Secretary, 11 Wall Street.
PERCY R. PYNE,Treasurer, 30 Pine Street.

Executive Committee
MADISON GRANT,Chairman.
PERCY R. PYNE,
WATSON B. DICKERMAN,
SAMUEL THORNE,
WM. PIERSON HAMILTON,
WILLIAM WHITE NILES,
FRANK K. STURGIS,
LISPENARD STEWART,
HENRY FAIRFIELD OSBORN,ex-officio.

GENERAL STATUS
OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

Origin.—The New York Zoological Park originated withthe New York Zoological Society, a scientific body incorporatedin 1895, under a special charter granted by theLegislature of the State of New York. The declared objectsof the Society are three in number—“A public ZoologicalPark; the preservation of our native animals; the promotionof zoology.” The Society has enrolled among its variousclasses over 2,000 members.

Henry Fairfield Osborn is the President of the Society.The affairs of the Society are managed by a Board of Managersof thirty-six persons, which meets three times eachyear. The planning and general development of the ZoologicalSociety is in the hands of an Executive Committeeof eight members, as follows: Madison Grant, Chairman;Percy R. Pyne, Samuel Thorne, William White Niles, WatsonB. Dickerman, Wm. Pierson Hamilton, Frank K. Sturgis,Lispenard Stewart and Henry Fairfield Osborn,ex-officio.Madison Grant, the Chairman of the Executive Committee,is also Secretary of the Society, and his office is at No. 11Wall Street. Dr. William T. Hornaday is the Director andGeneral Curator of the Zoological Park, and his office is nowlocated in the Administration Building on Baird Court. Theaddress is 185th Street and Southern Boulevard. The Societyassumed control of the grounds on July 1, 1898, andbegan the first excavation, for the Bird House, on August11th. The Park Department began work, on the Wild-FowlPond, on August 29, 1898.

Sources of Income.—The funds devoted to the developmentof the Zoological Park have been derived from thefollowing sources:

1. From the Zoological Society, obtained by subscriptionsfrom private citizens—funds for plans, for the erection ofbuildings, aviaries, dens and other accommodations foranimals; and for the purchase of animals.

2. From the City of New York—by vote of the Board ofEstimate and Apportionment—funds for the construction ofwalks, roads, sewers and drainage, water supply, public comfortbuildings, entrances, grading, excavating of large pondsand lakes, annual maintenance, and also for animal buildings.

The Zoological Society has expended, of its own funds,for plans, construction and live animals, over $641,000. Thissum has been derived from its special subscription fund, andfrom the annual dues and fees of its members.

Privileges.—Because of the fact that the Zoological Societyhas undertaken to furnish all the animals for the ZoologicalPark, the City of New York has agreed that all therevenue-producing privileges of the Park shall be controlledby the Society.All net profits derived from the restaurants,boats, refreshments, riding animals, the sale of photographs,books, etc., and all admission fees, are expended by theSocietyin the purchase of animals for the Park. It is wellthat visitors should know thatall net profits realized inthe Park go directly toward the increase of the animal collections.

The Society maintains a supply of boats for hire, andriding animals of various kinds for the amusement of children.

Location.—The Zoological Park is the geographical centerof that portion of Greater New York now known asBronx County. From east to west it is half-way betweenthe Hudson River and Long Island Sound, and from northto south it is midway between the mouth of the HarlemRiver and Mount Vernon. From the City Hall to the ReptileHouse the distance is eleven miles. The distance by automobilefrom the Central Park Plaza to the Concourse Entranceis 9½ miles. The Northwest Entrance is about half amile from Fordham station on the Harlem Railway.

MEANS OF ACCESS.

Via the Subway, to the Boston Road Entrance.—The terminusof the eastern branch of the Subway, at “180th St.,Zoological Park,” lands visitors at the southeastern entrancesto the Zoological Park, at West Farms. Visitorsfrom points below 96th Street must be careful to board the“Bronx Park” trains, and not the “Broadway” trains.

Routes for Automobiles or Carriages.—Via Central Park,Lenox Avenue, Macomb’s Dam Bridge and Jerome Avenueor Grand Concourse to Pelham Avenue, thence eastward tothe Concourse Entrance, where motor cars and carriages areadmitted to the Park.

Via the Third Avenue Elevated.—The Third Avenue ElevatedRailway has been extended to Bedford Park, andvisitors coming to the Zoological Park on it or on the HarlemRailroad should alight at Fordham Station, from whichthe northwest entrance is half a mile distant, due eastward,on Pelham Avenue, via the Union Railway surface cars.

Surface Cars.—The Southern Boulevard and the ZoologicalPark Cars of the Union Railway now run to boththe Crotona (Southwest) Entrance and the Fordham Entrance.The Crosstown cars of the same line intersect theSouthern Boulevard three blocks south of the CrotonaEntrance.

ADMISSION.

Free Admission.—On all holidays, and on Sunday, Tuesday,Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the Zoological Parkis open free to the public.

Pay Admission.—On every Monday and Thursday, savewhen either of those days falls on a holiday, all members ofthe Zoological Society who surrender coupons from theirmembership tickets, and all other persons holding ticketsfrom the Society, will be admitted free. All other personsseeking admission will be admitted on payment of twenty-fivecents for each adult, and fifteen cents for each childunder twelve years of age. Tickets are sold only at theentrance gates.

Holidays on Pay Days.—Whenever a legal holiday fallson a Monday or Thursday, admission to the Park will befree on that day.

Hours for Opening and Closing.—From May 1st to November1st the gates will be opened at 9 A. M. daily, andclosed half an hour before sunset. From November 1st toMay 1st the gates will open at 10 A. M.

Entrances, Walks, etc.—The portion of the ZoologicalPark situated west of the Boston Road has been enclosed.Access to this area is provided by six entrances, one situatedat each corner—one on the Boston Road and one at thebridge on Pelham Avenue. The latter is a carriage entrancefor visitors wishing to drive to the north end of BairdCourt. From all these entrances broad walks lead into thePark and through it, reaching all the collections of animalsnow installed.

Carriage Roads.—The only wagon road which enters thecentral portion of the Park now occupied by animals is theService Road, which enters from the Southern Boulevard,at 185th Street, and runs eastward, to the Service Building,Reptile House, Bear Dens, and Rocking Stone Restaurant.

This road is for business purposes only, and is not open forthe vehicles of visitors. It is utterly impossible to admitcarriages to thecenter of the Park, save those of officersentering on business, andvisitors must not ask for exceptionsto this very necessary rule.

Automobile and Carriage Entrance.—A fine public carriageroad and concourse, leading from Pelham AvenueBridge and to the upper end of Baird Court, was completedin 1908. This drive is open to carriages or motors, daily,and it affords easy access to the most important group ofbuildings. It is subject to the same regulations as all otherentrances, except that carriages and automobiles are admitted.

The Boston Road, which runs through the Park fromsouth to north, near the western bank of the Bronx Lake, isopen at all hours. It has recently—and for the first time—beenfinely improved by the Park Department for the Boroughof the Bronx, and a drive through it affords a fineview of the eastern side of the Buffalo Range, and the finestportion of the heavy forest of the Zoological Park.

As a matter of course, the ranges of the buffalo, antelope,deer, moose, and elk, are in full view from the KingsbridgeRoad and Southern Boulevard, and the Zoological Societyhas planned that the view from those avenues shall be leftopen sufficiently that the herds may be seen to good advantage.

The Rocking Stone Restaurant, No. 46, has been designedto serve all the purposes that its name implies. It containsdining-rooms in which full meals may be obtained, lunch-roomswherein choice food will be served at popular prices,and in the basement, toilet-rooms will be found.

The Service Building, No. 28.—Near the Reptile House,and at the geographical center of the enclosed grounds, issituated a building which contains the Bureau of Administrationof the Zoological Park. Here will be found the officesof the Chief Clerk, several other Park officers, and the workshopsand storerooms.

Children lost in the Park, and property lost or found,should be reported without delay at the Chief Clerk’s officein this building. The telephone call of the Zoological Parkis 953 Tremont.

Wheeled Chairs.—By persons desiring them, wheeledchairs can always be obtained at the entrances, by applyingto gatekeepers, or at the office of the Chief Clerk, in theService Building. The cost is 25 cents per hour; with anattendant, 50 cents per hour.

Arrangement of Collections.—Inasmuch as the physicalfeatures of the Zoological Park grounds were important factorsin locating the various collections of animals, a perfectzoological arrangement was impossible. The existing planrepresents the limit of acceptable possibilities in groupingrelated animals.

The entire southern and western sides of the Park areexclusively devoted to the Hoofed Animals, in addition towhich other members of that Order will be found at theElephant and Small-Mammal Houses. The CarnivorousAnimals will be found at the Lion House, Wolf and FoxDens, Small-Mammal House and Bear Dens. The Birds arein two groups; one in the lower end of Bird Valley, and theLarge Bird-House on Baird Court; the other around theWild-Fowl Pond, south of the Wolf Dens.

The existence of six entrances to the Park renders it impossibleto lay out an all-embracing “tour” for the visitor,and develop the Guide Book accordingly. The various collectionswill be handled in zoological groups, but the variousgroups cannot follow each other in zoological sequence. Thetable of contents and a comprehensive index will rendereach item of the subject matter quickly available.

PHYSICAL ASPECT OF THE GROUNDS.

The extreme length of the Park from north to south is4,950 feet, or 330 feet less than one mile; and its extremewidth is 3,120 feet, or three-fifths of a mile. Roughly estimated,one-third of the land area is covered by heavyforest, one-third by open forest, and the remaining third consistsof open meadows and glades. The highest point ofland in the Park is the crest of Rocking Stone Hill, theelevation of which is 94.8 feet above sea level.

Topography.—Speaking broadly, the Zoological Park iscomposed of granite ridges running from north to south.In many places their crests have been denuded of earth bythe great glacier which once pushed its edge as far south asNew York City. In the valleys lying between these glacier-scrapedridges, great quantities of sandy, micaceous soilhave been deposited; but in one spot—the Wild-Fowl Pond—whatwas once a green, glacial lake fifteen feet deep, presentlybecame a vast rock-walled silo filled with vegetablematter and a trembling bog of peat. Everywhere in the Parkglacial boulders of rough granite or smoothly rounded trap-rock,varying in size from a cobble-stone to the thirty-tonRocking Stone, have been dropped just where the warmsouthern sun freed them from the ice. The Park containsthousands of them, many of which have been removed fromwalks and building sites only with great labor.

In three of the four principal valleys of the Park, bogshave been converted into ponds, and in the largest and deepestof all lie Bronx Lake and Lake Agassiz. The bed-rockunderlying or cropping out in the Park exhibits pink granite,gray granite, rotten gneiss, and quartz in bewilderingvariety. Occasionally in trench-digging a ledge is encounteredwhich yields good building-stone for rough work, butusually our rock is so full of mica as to be worthless.

	Above Sea Level.
Surface of Bronx Lake	20.40	feet
Surface of Lake Agassiz	31.70	“
Surface of Cope Lake and Duck Ponds	47.00	“
Surface of Wild-Fowl Pond	65.00	“
Surface of Beaver Pond	44.00	“

	Above Sea Level.
Of the Antelope House	88	feet
Of the Reptile House	78	“
Of the Lion House	64	“
Of the Aquatic-Bird House	57	“

Soil.—The soil varies from rich black muck in the valleys,to light and very dry soil, full of mica and sand, on theridges and meadows. Where not packed hard, the latter isvery porous, and the heaviest rainfall is quickly absorbed,or carried away on the surface. As a result, the valleys arealways moist and rich in grass, and the slopes and ridgesare always dry and warm.

Streams and Ponds.—The Zoological Park contains about34 acres of still water, of which Bronx Lake comprises 25acres, Lake Agassiz 5½ acres, Cope Lake, the Wild-FowlPond, and Beaver Pond together, about 3½ acres. Thetwo larger lakes are fed by the Bronx River, which drainsa valley about 15 miles long. Even in the driest seasons thevolume of water carried down by the Bronx River is sufficientto keep the lakes well filled. The areas of still wateravailable for animal collections are very generous for aninstitution like this, and are highly prized.

The Waterfall.—At the lower end of Lake Agassiz, andabout 300 feet above the Boston Road Bridge, is a naturalwaterfall nearly 12 feet in height, where the Bronx Riverfalls over a rugged ledge of pink granite. In times of high23water the foaming flood that thunders over the rocks makesan imposing spectacle, and it constitutes a most unusualfeature to be found in a city park. During the year 1901,an improvement was made which added very greatly to thebeauty of this feature by extending the rock ledge about200 feet farther, to the rocky side of Wilson Hill, therebygreatly increasing the water area of Lake Agassiz, and at thesame time forming a beautiful island.

Forests.—The crowning glory of the Zoological Park isthe magnificent forest growth which covers, thickly orsparsely, about two-thirds of its land area. It consists chieflyof white, scarlet, black, red and pin oaks, tulip, sweet gum,hickory, beech, sassafras, maple, wild cherry, hornbeam, dogwood,tupelo, hemlock and cedar; but there are at leastthirty other species of trees and shrubs. Thanks to thewise foresight and broad views of David and Philip Lydig,who for about eighty years were the sole owners of nearlythe whole of the Zoological Park site, the virgin forest wasnot cut down for firewood or lumber, but was carefully preservedfor posterity. As the legal custodian of this splendiddomain of Nature, the Zoological Society is as rapidly aspossible going over the entire forest, to arrest decay anddeath, and take all needed measures for the preservation ofthe trees. It is safe to say that nowhere else within fiftymiles of New York can there be found any more beautifulforests than those in the central and eastern portions of thePark. Throughout the enclosed grounds, it is absolutelynecessary that visitors should be restricted to the walks; forotherwise the feet of our millions of visitors would quicklydestroy every ground plant.

The Rocking Stone, No. 45, a colossal cube of pinkishgranite, poised on one of its angles on a smooth pedestal ofrock, is the Zoological Park’s most interesting souvenir ofthe glacial epoch. Across the bare face of the rocky hillin which lies the Crocodile Pool, there are several glacialscratches pointing directly toward the famous boulder; andwho will say it had no part in making one of them?

The Rocking Stone stands on a smooth table of granite onthe southern shoulder of the hill overlooking the BuffaloRange. Its extreme height is 7 feet 6 inches; breadth, 10feet 1 inch; thickness, 8 feet 1 inch, and its weight, as roughlycalculated, is 30 tons. A pressure of about 50 lbs. exerted onthe most northern angle of the stone causes its apex to swingnorth and south about two inches.

SECTION I.—THE MAMMALS.

The Hoofed Animals.

The forming of a collection which shall fairly representthe hoofed animals of the world is necessarily a work ofyears. It is now (in 1915) fifteen years since the ZoologicalSociety entered upon this task, and during that period thework of providing installations and living specimens hasbeen pursued with unflagging industry. In no feature ofour development has the Society been more liberal than inthe purchase of specimens for this collection, and the giftsto it have been both numerous and valuable. In our 82species and 330 specimens we feel that the OrderUngulatais strongly represented. On April 1, 1913, the summary ofgroups stood as follows:

The arrangement of this section of the Guide Book beginsat the Buffalo Entrance with the Bisons, and follows theranges, corrals and buildings for Hoofed Animals, alongthe southern and western sides of the Park, to the Axis DeerRange. The Elephant House is introduced as the visitorleaves Baird Court, going south.

The large, open pastures are called “ranges,” and thesmaller fenced enclosures are known as “corrals.” Thefences are chiefly of hard steel wire, so strong and elasticthat the animals cannot break through them.

Summary of the Ungulates.
Deer	24	species	164	specimens
Giraffes	1	“	2	“
Bovines: Bison, etc.	3	“	38	“
Musk Ox	1	“	6	“
Wild Sheep, Goats, etc.	8	“	41	“
Antelopes	22	“	41	“
Hippopotamus	2	“	4	“
Wild Swine	3	“	5	“
Camels and Cameloids	5	“	10	“
Rhinoceros	2	“	2	“
Tapirs	2	“	3	“
Wild Equines	6	“	9	“
Elephants	3	“	5	“
Total	82	“	330	“

Warning.—Visitors mustnever stand close beside a wirefence or gate, because its elasticity between posts mightenable a charging animal to strike a person so standing andinflict a serious injury, even though the fence or gate is notin the least affected by the blow.

THE BISON RANGES, Nos. 51 and 52.

Stretching from the Boston Road to the large AntelopeHouse (No. 50), and from the Rocking Stone to the southernboundary, lies an open expanse of rolling meadow land, witha total area of about twenty acres. It is almost surroundedby shade-trees. Its easterly edge is a low-lying strip of richmeadow, which lies under the shelter of the rocky, tree-coveredridge that forms the natural retaining wall of thehigher plateau toward the west. This is the Bison Range.It is the first enclosure seen on the left as the visitor entersthe Park from West Farms by way of the Boston Road.

On the north side of the main range, near the RockingStone, are the four corrals, and the Bison House. Thelatter is a rustic hillside barn, eighty feet in length, with asemicircular front, affording shelter and feed storage forthirty-four buffaloes. The flat roof of the Buffalo House isopen to the public from the main walk, and has been speciallydesigned as a convenient lookout over the main range27and corrals. There are other corrals, and a shelter shed,at the Buffalo Entrance.

The American Bison, or Buffalo, (B. americanus), is thelargest and the best known of all North American hoofedanimals. What was once the universal herd, which occupiedthe whole pasture region of the West, was cut in twainin 1867, by the building of the first trans-continental railway.The great “southern herd,” of several millions ofanimals, was destroyed by skin hunters during the years1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874, and the practical extinction ofthe northern herd was accomplished between 1880 and1884.

At present there are but two herds of wild bison inexistence. The largest band, now containing by estimateabout 300 individuals, inhabits a wide stretch of barrenand inhospitable territory southwest of Great Slave Lake.About twenty head remain in the Yellowstone Park, morethan nine-tenths of the original herd having been slaughteredby poachers since 1890. There are now about 2000bison alive in captivity, chiefly in large private game preserves.

Usually bison calves are born in May, June, and July.Full maturity is not reached until the end of the seventhyear, when the horns of the male—at first a straight spike—haveattained their full semi-circular curve. Like all thick-hairedanimals of the temperate zone, the American bison28sheds its coat in spring, and does not regain full pelageuntil October or November.

The bison breeds in confinement about as readily asdomestic cattle. In appearance, it is the most imposing ofall bovine animals, and with two exceptions it is also thelargest. In captivity its disposition is mild, though inclinedto stubbornness. Occasionally, however, an old bull becomesso vicious that it is necessary to seclude him fromthe herd, and treat him as a dangerous animal.

With the exception of a very few individuals, our entirebison herd is the gift of the late William C. Whitney,and the increase therefrom. The total number of head onhand on April 1, 1913, was forty-two.

In 1906, the New York Zoological Society presented to theUnited States Government a herd of fifteen bison toserve as a nucleus for an independent National herd. TheGovernment very promptly fenced an area of twelve squaremiles of fine grazing grounds in the Wichita Forest andGame Reserve, for the proper reception of the herd. Theplan was consummated during 1907. The effort has provencompletely successful, and on April 1, 1913, the herd containedthirty-seven bison, all in fine condition.

European Bison.—In a corral adjoining the Buffalo Entrance,on the Boston Road, are to be found two specimensof the rare and almost extinct European Bison, (Bos bonasus).This species is the nearest living relative of theAmerican bison, and the two specimens (male and female),now exhibited, came quite unexpectedly into the possessionof the Zoological Society in April, 1904. They were acquiredfrom the small captive herd in the forest of thePrince of Pless, in Silesia, south-eastern Germany, and arethe first living specimens of the species to be exhibited inAmerica. They were presented to the Society by Mr. NormanJames, of Baltimore, Mr. Charles Sheldon and Dr.Leonard J. Sanford.

The distinguishing characters of this species are shorterand less abundant hair on the head, neck and shouldersthan our bison, a tail densely covered with hair throughoutits length, very long legs, and a short body.

But for royal protection, this species would long ere thishave become extinct. In the year 1857, about 1,898 headwere living, but in 1892 the total had decreased to 491. It29appears, however, that an increase can safely be announced.An estimate recently published (1906) places the totalnumber of wild and semi-wild individuals at 1,400, whilein the captive herds of the Czar and the Prince of Plessthere are 46 more. About 700 of the survivors inhabit theforests of Bielowitza and Swisslotsch, Lithuania, west Russia,and are strictly protected by the Czar. Other bandsstill exist on the northern slope of the Caucasus Mountainsaround the sources of the Laba and Bjellaja, sometimesranging up to an elevation of 8,000 feet. Wherever found,they live in scattered bands of from three to ten individuals.All the survivors of this species are so jealouslyguarded that very few of the zoological gardens of Europehave been able to procure specimens.

This animal is very often miscalled the “aurochs,” andfrom this error much confusion has arisen. The true aurochs,(Bos primigenius), was the wild progenitor of someof the existing breeds of domestic cattle, but it is nowextinct.

MOUNTAIN SHEEP HILL, No. 44.

The wild sheep and goats of the world form an exceedinglyinteresting group of animals. In form they are oddand picturesque, and in temper and mentality they areeverything that could be desired. All the year round, deerare either nervous or dangerous, and difficult to handle.Wild sheep, goats and ibex appreciate man’s interest inthem, and even when not fond of attention, they act sensiblywhen it is necessary to handle them.

The Zoological Park collection of wild sheep and goats isone of the most interesting features of the Park. MountainSheep Hill is the first high ridge west of the Rocking Stone,and its northern end is very near the Bear Dens and ReptileHouse. It consists of a ridge of pink granite 500 feet longand 25 feet high, its southern end fully exposed, but thenorthern end well shaded by oaks and cedars. For grazinganimals that love to climb, and pose on the sky line, theslopes of bare rock, set in patches of hard, green turf, arealmost ideal. In the eastern face of the ridge, rock excavationshave been made, and five roomy caves have been constructedin such a manner that they are cool in summer,warm in winter, and dry at all times. On April 1, 1913,the six wire enclosures on Mountain Sheep Hill containedthe following species:

Because of the curious (and unaccountable) fact that theydo not thrive on Mountain Sheep Hill, the Rocky MountainGoat and Chamois are exhibited elsewhere. The former willbe found near the Pheasant Aviary, next to the Musk-ox.

Visitors are requested to make note of the fact thatinwinter, theArcal Sheep, Mouflon, and other delicate sheepare exhibited in the Small-Deer House.

The White-Fronted Musk-Ox, (Ovibos wardi, Lydekker),is represented in the Park by a herd of six specimens. Fiveof these animals were born in May, 1910, in Ellesmere Land,and captured in that year by Paul J. Rainey and Harry C.Whitney, and presented by Mr. Rainey. The sixth individual,a vigorous and rather vicious female, was born on MelvilleIsland, in May, 1909, and captured by Captain JosephBernier. Owing to the domineering temper of “Miss Melville,”it is not possible to keep her with the animals a yearyounger than herself, because she resents their presence inher corral.

The Musk-Ox is an animal of strange form, inhabitinga small portion of the Arctic regions of the western hemisphere,up to the very northernmost points of land east of theMackenzie River. At Fort Conger (Latitude 81°, 40′),its flesh was a godsend to General Greely, and later on toCommander Peary, also. Structurally, this animal standsin a genus of its own (Ovibos), midway between the cattleand the sheep, but it is unqualifiedly a misnomer to call ita “musk-sheep.”

An adult male Musk-Ox stands 4 ft. 5 in. high at theshoulders and is 6 ft. 7 in. in total length. Our first specimenwas a female, two years old. She stood 3 ft. 2 in. high atthe shoulders, and was 4 ft. 10 in. in total length. Herentire body was covered by a dense mass of fine light brownhair, of a woolly nature, overlaid by a thatch of very long,straight hair specially designed to shed rain.

The Musk-Ox inhabits the Barren Grounds of northernCanada north of Latitude 64° from Great Bear Lake toHudson Bay, Grant Land, and the northeast coast of Greenlandfrom Franz Josef Fiord (Latitude 70°) to the most32northerly point of land. About twenty living specimenshave been taken when very young at Franz Josef Fiord,by Swedish and Norwegian whaling parties. The PearyArctic Club, of New York, presented to the New YorkZoological Society a young calf which was captured byCommander Peary at Fort Conger, in 1902, but it livedonly a few months.

The Big-Horn Mountain Sheep, (Ovis canadensis), isexhibited in the Zoological Park, whenever it may be obtained.The efforts that have been made in New York,Philadelphia, Washington and Chicago to acclimatize theBig-Horn of the Rocky Mountains have proven the extremedifficulty involved in keeping specimens of thatspecies alive and in good condition anywhere in the MississippiValley, or on the Atlantic coast. The changes of atmosphere33and temperature seem more violent than Americanmountain sheep are fitted by nature to endure, andthus far all specimens tried have died within a comparativelyfew months.

In his own country, the Rocky Mountain Big-Horn is abold, hardy and robust animal. He is high-headed, keen-sighted,and a sure-footed mountaineer. He dwells in thewildest and most picturesque country that he can find betweenthe “bad-lands” of western North Dakota and theline of perpetual snow on the Rockies. His massive circlinghorns render his head a much-coveted trophy, and hisflesh is most excellent food. A full-grown ram (Ovis canadensis)stands 41 inches in height at the shoulders, andweighs 316 pounds.

This species ranges from the northern states of Mexicoto northern British Columbia and it culminates (i. e.,34reaches its finest development) in southeastern British Columbia.In Northwest Alaska other related species occur.A female specimen from southeastern British Columbia wasexhibited in the Zoological Park during 1905 and 1906, andin 1902, a male specimen of a closely related species (Ovisnelsoni) was also here.

As opportunities offer to procure male specimens, thathave been kept in their home region until they are at leasta year and a half old, they will be purchased and exhibited.

The Mouflon, (Ovis musimon), orWild Sheep of Sardinia,is represented by a fine pair of specimens presentedby Maurice Egerton, Esq., of London, and a young maleborn in the Park. The female of the adult pair was capturedwhen a lamb in the mountains of Sardinia by Mr.Egerton. The ram of this species is handsomely colored,and this specimen is noted for his friendliness, and his fondnessfor admiration.

The Arcal Mountain Sheep, (Ovis cycloceros), is one ofthe smallest mountain sheep of India of the “big-horn”type (with circling horns). The fully adult male, with itslong undermane of coarse, shaggy hair and proud postures,is a very noteworthy creature. This species inhabits themountains of northern India, Tibet, Afghanistan, Beluchistanand southern Persia.

The Burrhel, orBlue Mountain Sheep, (Ovis burrhel),also of northern India, is of quite a different mould fromthe preceding species. Its countenance has almost a benignexpression, and its curious out-pointing horns, of large sizegive it a most jaunty air. By some it is regarded as themost beautiful of all mountain sheep. In size, however, itis not imposing, for it is one of the smallest species. It isnot so hardy as the preceding species, and there may beperiods when there are no specimens on exhibition.

The Aoudad, orBarbary Wild Sheep, (Ovis tragelaphus),comes from the hot, dry mountains of northern Africa, andit endures the cold, wet climate of New York in a mannersufficient to put to shame our American mountain sheep,goat and other western ruminants. The largest male Aoudadof our herd is a very fine specimen of its kind. He isas fond of admiration as any peacock, and often poses instriking attitudes on the highest point of his rocks. Hewas born here on March 19, 1902.

The Himalayan Tahr, (Hemitragus jemlaicus), is reallya wild goat, of very odd and picturesque aspect, native of35the higher ranges of the Himalayas of northern India. Itshorns are short and thick, and its body is covered withlong, purplish-brown hair which is much blown about bythe wind. It dwells amongst the most dangerous crags andprecipices, just below timber-line, and in reality is a forest-lovinganimal. Its hair is the longest to be found on anymember of the two subfamilies of goats and goat-like animals.The pair on exhibition have bred here, and theyoung have been successfully reared to maturity. Theyoung Tahr is very small, but remarkably nimble-footedand capable.

The Chamois, (Rupicapra tragus), has usually been representedin the hoofed-animal collection, but always out of itsproper installation. Our individuals have not thriven onMountain Sheep Hill, always becoming ill soon after beingplaced there. They thrive well, however, in a small wirepen with a sanded floor quite near the Puma and Lynx House(No. 33A), and there we keep them.

This animal is one of the rock antelopes, and is relatedto the American Mountain Goat. It is a bold mountaineer,and even to-day is pictorially represented as leaping“from crag to crag” across chasms apparently 200 feetwide! Its home is in the mountains of southern Europe,especially the Pyrenees, the Swiss Alps and the CaucasusMountains. But it is not so exclusively a crag-dweller, asmost persons have been led to suppose, for in many localitiesit inhabits mountain forests. Like most other mountainungulates, the Chamois dwell high in summer, and inwinter they seek lower and more sheltered situations. Theyare exceedingly wary and agile, and sure-footed on dangerousground.

THE ANTELOPE HOUSE, NO. 50.

The Antelope House occupies a commanding situation ona high, tree-covered knoll at the south end of the ZoologicalPark. The situation seems as if specially formed by Natureto be occupied by this building, and its outside enclosures.The drainage is quite perfect, and the yards arewell-shaded.

The building has been designed to meet the wants ofgiraffes and large African antelopes of all kinds, moreespecially those which require 60° of heat in winter.

The Antelope House is 142 feet long by 78 feet in extremewidth. In architectural style it conforms with theother large animal buildings of the Park. Both for visitorsand for its animals, it is roomy and well lighted, and inevery way fitted to house and display a large and valuablecollection of tropical hoofed animals. It contains 24 interiorcompartments, directly connected with 23 open-airyards for use in mild weather. This building was completedand occupied on October 17, 1903, and with all itssurrounding improvements has cost about $80,000.

As the visitor will observe from the following enumerationof species, our collection of large and rare African andAsiatic antelopes is very rich. Unfortunately, until thecompletion of the Zebra House releases the apartments nowoccupied by the equines, a number of species which belongin the Antelope House must temporarily be quartered elsewhere.

The Nubian orThree-Horned Giraffes, (Giraffa camelopardalis),are at present the most important and interestinganimals in the building. The pair came from German EastAfrica, are now (April, 1913) about twelve years old, andcost $5,500. The male stands 14 feet 4 inches in height,and the female 12 feet 6 inches. Both are good-tempered37animals, and have been in good health ever since theirarrival. Their food consists of clover hay, broken forage-biscuits,an assortment of raw vegetables carefully cut intosmall pieces, a small quantity of bran, and rock salt.

A study of the Giraffes reveals most interesting conditions.According to the point of view, the total numberof species and subspecies may be reckoned at any numberfrom three to six, inclusive. According to the specimens inhand, the Southern, or Two-Horned Giraffe, (Giraffa capensis),seems clearly defined from the Northern, or Three-HornedGiraffe, (G. camelopardalis). Next, the Somali Giraffe,(G. reticulata), of the Lake Rudolph region and northernBritish East Africa, seems fairly separable. At firstthe Five-Horned Giraffe, of western Uganda, seemed quitedistinct, but now British naturalists hesitate about accordingto it rank as a separate species, because of its intergradationwith the Nubian form, (camelopardalis).

Judging from all evidence now available, it seems thatthe Giraffes of to-day represent the midway stage of aneffort to develop several species from the parent stock,the Three-Horned Giraffe, which is the species here represented.The existing forms, including all species and subspecies,intergrade and run together in a manner that isfairly bewildering; but if the Giraffes could remain uninfluencedby man for a sufficiently long period the probabilitiesare that the species now branching off would beclearly established.

The oldest, the best-known and the most common Giraffeis the three-horned species, found from central Ugandasouthward. The five-horned variety meets the former inUganda, and occurs from that region westward to the edgeof the great equatorial forest, and on westward even toLake Tchad, and the lower Niger Valley. Excepting inUganda, Kahma’s country, and a few other protected districts,the Giraffe is now rare, particularly throughout theregions that are accessible to hunters. Thousands of thesewonderful creatures have been killed by hunters, bothwhite and black, solely for the sake of seeing them dead,and leaving them as prey to the hyænas and hunting-dogs.It seems to be beyond the power of most men who canshoot to see living wild animals, no matter how large orwonderful, without desiring to reduce them to carcasses,fit only for scavengers.

The Eland, (Taurotragus oryx), is the largest and mostimposing of all antelopes. As might be inferred from itsgreat size, it is now so nearly extinct that it has almost disappearedfrom the lists of dealers in wild animals. Thefine young pair now in the Antelope House was presented bythe Duke of Bedford, from his famous animal collection atWoburn Park. The fully adult female is the gift of Mr. C.Ledyard Blair.

Of Elands there are two well-marked species. That ofeastern and southern Africa, here represented, was oncenumerous on many of the fertile plains of the great plateaunow known as Rhodesia, and in fact throughout nearly thewhole of the uplands of eastern Africa, from the Cape tothe Sahara. Unfortunately, however, white hunters andmodern firearms have reduced the countless thousands ofthe great herds to numbers so small that the capture andexportation of Elands have practically ceased.

Although a number of Elands have been born in captivity,the number on public exhibition still remain verysmall. The only captive herd known to the writer is thatof the Duke of Bedford, in Woburn Park, England, whichis at once the admiration and envy of all collectors of livingwild animals.

The White-Tailed Gnu, (Connochaetes gnu), once wasabundant in South Africa, south of the Vaal River. But ithas shared the fate of all the other large mammals of that39region, and only a few scattered bands still exist. Nearlyall of the specimens now living in captivity were born incaptivity, for both species of Gnu take kindly to life inparks and gardens.

Every way considered, the Gnu is an animal of odd andremarkable form. It has a nose of strange shape, itshorns are curiously formed, the hair on its head and neckexhibits various peculiarities, and its hips are oddly modeled.Its long, flowing tail is so horse-like that for manyyears this animal was pictured and popularly known as the“Horned Horse.”

The White-Bearded Gnu, (Connochaetes albojubatus), isnoticeably larger than the white-tailed species, and in somerespects it presents a finer appearance. Its bulk is considerablygreater, and its color is more pleasing. This speciesbears a strong resemblance to the third species, whichis known as theBrindled orBlue Gnu, (Connochaetes taurinus),from which the former is distinguished by its whitemane and jaw-tufts, and generally paler color. At wideintervals the White-Bearded species inhabits southern EastAfrica, from about S. Lat. 23°, to the Albert Nyanza andLake Rudolph, but chiefly near the coast. In only onelocality do we learn of its occurrence west of the 30th meridian.To-day it is most numerous in German East Africaand the southern portions of Uganda.

The Addax Antelope, (Addax naso-maculatus), is a spiral-hornedantelope which inhabits the southern edge of theSahara Desert from Dongola quite across Africa to Senegal.Its extremely broad and spreading hoofs betoken a dwellerupon sand, and are strongly suggestive of the snow-shoehoofs of the caribou. It is said that this animal is not tobe taken without making a journey into the desert, withcamels.

The Leucoryx Antelope, (Oryx leucoryx), is the onlymember of its genus which has curved horns. Because of thelength and very slight curvature of the horns, this specieshas by some writers been spoken of as theSabre Antelope,and by a mischievous perversion that name has been turnedinto “Sable” Antelope, which refers to a totally differentcreature, (Hippotragus niger). Anyone who places an orderfor the purchase of a real Sable Antelope, and receives aLeucoryx instead ofHippotragus niger, is profoundly disappointed.

This species is a desert habitant, and its home is the desertregion of North Africa from Dongola to the Senegal country.40It is breeding regularly here, and the offspring maturesuccessfully. The largest Leucoryx horns on record measure39⅝ inches.

The Beisa Antelope, (Oryx beisa), is a good representativeof the group of straight-horned antelopes found in the genusOryx. Of all the long-horned species, the two Beisas andthe Gemsbok of Africa, and the Beatrix of Arabia, are theonly species possessed of horns that are practically straightfrom base to tip. The Gemsbok is the largest and mostshowy species, being painted like a harlequin, in a startlingpattern of roan, black and white. The Beisa is a goodsecond, however. The horns of all these antelopes growto great length, and are excellent weapons for use inencounters with the smaller game-killing carnivores. Thelargest horns of record measure 40 inches.

The Beisa inhabits eastern Central Africa, from Suakinon the Red Sea southward to the Equator.

The Beatrix Antelope, (Oryx beatrix), of the ArabianDesert, is one of the rarest antelopes to be found in captivity,and at this date this interesting species is representedby a fine pair of specimens. The longest horns of recordmeasure 26 inches. Very few sportsmen have seen thisanimal in its native haunts. Our pair has been breedingfor three years, and has reared two young.

The Sable Antelope, (Hippotragus niger), is by manypersons regarded as the handsomest of all the numerousspecies of African antelopes. In appearance it is very proudand high-headed; it has imposing horns that sweep backwardin a semicircular curve; its large eyes and alert air betokenkeen intelligence, and its glossy black coat, marked with pure41white, render it a most conspicuous animal. On its nativeveldt it has now become a very rare species, and seldom istaken by sportsmen. The fine male specimen in the Park waspresented by Miss Jean Walker Simpson.

The Sing-Sing Waterbuck, (Cobus unctuosus), is a creatureof the lowlands, and frequents the dense tangles of tallreeds that border many of the rivers of West Africa, abovethe great equatorial forest. In captivity it sometimes isone of the most insanely nervous and irrational creaturesimaginable, ever seeking self-inflicted injuries.

The Blessbok, (Damaliscus albifrons), is a small but handsomepurple-and-white antelope which is now very nearlyextinct. Formerly a number of herds were preserved onfenced farms in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, butit is feared that none of them survived the Boer War. Thisspecies never lived north of the Limpopo, but south of thatriver it once was so numerous that a truthful travelerdescribed a vast plain as being “purple with Blessbok.”

The Nilgai, (Portax tragocamelus), is the largest of theIndian antelopes, and while it has the stature and the highshoulders of a Baker roan antelope, its absurdly smallhorns give it, beside the large antelopes of Africa, a verycommonplace and unfinished appearance. The males andfemales are as differently colored as if they belonged todifferent species. This animal inhabits the roughestportions of the central plains of Hindustan, from Mysore tothe Himalayas. In northern India it is found along therivers Jumna and Ganges, in rugged and barren tracts ofravines which in character and origin resemble our western“bad-lands.”

The small antelopes will be found in the Small-DeerHouse, the next building in order.

THE SMALL-DEER HOUSE, No. 49.

In captivity the small and delicate species of deer, antelopesand gazelles are better cared for in enclosures thatare not too large. For such creatures, freedom in a largeenclosure usually means early death from accident or exposure.

The very important building called the Small-Deer Househas been erected with special reference to the wants of theinteresting little hoofed animals which are too small for theAntelope House and the large ranges. In winter it willshelter the small tropical mountain sheep and goats, whichare unable to withstand the rigors of outdoor life on MountainSheep Hill, and the tropical swine may also be expectedhere.

The Small-Deer House is situated in close proximity tothe Antelope House, and westward thereof. Of the buildingsof secondary rank, it is one of the most satisfactory,being roomy, well-lighted and capable of comfortably housingand displaying a large and varied collection. The structureis 158 feet in length by 46 feet in width. It containsthirty compartments, each of which, under stress of necessity,43can be partitioned, and formed into two. The interiorcompartments are each 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep.The building is surrounded by a series of 34 corrals, connectingwith the interior compartments, the average size ofeach being 75 feet long by 20 feet wide at the outer end.All the fences are of wire, and were specially designed inthe Park for this installation.

It is a practical impossibility to offer an enumeration ofthe living animals in this building which will permanentlyapply, and the best that can be attempted is an approximation.It is an inexorable law of Nature that the smallestanimals shall have the shortest periods of life, and in azoological park a small hoofed animal may be here to-dayand gone to-morrow. In the following enumeration, mentionwill be made only of those species which are likely toremain longest on exhibition; and it may be observed thatin this building there will be found various animals whichare neither deer nor antelopes.

The Small Deer.

Osceola White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus virginianus osceola),is an interesting geographic race of the northernWhite-Tailed Deer which forms the parent stem of a groupof six or seven subspecies. The robust and hardy northerntype, often with large and strong antlers, gradually diminishes44in size and in antlers, until in Mexico it becomes asmall and delicate creature, with very small and light antlersbearing only two or three small tines. The next form has sowidely diverged from the original type that it is necessaryto accord it rank as a full species.

The Sinaloa White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus sinaloae), isstill smaller and weaker than the preceding. Our pair ofspecimens shown was obtained by Mr. and Mrs. C. WilliamBeebe, in the State of Guadalajara, Mexico, and are highlyinteresting as a link near the lower terminus of theOdocoileuschain. On a majority of the antlers of this speciesthere are no branches whatever, but simply a weak mainbeam, curving over at the tip, and terminating in a roundedpoint.

It should be noted here that the White-Tailed Deer group,(Odocoileus), is very well represented in South America byO. weigmanni of the Guianas.

The Marsh Deer, (Blastoceros paludosus), of easternSouth America, is the largest South American deer. Ourfirst specimen was obtained in 1904. Its antlers are stronglybuilt but short, and in architecture resemble the antlersof a Siamese species known as Schomburgk Deer, (Cervusschomburgki); but the latter has on each beam three doublebifurcations, while the former has but two. The MarshDeer has very large, wide-spreading hoofs, which it would45seem have been developed by many generations of existenceon soft ground. It inhabits the jungles along river banks,in Brazil. The head of this animal is of remarkable length.

This important species is rather weak in captivity, and itis by no means certain that it can constantly be exhibitedhere. There is another South American species, (Blastoceroscampestris), which is a zoological understudy, or miniature,of the large Marsh Deer.

The Black-Faced Brocket, (Mazama tema),whenever itcan be obtained, will represent a group of American deerwhich is as little known in the United States as if it inhabitedthe heart of Borneo. The Brockets are smallerthan the Sinaloa white-tailed deer, and they are so nearlyhornless that the antler is merely a small, straight, sharp-pointedspike of bone only three inches long. The adultanimal is only 25 inches in shoulder height, which is aboutthe size of the muntjac of India. Of the Brockets there areseveral species, mostly South American, but from skulls andhorns received we now know that it is found as far northas the State of Puebla, Mexico. A correspondent in thatlocality is constantly endeavoring to secure specimens forus, and no doubt will shortly succeed. For the reason thatwe expect specimens in the near future, this species is included.

The Hog Deer, (Cervus porcinus), which is very unlike ahog, and is libeled by its name, is a small species from India,which is provided with long and well-shaped antlers havinga total of six points. Sometimes the adult males are spottedin summer, and sometimes they are not. This speciesstands next to the beautiful axis deer. It breeds well incaptivity, but is a very nervous and even hysterical animal.

The Molucca Deer, (Cervus moluccensis), is a thick-bodied,scantily-clad and coarse-haired understudy of theMalay sambar, (Cervus unicolor). Of all deer it is one ofthe least beautiful. Its hair resembles the bristles of a wildhog, and its color is a dull, raw-umber brown. It belongsto the sambar group of East Indian deer, and really marks,both geographically and in size, the farthest departurefrom the type species of the group.

The Muntjac or Rib-Faced Deer, (Cervus muntjac), is oneof the most interesting of all species of small deer. In onerespect it is unique. Its tiny antlers, which are only 4½inches in length, are placed high up on stems of solid bone,which sometimes rise 3¾ inches clear of the cranium.46These pedicles of bone are covered with skin, quite up tothe burr of the antler. The front angles of these pedicles arecontinued down the face to the nasal bones, and form thetwo sharply defined facial ridges which have given thiscreature one of its popular names.

In India the Muntjac inhabits the jungles of the tiger,the leopard, axis deer and sloth bear, and escapes from itsnumerous enemies by hiding behind logs, and scurryingthrough the thick underbush so swiftly that its pursuers cannot keep it in view. Its flesh is most excellent food. Fromits peculiar, yapping cry, many times repeated, it is oftencalled the Barking Deer. It breeds readily in captivity, andits bright fawn color attracts to it much attention.

The Musk Deer, (Moschus moschiferus), of northern India,Tibet and Southern China is the creature which producesthe well-known musk perfume of commerce. Theproduct is secreted by the male in the “rutting” season.This species is one of the smallest of the true deer. Itsmost remarkable anatomical feature is a pair of very longand sharp canine teeth in the upper jaw, the points of whichproject far below the lower jaw. No horns are present inthis animal. Being short-lived in captivity, and also difficultto obtain, it must be classed as an intermittent exhibit.

The Small African Antelopes.

In addition to the grand array of large antelopes inhabiting47Africa, of which many fine examples will be found inthe Antelope House, there is an extensive series of smallspecies. Indeed, the richness of Africa in antelopes, greatand small, is almost beyond belief. The species of Asia andEurope are so few, and so inconspicuous, that they seem likeso many stray wanderers from the Dark Continent. Thefertile, grassy plains of the great Central African plateauhave cradled scores of species, some of which have wanderedinto the deserts, the forests and the fluviatile swamps, andthere made their permanent homes.

The Black-Buck, orSasin Antelope, (Antilope cervicapra),of the central plains of Hindustan, is one of the handsomestof the smaller antelopes. The horns of the male are long,strongly ringed, twisted spirally, and rise from the head inthe shape of a V, sometimes to a length of 28 inches. Atfirst the young males are fawn-colored, like the females, butas they grow older they steadily grow darker, until finallythe whole upper body and lower neck are suffused with arich, brown-black color. On the plains between the riversGanges and Jumna, herds of Black-Buck live in densely populatedagricultural regions, and one of the greatest difficultiesattendant upon its pursuit lies in shooting an animalwithout also shooting the native.

The Reedbuck, (Cervicapra arundinum), of South Africa,below Angola and Mozambique, is closely related to thelarger and much more showy waterbucks, but is distinguishedfrom them by the pronounced forward curve of itshorns. In the western districts of Cape Colony, the numberalive, in 1905, was estimated at 350 individuals.

The Common Duiker Antelope, (Cephalophus grimmi), orfor that matter, any species of Duiker—may be regardedas the representative of a large group of very small Africanantelopes, of wide distribution. There are about twentyspecies in all, and the great majority of them are verymodestly colored, in coats of one or two colors only. Theprevailing tints are grayish brown and tawny red. Thehorns of the various species of Duikers are all very muchalike. With but one or two exceptions, their horns arestraight spikes from 3 to 5 inches in length. In shoulderheight the Duikers vary from 14 to 30 inches, but the majorityare between 17 and 22 inches. Only three or four speciesare strikingly colored.

The Four-Horned Antelope, (Tetraceros quadricornis) isa small creature which looks like a duiker, but is very far48from belonging to that genus. It is an inhabitant of thebrushy plains of India, and enjoys the unique distinction ofpossessing two pairs of horns. In addition to the 4-inchpair, normally placed, it has a much smaller pair, usuallyonly 1 inch in height, which rises from the central area ofthe forehead. I believe it is the only species of antelopewhich possesses two pairs of horns.

The Springbuck, (Antidorcas euchore), is to South Africaas the “prong-horn” is to our great western plains. Once,both were abundant, and the first hoofed animal to greet thetraveler who entered their respective domains. To-day,both species are so nearly extinct that the hunter mustsearch long before finding even one. The Springbuck receivedits name in recognition of its remarkable habit ofleaping high into the air when running—a habit which alsois displayed by the black-buck of India.

The Gazelles are found only in Asia and Africa, and thenumber of species is about 25. In general terms they maybe described as dainty antelopes,—so slender and delicate inleg construction that it seems strange that such slenderbones can support a tall animal without breaking.

The Dorcas Gazelle, of Arabia, (Gazella dorcas), is thespecies which most frequently finds its way into captivity,and it will serve very well as a specimen species for thewhole group. Despite its delicate and frail appearance, it49is much more enduring in captivity than many animalswhich seem far more robust. A pair which entered the Parkin 1900 is still living. The male has a temper which quitebelies the reputation of the “gentle gazelle.” Althoughloyal and kind to his cage-mate, toward human beings generallyhe has manifested a very savage disposition, and inone of his fits of bad temper he broke off one of his ownhorns.

The Indian Gazelle, (Gazella benneti),—frequently calledin its home country Ravine “Deer,”—is a habitant of thesterile, water-washed ravines of northern and central India,which are the oriental counterpart of our western “badlands.”This animal inhabits the same regions as the black-buck,but because of the religious scruples of the Hindoosagainst the taking of life, both species are secure from attack—untilthe arrival among them of the white sahibs. Afull-grown Indian Gazelle is 26 inches in shoulder height.The females of this species possess horns, which are veryslender, and vary in length from 4 to 8½ inches.

Miscellaneous Mammals.

The Small-Deer House will at all times contain variousmammals which are there shown because it is a practicalimpossibility to provide a separate building for each group.

The Wild Swine of the world are here represented by threenoteworthy species:

The Red River-Hog, (Potamochaerus pencillatus), of WestAfrica, is about the only handsome species of swine thatNature has produced. In form it is compact and well-turned,its long pencil-tipped ears are of pleasing pattern, and itshair is a rich auburn color, and the temper of our specimenis everything that could be desired. Beside it is shown“Clarence,” theEast African Wart-Hog, (Phacochaerusaethiopicus), who is equally interesting, but in a differentway. This species is very weird in form.The CollaredPeccary, (Tagassu angulatum), beside it is more like the wildswine of Europe and Japan, and is not nearly so dangerousas general reputation demands.

The Kangaroos.—Seldom is there found in Nature a groupof large-animal species whose members are so monotonouslysimilar in general appearance as are the Kangaroos andWallabies, of Australia. The great majority are either grayor gray-brown, and the only striking variation is found inthe bigRed Kangaroo, (Macropus rufus).

THE WHITE MOUNTAIN GOAT, No. 48.

Fortunate indeed is the zoological park or garden whichcan exhibit even one living specimen of the White MountainGoat. It is a very difficult matter to take an animalfrom a rarified dry atmosphere, at an elevation of 8,000feet, and induce it to live at sea level, in a dense and humidatmosphere, on food to which it is by nature wholly unaccustomed.

We have been successful in establishing here, on a breedingbasis this rare and difficult animal, (Oreamnos montanus).One kid was born in 1908 and another in 1910, andboth have thriven, the former now being so large as to looklike an adult specimen.

For some subtle reason which we can not explain, theseanimals—like the chamois and mouflon quartered in smallpens near the Small-Mammal House—do not thrive in anyof the large, rock-bound corrals of Mountain Sheep Hill.They are kept in a rock-paved corral near the PheasantAviary and the Crotona Entrance, and to their use has beendevoted a rustic barn, which they shelter in or climb over,according to the weather. To see them walking nonchalantly51over the steep roof, or perching upon its peak, is one ofthe drollest sights of the Park.

The White Goat, sometimes mistakenly called “goat antelope,”belongs to a small group known as the Rupicaprinesor rock antelopes. It inhabits many different kinds of territory,but usually the rugged sides and summits of highmountains, at irregular intervals from southwestern Montanaand northern Washington, northward to the head ofCook Inlet on the coast of Alaska. (See map of distribution,with label.) The valley of the upper Yukon contains practicallyno goats. They are most abundant in southeasternBritish Columbia, where in a very small area, in September,1905, Mr. John M. Phillips and the writer actually counted239 individuals.

Of the five animals now exhibited in the Park, three werecaptured a few days after their birth, in May, 1905, aboutseventy miles north of Fort Steele, British Columbia. Theyarrived here October 9, 1905, and up to this date they havethriven as well, and grown as rapidly, as they would havein a state of nature. Their food consists of the best cloverhay obtainable, and crushed oats. When they shed theircoats, in the spring, they are almost as white as snow, butwith months of use, their pelage becomes soiled and slightlydiscolored.

A fully adult male mountain goat stands from 39 to 41inches in shoulder height, and weighs,on scales, from 258 to300 pounds.

THE PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE.

The Prong-Horned Antelope, (Antilocapra americana), isan animal in which Americans should now take special interest.Structurally, the Prong-Horn is so peculiar that it hasbeen found necessary to create for it a special zoologicalfamily, calledAntilocapridae, of which it is the sole member.This is due to the following facts: (1) This isthe only living mammal possessing hollow horns (growingover a bony core) which sheds them annually; (2) itis the only animal possessing a hollow horn which bears aprong, or bifurcation; (3) it has no “dew claws,” asother ruminant animals have; (4) the horn is placeddirectly above the eye; (5) the long hair of the bodyand neck is tubular; and (6) that on the rump is erectile.Beyond all possibility of doubt, it will be our next large52species to become extinct, and if we may judge by therate at which the bands have been disappearing during thelast fifteen years, ten years more will, in all probability, witnessthe extermination of the last individuals now strugglingto exist outside of rigidly protected areas. It was the intentionof the Society to make liberal provision for the study ofthe species while it is yet possible to obtain living specimens,for fifty years hence our graceful and zoologically interestingProng-Horn will be as extinct as the dodo. Unfortunately,however, it fares so badly on the Atlantic coast,there will, no doubt, be periods wherein this species will betemporarily absent from the Park.

Forty years ago this animal inhabited practically thewhole of the great pasture region which stretches eastwardfrom the Rocky Mountains to the western borders of Iowaand Missouri. Northward its range extended far into Manitoba;southward it went far beyond the Rio Grande, and italso ranged southwestward through Colorado and Nevadato southern California. Its chosen home was the treelessplains, where the rich buffalo grass and bunch grassafforded abundant food, but it also frequented the beautifulmountain parks of Wyoming and Colorado. It evenlived contentedly in the deserts of the southwest, where itsvoluntary presence, coupled with the absence of water, constituteda problem which has puzzled the brain of manya desert traveller.

To-day, all observers agree that in all regions wherein theantelope are not rigidly protected, they are going fast.Those in the Yellowstone Park are protected against manonly to be devoured by the wolves which infest the Park.

Unfortunately, the Prong-Horned Antelope is not a hardyanimal. The kids are very difficult to rear; they are at alltimes easily hurt by accident, and even in a state of naturethis species suffers more severely in winter than any otherNorth American ruminant. Often the herds drift helplesslybefore the blizzards, with numerous deaths from freezingand starvation, and in spring the survivors come out thinand weak.

THE CAMEL HOUSE, No. 39.

Speaking in a collective sense, the Camel is much morethan an ordinary animal unit in a zoological park. On thehigh plains of central and southwestern Asia, and throughoutthe arid regions of Africa, it is an institution. Withoutit, many portions of the Old World would be uninhabitableby man. Take either Dromedary or Bactrian Camel, and itis a sad-eyed, ungainly, slow-moving creature, full of plaintsand objections; but remember that it goes so far back towardthe foundations of man’s dynasty, that beside it theoldest American history seems but a record of yesterday.54It is only a species of the utmost tenacity which could forfifty centuries or more withstand constant use and abuseby man without being altered out of all resemblance to itsoriginal form. All races of mankind and all breeds ofdomestic animals save one, change and continue to change,indefinitely, but the Camels apparently go on the same,forever.

The Bactrian Camel, (Camelus bactrianus), he of the longshaggy hair—when not shedding—and the two great humps,is the beast of heavy burden, the four-footed freight-car ofthe desert sands. He can carry 550 pounds of freight, forthree or four days between drinks; but a swift pace is notfor him. It is an animal of this remarkable species, fromdistant Turkestan, southwestern Asia, which daily in fineweather offers its services as a riding animal, at the standnear the Large Bird-House.

It is unfortunate that the Bactrian Camel is in its finestpelage only in winter, when visitors to the Park are few,and camel-riding is out of the question. Promptly upon theapproach of warm weather and a million visitors, it shedsits long, shaggy brown coat, and stands forth as if shorn bya shearer. Of this species, the Zoological Society possessestwo fine specimens (the gift of Captain John S. Barnes), oneof which will at all times be found regularly exhibited atthe Camel House, close by the Crotona (southwest) Entrance.

The Dromedary, or Single-Humped Camel, (Camelus dromedarius),is a smaller animal than the preceding, of lighterbuild, and therefore capable of much more speed in travelling.This species never is clothed with long hair.

Next to the Camel House and corrals is the installationfor the nearest relatives of those species,—the Llamas, Guanacosand other cameloids of South America.

THE LLAMA HOUSE, No. 38.

The arid regions of South America are inhabited by fourspecies of long-necked, long-haired, soft-footed animals, soclosely related to the camels of the Old World that they arecalledcameloids. There are four species. The llama andalpaca are in a state of domestication, and are supposed tohave been derived from the wild guanaco and vicunia. Allof them might almost be described as small-sized, humplesscamels; and their tempers and mental traits are as oddas their forms.

The ordinary cameloid is a quiet and inoffensive creature;but the exception is a rogue of rogues. It will bite with thepersistence of a bull-dog, and with its massive, chisel-like56lower incisors inflicts ugly wounds. At times a llama orvicunia becomes actually insane, and seeks to destroy everyliving creature within its reach. Regardless of punishment,such creatures attack their keepers and their herd-mates,spit upon visitors, and rage up and down their corrals inmost absurd fashion. Occasionally such individuals requireto be completely isolated.

The Llama, (Lama glama), is the largest and strongestmember of the group. Its body is covered with a thickmass of long, wavy hair of fine texture, which may be eitherbrown, white, white and brown, or almost black. The headand legs are short-haired like those of the guanaco. Fromtime immemorial, this animal has been used as a beast ofburden, and in the Andes has played an important part inthe mineral industry by carrying silver ore and bullion fromthe mines.

The Alpaca, (Lama pacos), is bred for its wool. It issmaller than the llama, but more abundantly haired on thelegs, neck and head. Its fleece is long, and lies in stringytufts. Usually its color is dark brown or black, but occasionallya white Alpaca is seen. A white specimen in theZoological Park collection has blue eyes.

The Guanaco, (Lama guanacus), is one of the most interestingand valuable wild animals now found in Patagonia.Unfortunately, it is so stupid and incapable that it is easilykilled. The natives of Terra del Fuego, themselves almostthe lowest and most ignorant of men, slaughter Guanacosfor food by surrounding groups of them and clubbing themto death.

In size the Guanaco is between the llama and vicunia,and its shoulder height is about 4 feet. Its hair is thick andwoolly, of a pale reddish color, and there are naked patcheson the legs. This species is found on the Andes, from Ecuadorto Terra del Fuego, and appears to be most abundant inPatagonia.

The Vicunia, (Lama vicunia), is the only member of thecameloid group which is not clothed with a mass of longhair. It is the smallest member of the group, comparativelyshort-haired, its color is a uniform light brown, its head issmall, and there are no callosities on the hind legs. TheVicunia is found from southern Ecuador, through Peru tocentral Bolivia.

NORTH AMERICAN DEER.
Elk, Mule Deer, White-Tail, Caribou and Moose.

The American members of the Deer Family will be foundin the ranges situated on the hill west of the Wild-FowlPond, stretching from the Llama House northward to theService Road.

After several years of experiments, we must admit that toall the American members of the Deer Family save the wapitiwhite-tailed and mule deer, the climate of New York City isdecidedly inimical. This densely humid and extremely salineatmosphere is about as deadly to the black-tail, caribouand moose as it is to the Eskimo; and thus far we havefound it an absolute impossibility to maintain satisfactoryherds of those species in the ranges available for them. Ingreat tracts of forests, some of them might become acclimatized;but, be that as it may, all experiments made thus farboth here and in two of the great game preserves of NewEngland, prove conclusively that black-tail deer, mule deer,caribou, moose, and also prong-horned antelope, are amongthe most difficult of all ruminants to acclimatize anywherein the United States eastward of the great plains.

Although the Zoological Society will continue its experimentswith some of these preserve species, and will alwaysstrive to exhibit some of them, our original hopes regardingthem have been abandoned. We are certain that the difficultylies not in the food, but in climate conditions, that arebeyond our control, and especially our very salty atmosphere.

The American Elk, or Wapiti, (Cervus canadensis.)—Ofall the numerous members of the Deer Family, this animal issecond in size to the moose only; and in the autumn, whenits pelage is bright and luxuriant, its sides well rounded, itsmassive antlers clean and held conspicuously aloft, the elkmay justly be called the king of theCervidae. It is wellthat in the Yellowstone Park we have an unfailing supplyof Elk, which bids fair to perpetuate this handsome speciesfor another century.

Our Elk Range might well stand for a mountain park, inwhich is set a natural lakelet of real value. In October,when the splendid groves of beech, oak, and maple alongthe eastern ridge put on all the glorious tints of autumn,and the big thicket of sumacs, ash, and haw on the northernhill fairly blaze with scarlet—then are the elk also at theirbest. There is no finer picture in animate nature than aherd of elk in October, with such a setting of greensward,tree-trunk, and foliage.

The maximum shoulder height of the Elk is 5 feet 4inches, or thereabouts, and the heaviest weight noted thusfar is 927 pounds.

The calves are born from May to July, and are spottedduring the first six months. During the first year the antlersare merely two straight spikes, called “dag antlers.”As in all members of the Deer Family, the antlers are shedevery year—which to many persons is almost beyond belief.Any person who visits a zoological garden in midsummerwill see that the old antlers have dropped off bodily,just below the burr, and that new antlers, covered with hair,soft, full of blood, and with club-like “points,” have sprungup like mushrooms in place of the old ones. In supplyingthe great drain on the system necessary to support this remarkablegrowth, the Elk grows thin, and the fear of hurtinghis tender young antlers makes him quite timid and inoffensive.He is no longer the tyrant of the herd, and a constantmenace to his keepers.

At this point it is not amiss to call attention to the differencesbetweenhorns andantlers.

Ahorn is a hollow sheath, growing over a bony core, andexcept in the case of the prong-horned antelope, is nevershed. Horns are worn by both sexes of all bison, buffaloes,cattle, antelope, sheep, and goats.

Anantler is of solid bone throughout, growing from theskull; it is shed every year close to the skull, and quicklyrenewed. Usually antlers have several branches. They areworn by nearly all male members of the Deer Family—moose,elk, caribou, deer, etc., and also by the female caribou. Theprongs on an antler are no index of the wearer’s age. Someof the finest and most massive elk antlers have only twelveor fourteen points. During August and September the hairycovering, or “velvet,” of new antlers is rubbed off againsttrees and bushes. This period is quickly followed by themating season, during which the neck of the bull becomesunusually large, and often the animal becomes dangerous.

Although the Elk is essentially a timber-loving animal, italso wandered far into the plains bordering the RockyMountains on the east—until driven from them by man.The ideal home of this animal is the timbered foothills ofour western mountains, up to 8,000 feet. Although once60found from Virginia and New York to Oregon, and fromnorthern Manitoba to the Gulf of Mexico, it is now numerousonly in and adjacent to the Yellowstone Park, in centralColorado, where it is well protected, and in westernManitoba. The number of Elk in the National Park isvariously estimated at from 10,000 head to a much largernumber.

In a wild state, the Elk feeds on grasses, weeds, and theleaves and twigs of various trees and shrubs. Of all Americandeer, it is the most easy to acclimate and breed incaptivity. Large herds are now being maintained andbred in numerous private game preserves in New Hampshire,New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and elsewhere.About 200 head have been released in the Adirondacks.

The Mule Deer, (Odocoileus hemionus.)—This fine animalis universally known throughout the Rocky Mountain region,which constitutes its home, as the “Black-Tailed Deer.”Because of its very large ears,and the absence of a blacktail, it is known to naturalists as the Mule Deer. Inasmuchas its tail is not black, the above more common name properlyapplies toOdocoileus columbianus, the true black-taileddeer of the Pacific coast. In Manitoba this animal is calledthe “Jumping Deer,” because when running at a gallop, itmakes a series of stiff-legged jumps, or “bucks,” of greatlength.

The weight of full-grown bucks ranges from 250 to 300pounds, and specimens have been known to reach 325pounds. The antlers of the Mule Deer are larger and handsomerthan those of the white-tailed deer, and are muchbetter poised on the head. Instead of dropping forward,they partake more of the set of an elk’s antlers, and manya “tenderfoot” hunter has mistaken a heavily-antleredMule Deer for an elk. The antlers of a Mule Deer areeasily distinguished from those of the white-tailed speciesby the two Y-shaped prongs on each antler. It will be rememberedthat instead of these, the white-tailed deer antlerbears three straight, perpendicular spikes.

The Mule Deer makes its home in rugged ravines andbad lands so common along the creeks and rivers of theRocky Mountain region, extending well eastward into theplains. Of late years it has been driven out of the mostaccessible of its former haunts, and forced to take shelterin the rugged fastnesses of the foothills and mountains.West of the Rocky Mountains it was formerly found alongthe whole Pacific slope, from Cape St. Lucas to BritishColumbia, although in northern California it is almost replacedby theColumbian Black-Tail, (O. columbianus).

These pictures show the stages of growth of the antlers from thetime the old ones are dropped, to the full development. Number 1 showsthe bull with the one antler gone—picture made early in March. Number6 shows the full grown antlers, with the velvet hanging in strips.Number 6 was made August 24 of the same year as Number 1. Thisremarkable antler development takes place every year in the life ofall male deer.

The White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus virginianus), is thespecies most widely known throughout the United States,partly by reason of the fact that it was the first specieswith which the early settlers of America became acquainted,partly because of its wide distribution, and also its persistencein holding its own. In various localities this animalis known under various names, such as “White-Tailed Deer,”“Flag-Tailed Deer,” and “Fan-Tailed Deer.” Although notat all in need of it, quite recently it has received still anothername—American Deer. The small deer of Florida,and also of New Mexico and the Southwest, have beendescribed as separate forms; and if size is to be acceptedas a factor in the differentiation of species, the diminutiveproportions of the proposed southern species are quite sufficientto establish their separate identity.

The White-Tailed deer of Virginia and the northern UnitedStates is a fine animal—large, strong-limbed, heavily-antlered,and hardy. Between it and the deer of Florida thedifference is as great as that between a setter dog and a mastiff.Thanks to the fact that this species is a born skulkerand lives only in thick brush and timber, it still holds itsown throughout the forest regions of the South generally,Pennsylvania, the Adirondacks, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota,the Dakotas, Montana, and Colorado. In the Westit is often found inhabiting brushy ravines and river bottoms.

This species breeds readily in confinement, and when protectedin any large tract of brush or timber, increasesrapidly. During the months of September, October, andNovember, the bucks are dangerous and untrustworthy.The peculiar formation of the antlers—three strong, spear-likepoints thrust straight upward from the beam—makesthem dangerous weapons; and when an ill-tempered bucklowers his chin and drives straight forward with eightsharp spears of solid bone, and nearly three hundred poundsof weight to back them, he may well be considered a dangerousanimal. He is to be feared less than the elk onlybecause he is smaller.

The Woodland Caribou, (Rangifer caribou).—The firsthoofed animal to arrive at the Zoological Park was a young63female of this species, which was procured in ChamplainCounty, Canada, and forwarded to the Society by one ofour members, Mr. George S. Huntington. These animals,when present in the Park, will be kept in a small enclosure,because a large range containing an abundance ofgreen grass is fatal to them.

The wild range of the Woodland Caribou extends fromNewfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Maine, with many widegaps, to the head waters of the Yukon River, in southernAlaska. The following localities are worthy of special mention:northern Quebec and Ontario; James Bay; the northernend of Lake Winnipeg (occasionally); Lake of Woods,Minnesota; Oregon near Mount Hood; northern Idaho;northwestern Montana, and the mountains of British Columbia.

Quite recently, three new species of caribou have beenadded to our fauna, one from the Alaskan Peninsula (Rangifergranti), one from the Kenai Peninsula (Rangifer stonei),and one from the Cassiar Mountains (Rangifer osborni).

The Woodland Caribou attains nearly twice the bodilybulk of its more northern congener, the Barren-Groundcaribou. In a state of nature it lives on browse, reindeermoss, tree moss, and lichens, and it loves ice-covered lakesand ponds as much as any boy. Its loose-jointed and widespreading hoofs and enormously developed “dew-claws”have been specially designed by Nature to enable this animalto run freely, as if on snow-shoes, over snow or bogs,which to any small-hoofed deer would be quite impassable.

The female Woodland Caribou is provided with small antlers,which, like those of the male, are shed and renewedannually.

In the absence of caribou in the Park, visitors are advisedto look for specimens of theLapland Reindeer, (Rangifertarandus), for we shall endeavor to keep this genus represented.

THE ZEBRA HOUSES, No. 14.

Although the main building of this installation has notyet been erected, the plan for the various buildings andcorrals has been approved, and the main building wasbegun in 1911 and completed in 1912. The three buildings,and the extensive corrals connecting with them, as a64whole, do justice to the important and picturesque FamilyEquidae, which includes all the zebras, wild asses and wildhorses of the world.

The Prjevalsky Horses, (Equus prjevalskii).—Of all thewild equines which either now or hereafter may be seen inthe Zoological Park, the strange little wild horses fromwestern Mongolia are, and probably will remain, the mostinteresting, from a zoological point of view. Broadly speaking,they are the connecting link between the many-stripedzebras, the little-striped quaggas and the wild asses on oneside, and the domestic, unstriped horse on the other. Thesewild horses possess a narrow, dark dorsal stripe, which, inthe winter pelage is scarcely visible, but in summer is plainlyevident. A perfect specimen has an erect mane, no longforelock and no “chestnuts” on its legs. On the upperhalf of its tail the hair is short, and mule-like, but on thelower, or terminal half, it is long and horse-like. The wintercoat of this animal is very long and shaggy.

Mountain Zebra, (Equus zebra).—This species has beennearly exterminated by man, and is rarely seen in captivity.It inhabits the mountains of Cape Colony, and it is estimatedthat only 400 individuals remain, which now are carefullyprotected.

Grevy Zebra, (Equus grevyi).—This picturesque specieswas discovered in Abyssinia, when Jules Grevy was presidentof France, and it was named in his honor. It is oflarge size, covered with very narrow stripes all over its body,head and limbs, and its huge ears are of remarkable form.This species is limited to southern Abyssinia and BritishEast Africa southward to the Tana River.

Grant Zebra, (Equus burchelli granti).—Of all the zebrasnow seen in captivity, the great majority belong to whatvery properly may be designated as the group of BurchellZebras. This group contains, besides the type species, whichhas practically no stripes on its legs, four subspecies, whoselegs are more or less striped, and which may or may notpossess “shadow stripes” on the hind-quarters. A “shadowstripe” is a faint, dark stripe in the middle of a wide whiteor pale yellow stripe which lies between two broad blackstripes.

Grant Zebra is the most heavily striped of the subspeciescomposing the Burchell group. The visitor will observethat its horizontal leg-stripes are very pronounced, and sonumerous that they are carried quite down to the hoofs.The ground-color of the animal is a cold white, and thethigh and body stripes are very wide and intense. Thisfine pair was captured in Masailand, East Africa, in 1902.

Chapman Zebra, (Equus burchelli chapmani), also belongsto the Burchell group, and in its color pattern it approachesquite nearly to the type. The legs of the male bear a fewstripes, those of the female almost none. There are visible onthe hind-quarters of the female a few faint shadow-stripes.

The Persian Wild Ass, (Equus persicus), is a very satisfactoryrepresentative of the wild asses generally. Its dorsal-stripeis very wide and sharply defined, but it bears noshoulder-stripe, and those that are faintly indicated on itslegs are nothing more than oblong blotches of dark color.As its name implies, it inhabits Persia, and Syria, and aclosely related form, theOnager, (E. onager), is found inBeluchistan and western India. A third species, theKiang(E. hemionus), is found on the plains of Tibet.

THE ASIATIC AND EUROPEAN DEER, Nos. 1-3.

In representatives of the deer, (FamilyCervidae), Asiafar surpasses all other countries. Her species number about38,—fully double that of any other continental area,—andfrom the great Altai wapiti to the tiny musk deer, the variationsin size and form are fairly bewildering. The entirehill that rises between the Fordham Entrance and BirdValley, from Cope Lake to the Zebra Houses, is devotedto the series of houses, corrals and ranges that are occupiedby the deer of Asia and Europe.

It is quite certain that a number of desirable species ofAsiatic deer can successfully be acclimatized in the parksand game preserves of America, and induced to breed. Almostwithout an exception they are strong and vigorousfeeders, and they keep fat and sleek when our own black-tail,mule deer and white-tail mince like pampered epicures,grow thinner and thinner, and finally die of “malnutrition.”

Believing that the members of the group amply justifythe effort, the Zoological Society has been at considerablepains to bring together a fine, representative collection ofthe Old WorldCervidae and properly install its members.Although the series proposed is not quite complete, it containssuch rarities as the Altai Wapiti, Barasingha, BurmeseThameng, Malay and Indian Sambar, and several others.67They are sheltered by four houses, the largest of whichcrowns the summit of the hill on the right of OsbornWalk as the visitor enters from Fordham. For the visitors’convenience we will make note of the various species aboutin the order of their appearance, and not in zoological sequence.

The Axis Deer, (Axis axis), is the handsomest of all thetropical deer. Indeed, it may even be said to be the onlyspecies of the tropics possessing both form and pelage whichare alike pleasing to the eye. In contrast with the manybeautiful and splendidly colored antelopes of Africa, thedeer of the tropics, all round the world, are poorly providedwith those characters which make a handsome animal.With the sole exception of the Axis Deer, nearly all theother deer of the East Indies have thin, coarse, dull-coloredhair, their antlers are small, and seldom have more than fourpoints. This is equally true of the deer of Mexico, Centraland South America. Even our own white-tailed deer, solusty and fine in the North, becomes in Florida and Texas sodwarfed that it has now been called a subspecies.

Considering the severe plainness of all the other deer inthe tropics, it is a little strange that the coat of the Axisshould be the most beautiful possessed by any deer. But itis quite true; and apart from the majesty of the elk, thereis no more beautiful sight in cervine life than the pictureoffered by a herd of Axis Deer feeding in a sunlit gladesurrounded by forest.

This species adapts itself to out-door life in the temperatezone with surprising readiness, not even second in thatrespect to the eland. As a matter of course the Axis can notwithstand the fierce blizzards of midwinter as do the elkand other northern deer; but a reasonable degree of carein providing it with a dry barn, and shelter from cold winds,enables it to live even as far north as northern Germanywith perfect comfort. In winter our Axis Deer barn is moderatelyheated by a stove.

The Japanese Sika Deer, (Cervus sika typicus), is a smallrepresentative of a large group of deer species inhabitingfar-eastern Asia, and known as the Sika Deer group. Aridiculous number of forms have been described as speciesand subspecies, of which possibly one-third are entitled tostand. Some of those on the Asian mainland, as the PekinSika Deer, are much larger than the Japanese Sika, and68also more strikingly colored. The latter species, shown inour northernmost corral, is about 33 inches in height, and ofa dull and uninteresting smoky-brown color. Its antlersare quite large for a deer so small, and in the mating seasonmales are sometimes dangerous. This species is very hardy,breeds persistently, requires no heat in winter, and veryrarely sends a case to the hospital.

The Fallow Deer, (Dama vulgaris), is the type of a distinctgroup of deer which are distinguished by the possessionof antlers widely palmated throughout the upper halfof the beam. In some old Fallow bucks the antlers arequite moose-like, and give this small deer an imposing appearancefar out of proportion to its actual size. Theweight of a large buck in prime condition generally is between180 and 200 pounds, and its shoulder height isbetween 36 and 40 inches. The largest antlers recordedby Mr. J. G. Millais, in his beautiful work on “The BritishDeer,” measured 29½ inches in length, 28½ inches spread,width of palmation 8 inches, and the number of points 14.The extinct Irish elk, with the most colossal antlers evercarried by a cervine animal, was a near relative of thetwo living species of Fallow Deer.

Although a native of northern Africa and the north shoreof the Mediterranean, the Fallow Deer was acclimatized in69England and northern Europe so long ago that the exactdate records of the event have disappeared, and the speciesis now at home in very many European forests and gamepreserves. The deer parks in England possess many fineherds, but they sometimes exhibit one unfortunate result oflong breeding in a semi-domesticated state—departure fromthe original type.

The typical Fallow Deer is in winter very dark brown,with light brown legs and under parts, and in summer lightred with white spots—quite like the axis. From this standard,the variations run from pure white through the colorof the wild type to jet black.

The fine herd in the Zoological Park is the gift of Mr.William Rockefeller. Six of its original members camefrom the donor’s herd at Greenwich, Connecticut, and sixwere purchased from one of the imperial parks of Russia,by consent of the Czar, and represent the most hardy stockobtainable.

The Burmese, or Eld Deer, (Cervus eldi), also known astheBrow-Antler Deer, is one of the rarest species to be seenin captivity. Living specimens are acquired only throughspecial expeditions to northern Burma. Its most characteristicfeature is the antlers of the male, which sendsforward a very long and almost straight brow tine, while70the main beam sweeps backward in the opposite direction,and describes a full semicircle. The antlers are both veryheavy and long for the size of the animal. The specimensshown here, which are breeding satisfactorily, are the gift ofMr. William Rockefeller.

The Barasingha Deer, (Cervus duvauceli), also called theSwamp Deer, is to India what the mule deer is to NorthAmerica. To my mind, the antlers of the former alwayssuggests the latter species, and in size the two species aremuch alike. In summer the coat of the Barasingha is of abeautiful golden-yellow color, conspicuous from afar, andthe antlers of old males reach a length of from 35 to 41inches, with three bifurcations on each beam. The antlerssometimes are shed and renewed twice in twelve months.With us this species breeds very regularly, and the offspringmature well.

The Altai Wapiti, (Cervus canadensis asiaticus), is, in allprobability, the parent stock of our American elk, but ithappens to be a fact that our species was the first to bediscovered by systematic zoologists, and described. To allvisitors who are interested in deer, the Altai Wapiti—andalso theTashkent Wapiti—are a constant source of wonder,because of their well-nigh perfect similarity in all pointsto our own wapiti, or American elk. Our Asiatic wapitiare exhibited in ranges connecting with the western roomsof the Asiatic Deer House, where they have bred twice, andproduced two fine fawns. In the rutting season the malesare very cross and dangerous. They are hardy, and requireno heat in winter.

The Indian Sambar, (Cervus unicolor), always suggests atropical understudy of the Altai wapiti, clad with thin,coarse, bristly hair, and with shorter and smaller antlers,and a bristly mane all over the neck. Each antler possessesthree points, only. Of all the Old WorldCervidae, thisspecies most nearly approaches the size of the Altai andTashkent wapiti. It inhabits the hill forests of India, andin Burma, Siam and farther south it is replaced by the nextspecies.

The Malay Sambar, (Cervus equinus), also called—mostinappropriately—the “Horse-Tailed Deer,” very stronglyresembles the preceding species, except that the bristlymane of the former is generally absent. The antlers ofthis species are shorter, also, but very thick in proportionto their length. The Malay Sambar is confined to the Malay71Peninsula and the countries immediately above, and Borneoand Sumatra.

This species possesses many admirable qualities, and itmight be introduced to advantage in our southern states.It is very even-tempered and sensible, easily handled, isa vigorous feeder, breeds persistently, and matures veryrapidly; but in every New York winter, it requires someheat in its barn.

The Maral Deer, (Cervus maral), is in appearance like anextra large red deer or a small elk. It is a midway memberof the Wapiti group, which extends in a somewhatbroken chain from Colorado, northward across Bering Straitto Asia, and thence across Asia and Europe to Scotland.We have owned a fine pair of Maral Deer, from the Caucasusdistrict, but they have failed to breed as expected.

The European Red Deer, (Cervus elaphus), is an understudyof the American elk, which it much resembles inform and in habits. Next to the elk it is the finest livingdeer, and for many generations has held its own againstthe dangers of in-breeding. In the parks and forest preservesof Great Britain and Europe, it exists abundantly,but only as private property, subject to the guns of theowner and his friends. This species has been successfullycrossed with the American elk.

Other Asiatic Deer will be found in the Small-Deer House,in the southern end of the Park.

THE LION HOUSE, No. 15.

As a spectacle of captive animal life, there is none moreinspiring than a spacious, well-lighted and finely-appointedlion house, filled with a collection of the world’s greatestand handsomest wild beasts. To build an ideal lion house,and to fill it with a first-class collection of large felines, arematters involving no little time and much money; but thesight,—for the millions of visitors,—of lions, tigers, jaguars,pumas, leopards, cheetahs, black leopards, snow leopardsand clouded leopards, all under one roof, surely is worthwhat it costs.

The Lion House of the Zoological Park was completed,excepting a few minor details, early in the year 1903, andwas formally opened to the public in February. It is 244feet long, 115 feet wide, including the outdoor cages, and itscost when completed reached $150,000. The materials ofthe building are the same kind as those used in the Reptile72House and Primate House, but the animal sculptures,all by Mr. Eli Harvey, are more abundant and conspicuousthan on any other structure erected heretofore. The buildingcontains 13 indoor cages, and 9 outdoor cages, and betweenthe two there is free communication. The sizes ofthe various cages are as follows:

Interior cages: Largest, 14 feet wide, 22 feet deep; smallest,13 feet wide, 14 feet high.

Exterior cages: two end cages, 40×44 feet, 17 feet high;central cage, 40 feet square, 14 feet high; smallest, 13 feetwide, 12 feet deep, 13 feet high.

Excepting for the single fact of having interior and exteriorcages, the Lion House of the Zoological Park is—likethe Primate House—an entirely original development. Itsmost important new features are as follows:

All cage service, the introducing and withdrawal of animals,is conducted from the rear, by means of a track underneaththe sleeping dens, and an elevating platform car.

Instead of upright iron bars, all the cage fronts are ofhard-steel wire netting, in rectangular pattern, attached to73wrought iron frames. This is considered by the ZoologicalSociety a great improvement upon the heavy bar-workhitherto in universal use for cage fronts in lion houses.

The space above the sleeping dens has been developedas a sunlit balcony, whereon the animals will be very conspicuous,even to large crowds of visitors.

Jungle-green tiling, impervious to moisture and dirt, isused as a back-ground for the animals.

The Lion is an animal of perpetual interest, but likeevery other noteworthy wild animal, its haunts are constantlybeing claimed by civilization, and its members arerapidly decreasing. It is not a difficult matter to exterminateor drive out from a given territory any large andconspicuous quadruped, and at the present rate of settlementand industrial development in Africa, it may easilycome to pass that by the end of the present century, theking of beasts will be without a home, outside of zoologicalcollections.

Like everything great, the Lion has his share of criticsand detractors. A few writers have asserted that because hedoes not stalk through his native forests with head proudlyerect, like a drum-major on parade, he is mean-spirited andcowardly. But the beast of noble countenance believes in74the survival of the fittest, and both by inheritance andobservation he knows that a lion who needlessly exposeshimself in the field captures the smallest amount of game,and attracts the greatest number of steel-tipped bullets.

Although Lions vary greatly in their color, and in thelength of the mane, it is conceded by naturalists that onlyone species exists. In the same district and under preciselysimilar conditions are found short-maned and long-manedindividuals, and all shades of color from tawny yellow todark brown. The present geographic range of the speciesis from Southern Rhodesia to Persia and northwesternIndia, but in northern Egypt there is a large extent ofterritory which is lionless.

By reason of his heavy mane and massive countenance,supported by the grandest roar that issues from throat ofbeast, the Lion appears to be a larger animal than he reallyis. It is yet an unsettled question whether it exceeds thetiger in length, height or weight, and it is certainly truethat in point of size these two species are very evenlymatched.

In captivity, the Lion is reasonably contented, and undergood conditions breeds readily, and lives a goodly numberof years.

The Siberian Tiger.—Strange to say, the tiger rangesfar to the northward of its proper home in Hindustan, evento Corea, Manchuria and Russian Siberia. In those cold75regions the tiger grows to its greatest size, and is clothedwith a dense coat of long and shaggy hair. In collections,the great northern tigers are the most highly prized. TheZoological Park has recently acquired from East Siberiatwo fine young specimens, born early in 1909, and all theyear round they inhabit the great northern outdoor cageattached to the Lion House. It is a strange sight to seetigers living outdoors in winter in New York.

The Tiger will be found upon the earth long after thelion has disappeared. He is a far better hider, a more skillfulhunter, less given to taking foolish risks, and he does notadvertise his presence and invite his enemies by the bombasticroaring in which the lion delights to indulge. TheTiger is an animal of serious mind, and he attends strictlyto business. A lion will stalk out into the open, in broadday, but the Tiger sticks closely to cover until the friendlydarkness renders it safe to roam abroad.

Despite the density of the population of India, and theomnipresence of sahibs with rifles of large caliber, the Tigerstill inhabits all India from Cape Comorin to the Himalayas,the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Burma, Siam, and certainportions of China up to the region of snows. Corean andSiberian Tigers are much sought after by zoological gardens,partly on account of their size, and also because theyare so hardy they are able to live out doors all winter in76the temperate zone. The Tiger is not found in Africa, norin any country westward of India.

The maximum length attained by this animal, head, bodyand tail, is 10 feet 2 inches. A very large specimenkilled by Dr. Hornaday measured 9 feet 8½ inches in length,stood 3 feet 7 inches high at the shoulders, and weighed, onthe scales, 495 pounds. In India, Tigers are classed accordingto their habits, as “game-killers,” “cattle-lifters,” or“man-eaters.” Fortunately, in comparison with the totalnumber of these animals, the latter are few and far between.

Of yellow-coated felines,The Jaguar, (Felis onca), isnext in size to the tiger. In South America, it is almostuniversally called “El Tigre” (pronounced Te’-gre), whichis Spanish for tiger. Comparatively few Americans areaware that this superb animal belongs in the fauna of theUnited States, but such is the fact. The northern limit ofits distribution is found in southern Texas, where it stillexists in small numbers. In South America it extends toPatagonia.

The Jaguar is a stocky, heavily-built animal, with a massivehead and powerful forearm. It is a good climber, andmany wonderful stories of its strength have been told andprinted. Among leopards of all kinds it can always beidentified by the great size of the black rosettes on its body,as well as by its heavy build.

The splendid male specimen, named “Senor Lopez,” inhonor of a former President of Paraguay, was the first toarrive for the new Lion House. It was captured in August,1901, in the wilds of central Paraguay, expressly for us,through the efforts of Mr. William Mill Butler, of Philadelphia,and by him presented to the Zoological Park. Aftera long journey in small river craft, in a flimsy wooden cagethat several times came near collapsing, the animal reachedAsuncion, was taken to Liverpool by Mr. Butler, and finallyreached New York.

The Leopard, (Felis pardus), is fourth in size from thelion, and is distinguished from the jaguar by smaller spotsand less powerful form. It inhabits both Asia and Africa,from Japan to Cape Colony. While the species is regardedas the same throughout that vast extent of territory, it isundoubtedly true that the Leopards of Africa have smallerspots and more intense coloring than those of Asia. Themaximum size for this species is a total length of 8 feet,which is attained only by a very large animal, with a longtail.

Naturally, the Leopard preys upon smaller animalsthan those most sought by the lion and tiger. It preferssmall antelopes, and young animals generally, goats andsheep. When pursued, it is very skilful in hiding, and willshelter in brushy cover until fairly beaten out.

The Black Leopard is the most ill-tempered of all felineanimals—perpetually snarling and growling, and seeking todo some one an injury. Naturalists regard it as of thesame species as the common leopard, (Felis pardus), despitethe fact that it is found only in southeastern Asia, andboth in appearance and disposition is totally differentfrom the typicalpardus. With but few exceptions, theworld’s supply of Black Leopards comes from Singapore.

The Cheetah, orHunting Leopard, (Cynaelurus jubatus),is marked by its long legs, slender body, small head, smallspots, and claws that are only partially retractile. Itsstructure suggests that of the dogs. It is distributed veryirregularly through portions of Africa and southern Asia,and is by no means a common animal like the leopard andtiger.

In central India, this animal is trained to hunt the sasinantelope, a form of sport indulged in chiefly by native rajahs.The Cheetah takes kindly to captivity, and permitshandling to an extent quite unknown with other largefelines. Its keepers place the animal upon an open cart,blindfold it, and then drive to within 200 yards of a herd ofantelope. At the point of nearest possible approach, thehood is removed, and the animal is set free. Leaping to theground, the Cheetah stalks the herd of antelope as closely aspossible, then makes a sudden rush forward, and endeavorsto seize a victim. If successful, the animal is pulled downand killed. If not, the Cheetah sullenly retires, and againplaces itself in the hands of its friends.

The Snow Leopard, orOunce, (Felis uncia), is the rarest,and also one of the most beautiful of all the large felines.It inhabits the high plateau of central Asia from the Himalayasto the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, above 9,000 feet.It is the neighbor of the Marco Polo sheep, the giant-hornedargali, and the Siberian ibex. In its home country,this creature is sufficiently numerous that 2,000 tanned skinssometimes reach Shanghai in a single year, but owing to itsgreat distance from railways and sea, not more than fifteenor twenty specimens have reached the zoological gardens ofEurope and America. Some individuals are good-naturedand playful, but others are morose.

The Puma, orMountain Lion, (Felis concolor), is themost widely-known feline in North America. At presentit is at home in Florida, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado,Texas, and all the states westward thereof. Southward itinhabits Mexico and Central America, and ranges throughSouth America quite down to southern Patagonia. It attainsits maximum size (8 feet in length, weight 225 pounds)in Colorado, where it appears to be more numerous than inany other state. In Routt County it is hunted very successfullywith dogs. When pursued, it is compelled to takerefuge in a low tree, in which it can be photographed or shotwithout danger.

Despite the numerous thrilling stories that have beenwritten and published about the dangerous doings of thisanimal, it is by no means really dangerous to man. NoPuma holding an option on a safe line of retreat ever stopsto fight a man.

The Puma was formed for agility rather than strength.It swims well, and it is the most agile climber of all thelarge felines. The head of this animal is particularly beautiful,and its temper in captivity is entirely satisfactory.The first specimen of this species to enter the ZoologicalPark came from Peru, as a gift from Mr. Joseph P. Grace,and during the years 1901 and 1902 it lived out doors, constantly,in the Puma House (No. 33A), where its health wasexcellent.

THE SEA-LIONS, No. 12.

Of all animals which find permanent homes in zoologicalgardens and parks, very few afford the public more constantentertainment than Sea-Lions. They are delightfullyactive, and in one way or another—diving, swimming, climbingor hopping about—are nearly always “showing off.”No one within a quarter of a mile of their pool need inquirewhere they are, for their loud and cheerful “Hook! hook!hook,” is heard far and wide, and draws visitors like amagnet.

The California Sea-Lion, or“Barking Sea-Lion,” (Zalophuscalifornianus), is the species most easily caught alive,and the one usually seen in captivity. Its home is the coastof California, but it is said to enter the Sacramento Riverand travel upward for a considerable distance in pursuit of79spawning salmon. Comparatively few Sea-Lions are nowfound on the mainland coast of California. On the UnitedStates Light-House reservations their slaughter is prohibitedby the Light-House Board.

The California Sea-Lion is very similar in size, and, leavingthe old males out of consideration, it is almost the exactcounterpart in form of that apple of perpetual internationaldiscord—the Alaskan “fur seal.” The unfortunate fact thatthe latter animal has become known as a “seal,” has causedmuch confusion in people’s minds regarding the classificationof pinnipeds (fin-footed animals) generally. For thisreason, it is proper to observe at this point that:

Sea-Lions have flat, triangular, naked front flippers,without claws; they have long necks, and carry their headshigh. There are nine species, of which the so-called “furseal” is one.

Seals always have short and stubby front flippers,which are covered with hair, and provided with claws. Inmost species the hair is coarse and valueless. The seal hasa very short neck and by reason of the weakness of itsfront flippers, it is not nearly so active nor so interestingas the sea-lion.

The Atlantic Walrus inhabits the arctic regions betweenAmerica and Europe, and it is estimated that not more thanten specimens ever have been exhibited in captivity. Becauseof their unusual feeding habits, Walruses are very80difficult to keep alive. Their standard food is clams; andfrequently clams are very difficult to obtain. The AtlanticWalrus grows to great size, probably exceeding 4,000pounds in weight. The specimen exhibited in the rockypool near the Reptile House was presented by Mr. PaulJ. Rainey, in 1911, and has thriven continuously ever sinceits arrival. It was captured in Kane Basin, north of Baffin’sBay.

The Harbor Seal, (Phoca vitulina), is the species commonalong our Atlantic coast, and since it serves so well as atype of hair seals, or true seals, it will occasionally beshown in the Park. In comparison with the active andvivacious sea-lion, it is a tame and rather uninterestingcreature; but neither has any commercial value, save for thepurposes of exhibition when alive.

THE PRIMATE HOUSE, No. 17.

The Primates are the four-handed animals belonging tothe zoological order called by that name, which includesman, the anthropoid apes both great and small, the baboons,monkeys and lemurs. The word “monkey” is by no meanssufficiently comprehensive to embrace all these forms.Were it otherwise, this building would be called, officially,the Monkey House.

The Primates include the creatures which stand nearest toman in the zoological scale, and in interest to all classes ofhumanity they stand above all others. There is no intelligentperson, civilized or savage, to whom the humanlikenessof apes and monkeys does not appeal. On the other hand,some of the baboons are in feature and temper so thoroughlybeast-like, their diabolism is almost as fascinating as theman-like character of the great apes. The variety of formsin the Order Primates, and the wide differences between thevarious groups, imperatively demand, for the proper representationof this Order, a large collection.

The Primate House was erected in 1901, at a cost of$65,000, and opened to the public on December 22d, of thatyear. It is 162 feet in length, 74 feet in width, contains16 large interior cages, 22 small cages, and 11 exterior cages,two of which are of great size. The points of special excellencein this building are as follows: An abundance ofroom for the animals, an abundance of sunlight, perfectventilation, an extensive series of open-air cages, freedom81of communication between outside and inside cages, floorsand walls impervious to moisture and disease germs, and theabsence of iron bars from all cages save three.

During the months of mild weather, all the inmates of thelarge interior cages occupy, at will, corresponding cagesin the outdoor series. It is also intended that certain hardyspecies of baboons, and the red-faced monkey of Japan,shall be provided with comfortable sleeping quarters andlive outdoors, every winter. It is believed that they cando this, not only with comfort, but with great physicalbenefit.

For general convenience, and the promotion of a universalunderstanding of the primates, we propose to setthem forth in four groups, a subdivision strictly accordingto Nature, readily comprehended, and easily rememberedThey are as follows, with typical examples of each:

Nearly all the above-named species are now living in thePrimate House, besides which there are many others. Sofar as the available supply of captive primates will permit,these typical species will constantly be kept on exhibition,together with many others equally interesting. In thissmall volume it is possible to notice only the most importantforms.

I. Anthropoid Apes.
Chimpanzee	Anthropopithecus calvus	of	Africa.
Orang-Utan	Simia satyrus	“	Borneo.
Gray Gibbon	Hylobates leuciscus	“	“
II. Old World Monkeys and Baboons.
Mona Monkey	Cercopithecus mona	“	Africa.
White-Collared Mangabey	Cercocebus collaris	“	“
Magot: Barbary “Ape”	Macacus inuus	“	N. Africa.
Japanese Red-Faced Monkey	“fuscatus	“	Japan.
Pig-Tailed Monkey	“nemestrinus	“	E. India.
Rhesus Monkey	“rhesus	“	India.
Entellus Monkey	“entellus	“	“
Black “Ape”	Cynopithecus niger	“	Celebes.
Golden Baboon	Papio babuin	“	N. Africa.
Hamadryas	“hamadryas	“	Arabia.
Mandrill	“mormon	“	W. Africa.
Gelada	Theropithecus gelada	“	Abyssinia.
III. New World Monkeys.
White-Throated Sapajou	Cebus hypoleucus	“	S. America.
Red-Faced Spider Monkey	Ateles paniscus	“	““
White-Headed Saki	Pithecia leucocephala	“	““
Yarkee: Short-Tailed Monkey	Brachyurus calva	“	““
Squirrel Monkey	Chrysothrix sciurea	“	““
Common Marmoset	Hapale jacchus	“	““
Douroucoli	Nyctipithecus trivirgatus	“	““
IV. Lemurs and Lemuroids.
Ring-Tailed Lemur	Lemur catta	“	Madagascar.
Indri	Indri brevicaudata	“	India.
Galago	Galago galago	“	Madagascar.
Slow Lemur	Nycticebus tardigradus	“	Madagascar.
Aye-Aye	Cheiromys madagascariensis	“	India.

The Gorilla, (Gorilla savagei), of equatorial West Africa,is the largest and ugliest of the great apes, walks erect, andin form of body and limbs, it most resembles man. Itsbrain, however, is less man-like than that of the chimpanzeeand orang-utan. It is very rarely seen in captivity. Theonly specimen which up to 1911 had reached America alivelived but five days after its arrival. Despite the fact thatthese creatures seldom live in captivity longer than a fewmonths, they are always being sought by zoological gardens.The agents of the New York Zoological Society are constantlyon the watch for an opportunity to procure and sendhither a good specimen of this wonderful creature; andwhenever one arrives, all persons interested are advised tosee itimmediately,—before it dies of sullenness, lack ofexercise, and indigestion.

The Orang-Utan is intellectually superior to the gorilla,and is equalled only by the chimpanzee. Unfortunately, asa rule, none of the great apes are long-lived in captivity,and in zoological gardens they come and go. For this reason,it is seldom that an adult specimen, 4 feet in height,and weighing 150 pounds, is seen in captivity. Amongother apes, the Orang-Utan is readily recognized by itsbrown skin, red hair and small ears.

In disposition this creature is naturally docile and affectionate.It is fond of the society of human beings, takesto training with wonderful readiness and success, and youngspecimens can easily be taught to wear clothes, sit at table,and eat with spoon and fork. In the summer of 1911, thedaily open-air exhibition ofnine apes dining at 4 o’clockon an elevated platform in the large outside cage at thePrimate House, will long be remembered by the crowds ofvisitors who saw it. Such exhibitions are entirely germaneto the educational purposes of a zoological garden or park,for they illustrate the mentality of animals and their wonderfullikeness to man, far more forcibly than the bestprinted statements.

The north hall of the Primate House is specially intendedfor the anthropoid apes, and it is not likely that any84lengthy periods will elapse during which it contains neitherorang-utans nor chimpanzees.

The Chimpanzee, (Anthropopithecus calvus), of equatorialAfrica from the west coast to the central lake region, isquite as common in captivity as the orang-utan. Bothstructurally and mentally this animal is very much like theorang-utan, and for keenness of intellect and susceptibilityto training, it is second to none of the animals lower thanman. A Chimpanzee is easily recognized by itsblack hairand large ears. There are two or three species.

The Gibbon shows off to poor advantage in a cage, but inthe tree-tops it is a wonderful creature. It is like a long-armedskeleton clothed with skin and hair, animated by thespirit of an Ariel. In its home in the jungles of Borneo andsoutheastern Asia, it dwells in hilly forests, and neverdescends to the earth. When attacked, it flees down-hill, ifpossible, and it seems actually to fly through the tree-tops.It boldly flings itself forward through space, grasps with itshands the first available branch, swings underneath, feetforemost, and after another flight presently catches withits feet, thus actually making revolutions as it goes. Itsprogress is so swift and so silent that successful pursuit isimpossible to any enemy not provided with wings.

This animal is naturally very timid, but does not hesitateto expose itself to mortal danger when its young are in85distress. In captivity gibbons are shy and nervous, andtake life very seriously.

Old-World Monkeys.

The Baboons have been specially designed by Nature forlife upon the ground, surrounded by dangerous enemies.But for their big canine teeth, their fierce tempers and bull-dogcourage, backed by a fine combination of strengthand agility, the lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals ofAfrica would have exterminated them all, ages ago. Theywere not formed to become hand-organ beasts of burden,nor even companions to man, but rather to fight off theirenemies, and bluff even the king of beasts when occasionrequires. In captivity, their strength and ferocity alwaysinspires respect, and sometimes genuine terror. At alltimes they require to be treated as dangerous animals.

Of the various species of baboons on exhibition in thePrimate House, the full-grownMandrill is the most interesting,and wonderful. It seems like an animal not of thisearth, and reminds the visitor of one of the great beasts ofthe visions of St. John the Divine. The home of this speciesis in West Africa, and it is found from Senegambia to theCongo. The long shaggy hair, lion-like appearance, thepeculiar color markings of the face, and the indescribablegrimaces, instantly fix the attention of every visitor.

The Hamadryas Baboon, with long side whiskers andcape of long hair, is one of the handsomest animals of thisgroup. Its explosive, ear-racking cry is almost as startlingto visitors as a cannon-shot.

The Golden Baboon has the liveliest disposition and thebest temper possessed by any baboon. Young specimensare full of good-natured mischief, and are much given tohectoring their cage-mates. TheLong-Armed Yellow Baboonis quite at home in the Primate House, and has bredhere. It is a good species to keep in captivity.

The Group of Old World Monkeys, in addition to thebaboons, contains several species worthy of special remark.There are some which have tails so very short and insignificantthat they seem to be tailless, and several of themare called “apes.”They are not true anthropoids (manlikeapes), however, and it is a confusing error to designateany of them as “apes.” The species referred to are thefollowing:

The Rhesus Monkey, of India, is one of the sacred species,and ages of immunity from molestation, or even wholesomediscipline, have made this animal aggressive and domineeringin temper.

The Bonneted Macaque is the best-tempered monkey of allthe monkey species found in the East Indies, and it is byfar the best to keep as a pet.

The Entellus Monkey, of India, is also a sacred species,and its natural seriousness of manner, and dignified bearing,quite befit the direct descendants of the original Hunuman,or monkey deity of the Hindoos, who helped to build Adam’sBridge.

Of the many African monkeys, some of the most showy(such as the Guerzas and Colobos) are so difficult to procurethey can not be set forth as permanent residents in thePrimate House. The following species, however, may beclassed with the reliables:

The White-Collared Mangabey andSooty Mangabey areboth so lively, so good-natured, and so free from the fightinghabit, they are prime favorites with everybody.

The Mona Monkey is handsome and easily kept, and anexcellent representative of the great African genusCercopithecus.

The Green Monkey and theVervet are lively but quarrelsome,and at times become dangerous. ThePatas, orRedMonkey, is very sedate, and makes a good cage-mate for themona.

The New World Monkeys, even at their best, never makea strong showing in a vivarium. The trouble is that manyof the most interesting species are so delicate it is impossibleto keep them alive in captivity. Fame awaits the man whocan discover a bill of fare on whichHowling Monkeys,SakisandYarkees can live in captivity to old age, and repay theircost and care. Their digestive organs are delicate, and aresubject to derangement from causes so slight they can notbe reckoned with.

The Sapajous are the hardiest, the most intelligent andin some respects the most interesting of the New Worldmonkeys. They all possess the prehensile (or grasping)tail,which is not found on any Old World monkey, and theuse made of it is a constant source of wonder. Monkeys ofthis species are quite common in captivity, and theirwrinkled brows and serious countenances give them an appearanceof being burdened with cares,—which most captivemonkeys certainly are! These are the unfortunatecreatures which so often come to grief on hand-organs.

The Black Spider Monkey and theGray Spider Monkeyrepresent a genus of animals quite as attenuated in formas the gibbons. Their slender bodies, exceedingly long andslender legs and tail,—the latter strongly prehensile, andbetter than a fifth arm and hand,—give them when in thetree-tops an appearance truly spider-like. They are agileclimbers, but not rapid runners, and having no means ofdefense are very timid. Their stomachs are so simple theyseem to lack some element or function that is necessary to88the life of the animal in captivity. Notwithstanding thefact that “Jess,” of Bath, New York, in defiance of all lawsand precedents,lived thirteen years in a cold climate, thegreat majority of spider monkeys die before they reach fullmaturity, and nearly always of stomach troubles. Fortunately,however, there are exceptions to this rule.

The Squirrel Monkey, often called a “Marmoset,” is apretty little olive-yellow monkey, almost as delicate as thetrueMarmoset, and thePinche. These diminutive creaturesare so delicate they require the greatest care and tenderness,and thrive better in moderately small cages thanin large ones. True marmosets are the smallest of Americanprimates, being next in size to the Tarsier, of Borneo, smallestof all quadrumanes.

The Lemurs and Lemuroids.—A lemur is a monkey-likeanimal belonging to the lowest group of primates, but insome respects is so little like a typical monkey that the relationshipis not always apparent. There are about thirtyspecies, and all save a very few are found on the Island ofMadagascar. They are gentle-spirited, harmless and inoffensiveanimals, and not being persecuted by their humanneighbors, as all American wild animals are, they are quitenumerous.

Nearly all the Lemurs have long tails, long and finehair, large eyes and pointed muzzles. Many of them arestrikingly colored in various shades of black, white andgray. All Lemurs are supposed to be of nocturnal habit, andin fact they really are; but the specimens in the large junglecage of the Primate House are quite as lively and interesting89in the daytime as most of the monkeys. So far frommanifesting a disposition to retire to dark corners, theylove to lie in the sunshine.

The Ruffed Lemur, or Black-and-White Lemur, (Lemurvaria), is the handsomest member of this entire group.Its fur is very long, silky, and alternately pure white andjet black.The Ring-Tailed Lemur has a very long, pointedtail, ornamented with about 25 alternating rings of brownand gray, which it carries very gracefully. This speciesis of a more lively disposition than most others. The curiousIndri has not up to this time come into the collection,but it is expected in the near future. When it arrives itcan at once be recognized by the entire absence of a tail,except a mere stump, and by its large hands and feet.

ELEPHANT HOUSE, No. 20.

Of its buildings for animals, the Elephant House is theculminating feature of the Zoological Park, and it comesquite near to being the last of the series. In token of thesefacts, it is fittingly crowned with a dome. Through its positionin the general plan it closes a wide gap, and effectivelylinks together the northern and southern halves of theestablishment.

The erection of this great structure began in 1907, and thebuilding was completed and its inmates housed in the fallof 1908. The yards surrounding the structure were finishedin 1909.

Any building which can comfortably accommodate a representativecollection of the largest of all living landanimals, must unquestionably be large and substantial. Thereis no pleasure in seeing a ponderous elephant chained tothe floor of a small room, unable even to walk to and fro,and never permitted to roam at will in the open air and sunlight.It is no wonder that dungeon-kept elephants go mad,and do mischief. If an elephant—or for that matter anyanimal—cannot be kept incomfortable captivity, then let itnot be kept at all.

The Elephant House of the City of New York is a largeand roomy structure, built to render good service for twocenturies. Its extreme length over all is 170 feet, and itswidth is 84 feet. Its two sides are divided into 8 hugecompartments, of which 4 are for elephants, 2 for rhinoceroses,and 2 for hippopotami. Each of these is 24×21½feet.

The Hippopotami have within the building a tank 24×21feet, and 8 feet in total depth; and another will be constructedin their corral.

Each end of the building furnishes two cages of smallerdimensions, for tapirs, and young elephants. The wholearea surrounding the building, excepting the axial walk, isdevoted to open-air yards, so arranged that each cage in theinterior connects directly with a corral which affords bothsunshine and shade. Nature seems to have made this beautifulopen grove—strangely free from trees in its center—especiallyfor the purposes to which it now is devoted.

It is by no means the intention of the Zoological Society,that, because an axial walk leads through the ElephantHouse, the building shall be usedas a thoroughfare for foottraffic between the northern and southern portions of thePark. Such use would surely defeat the main purpose ofthe structure. It is intended to be enteredonly by personswho desire to see the animals, and all others must pass aroundit, by one or the other of the two very direct promenadeswhich will be provided. The employees of the Park arestrictly forbidden to consider the walk through the buildingas a convenient highway, and visitors are requested toobserve the obvious necessities of this case.

The Indian Elephant, (Elephas indicus), is the universalelephant of captivity, the African species being shown onlyas a great rarity. For every elephant that comes fromAfrica, about thirty come from India, and of those abouttwenty-nine are prosy and unromantic females. In orderto secure a male Indian Elephant, it must be speciallyordered.

Our first Indian Elephant, a fine male named “Gunda,”was caught wild in the interior of Assam, northeastern India,and he arrived at the Zoological Park in May, 1904,as the gift of Col. Oliver H. Payne. He was then aboutseven years old. He stood 6 feet 7 inches in shoulderheight, weighed 3,740 pounds, and had all the points of a“high-caste” elephant. His tusks were then 16 inches long.He is very mischievous about breaking anything in hisquarters that is breakable, and he manifests special disliketoward certain individuals who come near him. Like mostIndian elephants, “Gunda” is very intelligent. In twodays he was taught to receive pennies, lift the lid of his“bank,” drop the coin within, and ring his bell.

Since his arrival here, in May, 1904, he has grown inheight at the rate of about 5 inches each year. On November1, 1910, he stood 8 feet 9 inches in shoulder height, hisweight was 8100 pounds, and his tusks were 36 inches long.

The Sudan African Elephant, (Elephas oxyotis, Matschie),is the largest of the four species of African elephants nowrecognized. The other species are the South African Elephant,(E. capensis), the German-East-African Elephant,(E. knochenhaueri), and the West African Elephant, (E.cyclotis).

After some years of waiting, and many futile efforts, wehave at last come into possession of a pair of young SudanElephants, representing, so we believe, the great species to93which belonged Jumbo, and also the bearer of the enormoustusks presented to the Zoological Society by Mr. Charles T.Barney. Like all elephants newly arrived from Africa,they are young, and small; but if they have good healththey will grow very rapidly, and about A. D. 1927 theyshould attain full stature,—11 feet at the shoulders for themale, or thereabouts.

The different species of elephants are most easily recognizedby their ears. Compare the enormous “sail-area” ofthe ears of this species with the small, triangular ear of theIndian elephant, and the small, round ear of the next species.

The West African Elephant, (Elephas cyclotis), of equatorialWest Africa, especially the Congo country, is apparentlya small species, not exceeding seven feet in height, evenif that height is ever attained. Mr. Carl Hagenbeck reportsthat out of nearly 300 pairs of tusks of this speciesexamined by him in the German ivory market, not one pairexceeded two feet in length, and many measured only 10inches.

On July 25, 1905, we received a male specimen representingthis species, as a gift from Mr. Barney. It is strikinglymarked by its small round ears, and the presence of 5 toeson each fore-foot and 4 on the hind foot, the number in theEast African species being 4 and 3, respectively. At thetime of its arrival, little “Congo” stood 43 inches in shoulderheight, his weight was precisely 600 pounds, and his tusks94were 4 inches long. On June 1, 1911, his shoulder heightwas 60 inches, and his weight was 1650 pounds, and histusks were 23 inches long.

Regarding the life history and distribution of this oddspecies, much remains to be ascertained; and precise informationis greatly desired.

The African Two-Horned Rhinoceros, (Rhinoceros bicornis),is already represented by a female specimen which wasacquired in 1906. “Victoria” was captured in July, 1905,in the northern point of German East Africa, within aboutsixty miles of the head of Speke Gulf, which is the southeasternarm of Lake Victoria Nyanza. The elevation is between4,000 and 5,000 feet. She was slung under a pole, andcarried, six days’ journey on men’s shoulders, to the shoreof the lake.

From thence she was transported by steamer to PortFlorence, at the head of the Uganda Railway, thence byrail 500 miles to Mombasa. Ever since her arrival in NewYork, “Victoria” has developed rapidly. Captivity doesnot seem to fret her in the least. She is very docile, is veryfriendly toward her keeper, and it is quite apparent thatshe enjoys herself.

The African Two-Horned Rhinoceros once was very abundantthroughout the whole of the fertile plains region ofeast and south Africa, but the onslaughts of hunters haveexterminated it from probably nine-tenths of the territory95that it once occupied. To-day, the Englishmen of Africa areearnestly endeavoring to regulate and abate the slaughterof African big game, and beyond doubt safe, good resultsin that line are being accomplished. It is to be hoped thatthe protection lines will now be drawn so tightly aroundthe game that remains that it will be perpetuated for centuriesto come.

The Indian Rhinoceros, (Rhinoceros unicornis).—A full-grownIndian Rhinoceros is one of the most wonderful of allliving animals. It seems like a prehistoric monster, belongingto the days of the dinosaurs, rather than a creature ofto-day; and the killing of so grand a creature solely for thesake of “sport,” and a stuffed head to hang upon a wall, ismurder, no less. It is quite time that the most wonderfulworks of animated Nature should universally be recognizedas safe from attack with the rifle and knife.

So pronounced is the rarity of the great Indian Rhinoceros,it is a fact that for nearly fifteen years no living specimenscame into the wild-animal market. At last, however, the persistenceand industry of the renowned Carl Hagenbeck wasrewarded by the capture, in 1906, of four young specimens,all of which reached Hamburg in May, 1907. One of thebest specimens of the quartette was purchased for the NewYork Zoological Park, and is now living in the Park in thequarters prepared for him at the Elephant House.

The Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros is the largest of all livingrhinoceroses. A full-grown male is about 5 feet, 6 inchesin shoulder height, and 10 feet 6 inches long from end ofnose to root of tail. The length of the horn is not great,rarely exceeding 12 inches. The skin is very thick, and liesupon the animal in great rigid slabs which are divided byarticulating areas of thinner skin.

The Hippopotamus, (Hippopotamus amphibius), is morefrequently seen in captivity than any of the large rhinoceroses,or the African elephant. In the lakes and large riversof central East Africa it still exists in fair numbers, andstill is killed for “sport.”

Strange as it may seem, this very inert and usually lethargicmonster can, under what it deems just provocation,become very angry, and even dangerous. Four years ago,in one of the rivers of Uganda, a hippopotamus not onlyoverturned a boat, but killed one of its native occupants bybiting him.

The Hippopotamus breeds readily in captivity, even underpoor conditions, and the supply for the zoological gardensof the world is chiefly maintained in that way. The finemale specimen exhibited in the Zoological Park was purchasedfrom the Central Park Menagerie, for $3,000, and isa gift from Mr. Samuel Thorne. He was born on July 13,1904. His weight on November 1, 1909, at five years of age,was 3,114 pounds; and he is growing rapidly.

The Pygmy Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus liberiensis), isa great zoological novelty, and second in rarity only to theokapi. Thus far only five specimens ever have been exhibited.An adult Pygmy Hippo is onlyone-fourteenththe size of an adult Nile Hippo. Our three specimens, afemale and two males, are exhibited in the Elephant House.They arrived in 1912, and were captured in Liberia, WestAfrica. The cost price of the trio was $15,000. They haveexcellent appetites, never have been ill, and they seem toenjoy their new home. Their habits, capture, and theirhome surroundings have been fully described in theBulletin(No. 52) and the Annual Report for 1912 of the ZoologicalSociety.

The Pygmy Hippopotamus is far more widely distributedthroughout Liberia than might be inferred from the surprisingscarcity of specimens in museums, and the long absenceof the species from zoological gardens. It is an inhabitantof swampy forests, and while it frequents riversit is not confined to them, like the large hippo. It seeksshelter from molestation in large cavities in river banks,usually under the roots of overhanging trees. These specimenswere caught by digging pits in their runways, withsides so steep that the captives could not climb out. Aftercapture, each animal was placed in a huge basket crate,slung under a pole, and carried by natives over the roughforest trails to the nearest river transportation.

The Tapirs.—Near the end of the Order of Hoofed Animals,(Ungulata), is found the Tapir Family, representedin both the old world and the new, by about five species.These very odd creatures inhabit the densest forests of thetropics, where vegetation grows rankly, and few other largehoofed animals can live. They are very fond of water, andswim well.

The South American Tapir, (Tapirus terrestris), takeskindly to captivity, breeds in confinement, and always managesto look well-fed and as sleek as a seal. Its color is arich mahogany brown, and its long, prehensile nose isstrongly suggestive of the end of an elephant’s trunk. Theshoulder height of a full-grown animal is about 37 inches.This species inhabits Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Paraguay,Uruguay and some other regions of South America.Some of the Central American Tapirs inhabit mountain regions,but all are exceedingly wary, and difficult to findwithout dogs.

The Malay Tapir, (Tapirus indicus), of the Malay Peninsulaand Sumatra, may be recognized as far as it can be seen,by its colors. The front half of the animal, and its legs,are black or dark brown, and the rear half of the body iswhite. It is much larger than the preceding species.

THE WOLF DENS, No. 22.

At the northeastern corner of the Elk Range there is ahuge, bare granite rock, two hundred feet long, shaped preciselylike the hump of a bull buffalo. The high end of thehump is toward the north, and its crest is about fifteen feetabove the ground on its eastern side. A fringe of smalltrees and bushes grows along its western side. On the eastside, well sheltered by the rock itself from the cold westwinds of winter, and also shaded by several fine trees whichmost opportunely grow close beside the ledge, the WolfDens and Fox Dens are situated.

In regard to the iron work, these dens are merely anunderstudy of the Bear Dens. The dimensions of each denof the series are 16 by 48 feet, and the height of the bars tothe top of the overhang is 9 feet 6 inches. The sleepingdens are of simple construction, all save one being of wood,trimmed with bark-covered slabs. At present the WolfDens are divided into four compartments.

The Gray Wolf, (Canis nubilis), is known by as manynames as it has color phases. In the North, where it iswhite, it is called the “White Wolf,” while in Florida itbecomes the “Black Wolf.” In British Columbia andaround Great Slave Lake, both white and black wolvesabound, as well as the standard gray, but on the BarrenGrounds the white phase predominates. In Texas a “RedWolf” is found, but apparently the red phase is of somewhatrare occurrence, and is never found in the North.

In the West this animal has recently come into prominencein a way that is striking terror to the hearts ofranchmen and others who have stock to lose. While allkinds of desirable game animals are decreasing at an alarmingrate, the Gray Wolf not only holds its own, but ismultiplying rapidly. The destruction by it of calves, coltsand sheep, has become so great that nearly every westernState has placed on the head of this bold marauder abounty varying from $2 to $10. In some States this law99has been in force for several years, but with no sensiblediminution in the number of wolves.

The Gray Wolves which live in touch with civilizationare by no means such bold and dangerous animals as theyformerly were. In the early days, when wolves werenumerous and fire-arms few and primitive, the Gray Wolfundoubtedly was a dangerous animal. But the breech-loadingrifle has changed all this. Excepting for his stock-killingpropensities, the Gray Wolf is now a skulking creature.In the United States this animal possesses the courageof a coyote, but in the Barren Grounds it is still fierceand dangerous. However much the wolf may skulk andflee when the way is open, when brought to bay he knowshow to fight. One snap of his powerful jaws and shear-liketeeth is enough to disable almost any dog, and send ithowling to the rear. It is no wonder that western dogsof experience are shy of approaching a Gray Wolf withinsnapping distance.

Excepting the localities from which it has been drivenout by civilization, the Gray Wolf ranges over the wholeNorth American continent from central Mexico to 83° 24′ N.

The Coyote, or Prairie Wolf, (Canis latrans), is a personalacquaintance of nearly every trans-continental traveler.To those who have camped on the “plains,” he is quite like100an old friend; and the high-pitched, staccato cry—halfhowl and half bark—with which he announces the dawn,is associated with memories of vast stretches of open country,magnificent distances, sage-brush and freedom. Becauseof his fondness of barking, Thomas Say, the naturalistwho first described this species, christened it,Canislatrans, which means “barking wolf.”

This animal averages about one-third smaller than thegray wolf, and while the finest male specimens are, in theautumn, really handsome animals, at other times the majorityare of very ordinary appearance. At no time, however,even in the dark, is a Coyote a courageous animal. So faras man is concerned, a band of a thousand coyotes wouldbe as easily put to flight as one; but in hanging upon theragged edges of civilization, and living by its wits, theCoyote is audacity itself. By inheritance, and also by personalexperience, this animal knows to a rod how far itis safe to trust a man with a gun. If the hunter has lefthis gun behind him, the Coyote knows it at once, andboldly flaunts himself within stone’s throw of his enemy.

The Coyote varies in color quite markedly, exhibiting thegray, brown and black phases. Formerly it was supposedthat one species comprehended all, but Dr. Merriam’s seriesof specimens from all parts of the West and Southwesthave led him to separate these animals into eleven species.

THE FOX DENS, No. 23.

Of the many species of foxes found in North America,three species stand forth as the types of prominent groups,and it is very desirable that all three should be well known.

The Red Fox, (Vulpes fulvus), is the representative of thegroup which contains also the cross fox and black fox ofthe Northwest. In spite of dogs, traps, guns, spades andpoison, this cunning creature persists in living in closetouch with the poultry yards of civilized man. His perfectfamiliarity with old-fashioned dangers enables him toavoid them all, and no sooner does a new danger menacehim than he promptly invents a way to escape it. Themanner in which the Red Fox lives with civilization withoutbeing exterminated really is surprising, and speaksvolumes for the astuteness of this animal.

The geographical range of the Red Fox is very wide,From North Carolina and Tennessee it extends northwardthrough the whole northeastern United States, graduallybearing westward to Montana, and northward almost tothe Arctic Ocean. It is the commonest species in Alaska,where it is found practically everywhere.

The typical Red Fox and its two subspecies, theCross Fox,(Vulpes fulvus decussatus), and theBlack Fox, (V. f. argentatus)—thelatter many times miscalled the “Silver Fox”—varyin all possible gradations of color from bright red topure black. Often it is difficult to decide where one typeleaves off and another begins. The Cross Fox stands midwaybetween the Red and Black, with some of the yellowcolor of the former on the sides of the neck and behindthe foreleg, while the remainder of the general color isgrizzled gray-brown laid across his shoulders in a more orless distinct cross. The Black Fox varies in color fromvery dark iron-gray to dark brown or black, with a slightwash of white-tipped hairs over the head, body and tail.The tip of the tail is always white, which is the only constantcolor mark about him.

The Swift, or Kit Fox, (Vulpes velox), is the daintiest,smallest and liveliest of all American foxes. From hisdelicate little nose to the tip of his well-trimmed tail, heis every inch a thoroughbred. His countenance is brightand pert, and when several specimens are kept togetherthey are very playful. One striking feature of this littleanimal is what may well be termed its trimness. When in102fair condition, its coat of thick, silvery gray fur is as smoothand even as if recently trimmed by a barber.

On the western plains, where it once had for companionsthe buffalo and prong-horn, the Swift is becoming rare. Itsworst enemy is the deadly strychnine bottle of the ranchman.This species does not thrive in the Fox Dens, and itwill be found in the Burrowing Animal’s Quarters, where itseems pleased to consider itself at home.

In the Small-Mammal House is shown a new species,closely allied to the above, from Phoenix, Arizona, recentlydescribed by Dr. C. H. Merriam asVulpes macrotis, or theLarge-Eared Swift.

The Gray Fox, (Urocyon virginianus), is the fox of theSouth, even though it does range northward well into theterritory of the red fox. This species is distinctly smallerand more lightly built than the red, its hair is not so luxuriant,it is more shy and retiring, and its colors change verylittle. When hotly pursued by dogs it often climbs treesthat are quite perpendicular, to a height of twenty feet ormore. In captivity Gray Foxes are forever trying to escapeby climbing, instead of by burrowing, as would naturallybe expected. In temper, they are treacherous to theirkeepers, and also to each other, and as “pets” are anythingbut desirable.

The Tasmanian Wolf, or Thylacine, (Thylacinus cynocephalus),is a very strange-looking and interesting creature,about the size of a pointer dog. Its color is dark yellowishbrown, and it has a series of broad black stripes, or bands,running across its hind quarters and loins. The wide gapeof its mouth reminds one of an iguana or a monitor.

This animal, fully named above, is the largest of the carnivorousmarsupials of Australia, and the female possessesan abdominal pouch in which she carries her young, likea kangaroo. It is now found only in Tasmania, and it dwellsamongst rocks, in rugged and mountainous regions. Becauseof its depredations upon the sheep herds, the Thylacinehas been diligently hunted and destroyed, and nowliving specimens rarely are taken.

In the zoological gardens of Europe and America, thisspecies usually is kept in heated buildings, but it has beenascertained by experiment that this specimen thrives bestin the open air. Living examples in captivity are now sovery rare it is a difficult matter to keep one constantly onexhibition.

THE OTTER POOLS, No. 31.

The American Otter, (Lutra canadensis), is unfortunatein being the bearer of valuable fur; and in the northernregions, where the cold causes the development of fur that104is available for the use of the furrier, this creature is sonearly extinct that trappers no longer pursue it. In thesouthern States, where its fur is short, rather coarse and“off color,” the Otter still is found. In some portions ofeastern Florida, and along the coast of South Carolina, itis frequently taken. In captivity, it often becomes quitetame, even affectionate, and always is interesting. Unlessclosely confined, however, it is prone to wander, and meetpremature death.

In captivity the Otter usually is active and restless, andvery much in evidence. Owing to the strength of its jaws,its ability to climb under certain conditions and its restlessactivity, it is difficult to confine a full-grown Otter in anythingelse than a complete box of iron cage-work.

Few persons save woodsmen and naturalists are aware ofthe fact that in a wild state the Otter is a very playful animal,and is as fond of sliding down hill, over a wet andmuddy slide, with a water plunge at the bottom, as anyyoung person is of “shooting the chutes.” Like the smallboy with the sled and a snowy hillside, the Otter sometimesindulges in its sliding pastime for an hour at a time, witha keen relish for the sport that is quite evident to all whohave ever watched it.

The Otter is a carnivorous animal, and in a wild statelives upon fish, frogs, crabs, young birds, small mammals,and, in fact, about any living thing which it can catch.

The Coypu Rat, (Myopotamus coypu), of Central andSouth America, is interesting because of the fact that it isthe largest of all rats or rat-like animals. In its habits itis as fond of water as the musk-rat. It is sufficiently clothedwith fur to endure outdoor life in the Park, even in winter,and it has been acclimatized here in one of the other pools.It breeds persistently, and thrives in captivity, provided itis treated as it should be.

THE SMALL-MAMMAL HOUSE, No. 35.

The new Small-Mammal House, erected and occupied in1905, is a very different structure from the temporary buildingwhich formerly occupied the site. The present buildingis a twin of the Ostrich House, and in it much effort hasbeen expended in devising ways and means to keep its livinginhabitants clean, odorless and in good health. Owing,however, to the musky odors secreted by many of the civet105cats and members of the Marten Family, it is beyond humanpower to keep a large collection such as this building containswithout a certain amount of wild-animal odor.

Most difficult of all collections to settle satisfactorily in amodern zoological park or garden is the greatomniumgatherum of small species—and some large ones, also—whichfall within the meaning of the term “small mammals.”The number of mammalian miscellanea which can not havebuildings all their own is really very great. In addition tothat there are always with us a considerable number ofyoung and tender animals which require small quarters, andclose attention. The visitor will therefore always find inthe Small-Mammal House a great array of viverrine animals,of tropical squirrels and other small rodents, of mustelines,the nasuas, the small marsupials, young leopards, thelynxes and their relatives, baby bears, and many otherspecies.

Attention is invited to the great variety of cages in andaround this building, of which there are five different types.The total number is 176. All those on the western side areadjustable as to their bottoms and sides, so that it is easyto throw several cages into one, and make cages eithervery long or very high. The idea of the collapsible cage,and also the general plan of it, has been copied from themodel developed and in use in the Zoological Garden ofFrankfort, Germany, by Director A. Seitz, to whom thisacknowledgment is justly due. It will be noticed thatevery animal in this building enjoys the use of an outdoorcage, which connects directly with its interior quarters.

Of such an odd mixture of animals as we are now to consider,anything like a perfect systematic zoological arrangementis a practical impossibility; but as far as it is possible,we will take up the animals by groups.

On the whole, the most striking animals in the Small-MammalHouse are the small cats and lynxes. Of thespotted cats, theServal, (Felis serval), of Africa, is one ofthe rarest. Its long, slender legs, small head, slender bodyand round spots proclaim it a near relative of the cheetah.

The Clouded Leopard, (Felis nebulosa).—The dense andhumid jungles of Borneo contain a beautiful tree-climbingleopard whose markings are laid on its sides in large, ellipticalpatches of pleasing pattern. This is the CloudedLeopard, so delicate in captivity that only one out of everyfour or five becomes acclimatized outside its native jungles.106Our fine adult specimen, with very long canine teeth suggestiveof those of the saber-toothed tiger, really belongsin the Lion House, but we dare not move it, for fear thechange would in some manner prove fatal to it. It is ananimal of vicious temper, and makes friends with no one.The half light of its cage is a welcome approach to thedense shadows in which it lives when at home.

The Jungle Cat, (F. bengalensis), is a small and inconspicuoustype, as befits an animal which lives by stealth indensely populated regions. TheOcelot, (Felis pardalis), ofSouth and Central America, is a small spotted cat whichvery often is called a “young jaguar.” In size it is thethird largestFelis of the American continent; but for allthat, it is so small that an adult specimen would not makemore than one square meal for a hungry jaguar. It isfound from southern Texas to southern Brazil.

The littleMargay Cat, (F. tigrina), is our smallest andalso rarest spotted cat. It is no larger than a good-sizeddomestic cat, and its tawny ground-color is marked all overwith round spots. The rarest American feline in our possessionis the queer, otter-likeYaguarundi Cat, (F. yaguarundi),of a uniform gray-brown color, without spots. Itis found in southern Texas and Mexico, and is so seldomseen in captivity that comparatively few persons north ofthe Rio Grande are aware of its existence. Our specimencame from Brownsville, Texas.

The Bay Lynx, Red Lynx, or Wild Cat, (Lynx rufus), isthe smallest of American Lynxes, and it is the one that inhabitsthe United States eastward of the great plains. Untilfurther notice, this species will be found in the Small-MammalHouse. It may have a few dark spots, or none at all.Its color varies so greatly that it is at times impossible todetermine where this species leaves off, and the more heavilyspotted subspecies of the southwest takes its place. Thelatter is known as theSpotted Lynx, (L. r. maculatus).

The large and important group of Viverrines, or long-facedcat-like carnivores of the East Indies, (FamilyViverridae),is well represented. It is the true Civets which furnish—someof them—the evil-smelling civet of commerce—anodor which we would gladly do without. TheCommonCivet-Cat, (Viverra zibetha), is the best known member ofthis Family, and it is easily recognized by its large size,heavily-spotted body and ring-streaked tail. It is commonthroughout the Malay Peninsula, and in many other portionsof the Malay Archipelago. The largerMalayan Civet-Cat,(V. malaccensis), strongly resembles its understudy, but itsblack spots and blotches are larger and more intense, and inform it is much more robust.

The large and handsomeWhite-Whiskered Paradoxure,(Paradoxurus leucomystax), has been in the Park about sixyears, and to-day it coughs and snarls at the visitor just asit did in the beginning. It is a smooth-coated creature,108colored like a puma, and comes from northern China. Othermembers of the FamilyViverridae contained in the collectionare theMalayan Paradoxure, (P. hermaphroditus); theBlackParadoxure, (P. niger); theAfrican Ichneumon, (Herpestesichneumon), the strange black creature from the Malay Peninsulacalled theBinturong, or “Bear-Cat,” (Arctictis binturong),and theSuricate, or Slender-Tailed Meerkat, (Suricatatetradactyla), of South Africa.

Into the Small-Mammal House have drifted and comfortablysettled down several canine species which are not sowell satisfied, elsewhere.The Black-Backed Jackal, (Canismesomelas), of Africa, is one of the most interesting, and itis also the one that thrives best in captivity. It is verymuch like a dark phase of the Azara Dog, of South America,and it is the handsomest of all the Jackals.The Cape HuntingDog, of eastern Africa, has for years been present inthis building, and it will be kept as continuously as circumstanceswill permit.

The New Mexico Desert Fox, (Vulpes macrotis neomexicanus), isa small understudy of the better knownSwift orKit Fox of the northern plains, but it has larger ears.Neither of these delicate little species seems to thrive in ourlarge Fox Dens, which seem to be too large for them; butin this building they thrive and are quite content with life.The Swift Fox is the four-footed elf of the plains, and itis unfortunate that the poison laid for the fierce and cruelstock-killing wolves should prove its extermination—as itsurely will, ere long.

The Arctic Fox, (Vulpes lagopus).—This creature of thepolar world is a striking example of climatic influence ona species, and also of the danger that lies in describing aspecies from a single specimen. In the far north, theArctic Fox is snow-white all the year round. Farther southit is white in winter, but in summer is bluish-brown. In thesouthern part of its range, the Aleutian Archipelago forexample, except for an occasional white individual, it isdark all the year round, and is known only as theBlueFox. At first it may seem difficult to believe that these twowidely-different extremes are only color-phases of the samespecies; but it is quite true. The dark-colored animal isnot even accorded subspecific rank.

On various islands along the Alaska coast, especially inthe Aleutian Archipelago, about forty commercial companiesare engaged in breeding Blue Foxes for their fur, some of109them with satisfactory success. The foxes are fed daily,on cooked corn meal and dried fish. They come up to befed, and when the time comes to handle and sort themprevious to killing the annual allotment, they greatly facilitatematters by the readiness with which they enter boxtraps.

The great decrease in the annual supply of good furhas caused many persons to hope that fox-breeding maybe developed into a remunerative industry. Except inAlaska, no extensive experiments in that line have beenmade. It is quite desirable that fox-breeding in the UnitedStates should be taken up under state or national auspices,and worked out to a successful issue. There is good reasonto hope and believe that it might be developed into an importantindustry.

From Argentina, South America, have come two finespecimens of theAzara Dog, (Canis azarae), which, but fortheir half dog-like tails might pass anywhere as rather odd-lookinggray foxes. But they are a visible reminder of thefact that the pampas of South America contain an extensiveseries of foxes and wild dogs, which thus far is practicallyunknown everywhere north of the Amazon.

The Dingo, or Australian Wild Dog, (Canis dingo), isrepresented by two specimens which look like ordinaryyellow dogs. By many persons it is believed that this animalwas not indigenous to Australia, and was planted thereby man, but the evidence in support of that supposition isby no means conclusive.

The Coati-Mundi, (pronounced coy-ty mon-day), is forits size one of the best exhibition animals that can be foundoutside of the Primate House. It is closely related to ourraccoon, but is far more showy and interesting. It has avery lively and industrious disposition, is a good climber,and from dawn until dark is almost constantly on the move.Although it is a carnivorous animal, and provided withpowerful canine teeth, it is not naturally quarrelsome, buton the contrary is quite gregarious in its habits. The genusNasua inhabits Mexico, Central and South America. Wehave two species, theRed Coati-Mondi, (Nasua rufa), andtheWhite-Nosed, (N. narica).

The Raccoon Dog, of Japan, (Nyctereutes procyonoides),is to all outward appearances a raccoon, but its feet aredigitigrade, not plantigrade, and it is a true dog.

The American Badger, (Taxidea americana), is representedby a fine, large and very light-colored specimen thatwas presented by President Roosevelt. TheEuropeanBadger, (Meles taxus), is shown near by.

Our collection of Rodents contains the following importantand representative species of squirrels:

North American.
Gray Squirrel	Sciurus	carolinensis	New York.
Black Squirrel	“	“	Ohio.
Fox Squirrel	“	ludovicianus	Kansas.
Southern Fox Squirrel	“	niger	Louisiana.
Red Squirrel	“	hudsonius	New York.
Eastern Chipmunk	Tamias	striatus	“
Western Chipmunk	“	speciosus	California.
Parry’s Spermophile	Citellus	parryi	Alaska.
Thirteen-Lined Spermophile	Spermophilus	tridecem-lineatus	Iowa.
Foreign Species.
Malabar Hill Squirrel	Sciurus	malabaricus	S. India.
Indian Hill Squirrel	“	bicolor	N. India.
Prevost Squirrel	“	prevosti	Malayana.
Golden-Bellied Squirrel	“	aureogaster	Mexico.
Columbia Fire-Backed Squirrel	“	variabilis	S. America.

No collection of Rodents is worthy of acceptance by thepublic without a fair representation of Porcupines. Themost wonderful species is theAfrican Porcupine, (Hystrixcristata), which when disturbed erects a threatening arrayof enormously-long, shining black-and-white quills that area wonder to behold. The lofty white crest of this animalis one of its most conspicuous features.

The Indian Crestless Hill Porcupine, (H. longicauda),usually present in our collection, is merely a quiet understudyof the former. Strange to say—and also provoking—ourold friend of the North Woods, theCanada Porcupine,(Erethizon dorsatus), is much more capricious anddifficult to keep for a long period than either of the fineforeign species already mentioned. It is only the men whoknow all about animals who can tell us why nothing seemsto exactly satisfy them, and why they will not breed here,live ten years and be happy. Even the best cage life doesnot seem to be good enough for them; but we are stillexperimenting.

In order that visitors to the Park may at all times beable to see aBeaver, (Castor canadensis), and not bethwarted in that desire by the very shy habits of the animals111in the Beaver Pond, we have a specimen on exhibitionin the Small-Mammal House. This individual came fromthe Rio Grande, as a small kit, and has been reared in itspresent quarters. It is kept constantly supplied with food--wood,chiefly of poplar and maple, and clean water in whichto bathe.

The Capybara, (Hydrochaerus capybara), is the largest ofall gnawing animals, and the most remarkable rodent inour collection. In form and size it suggests a large, gray,coarse-haired pig. It is a water-loving animal, of the Americantropics, and lives on the grassy banks of the delta ofthe Orinoco, and similar places farther south. It is one ofthe best divers of all land animals, and when attacked onland always plunges into the water and dives for about100 feet before coming to the surface. It is strictly a vegetablefeeder, and its flesh is very palatable food. It takeskindly to captivity, and in disposition it is very affectionate.

The Agouti, (Dasyprocta), is to the jungles of SouthAmerica as the cotton-tail rabbit is to the forests of theeastern United States; but structurally it is not closelyrelated to the members of the Rabbit Family. It liveswholly on the ground, in dense cover, and is very difficultto shoot. As a rule, it is impossible for dogs to catch itbecause it runs so swiftly through the dense cover thatthey cannot keep it in sight. There are a number of species,varying in color from dark brown to golden yellow.

The Toothless Mammals.—The OrderEdentata containssome of the most odd and remarkable mammals that everfind their way into a zoological park. They are the armadilloes,ant-eaters and sloths. Without exception, they aredelicate feeders, and difficult to keep for long periods, andfor this reason the number on exhibition constantly variesbetween half a score and none at all! As far as it is possible,the species named below will be kept on exhibition;but these rarities are difficult to obtain, and the supplymust be regarded as intermittent.

The Nine-Banded Armadillo, (Tatu novemcinctum), ofsouthern Texas and Arizona, and southward, is the onlyedentate found in the United States. Its total length, fromnose to tail-tip, is about 26 inches, and it is about as largeas an opossum. Its strangest feature is the horny shell,with 9 jointed bands in the middle, which Nature has designedfor the animal’s protection. It lives in burrows inthe earth, and in a wild state it feeds on a mixed diet ofworms, ants, snails, beetles, grasshoppers and other insects.

The Six-Banded Armadillo, (Dasypus sexcinctus), of SouthAmerica, has a much stronger and more bony shell than thepreceding species, but very similar habits.The Three-BandedArmadillo, (Tolypeutes tricinctus), is the most remarkableof all—and also the most difficult to obtain. Itis able to convert itself into a round ball covered at all113points by bony armor, and remarkably well protected fromthe teeth of predatory animals.

The Great Ant-Eater, (Myrmecophaga jubata).—This is avery remarkable animal, and usually is to be found alive inthe Small-Mammal House. Its anatomical peculiarities areapparent at a glance. Its toothless jaws are enormouslyelongated, and taper to a rounded point, where the mouthopens as a narrow slit, scarcely large enough to admit thelarge end of a lead pencil. Its front claws are large andstrong, for use in tearing open ant-hills and decayed logs;and the creature walks upon them as if club-footed. Itstail is long and thick, and bears a luxuriant brush, of coarse,wavy hair more than a foot long. The negroes of BritishGuiana gravely inform travellers that the Ant-Eater useshis bushy tail as a broom, with which he sweeps up ants inorder to devour them wholesale.

As may be inferred from the total absence of teeth, thisstrange creature lives chiefly upon crawling insects. In devouringthe dreadful ants, which in a South American forestoften make life a burden, it helps to preserve the balanceof Nature. In captivity the food of this animal consists ofmilk, raw eggs and ground meat. In taking its food itthrusts out from four to eight inches of round, wormliketongue, which contrary to many published statements, isnot covered with sticky saliva.

The Tamandua, (Tamandua tetradactyla), is a smallerant-eater than the preceding species, of tree-climbing habits,with a proportionately shorter head, no long hair on itstail, and extremely large front claws. It is found in Venezuela,the Guianas, Brazil, and in fact that greater portionof the region of tropical forests on this continent south ofMexico. Its tail is prehensile, or grasping, and in climbingis used almost constantly.

The Sloths are the slowest, the most helpless and defenselessof the edentates. They subsist chiefly upon leaves,they climb no more swiftly than a man, and they escapetheir enemies through the resemblance of their pelage to therough bark of the tree-trunks among which they live. Theyhave a few teeth, but none for defense, and their clawsare of use only in climbing, except that they can pinchwith them.

Two species of Sloth are occasionally seen in the ZoologicalPark, but usuallyin the Primate House, where thehigh temperature is better suited to their needs.

The Three-Toed Sloth, (Bradypus tridactylus), is the onewith a brown “saddle-mark” of short hair in the middle ofits back. The remainder of its pelage is coarse and long,and its greenish tint renders it a close imitation of algae-coveredtree-bark.The Two-Toed Sloth, (Choloepus hoffmani),is much larger than the preceding, and lives longerin captivity. Four fine adult specimens occupy a large cage115at the Primate House, where they seem to be fully acclimatized.In form and habit they are remarkable animals, andwell worthy of close attention.

The Egg-Laying Mammals.—For several months therewere exhibited here twoEchidnas—of all small mammalsever seen alive in New York the most wonderful. The Echidnacomes from Australia, the home of remarkable types ofanimals, and belongs to the lowest Order of Mammals,(Monotremata). Like its distant relative, the duck-billedplatypus, it reproduces bylaying eggs! Its backis covered with short but very thick spines, and its nose isa long, slender beak, absolutely unique. Other examplesof this species will be exhibited whenever possible.

THE PUMA AND LYNX HOUSE, No. 33A.

Near the Small-Mammal House (No. 35) will be founda log cabin with its entire front opening into two wire-coveredyards. The interior of the building is providedwith sleeping-dens in which the occupants of the two enclosurescan keep dry and warm. This installation is forlynxes, but half of it is occupied by pumas. Already it hasfully proven the desirability of keeping lynxes and pumasconstantly in the open air, and without artificial heat. Tolynxes especially there is nothing more deadly than a well-heatedroom, indoors.

The Puma, (Felis concolor), is described in the sectionrelating to the Lion House, where other Pumas are exhibited(page 78).

Of the Lynxes, we have two well-defined species, andone subspecies. TheCanada Lynx, (Lynx canadensis), iswell represented in the southern compartment of the PumaHouse, where a fine adult pair has become acclimatized.This is theLoup Cervier of the French Canadians, and it istruly the Lynx of Canada and the subarctic North. It hasno spots on its body, and its pelage is a cold pepper-and-saltgray color. Its feet are large and heavily furred, andit has a long, black hair-pencil on the tip of each ear. Alarge specimen stands 18 inches high, and weighs 22 pounds.The food of the American Lynxes generally consists of haresand rabbits, ground birds of all kinds, and anything elsethat can be caught and killed, except porcupine. To manthey are not “dangerous animals.”

THE BURROWING MAMMALS, AND OTHERS, No. 42.

North America is wonderfully rich in species of gnawinganimals, and the end is not yet. The investigations of ourmammalogists are adding new species with a degree ofrapidity and parallelism that is fairly bewildering.

It is the duty of the Zoological Society to do its utmostto increase as much as possible the sum total of knowledgeof our largest Order of Mammals. Manifestly, however, itis impracticable to do more than place before visitors a reasonablenumber of well-chosen types, which shall representas many as possible of the twelve Families, and also thegenera most worth knowing.

The most serious obstacle in the way of anyone who attemptsto exhibit collections of living rodents lies in thenatural propensity of so many species to keep out of sightduring the daytime. This is particularly true of the membersof the Mouse, Pocket Gopher, and Pouched Rat Families,comprising about three hundred species in all. Withvery few exceptions, the whole matter of the exhibitionof collections of living rodents is something new, and everystep is an experiment. In the belief that even the most shyburrowing animals will appreciate abundant room, perfectlynatural surroundings, plenty of food, and immunity fromannoyance, and eventually fall into the habit of spendingmany of the daylight hours above ground, as do prairie-dogs,117the Society has constructed a series of fifteen smallyards, each 10×20 feet, bounded by walls going down tobedrock, and enclosed above by a box-like arrangement ofvery light wire-netting 5 feet high. The ground is chieflyundisturbed soil of a firm and gravelly nature, thoroughlydrained, and all earth filling has been tightly rammed intoplace to prevent caving in the burrows. Above ground,each yard contains weathered rocks, stumps, and hollowlogs in abundance.

In these fifteen yards, each of which will hold specimensof at least two or three species, will be placed stronglymarked types of those families whose representatives aremost numerous in North America, and also the least known,only a few of which may be mentioned here.

The Sewellel Family, (Aplodontidae), contains five or sixspecies and is of unusual scientific interest. The Sewellel,Mountain Beaver, Farmer or “Showt’l” (Aplodontia rufusandmajor), is an animal of the size and general appearanceof a large, short-tailed muskrat. It inhabits a few localitiesin remote regions in the mountain-valleys of northern California,Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia.It feeds like a beaver, climbs bushes four feet high, burrowsinwet ground, and fights like a little fiend when brought tobay. Notwithstanding the size of this animal, it is veryseldom seen, and is but little known.

The Squirrel Family, (Sciuridae), is large (one hundredand forty-one species), very interesting, and entitled tomuch consideration. In the present enclosure will be shownin summer many species of interesting ground squirrels,chipmunks, and marmots. In winter all the squirrels, saveone or two hardy native species, will be found in the Small-MammalHouse, near by.

The Rabbit Family, (Leporidae), is one of the most difficultto install and exhibit. Its members are large andshowy, but for several reasons it is very difficult to keepthem on exhibition in captivity. In time, however, all fourof the great groups—Rabbit,Varying Hare,Jack Hare, andalso thePikas, forming the allied FamilyOchotonidae—willbe represented by specimens.

Just what can be accomplished satisfactorily with themost interesting members of theJumping Mouse,PouchedRat, andPocket Gopher Families, remains to be determinedby trial. If they can be induced to show themselves to118visitors, during daylight hours, they will be kept for exhibition;otherwise not. At present, some examples of thesespecies can be seen in the Reptile House.

In Winter.—In the temperate zone, when “winter comesto rule the varied year,” all the burrowing animals mustretire to their burrows, live upon their buried stores ofwinter food, and hibernate until spring. The tropicalspecies do not know how to hibernate, and therefore theymust be taken indoors, or they perish.

In order that our native species of rodents may be seenall winter, and that the tropical species may be kept alive,nearly all the animals that in summer live in the BurrowingMammal Quarters are removed in autumn to the well-warmedSmall-Mammal House. It also happens that insummer a few of the small carnivores, and all armadilloes,are kept in these Quarters.

In addition to the rodents which it is practicable to exhibitin these enclosures, the summer season will find someof them occupied by certain especially interesting specieswhich need the soil of Mother Earth as well as sunlightand air. Here will be found theArmadilloes, theNasuas,theRaccoon Dogs, theSwift Foxes and a few others, whichin winter belong in the Small-Mammal House.

THE PRAIRIE-DOG VILLAGE, No. 41.

The Western Prairie-“Dog,” orPrairie Marmot, (Cynomysludovicianus).—Occupying a conspicuous hill-top nearthe Small-Deer House, and overlooking the Wild-FowlPond, is a circular enclosure, 80 feet in diameter, surroundedby an iron fence with an overhang, with wallsgoing down to bedrock. This contains about fifty fat andjolly little Prairie Marmots, one-half of which are the giftof a Montana ranchman, Mr. Howard Eaton. The soil ofthe enclosure has never been disturbed, and there is nodanger that the little creatures ever will be smothered intheir burrows, as frequently happens in earth that has oncebeen dug up and filled in again.

Owing to its optimistic and even joyous disposition, thePrairie-“Dog” has many friends, and “happy as a Prairie-'Dog’”would be a far better comparison than “happy as aking.” His cousin, the woodchuck, has the air of beingperpetually “in the dumps,” but the Prairie-“Dog”—never.His so-called bark is really a laugh, and his absurd little tail119was given to him solely as a means of visible expression ofgood nature. But he has his enemies and detractors. Thecoyote loves his plump and toothsome body; the “granger”hates him for the multitude of his holes, and puts spoonfulsof poisoned wheat into his burrow.

THE BEAR DENS, No. 37.

The bears of the world form a very interesting group;and when its representatives are properly installed—inlarge, open yards, with abundant sunlight, fresh air androom for exercise—they develop finely, live happily, andfurnish endless entertainment. Under proper conditions,bears are cheerful animals, full of the playful spirit thatrobs captivity of its chief terror. To confine large bearssingly, in small cages, or in wet-floored, high-walled dungeons,or in the unspeakable “pits” of mediaeval type, is asin against Nature. It is to be noted, however, that smalland timid bears, likeUrsus japonicus, are better off in smallcages than in the very large ones; and it is for this reasonthat eight small dens have been provided, opposite the originalseries.

The Zoological Society has put forth considerable effortin constructing a series of nine large Bear Dens which provideideal conditions for their inmates. Bears do not needbuildings! Their habits call for large, open yards, properlysituated, with snug and dry sleeping-dens attached, towhich they can retire whenever they wish. To them,masonry walls are worse than useless, for they cut off sunlightand promote dampness; but rocks and trees uponwhich to climb are very beneficial. In warm weather, allbears are fond of bathing, and a bathing pool in each cageis very necessary.

It is cruelty to animals for visitors to throw peanuts, orfood of any kind, into our bear dens; and it isstrictly forbidden.All persons who do not wish to be reprimanded inpublic, or arrested, are advised to refrain from it. Teasingwith food always irritates bears, sets them to fighting, spoilstheir dispositions andrenders them dangerous to the keeperswho have to go in with them!All visitors who are law-abiding,and friendly to the Zoological Society, are requestedto assist the keepers and policemen in preventing lawless personsfrom throwing food into the bear dens. A stern reprimandoften prevents serious trouble.

Up to this date (April 1, 1913), 24 species and subspecieshave been described, and it is reasonably certain that muchmore work remains to be done on the members of this groupof animals before the status of each valid and invalid specieswill be rendered thoroughly clear.

THE MOST IMPORTANT SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BEARS.
	Ursus maritimus, (Desm.), Polar Bear. Arctic regions generally.
The Brown Bears.	Ursus middendorffi, (Merriam), Kadiak Bear. Kadiak Is., Alaska.
	Ursus dalli, (Merr.), Yakutat Bear. Yakutat Bay, Alaska.
	Ursus eulophus, (Merr.), Admiralty Bear. Admiralty Is., Alaska.
	Ursus gyas, (Merr.), Peninsula Bear. Portage Bay, Alaska Peninsula.
The Grizzly Bears.	Ursus Horribilis, (Ord.), Grizzly Bear: Silver-Tip. Wyoming and Utah to Alaska.
	Ursas horribilis horriaeus, (Baird), Mexican Grizzly. Southwestern New Mexico.
	Ursus richardsoni, (Swainson), Barren-Ground Grizzly. Great Slave Lake region, and Barren-Grounds.
The Black Bears.	Ursus americanus, (Pallas), Black Bear. Eastern North America.
	Ursus luteolus, (Griffith), Louisiana Bear. Louisiana and Texas.
	Ursus floridanus, (Merr.), Everglade Bear. Florida.
	Ursus emmonsi, (Dall), Glacier Bear. St. Elias Alps, Yakutat Bay.
	Ursus kermodei, (Hornaday), Inland White Bear. Northwestern British Columbia.

The Polar Bear, (Ursus maritimus).—In nearly every collectionof living bears the individuals of this species are themost showy and attractive. Their white coats quickly catchthe eye of the visitor, and whether young or old, they aregenerally the most active and playful of all captive bears.In cold weather, when other bears lie in the sun, or, if permitted,curl up in the straw of their sleeping dens, thePolar Bear will disport himself in the freezing cold waterof his swimming pool, and joyously play with a cake of iceuntil the sight of it makes one shiver.

The Polar Bear Den is situated at the north end of Rocking-StoneHill, about two hundred feet from the north endof the main series of Bear Dens. It is reached by descendingthe steps leading toward the Beaver Pond, and turning tothe right. From the Rocking-Stone Restaurant, the PolarBears are quickly reached by descending the hill toward thenorth.

Although the Polar Bear inhabits practically the whole ofthe Arctic Ocean and its numerous islands, it is by no meansthe most northerly warm-blooded mammal. Nansen foundfox tracks at 85° N., but the most northerly bear observedwas on the 84th parallel. The favorite home of this animalis the edge of the great polar ice cap, where Neptuneand the “Frost King” wage continuous warfare. He seldomventures more than a day’s journey inland, on any shore.122In winter, as the edge of the ice-pack moves southward, andin summer when it retreats northward, he follows it inorder to keep in touch with the ringed seals and walrusthat also go with it.

The power of the Polar Bear to resist ice-cold water—nay,even to enjoy it—may fairly be regarded as one ofthe wonders of Nature. On the coast of Alaska this strangecreature will plunge into the Arctic Ocean and swim milesfrom shore, through tossing fields of broken ice, and whereverthe mother leads, her cubs follow.

In the Autumn of 1910, the sealing steamer “Boethic” arrivedat New York bringing two adult Polar Bears that werecaptured in the summer of that year by Mr. Paul J. Rainey.Both animals were presented to the Zoological Society, andthe largest one called “Silver King” occupies the cagethat was specially built for the polar bears, and the femaleis exhibited in very comfortable quarters, built for her nearthat installation. Owing to their savage temper neitherof these bears ever can be kept with other bears, nor canany keeper ever enter the cage of either. “Silver King”weighs 880 pounds and is probably the largest Polar Bearever captured alive and unhurt. While the female is not aslarge as “Silver King,” she is in every way as perfect aspecimen.

The Yakutat Bear, (Ursus dalli).—In 1899, we receivedfrom Hudson Lake, Copper River District, Alaska, two123young Alaskan Brown Bears which for some time we believedwould prove to represent the species found on KadiakIsland. In this belief they were for a time labeled as KadiakBears, (U. middendorffi), and so entered provisionallyin previous editions of the Guide Book. The maturity ofthe animals has proven that this supposition was erroneous.The extremely short and thick muzzle of the adult maleproves conclusively that they are not identical with thelong-skulled species of Kadiak. This interesting pair, absolutelyidentical in color withmiddendorffi, are now identified,pending further revisions of ourUrisdae, asUrsusdalli.

This species, and the two following, well represent thegroup of big Alaskan Brown Bears, which are quite distinctfrom the grizzlies and blacks. They are characterized bytheir great size, high shoulders, massive heads, shaggy brownpelage, and large claws. They live chiefly upon salmon,which they catch from the small streams, but they alsodevour great quantities ofgrass.

The Peninsula Bear, (Ursus gyas), of Moeller Bay, welldown the Alaskan Peninsula, may at once be recognizedby its light brownish-yellow color, and its great size for abear born in 1904. Its claws are of enormous thickness.

This animal is now beyond doubt one of the two largestbears in captivity, his only rival being in the Zoological Parkat Washington.

The Admiralty Bear, (Ursus eulophus), represents a largespecies originally discovered on Admiralty Island, southernAlaska. Its dark brown color is very much like that of theYakutat and Kadiak bears.

The Grizzly Bear, or “Silver-Tip Grizzly,”(Ursus horribilis).—Therapid disappearance of this species from theUnited States renders all living examples of it speciallyinteresting.

Of all bears, the Silver-Tip Grizzly is the most savage anddangerous. He is easily angered, and when wounded orharried not only becomes furiously vindictive, but he alsopossesses a degree of courage which renders him a dangerousantagonist. As a general thing, a Grizzly Bear, like alion or tiger, will run as soon as he discovers the presence ofhis only enemy—man; but if he is wounded or cornered—orthinks he is cornered—he assumes the aggressive, withoutan instant’s delay. Unfortunately, the largest Silver-TipGrizzlies ever killed have been too far from scales to makeit possible to weigh them.

The most interesting specimen of the Rocky MountainSilver-Tip now on exhibition is a dark-colored and veryhandsome specimen, named “Engineer,” obtained inMeeker, Colorado, by Professor Henry F. Osborn, and presentedto the Society by the Engineers’ Club of New YorkCity. The color of this individual is darker than the mostcommon type of the Silver-Tip, which is sometimes almostas gray as a badger.

A very beautiful male Silver-Tip, from Wyoming, is muchlighter in color than the Colorado specimen. Its face andhead are so light-colored it would be called by RockyMountain hunters a “Bald-Faced” Grizzly. A third specimenwas obtained for the Society at White Horse, YukonTerritory, in 1905, and its development will be watched withmuch interest. Throughout the Rocky Mountain regionthe “Silver-Tip” and the “Grizzly” are identical; but thecolor of the species varies considerably.

In a wild state Grizzly Bears live on berries and fruits ofall kinds available, succulent roots, grubs, carrion if it comeshandy, and live game if it can be killed. In the cattle-growingstates bordering the Rocky Mountains, owing totheir cattle-killing propensities, a bounty of from twelve tofifteen dollars per head is paid for their destruction.

The Black Bear, (Ursus americanus).—Until quite recentlyall black bears in North America were referred to a125single species, with the type of which most persons arefamiliar. Even during the last twenty years living representativesof the Black Bear group have been found in nearlyevery state and territory of the United States, and alsoin northern Mexico, Labrador, Province of Quebec, Alberta,Assiniboia, British Columbia, Alaska, and the MackenzieRiver basin. Our collection contains Black Bears representingseveral widely separated localities.

The Spectacled Bear, (Ursus ornatus).—After ten years ofconstant effort the Zoological Park finally acquired late in1910, a fine male specimen of the very rare and little knownSpectacled Bear of the Andes of Ecuador and Peru.This zoological prize was procured for us in Quito, by Mr.Edgar Beecher Bronson (Author of “In Closed Territory,”)and by him presented to the Society. “Frederico” is distinguishedby a glossy jet-black coat, very small ears, longfeet and a large imperfect circle of white around each eye,with white bands down the cheeks and throat. In size itmatches a small American black bear. As soon as the newbear dens are finished, this animal will be removed from theSmall-Mammal House to one of them. If this species wasever before exhibited in North America, we have neverheard of it.

The Andean Black Bear, (Ursus ornatus thomasi), fromSouthern Columbia, South America, is a subspecies of thespectacled bear, with no “spectacles” around its eyes, and nowhite markings save under its chin and throat. This specimenis smaller than the one from Quito. Practically nothingis known of the habits of these two species.

The Brown Bear of Europe, (Ursus arctos), is representedby two specimens from Central Russia which bear a generalresemblance to Rocky Mountain grizzlies. This is so strikingthat were they not labeled very few persons would suspecttheir European birth. They have the high shoulders andgrizzly brown coat of the silver-tip, and in the RockyMountains would be considered good examples ofUrsushorribilis.

The Syrian Bear, (Ursus syriacus), is well represented bya fine specimen from Trebizond, Asia Minor. This bear isof a pale yellow color, with very high shoulders, narrowhead and smooth pelage. The Syrian bear represents “thebears of the Bible,” which appeared in punishment of the126children who were disrespectful to the prophet Elisha.Bears of this species are often trained to dance, and performvarious tricks at command, and usually lead verymiserable lives at the hands of gypsies and other bearspecialists of nomadic habits.

The Hairy-Eared Bear, (Ursus piscator), a species veryrarely seen in captivity, is represented by two fine specimensfrom the Altai Mountains, Central Asia. This animalis sometimes called, on account of its peculiar light browncolor, theIsabella Bear. Its more correct name has beenbestowed on account of its large and very hairy ears. Itinhabits northeastern Asia, as far southwestward as theAltai Mountains. The fine pair exhibited were presentedto the Society by Mr. Carl Hagenbeck.

The Himalayan Black Bear, (Ursus torquatus), is thehandsomest of the four living species of black bears, andcan easily be identified anywhere by three distinct characters,neither of which is possessed by any other black bear.They are, apure white chin,long side-whiskers on the jawsand sides of the neck andvery large ears. Up to this datethe geographic range of this very interesting animal hasbeen recorded as extending from eastern Persia throughBeluchistan, Afghanistan, Assam, and South China to Formosa;but the three specimens exhibited were taken innorthern Japan, where the existence of this species seems tobe established beyond question.

The Japanese Black Bear, (Ursus japonicus), from northernJapan, is one of the smallest of living bears, being onlyslightly larger than the Malay sun bear. In general appearanceit suggests a small edition of the American blackbear. The first specimen exhibited at the Zoological Parkwas very good-natured, but all these received since arenervous and irritable, and also very timid.

The Sloth Bear, (Ursus labiatus), often called theLong-LippedBear, can be recognized as far as it can be seen by itsshaggy mop of enormously long, black hair, its white muzzle,and its very long, white claws. It is a creature of manypeculiarities. It inhabits India generally in forest regions.This is Kipling’s “Baloo.”

LIST OF BEARS IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
April 1, 1913.
2	Polar Bears	Ursus maritimus	from	Ellesmere Land.
2	Yakutat Bears	Ursus dalli	“	Alaska.
1	Peninsula Bear	Ursus gyas	“	Alaska Peninsula.
1	Admiralty Bear	Ursus eulophus	“	Adm. Is., Alaska.
3	Kadiak Bears	Ursus middendorffi	“	Kadiak Island.
1	Kobuk Brown Bear	Undetermined	“	Kobuk River, AL
1	Grizzly Bear	Ursus horribilis	“	Colorado.
1	““	““	“	Yukon Terr.
1	““	““	“	Wyoming.
1	Spectacled Bear	Ursus ornatus	“	Equador.
1	Andean Black Bear	Ursus ornatus thomasi	“	Columbia, S. A.
1	Black Bear	Ursus americanus	“	Pennsylvania.
1	““	““	“	Virginia.
3	““	““	“	Alaska.
1	““	““	“	West Ontario.
1	““	““	“	Mexico.
1	Cinnamon Bear	““	“	Colorado.
1	““	““	“	Wyoming.
1	Syrian Bear	Ursus syriacus	“	Asiatic Turkey.
3	Brown Bears	Ursus arctos	“	Central Russia.
2	Hairy-Eared Bears	Ursus piscator	“	N. W. Mongolia.
1	Himalayan Black Bear	Ursus torquatus	“	Japan.
1	Japanese Bear	Ursus japonicus	“	Japan.
1	Sloth Bear	Ursus labiatus	“	India.
2	Yezo Bears	Ursus ferox	“	Yezo, Japan.
1	Malay Sun Bear	Ursus malayanus	“	Borneo.
36	specimens, representing 18 species.

The Malay Sun Bear, (Ursus malayanus), is the smallestbear in the world, also the ugliest and the most ill-tempered.When fully enraged, it sometimes barks like a dog. Its hairis very short and close, and its head and feet seem to be toolarge for its body. This species inhabits Borneo, Sumatra,the Malay Peninsula and Farther India. Two specimens willbe foundin the Small-Mammal House.

THE RACCOON TREE.

The Raccoon Tree.—A permanent installation for Raccoonshas been established near the southern end of theBear Dens, where its inmates will be near their plantigraderelatives. At the foot of the steps leading down from theRocking Stone, a cedar-tree, forty feet in height, has beenenclosed by an elliptical iron fence provided with a sheet-metaloverhang which is not negotiable by anyProcyon.Inside the fence is a dry yard, a pool of water for allpurposes, and the trunk of the tree is surrounded by arustic shelter house, divided into ten warm and dry compartments.Underneath the house is a clean and smoothwooden floor, on which the food is served.

The smooth, horizontal limbs of a cedar-tree are gratefuland comforting to a dozing Raccoon, and the tree is not sohigh that the animals can climb beyond the visual power ofthe visitor.

THE BEAVER POND, No. 29.

Hidden away in the deep valley between high hills ofvirgin forest lies the Beaver Pond. The spot is so secluded,129so silent and primeval, that it seems like the heart of theAdirondack wilderness. Lying fairly in the lap of thegranite hills is a three-acre oval of level swamp, whichrecently was full of woodland rubbish and choked by rankweeds. The seclusion of the spot, the splendid forest, thefood-wood and the possibilities of the dam, all naturallysuggested the beaver.

In order that the building of a dam by the beavers wouldnot raise the water level so high as to flood the roots of anumber of fine forest trees and destroy them, two feet ofsoil was taken out of the swamp, and at the same time abroad outlet was excavated. A fence of small iron bars,with an overhang, was designed to encircle an area of aboutthree acres. Within the enclosure thus made, stand severallarge forest trees—chiefly oak, sweet gum, and maple—whichhave been protected by guards of wire and corrugatediron. The small maples, however, have been givenover to the beavers, to cut down and use as food-wood andalso in their dam-building operations.

The Beaver Colony in our pond is in good working order,and its display of work makes a highly satisfactory exhibit.The dam, about 40 feet long and 4 feet high, was built ofpoles and sticks which were cut, peeled, floated down andplaced by the beavers, and pointed up with mud. There isa house 10 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, similarly constructed.Within the enclosure about twenty saplings andtrees have been cut down by the beavers and used up forfood and building materials.

For this colony the Society is indebted to Mr. Hugh J.Chisholm, who procured for it two specimens from Canadaand three from Maine.

The American Beaver, (Castor canadensis), is a remarkableanimal. In original thought it is equalled by few animals,and in industry by none. With the possible exceptionof the porcupine, it is the largest gnawing animal in NorthAmerica, once was widely distributed, and its beautiful furhas been in demand ever since the days of the colonists.Unfortunately, the Beaver’s intelligence was directed chieflyto the building of dams, canals, and houses, and procuringan abundant supply of food-wood, rather than in providingitself with means of escape from its arch enemy—the manwith a steel trap. Because of the constant demand for itsfur, this animal has been so nearly exterminated throughoutthe United States that practically none remains save where130they are rigidly protected. At present the largest coloniesknown are those in the Yellowstone Park, although in Canadaand the Northwest many still remain.

The most wonderful thing about the Beaver is the mannerin which he builds dams, to make ponds deep enough forhis timber-floating operations, and to afford him a submarinepassage to his house. Give him a valley and astream of water, and he will gladly make a pond out ofwhatever raw materials are at hand. He uses the four-footsticks from which he has eaten the bark for food, and withthese, and an abundance of mud, he will raise a good strongdam to a height of four feet, and a width on the ground often feet or more. The mud used is dug out of the bottomand sides of his pond, and carried, while swimming, betweenhis paws, with his front feet holding it against hisbreast. The sticks used in the dam are thrust endwise intothe mud on top of the dam, and the mud used is patteddown with his fore feet. The tail is not used as a trowel,but in swimming it is the Beaver’s propeller.

In captivity the Beaver is not wholly a satisfactory animal.Like some human craftsmen, he positively declines to workunder observation, and performs nearly all his tasks atnight. He thinks nothing of gnawing down a tree a footin diameter, and cutting its limbs into pieces which he canhandle while swimming. If he can secure enough food-woodof kinds of his liking, he eats little else. Besidesbuilding dams to create ponds in which he can take refugewhen hard pressed, he constructs canals, and houses forwinter use. He also digs burrows into high banks; but hisentrances to his various homes always are under water.

THE ECONOMIC RODENT-REPTILE COLLECTION.

As an answer to a frequent question—“Of what use arereptiles?”—a new collection has been installed in theReptile House. It is supplied with descriptive labels, andserves several purposes. In the first place there is presentedan elaborate series of the small gnawing animals, or rodents,a number of the species of which are highly injurious to theinterests of agriculturists; secondly, the exhibition containsa large series of those species of snakes that prey upon thedestructive rodents,—thus presenting for observation theserpents of marked economic value. Finally, the entireseries stands as a clear demonstration of the perfect logic of131Nature in which the production of all animal life is carefullybalanced; for a part of the exhibition is composed ofrepresentative species of mammals that, in turn, prey uponthe serpents, thus keeping even the destroyers of the smallerinjurious creatures within bounds!

During the past two years the collection of rodents hasbeen steadily growing in importance. The following is alist of the species on exhibition at the close of the year 1912:

SECTION II.—BIRDS.

THE GOOSE AVIARY, No. 3.

There are no birds which take more kindly to captivity,or which better repay their keep and their keepers, than theducks, geese, swans and pelicans. The only drawback tothe maintenance of large collections of these birds in thislatitude is the annual struggle with our arctic winter. Onaccount of the fierce winter storms to which we must paytribute, many species of swimming birds require to be takenout of their aviary, and housed in sheltered buildings, withmoderate warmth. For this reason the pelicans, tree-ducksof all species, and all species from the tropics, must necessarilybe absent in winter from their summer quarters.

For the accommodation of a large, systematic collection ofwild geese, an aviary two hundred and fifty feet long byone hundred and forty-three feet in width has been constructedin the north end of Bird Valley. To secure as muchspace as possible, the entire width of the open valley hasbeen taken into the enclosure.

RODENTS IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
HARES AND RABBITS (Leporidae)
Mexican Swamp Rabbit	Lepus palustris.
Cotton-Tail Rabbit	Lepus palustris mallurus.
Domestic Rabbits, various breeds	(Nursery stock.)
SQUIRRELS AND MARMOTS (Sciuridae)
Thirteen-Lined Spermophile	Spermophilus 13-lineatus.
Desert Spermophile	Spermophilus leucurus.
Richardson Spermophile	Spermophilus richardsoni.
Woodchuck	Arctomys monax.
Prairie Dog	Cynomys ludovicianus.
European Squirrel	Sciurus vulgaris.
Mexican Squirrel	Sciurus aureogaster.
Central American Squirrel	Sciurus variabilis.
Cuban Squirrel	Sciurus chrysurus.
Variable Squirrel	Sciurus griseo-flavus.
Gray Squirrel	Sciurus carolinensis.
Black Squirrel	Sciurus carolinensis niger.
Fox Squirrel	Sciurus ludovicianus.
White-Headed Squirrel	Sciurus macrouroides.
Malabar Squirrel	Sciurus malabaricus.
Chipmunk	Tamicis striatus.
African Ground Squirrel	Xerus capensis.
Flying Squirrel	Sciuropterus volans.
BEAVERS (Castoridae)
American Beaver	Castor canadensis.
KANGAROO RATS (Heteromyidae)
Kangaroo Rat	Dipodomys merriami.
POCKET GOPHERS (Geomyidae)
Harsh-Coated Pocket Gopher	Geomys hispidus.
DORMICE (Gliridae)
Squirrel-Tailed Dormouse	Myoxus glis.
Lesser Dormouse	Myoxus dryas.
English Dormouse	Muscardinus avellanarius.
MICE AND RATS (Muridae)
Domestic Mouse—Unusual Color Phases	Mus musculus.
Japanese Waltzing Mouse	Mus musculus.
Black Rat	Mus rattus.
Black-and-White Rat	Mus norwegicus.
Gray-and-White Rat	Mus norwegicus.
Porcupine Mouse	Acomys cahirinus.
Egyptian Gerbille	Gerbillus pyramidum.
Muskrat	Fiber zibethicus.
Cotton Rat	Sigmodon hispidus.
JERBOAS (Dipodidae)
Greater Jerboa	Dipus aegyptius.
COYPU AND SPINY RATS (Octodontidae)
Coypu Rat	Myocastor coypu.
Hutia: Cuban Tree Rat	Capromys pilorides.
Short-Tailed Hutia	Capromys browni.
PORCUPINES (Hystricidae)
Canada Porcupine	Erethizon dorsatus.
Brazilian Porcupine	Sphingurus prehensilis.
African Porcupine	Hystrix cristata.
VISCACHAS AND CHINCHILLAS (Chinchillidae)
Viscacha	Lagostoma trichodactylus.
AGOUTIS (Dasyproctidae)
Golden Agouti	Dasyprocta agouti.
Gray Agouti	Dasyprocta prymnolopha.
CAVIES (Caviidae)
Domestic Cavy	Cavia porcellus.
Capybara	Hydrochaerus capybara.
Patagonian Cavy	Dolichotis patagonica.

The Goose Aviary consists of a pond containing threeislands, two of which are subdivided by low fences of wirenetting into twelve separate enclosures. The collection ofgeese has become so large and important the original Duck134Aviary has been taken for it, and the Ducks will hereafterbe found on the Wild-Fowl Pond and in the Flying Cage.

The Geese.—The collection of wild geese, in the GooseAviary, is unusually large, there being generally abouttwenty out of the thirty-five known species. Among theseone of the best known is theCommon Wild, orCanadaGoose, (Branta canadensis). Once common throughoutmany parts of the United States, continual persecution bysportsmen and market hunters has so generally reduced itsnumbers that now it is of comparatively rare occurrence.

This exceeding rarity made the arrival of nine superb wildspecimens on November 8, 1900, on the Wild-Fowl Pond, amost interesting event. Seven of the birds, including a finegander, through the artifice of a trap, were induced to remainwith us, and have taken up a peaceful abode on thelittle lake, with others of their kind presented by Mr. A. B.Frost.

The African Spur-Winged Goose, (Plectropterus gambensis),although of large size, is more properly a duck than agoose. A long sharp spur arises from the bend of eachwing, which the birds use in fighting with each other fortheir mates.

The Gray-Lag Goose, (Anser anser), is, perhaps, themost interesting of all geese, as being the wild species fromwhich our domestic birds are descended. The white colorand large size are the chief differences between the domesticand wild birds.

The White-Fronted Goose, (Anser albifrons), is worthy ofspecial notice because it is the handsomest of the ten speciesof North American geese. The breeding grounds are farto the north, and in Alaska the nests are mere hollows inthe sand, lined with moss and down.

The Bar-Headed Goose, (Eulabia indica), inhabits themountains of Central Asia, nesting always over a mile abovethe sea. It is perhaps the handsomest of all geese.

The Swans.—Usually at least six out of the seven knownspecies of swans may be seen on exhibition here.

The Mute Swan, (Cygnus olor), is the commonest swan incaptivity, and is the one made famous in European historyand legend. It may always be known from the other speciesby the black knob at the base of the bill. It breedsfreely in captivity and the young birds are known ascygnets.

The Trumpeter Swan, (Cygnus buccinator), being the largestbird in the aviary, and also snowy white, is thereforethe most conspicuous. Several fine specimens are shown onthe North Island, living contentedly with other species.Some of these specimens were captured in Idaho, whenyoung enough to take kindly to captivity.

The Black Swan, (Chenopsis atrata), of South Australiaand Tasmania, is as glossy black, excepting its primaries,as other swans are white. It is a large and handsome bird,and much sought by all persons who form collections ofwater fowl.

The Coscoroba Goose, (Coscoroba coscoroba), is a fair connectinglink between the swans and the ducks, partakingabout equally of the characters of each. In size and colorit is very much like our snow goose, (Chen hyperborea), butit is peculiar in possessing very long legs of a bright pinkcolor, by which it is quickly recognized. Its bill, also ispink, and the tips of its primaries are black. The CoscorobaGoose is a native of southern South America, and a few yearsago specimens were so rare in captivity that a pair soldfor $300.

THE FLYING CAGE, No. 4.

This mammoth bird-cage is one of the wonders of theZoological Park. It represents an attempt to do for certainlarge and showy water birds, precisely what has been donefor the hoofed animals, the beaver, otter, and other species—givethem a section of Nature’s own domain. In thisthey can fly to and fro, build nests and rear their young inreal freedom.

Near the lower end of Bird Valley, as a sort of climaxfor the Goose Aviary when seen from the north, rises a lofty,web-like structure, in the form of a huge, gothic arch. It is55 feet in height, 75 feet wide, and 152 feet long. Thewhole structure consists of a series of steel-pipe arches andpurlins, the former eight feet apart, over which wire-nettinghas been tightly stretched.

The wire-netting seems peculiarly open. It is of the kindknown as chain-netting, which offers the least possibleobstruction to the eye. This cage is so large that a veryrespectable block of houses, three stories high and of ampledimensions, could stand within it without touching the wire.It completely encloses three forest trees of very considerable136size, two hickories and an oak; and it contains a poolof water a hundred feet long, and shrubbery in abundance.

The idea of a very large cage for herons and egrets, is notnew, for there are in existence several other flying cages,somewhat smaller than this. The first was erected in theRotterdam Zoological Garden by its Director, the late Dr.A. Von Bemmelin, whose experiment proved very successful.Others are at London and in Paris Jardin d’Acclimatation.

The Flying Cage is the summer home of a mixed flock ofsuch large and showy water birds as are most inclined tofly about within it, and afford students and the public anopportunity to study their movements and attitudes. Savefor such allowances as must be made for accidents andepidemics, this enclosure will contain the following noteworthyspecies, along with others of less importance:

The American Flamingo, (Phoenicopterns ruber), is, inappearance, a connecting link between the herons andducks, resembling the former in the great length of its legs,and the latter in the duck-like bill and webbed feet. Whenthe plumage of this species is perfect, it is of a beautifulscarlet color throughout, excepting the primaries, whichare black. In captivity, the color fades somewhat. Thisbird is found in the Bahama Islands and Cuba, but in Florida,where once it was fairly numerous, it no longer exists.137Fortunately, this remarkable bird takes kindly to captivity,and the Zoological Park is never without a good-sized flock.Their strange form, showy colors and droll attitudes renderthem unusually interesting to visitors.

With the birds of the above species are shown a few specimensof theEuropean Flamingo, (P. roseus), which is almostwhite. The only parts which show the characteristicscarlet of this genus, are the wing coverts, which are palered, or pink.

The Scarlet Ibis, (Guara rubra), is for its size the mostshowy bird in existence, not even excepting the birds ofparadise. Excepting the black primaries, every feather onthe adult bird in perfect plumage is of a brilliant Chinesevermilion color, visible in nature for a long distance. Theimmature birds are mottled and patched with white. Thisspecies once came as far north as southern Florida, but nowit is found only from Cuba southward. They frequent themud banks at the various mouths of the Orinoco, and notlong since were quite abundant on the coast of BritishGuiana.

The White-Faced Glossy Ibis, (Plegadis guarauna), is nota rare bird in captivity, and it will doubtless be possible tomaintain this species perpetually in the Flying Cage andAquatic-Bird House.

The Wood Ibis, (Tantalus loculator).—The Park obtainsits supply of birds of this species from Florida, where theybreed, in very greatly reduced numbers, on the headwatersof the St. Johns. This bird is a very satisfactory member ofavian society. Although amply large to lord it over the138other birds of the cage, he quarrels with none, but peacefullygoes his way, feeling with the point of his beak alongthe sandy bottom of the pool for something edible, or standingin quiet meditation on the bank. Notwithstanding itscommon name, this bird is not an ibis, but a true stork. Inits black and white plumage it is quite a handsome bird.Although not so fond of using its wings in captivity as areherons and egrets, the Wood Ibis is for many reasons a verywelcome tenant.

The White Stork, (Ciconia ciconia), is as large as ourwood ibis, which it strongly resembles in form and habits.This bird is literally the household bird of Germany, and itsplace in the family has now become of more importancethan its place in nature. Throughout Holland, Germany,and very nearly the whole of eastern and central Europe,the White Stork is so prized and protected by the peoplethat it has attained a state of semi-domestication. Nestingplaces are prepared for it, usually near or even upon humanhabitations, and it enjoys an immunity from molestationquite like that of the adjutant in India.

The Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias), is frequentlycalled the “blue crane”; but the latter name is a misnomer.It properly belongs to our sandhill crane (Grus canadensis).Just why so large a number of people should be so persistentin this error is a psychological problem; but the factremains that people will not say “heron.”

This Great Blue Heron is the largest and most noteworthybird of our northern marshes. Thanks to the fact that itbears no desirable “plumes,” and its flesh is not edible, ithas been permitted to live. When not molested, it becomesquite trustful, and when wading along a shore, fishing forminnows, it affords for the field-glass or the camera a veryinteresting subject. In summer these birds are quite numerousin the marshes along the Shrewsbury River, betweenSandy Hook and Long Branch, and they are an unfailingsource of interest to excursionists. It is sincerely to behoped that the evil eye of “Dame Fashion” will not fallupon this bird, and cause its extermination.

The Great White Heron, (Ardea americana), is taller thanthe great blue heron, and it is the largest of all the whiteherons and egrets. Like the whooping crane, it is now abird of such exceeding rarity that the procuring of a specimenmay be counted a stroke of good fortune. In eight139years the Zoological Park has secured only three specimens,all of which came from southern Florida.

The Little Blue Heron, (Florida caerulea).—The immaturebirds of this species are snowy white, and so closelyresemble snowy herons of the same age, that only one wellacquainted with both can distinguish between them. Theyare, however, separately recognized by the fact that thesnowy heron has black legs, and a black bill, whereas thelegs and bill of the Little Blue Heron are pale yellow. Thisspecies is still common in some parts of its Florida home,and occasionally a specimen strays as far north as StatenIsland.

The Louisiana Heron, (Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis), oncevery numerous in Florida, is still found there, but in greatlyreduced numbers. It ranges from Central America and theWest Indies northward to the Gulf States, and occasionallyto Long Island. The general coloring is dark blue, but aprominent distinguishing character is the chestnut brownon the sides of the neck.

The Black-Crowned Night Heron, (Nycticorax nycticoraxnaevius), is one of the commonest herons about New YorkCity and occasionally nests in the Park itself. It breeds inlarge colonies, and feeds chiefly at night. Its note is ahoarsequok, very much like the bark of a dog.

The Snowy Heron, orSnowy Egret, (Egretta candidissima),when fully adult, is the most beautiful white bird inall the avian world. Its form is the embodiment of symmetryand grace, its plumage is immaculate, and the filmy“plumes” on its head and back are like spun glass. Itsblack legs and bill merely serve to intensify the whitenessof its feathers. The vanity of woman has been the curse ofthe Snowy Egret. Its plumes are finest during the breedingseason, and it was then that the hunters sought them,slaughtering the old birds in the rookeries by thousands(when they were abundant), and leaving the nestlings todie of starvation. If all women could know the price inblood and suffering which is paid for the accursed “aigrettes”of fashion, surely but few could find any pleasurein wearing them. It is strange that civilized woman—thetender-hearted, the philanthropic, and the ever-compassionate—shouldprove to be the evil genius of the world’s mostbeautiful birds.

In the United States the Snowy Egret now exists only byaccident, and the “plume hunters” are pursuing this and140the following species in Central and South America, to theirmost remote haunts, sometimes even at the risk of theirlives. Fashion has decreed that the egrets must go.

The American Egret, (Herodias egretta).—Much to themisfortune of this species, it possesses about fifty “aigrette”plumes which droop in graceful curves from the middle ofits back far beyond the tail and wing tips. For these beautifulfeathers this bird has been pursued by plume huntersalmost to the point of total extermination in the UnitedStates.

The White Pelican, (Pelecanus erythrorhynchus), is one ofthe largest birds of North America and by reason of itssize, its pure white plumage, its enormously long amber-coloredbill and gular pouch, it is one of the most showybirds in the aviary. As consumers of fish they stand pre-eminentamong birds, and their only rivals in the Park arethe sea-lions. The specimens exhibited were collected for theSociety in southern Texas.

The Brown Pelican, (Pelecanus occidentalis), when adult,is a handsome and showy bird, and one which not only iseasily reconciled to life in a comfortable aviary, but positivelyenjoys it. The specimens in our collection were collectedfor the Society on Pelican Island, Florida, and theirinteresting home life at that place may be studied from theseries of photographs on exhibition in the Aquatic BirdHouse. When their daily allowance of fish appears they141crowd around their keeper, and with wide-open pouchesearnestly solicit contributions.

THE AQUATIC BIRD HOUSE, No. 5.

This building is the result of an attempt to solve an oldproblem in a new way—the care of large migratory waterbirds in the most uneven winter climate on earth. In comparisonwith the care in winter of flamingoes, large herons,egrets, ibises, and the like, the housing of perching birds,birds of prey and the parrots, presents few difficulties. Butthe wealth of fine water birds in North America alone, andthe interest attaching to them, seem to justify the laborand expense that have been involved in this building andits appointments. Practically all of the birds to be seen inthis building in winter are mentioned elsewhere in thisvolume.

THE OWL CAGES.—After the completion of the Eagleand Vulture Aviary, the ten large cages on the exterior ofthe Aquatic-Bird House, which have been occupied temporarilyby the birds of prey, will be used for the owl collection.

The Giant Eagle Owl, (Bubo bubo), is a true giant amongthe owls. It is found throughout continental Europe, keepingmostly to the deep forests, and feeding on grouse, rabbits,etc. It is unusually long-lived in captivity, and breedsfreely.

The Milky Eagle Owl, (Bubo lacteus), has the same generalcharacters as its congener, but its feathers are of abeautiful, soft gray. It is very rare in collections.

The Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus).—These nocturnalbirds of prey inhabit heavily wooded regions, feedingon mice, and poultry when it is obtainable. The brightyellow iris, the conspicuous feather horns, and the apparentlypivoted neck are curious features of these birds.Their reputation for wisdom is founded only on their externalappearance, for in reality they are rather dull birds.

The Snowy Owl, (Nyctea nyctea), of the Arctic regions,migrating in winter to the northern United States, sometimesremains for several seasons in succession so far norththat no specimens are obtainable. During 1899, 1900, andthe first half of 1901, not one specimen could be procured,but in the late autumn of 1901 a southward migration began.142On June 1, 1911, the Park exhibited six fine specimens,one of which was almost pure white. During thethree hottest months of summer, these birds would sufferconsiderably, so during this period they are confined in acool, dark cellar, thus keeping in perfect health and comfortthroughout the year.

The Screech Owl, (Otus asio).—This little horned owl isour commonest species, and frequents the neighborhood ofdwellings and orchards. Being nocturnal it is more commonthan is generally supposed, and its curious cry, whichis not a screech, but a musical, quavering series of notes, isthe cause most frequently leading to its discovery. Its twophases of plumage, red and gray, occur independently ofsex, age or season. Its food consists of mice and insects.

The Barred Owl, (Syrnium varium).—This owl is morediurnal than its nearest relatives, and often hunts its preyin bright moonshine. Its deep, penetrating call, “woo-o-o,whoo-o-o,” is one of the most weird and striking cries of thebird world. Another peculiarity, common to all owls, butmore noticeable in this less nocturnal species, is the absolutelynoiseless flight. The soft, downy feathers of the owlpermit it to wing its way through the air with as little noiseas a falling leaf.

THE EAGLE AND VULTURE AVIARY, No. 11.

The Eagle and Vulture Aviary stands in an open glade,but well surrounded by forest trees, in Bird Valley, betweenthe Aquatic Bird House and the new Zebra House.It is a commodious and pleasant installation, well adaptedto exhibit the Society’s collection of rapacious birds. Itslength over all is 210 feet. It has seven very large flightcages and six smaller ones. The largest cages are 24 feetwide, 33 feet deep and 31 feet high. In the rear of thegreat wire structure will stand a very comfortable brickbuilding to serve as a winter shelter for the tropical birdsof the collection; but it will not be open to the public.

Now that our eagles and vultures are to be brought together,visitors will find that the collection is a large one,and contains many fine species.

The Condor, (Sarcorhamphus gryphus), of the Andes, is thelargest of the birds of prey, having a wing-spread of overnine feet. It feeds entirely on carrion, rarely attacking livinganimals. In the male, the head is adorned with a largefleshy comb, much like that of a barn-yard cock. The Societyat present possesses several specimens of this greatbird.

The King Vulture, (Gypagus papa), is as its proud nameimplies, the one member of the Vulture Family which really144is clad in royal robes, and color-decked to match. Its rangeextends from Mexico and Central America to Trinidad andBrazil. The visitor should not fail to see this gorgeouslycaparisoned body of white, cream-yellow and black, andhead of orange, purple and crimson.

Black Vulture, (Catharista urubu).—These ill-favored butvery useful birds are quite abundant, and even semi-domesticated,in some of our southern cities. This is due to theprotection accorded them, because of their valuable servicesas scavengers. They are said to devour every particle ofexposed organic refuse, and in a warm climate these servicesare of more value than we in the north can realize.

The Yellow-Headed Vulture, (Cathartes urobitinga), ofnorthern South America, is a much handsomer bird thanits two preceding relatives. It has much the same feedinghabits, but is very rare and delicate in captivity.

The California Condor, (Gymnogyps californianus).—Thisis one of the rarest, and to all Americans the most interesting,bird of prey in the Park. The species is confined to avery small area in the rugged mountains of southern andlower California, and beyond all doubt, the skin-collectingornithologists will exterminate it within the next twentyyears, or less.

The Griffon Vulture, (Gyps pulvus), and the Kolbe Vulture,(G. kolbi), are Old World birds and although moreclosely related to the eagles than to the vultures of the NewWorld, resemble the latter in general habits.

Differing strongly from its congeners in general appearance,is theEared Vulture, (Otogyps auricularis). This rarebird is a native of North Africa, where it feeds on such carrionas it is able to find. Its bare, wrinkled head and neckand great bill give it a decidedly gruesome appearance.

The Red-Tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis).—The “HenHawk,” or “Chicken Hawk,” is one of our commonest birdsof prey. It hardly merits its common name, as its favoritefood is mice and other small mammals. This is the hawkseen, in the fall of the year, going south in flocks, sometimesof one hundred or more.

One of the most splendid members of the collection is theHarpy Eagle, (Thrasaetus harpyia), of South America. Theremarkably large legs and claws indicate the great strengthwhich enables the bird to prey upon sloths, monkeys, andother fairly large animals.

The Lammergeyer orBearded Vulture, (Gypaetus barbatus),is now probably extinct in Europe, but is still found inparts of Asia. It feeds largely on lambs.

A nearly cosmopolitan bird is theGolden Eagle, (Aquilachrysaetos). It is equally at home in the highlands of Scotlandand the mountains of North America, nesting on thehighest cliffs.

The Bateleur Eagle, of Africa, (Helotarsus ecaudatus), hasnarrowly missed the distinction of being the most beautifulof all birds of prey. Its plumage is charmingly coloredbut it is out of proportion. Its tail is so absurdly shortthat its wings quite conceal it, and make it appear as ifaltogether tailless.

Bald Eagle, (Haliaëtus leucocephalus).—The appearanceof the adult Bald Eagle, our National emblem, with its conspicuouswhite head and tail, is familiar to all; but the immaturebirds, as shown by several of the specimens, lack thewhite in their plumage. These birds are found usually nearwater, and their food is chiefly fish. These they sometimescatch for themselves, but if ospreys are found in the vicinity,they are watched by the eagles, and often robbed of theirhard-earned prey.

Perhaps the fiercest among all the hawks is theWhiteGyrfalcon, (Falco islandus). A native of the far north, itdescends to a more equable clime only when forced to doso by scarcity of food. It is so swift of wing that it is ableto capture a duck in full flight.

Sea snakes form the rather unusual food of theWhite-BreastedSea Eagle, (Haliaëtus leucogaster), of the EastIndies, while the strikingly-coloredVulturine Sea Eagle,(Gypohierax angolensis), a native of Africa, feeds on fish,crabs, and the fruit of the oil palm.

THE WILD TURKEY ENCLOSURE, No. 33.

At the northern end of Squirrel Ridge, where the AlligatorWalk intersects the Rodent Walk, an ideal quarter ofan acre, of oak and hickory trees, underbrush, and bare rock,has been dedicated to the king of game birds.

The Wild Turkey, (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), is abird of magnificent size and presence, and the splendid metallicluster of his plumage—a mixture of burnished bronzecopper, lapis lazuli, and fire opal iridescence—backed upby a great bulk of savory flesh, all combine to make this thefinest game bird on earth. It was once fairly abundantthroughout the eastern United States, and still is found inPennsylvania, southern Ohio, Virginia and other southernstates as far west as Texas. Three other species ofMeleagrisare now recognized—one in Florida, one in southernTexas and northeastern Mexico, and the fourth in Mexico,extending to western Texas and Arizona.

THE LARGE BIRD-HOUSE, No. 7.

On the northwest quarter of Baird Court stands the largestand the most generously equipped home for perchingbirds now in existence. This is not an unnecessary boast,147but merely a brief statement of a fact which the visitor hasa right to know. It was designed on our long-establishedprinciple that every captive wild creature is entitled tolife, exercise and happiness. Our principle of very largecages, with many birds in each cage, is just the reverse ofthe views that have prevailed in the older zoological gardens,even down to the present day. To an important extent, thecage equipment of this building represents a new departure.There are many zoologists with experience longer than ourswho believe that small birds thrive better and live longerwhen installed in small cages, with only one or two birds ineach.

The Large Bird-House, specially designed for Passerinebirds, was developed on the strength of experiments previouslymade in the Aquatic-Bird House, and in communitycages outside. After three years’ experience with thenew building, and a careful tabulation of diseases and deathrates within it, we are able to state that this installationis a complete and gratifying success.

The Large Bird-House is an L-shaped building, with anall-glass house in its angle. The main hall extends east andwest, and it is 60 feet long by 50 feet wide. This greatroom contains the foreign song-birds, many tropical dovesand pigeons, and such tropical varieties and oddities as the148great crowned pigeons, tinamous, toucans, giant king-fishersand hornbills. In the great central flying cage there is perhapsthe most remarkableomnium-gatherum of small tropicalbirds—swimmers, waders, upland game birds and perchers—everbrought together in one cage. The bottom ofthe L is the Parrots’ Hall, 65×30 feet. It contains the parrots,macaws, cockatoos, and a few other species.

In the angle of the main building stands a structure almostwholly composed of metal and glass, which is known asthe Glass Court. It was designed especially for North Americansong-birds. The visitor should not overlook the factthat there are cages filled with birds all along both the easternand western sides of the Large Bird House.

Nearly all the cages of both the exterior and interior ofthe Main and Parrots’ Halls, are accessible from the backby passage-ways; a convenience that greatly facilitates thework of the keepers in caring for their various charges.

The capacity of this installation as a whole may be judgedfrom the following memorandum of cages:

APPROXIMATE SIZES OF CAGES OF THE LARGE BIRD-HOUSE
INDOORS.
Main Hall	Central Flying Cage	15×36×20 feet high	1
	Side Cages	5×5×9	35
	End Cages	5×12×9	2
Parrot Hall	Side Cages	6×8×9	21
Glass Court	West Cages	8×9×9	6
	East & North Cages	5×6×8	16
OUTDOORS.
Northeast Cages	7×12×10	2
East Cages	6×8×10	10
Southeast Circular Flight Cage	20×20×2	1
South Cages	6×8×10	3
Large Western Cages	15×15×15	3
Smaller Western Cages	6×9×10	14
Total number of cages	114

Regarding the state of health and spirits of the birds inthis building, the visitor must be left to judge for himself.It is only fair to state, however, that the death rate hereand indeed amongst the birds of the Park generally, isvery low.

In view of the great number of avian species inhabitingthe Large Bird-House, it is a practical impossibility to givemore than a general outline of the groups and leading featuresof the collection.

As the visitor enters at the south door, nearest the LionHouse, he is greeted by a discordant chorus of ear-piercingshrieks and squawks, joyous but very raucous, and at timestoo persistent. Loudest are the voices of the gorgeously-plumagedBlue-and-Yellow Macaw, (Ara ararauna); the Red-and-BlueMacaw, (Ara macao), and the Great Green Macaw.Around their cages there is no such thing as stagnation orsomnolence. The soft-hued Rosella Parakeets, the flock ofmostly-green Cuban Parrots, the Leadbeater Cockatoos andthe White Cockatoos all join in their voices, to the limit oftheir respective abilities, but against macaws which can beheard a mile, their best efforts seem tame. The members ofthe OrderPsittaciformes (as above) have been beautifullycolored by Nature, and their harsh voices seem strangelyout of harmony with their plumage.

The indoor cages along the western side of the LargeBird-House (both halls included), contain an extensiveseries of tropical Pigeons and Doves, which are well worthsome attention.

The most startling exhibit in this group is the BleedingHeart Pigeon (Phlogoenas luzonica), from the Philippines,whose creamy-white breast seems to have been recentlystabbed with a stiletto. It is no wonder that now andthen a sympathetic visitor seeks the curator, or a keeper,150and reports that a bird has been injured, and is bleedingfrom a wound in its breast.

The Flying Cage in the center of the Main Hall containsa pool of running water, some small trees, an imitation rock,and the floor is covered with a comfortable layer of sand.Hopping or flying about, and perching on the trees, is areally remarkable medley of birds. There are the Wood Duckand Mandarin Duck, Black Skimmers, Common and SootyTerns, several species of Teal, Curlews, Gallinules, Coots,Lapwings, Snipe, Ruffs, Quail, Francolins, Senegal, Turtle,Wonga-wonga and other Pigeons and Doves, Skylarks,Robins, Orioles, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Java, Fox, Tree,and other Sparrows and Weavers.

The south side of the Main Hall is devoted to miscellaneousrare birds from the tropics, regardless of the Orders towhich they belong. The largest are the Great CrownedPigeons,—Victoria and Common,—the oddest are the Concave-CasquedHornbills and the Toucans (eight species).The Rufous Tinamou, of South America, is a species which,through lack of use for its wings, is rapidly losing thepower of flight. The Giant Kingfisher is the “LaughingJackass” of Australia, and its cry is strangely like themirthless horse-laugh of a man who has few smiles andseldom uses one. The Himalayan Jay-Thrush is so confirmeda murderer of birds smaller than himself, it is necessary151to quarter that species with other birds abundantlyable to defend themselves against its attacks.

On the northern side of the Main Hall there will be founda very interesting group of Cuban birds, another of birds ofthe Bahamas, a fair-sized collection of Finches, Weavers,Canaries, Trogons, and other small species of foreign lands.Here also is the rare and beautifully-plumed Greater Birdof Paradise, (Paradisea apoda).

The visitor is reminded that for all cages that containmore than one species, the picture labels quickly furnish akey for identification of each.

In the Glass Court and around it, the Curator of Birds,Mr. C. William Beebe, has scored a gratifying success inthe installation of the OrderPasseres. The birds are arrangedby Families, andall of the twenty-one families ofeastern North American perching birds are represented.These Families are as follows: Flycatchers, Swallows, Wrens,Mockingbirds and Catbirds, Thrushes, Kinglets, Vireos,Waxwings, Shrikes, Chickadees, Nuthatches, BrownCreepers, Warblers, Pipits, Horned Larks, Sparrows, HoneyCreepers, Tanagers, Blackbirds and Orioles, English Starling,Crows and Jays. It is only those who have attempted toform and install such a collection who can appreciate theeffort which that collection has cost, or the difficulties involvedin the maintenance of so large a number of insect-eating152birds. The birds in this section of the Bird-Houseare especially interesting to the teachers of pupils of thepublic schools of this city.

The large circular flying cage, at the outer corner of theGlass Court, is filled with Robins, Bluebirds, Thrushes andWoodpeckers which winter there very comfortably, becausethey are fed and watered, and sheltered from theworst storms.

Along the western wall of the Large Bird-House, outside,fourteen large cages are filled with members of the Crowand Blackbird Families (Corvidae andIcteridae), such asthe Ravens, Crows, Jays, Magpies, Blackbirds, Meadowlarks,Cowbirds and Grackles, beside which appear our oldfriends the Yellow-Shafted Flicker and Red-Headed Woodpecker.

The following is a systematic enumeration of the Ordersof birds represented in the Zoological Park on April 1, 1913:

LIST OF BIRDS, APRIL 1, 1913.
ORDERS.	Species.	Specimens.
Rheiformes	Rheas	2	2
Struthioniformes	Ostriches	2	2
Casuariiformes	Emeus and Cassowaries	2	3
Tinamiformes	Tinamou	5	5
Galliformes	Quail and Pheasants	88	204
Turniciformes	Hemipodes	1	2
Ptericlidiformes	Sand Grouse	1	1
Columbiformes	Pigeons and Doves	57	183
Ralliformes	Coots and Gallinules	15	35
Lariformes	Gulls and Terns	17	54
Charadriiformes	Plovers and Sandpipers	18	48
Gruiformes	Cranes, Seriema	13	30
Ardeiformes	Ibises, Storks and Herons	35	85
Palamedeiformes	Screamers	3	4
Phoenicopteriformes	Flamingoes	2	5
Anseriformes	Swans, Geese and Ducks	72	712
Pelecaniformes	New World Vultures	9	30
Cathartidiformes	Cormorants and Pelicans	8	27
Serpentariiformes	Secretary Birds	1	2
Accipitriformes	Hawks and Eagles; Old World Vultures	28	48
Strigiformes	Owls	20	47
Psittaciformes	Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos	86	194
Coraciiformes	Kingfishers and Hornbills	12	15
Trogoniformes	Trogons	1	1
Cuculiformes	Touracos and Cuckoos	10	18
Scansoriforme	Toucans and Barbets	8	13
Piciformes	Woodpecker	9	26
Passeriformes	Thrushes, Sparrows and all perching birds	378	1242
Totals	903	3038

WILD-FOWL POND,
Heretofore Called the Aquatic Mammals’ Pond.

As the birds on this pond have been transferred from theDuck Aviary, the interest of this exhibit is of special character,and greatly enjoyed by hosts of visitors. This isthe nursery of the ducks and geese, where, in the tangle oflong grass, briars and underbrush along the east side of thepond, the nests are built in early spring, the eggs are laidand patiently incubated. Finally the broods of ducklingsare led to the water, to feed to repletion, throughout thesummer, on the worms, bugs and insects so dear to the appetiteof these amusing little fellows.

Cope Lake is the especial province of the nesting pairs ofCanada geese, and sometimes as many as eight golden-coloredgoslings are hatched in one nest on the small island.

The Mallard Duck, (Anas boschas), is one of our finestswimming birds, the joy of the sportsman who finds it inits haunts, the delight of the epicure who finds it on the billof fare. Sluggish indeed must be the blood which does notbeat faster at the sight of a flock of wild Mallards, free inNature, and ready to leap into the air and away at theslightest alarm. After the pintail and the wood duck, thisis one of the handsomest ducks of North America, and alsoone of the finest for the table. Its range covers practicallythe whole of the western continent down to Panama, andeven extends to the Azores, north Africa, and northern India.The drakes are readily recognized by the splendid irridescentgreen of the head.

The Green-Winged Teal, (Nettion carolinensis), andBlue-WingedTeal, (Querquedula discors), are very delicate birds,and therefore rather difficult to maintain in captivity. Aflock of each will be found in the Flying Cage.

The Pintail Duck, (Dafila acuta), is specially commendedto the notice of visitors because of its great beauty, bothin color and form. Its colors form an exquisite harmony of154soft brown and gray tones which fairly rival the moregaudy color-pattern of the wood duck. The species is yetfound occasionally along the Atlantic Coast, but like allother edible birds, its numbers are rapidly diminishing.A large flock of these birds will be found on the Wild-FowlPond.

The Gadwall, (Chaulelasmas strepera), is a handsome graybird, well known to gunners along the Mississippi Valley,but rarely seen along the Atlantic coast. Its chief breedinggrounds are in the great marshes of central Canada.

The Baldpate, (Mareca americana), one of the finest ofwater-fowl, is now so scarce that it is difficult to obtain specimensfor exhibition. These birds are poor divers, but gain agood livelihood by feeding on floating sea lettuce, disturbedfrom the bottom by the better equipped canvas-backs andredheads.

The bill of theShoveller, (Spatula clypeata), has become sospecialized for mud-sifting that it has actually assumed theshape of a shovel, and is out of all proportion to the size ofthe bird’s body. The sides of the bill are equipped withbony plates, through which the mud is strained, the particlesof food being caught and swallowed.

The Canvas-Back (Aythya vallisneria), and theRed-Head,(A. americana), two prime favorites with the sportsman andepicure, are exhibited on the Wild Fowl Pond. Of the latter,155a good-sized flock is shown. Canvas-Backs, however, aredifficult to capture unhurt, and still more difficult to keepalive in captivity, and for these reasons the number exhibitedalways is very small.

The Lesser Scaup, (Marila affinis), is one of the sea ducks,and, like its congeners, a very expert diver. It feeds chieflyon mollusks, which it finds in the mud, often at considerabledepths under water.

The Paradise Sheldrake, (Casarca variegata), of Australia,is a striking bird, occupying a position mid-way betweenthe ducks and geese. It is interesting to note that the femaleis much more attractive than the male, the head andneck being pure white, in contrast with the more sombrebody. This species is very quarrelsome in captivity.

The Ruddy Sheldrake, (Casarca casarca), is a bird of widedistribution, being found from the Mediterranean countriesto Japan, and also in northeast Africa. Both sexes are ofa uniform light chestnut, the male being distinguished bya black ring around the neck. The nest is always wellsheltered, often being placed in a hollow log.

The Common orTadorna Sheldrake, (Tadorna tadorna), isa remarkably colored bird, but unfortunately difficult tokeep alive in this climate. It nests in holes in the ground,preferably in disused rabbit burrows.

The Mandarin Duck, (Aix galericulata), is the Chinesecounterpart of our beautifulWood orSummer Duck, (Aixsponsa). Of all living ducks, the males of these two speciesare the most gorgeously colored and plumed, and they arealso of elegant form. Although both species are muchsought after, the number of available specimens continuesto be limited to a comparatively small number.

THE PHEASANT AND PIGEON AVIARY, No. 40.
Entire Collection is the Gift of Mr. Jacob H. Schiff.

The Pheasant Aviary is a building like a corridor 240 feetlong with a cross pavilion at each end. The main structureis divided into 22 shelters connecting with a like number ofwire enclosed outside runways, each of which is 8 feet wide,24 feet long and 8 feet high. The two end pavilions furnish32 smaller shelters and runways, making a total of 48 compartments.The shelters are divided into two stories, theupper series being designed for pigeons, doves and perchingbirds of various kinds. Each bird in this aviary can atevery moment of his life choose according to his needs fromthe following series of accommodations that are availableto him: An open, sunlit yard, a storm shelter with an openfront, or a closed room with one small door and a largewindow.

This beautiful and generous installation, 240 feet long,with 48 runways, accommodates the true Pheasants of theworld, the largest group of birds of the Pheasant Family(Phasianidae), which in turn is one of the grand divisionsof the sportsman’s own OrderGallinae, or upland gamebirds.Of the whole OrderGallinae,—which includes theGrouse, Ptarmigan, Partridges, Pheasants, Turkeys, Guinea-Fowls,Jungle Fowl, Quails, Brush-Turkeys, Curassows andGuans—the group of the Pheasants can justly claim the distinctionof possessing the most beautiful birds. Indeed, Ithink there is not to be found in the whole avian world agroup of game birds all the members of which, taken speciesby species, are so gorgeously apparelled as these.

In this brief notice of what is really one of the finestpheasant collections in the world, it is not possible to domore than direct the visitors’ attention to its chief items ofinterest. It must be stated well in advance, however, thatthese are birds of very shy and retiring habit, which owetheir existence as species to the success with which theyretreat from danger, and conceal themselves from man andbeast. These birds must not be forced to spend all the daylighthours in their runways; for some of them could notlong survive such exposure and excitement. To preservetheir lives, and keep them in health, they must have theprivilege of retiring into their shelters whenever they desire.But they roam in and out, and by the exercise of alittle effort in returning to them, the interested visitor willfind no great difficulty in seeing all the species.

There are few species of pheasants whose members aresufficiently peace-loving that many individuals can be kepttogether without deadly combats. Of most species save thegolden, silver and ring-neck, the cocks are so quarrelsomethat even two can not be kept together; and this fact constitutesa handicap upon those whose duty it is to maintainthe full strength of the exhibition. If a rare and quarrelsomemale pheasant dies unexpectedly, it is not always possibleto fill the vacancy on short notice.

Out of the half-dozen species which claim first place inan enumeration based on beauty and luxuriance of plumage—the158Amherst, Reeve, golden, silver, impeyan, Argusor Soemmerring—it is difficult to choose. Each has its shareof strong points, and it seems as if there is no “finest ofall.” Let us take them as they come to mind, for by reasonof the changes so often necessary in the runways, it is inexpedientto attempt an end-to-end enumeration.

The Golden Pheasant, (Chrysolophus pictus), is a universalfavorite; and it well deserves its wide popularity.Although small, it is as beautiful as the most entrancingsunset ever seen. It is very alert andchic, it is so goodtempered that we can have the rare pleasure of seeing awhole flock in one runway, and it is a good breeder. Tocrown all these fine qualities, it is so hardy, and so competenta “rustler” in seeking food that under fair conditionsit is easily transplanted from its native home inwestern and southern China. It has been introduced andacclimatized with gratifying success in Oregon, Washington,southern British Columbia near the Pacific coast, and elsewhere.In the shooting season, the shops of the taxidermistsof Vancouver and Portland are filled with these gorgeouscreatures, which appreciative sportsmen have found“too beautiful to eat.” One might as well try to describea sunset as to pen a mental picture of the wonderful combinationof golden yellow, orange, lapis-lazuli blue and deepcrimson that appear in the plumage of this gorgeous bird.

The Amherst Pheasant, (Chrysolophus amherstiae), is the159nearest relative to the golden species, and also a strong candidatefor first honors on the score of beauty. As far asyou can see the cock bird, you can recognize it by its marvellouscape of pure white feathers marked with semicirclesof black and steel-blue, which reaches from its eyes far backupon the shoulders. It is also easily recognized by its enormouslylong tail, the middle feathers of which are conspicuouslymarked by a regular series of diagonal bars of blacklaid on a light ground color. This bird is of small size, andfortunately for the public, it breeds in confinement with sufficientreadiness that a good supply for exhibition purposes isthereby maintained.

The Silver Pheasant, (Gennaeas nycthemerus), of China,is Nature’s “running mate” for the golden pheasant, notonly in the rocky hill forests of southern China, but inacclimatization, in captivity, and everywhere else. Whereveryou see a golden pheasant, look for the Silver also, withits showy, snow-white tail, and white mantle of featherswhich covers the whole upper two-thirds of the bird fromits ears to its tail. Its dark-colored under surface serves wellto accentuate the whiteness of its other parts. It is a largerbird than the golden and Amherst pheasants, but it is sogood tempered that every summer two or three cock birdsare kept in the great Flying Cage along with many smalland defenseless birds which might easily be molested. Inparks which are not visited by great numbers of people,160both this species and the golden are easily domesticated, andpermitted to roam at will.

The Reeves Pheasant, (Syrmaticus reevesi), of northernChina, is a most beautiful species, closely related to theJapanese, Elliott, Hume and Soemmerring pheasants,—all ofthem fine, showy birds. Like the Amherst, the ReevesPheasant has a very long tail, which in fully adult or oldmale birds often attains a length of five feet. When yousee in captivity a pheasant with an enormously long tail,it is safe to assume that it is either an Amherst or a Reeves.

The Soemmerring Pheasant, (Phasianus soemmerringii),sometimes very aptly called theCopper Pheasant, is a nativeof Japan, and a bird of which any country might well beproud. In size, form and length of tail it matches the commonring-necked pheasant. Its head and neck plumage isof a warm copper-bronze tint, but its most beautiful colorsare found in the elaborate cross-bar markings of its tail.The pattern of the latter reveals first a strong cross-bar ofchocolate brown, above that a broad band of fawn-color,and this blends into a mottling of black on cream-color,edged across with black.

The True Ring-Necked Pheasant, (P. torquatus), of China,brings to view a question that frequently is asked regardingtheEnglish Pheasant, (P. colchicus), which is the commonspecies of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, and ofGreat Britain and other continental areas byintroduction.We are asked, “Has the English Pheasant a white ringaround its neck, or not?”

The answer is,the true, pure-blooded English, or CommonPheasant, (P. colchicus), hasno ring around its neck; but somany persons have crossed the true Ring-Necked Pheasant,of China, with that species that in many flocks of the formerspecies the majority of the individuals are of mixed breed,with necks perceptibly ringed, yet passing as English Pheasants.As a matter of fact, in the world to-day, pure-bloodedEnglish Pheasants are rare. Both the English and Ring-Neckedspecies have been successfully introduced into severalportions of the United States.

While on this subject, we will here record the fact thatthe name Mongolian Pheasant, as often applied to the Ring-Neck,is a misleading error. The realMongolian Pheasant,of Turkestan, (P. mongolicus), is a species of such extremerarity that it is almost unknown, alive, in the United States.A fine pair of these birds is now on exhibition at the PheasantAviary.

The Argus Pheasant, (Argusianus argus), is a bird with agreat reputation for beauty, but as seen alive in zoologicalcollections it does not always come up to expectations. Bothits secondary feathers—which when fully developed are ofenormous length—and its primaries, are extremely beautiful;but unfortunately those beauties are not visible untilthe bird is dead, and its plumage displayed in a mannervery rarely adopted by the living, captive bird. But theeyes on the huge secondary feathers are wonderful, and eachprimary is a dream in ecru and brown tints, laid on in amost elaborate pattern. The Argus Pheasants are most shyand wide-awake birds, inhabiting the dense, hot and moistjungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, andare almost impossible to shoot. They are snared by theDyaks and Malays, and after the skin has been removed andcarefully preserved for museum purposes, the flesh is as fineeating as the breast of a quail and quite as palatable. Afew successful attempts have been made to breed thisspecies in captivity.

The Impeyan Pheasant, (Lophophorus impeyanus), is theneighbor of the Himalayan tahr, the burrhel, the ibex andthe markhor, and the delight of every sportsman who daresthe rocks of “the Roof of the World” in quest of Himalayanbig game. Its beauty is due chiefly to its metallic colors,and the splendid iridescence of its plumage. Its home isin the world’s most gigantic mountains, and it is not uncommonfor a bird that has flown out from a mountain-sideand been shot on the wing to fall 2,000 feet, and beyondhuman reach. No wonder this bird is popular with Anglo-Indiansportsmen.

The Pheasant Aviary is adouble installation, and as anaviary for Pigeons and Doves it is quite as perfect as it isfor Pheasants.

During the year 1910 and part of 1911, the pheasantsof the Old World were studied in their haunts by Mr. C.William Beebe, Curator of Birds. By reason of a cash giftto the Zoological Society made by Col. Anthony R. Kuser,he was enabled to make the expedition. The results will beembodied in an elaborate monograph, which probably willbe published in the near future.

THE OSTRICH HOUSE, No. 43.
This entire collection presented by the late Charles T. Barney.

Originally it was our intention to devote this fine buildingsolely to the great “running birds,”—Ostriches, Rheas,Emeus and Cassowaries; but the pressure for space has beenso great that this intention never has been carried intoeffect, and we fear it never will be. There are so manycranes, seriemas, tropical vultures and other large birdswhich appeal for space in these very pleasant and healthfulquarters, we have felt compelled to set our original planhalf at naught. It seems probable that some of the featheredinterlopers now in the Ostrich House will remain there,indefinitely—or at least until we erect a Crane Aviary.

Architecturally, the Ostrich House is the counterpart ofthe Small-Mammal House, the two being identical in sizeand form, and connected by a handsome pavilion. Eachbuilding is 170 feet long, and 54 feet wide. The OstrichHouse contains 13 cages, each 10×12 feet, by 8 feet in height.A flood of warm light pours through a glass roof into thesecages, and makes them as light as the yards without. It isno wonder that birds thrive in this building. Movable partitionswere provided, so that a few of the cages might besubdivided whenever necessary. This provision has provenof much practical value.

Each interior cage connects with a spacious outside yard,in which the big birds spend the warm months. The yardsare enclosed by wire fences, and to the eye of the visitorthey are open from three directions.

The members of the SubclassRatitae,—once called theCursores, or the “running birds,”—are the present-daygiants of the avian world. We have reason to be glad thatall these splendid birds did not disappear from the earthbefore ornithology took form as a science. Undoubtedly,they mark the end of the line of birds of their kind, for thefar-reaching destructiveness of civilized man has alreadyput a period to the natural evolution of animal life. To-day,the preservers of wild life are engaged in a hand-to-handstruggle with the annihilators, over the preservation of aremnant for those who come after us.

The African Ostriches are now very prominently in thepublic eye, not because of their relationship to the Dinornisand Aepyornis of the past, but by reason of the value of163their plumes in enhancing the attractiveness of woman.And surely, no plume-bearing bird ever enlisted in a bettercause, or on a more satisfactory basis; for to-day the plumecrop is being grown and plucked and marketed with almostas much certainty as the annual crop of wool. In theUnited States, the most important plume-producing ostrichfarms are situated in southern California and Arizona,where the industry is quite successful. So valuable are theadult birds that it is possible to purchase specimens importedfrom Africa for less money than would be necessaryto procure them in the United States.

A full-grown male African Ostrich stands 8 feet in height,and weighs about 300 pounds. Its value on arrival in NewYork, before acclimatization and moulting into perfect plumage,is from $200 to $250. The female lays about 90 eggsin a year, each of which is equal to about 20 hen’s eggs.The time of incubation is about 40 days. In captivity onlyabout 60 per cent of the eggs hatch, and of those not morethan one-half live to attain full maturity. The plumage ofimmature birds and adult females is gray, but that of theadult male is black on the body, and white on the wings andtail.

The South African Ostrich, (Struthio australis), differsfrom the species found in the north. The color of thenaked skin of its neck and thighs, and the front scales on164its metatarsus, is distinctly bluish, and dark. This is thespecies of the southern half of Africa, now so successfullyfarmed in Cape Colony for its feathers that the annualcrop is said to yield about $5,000,000. And it is this specieswhich is kept on the ostrich farms of California andArizona.

The North African, or Sudan Ostrich, (S. camelus), is thespecies first and longest known. Its neck, thighs and frontmetatarsal scales are of a decided pink color. Originallythe range of this species extended from north Africa wellinto southwestern Asia, embracing Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia.

Generally speaking, the African Ostriches originally coveredall the open, sandy plains of Africa; but they neverinhabited the regions of dense forests. To-day their totalinhabited range is small, and rapidly becoming more so. Itis highly probable that within the life period of many personsnow living, wild Ostriches will totally disappear fromthe earth.

The Common Rhea, or South American Ostrich, (Rheaamericana), represents a group of ostriches much smallerthan those of Africa, and found only on the open plans ofArgentina and Patagonia, below the great equatorial forestbelt. There are three species in the group. In generalterms it may be stated that an adult Rhea is about two-thirdsthe size of an adult African ostrich. It is with greatdifficulty that these birds are reared to maturity in theUnited States.

The Common Emeu, (Dromacus novae-hollandiae), of Australia,is the neighbor of the kangaroo and wallaby, and inform is as odd as are the majority of the birds and mammalsof that continent of strange creatures. Its body suggests apile of gray-brown hay elevated on stilts, to one end ofwhich a hay-covered neck and head have been attached. Thebird-lover should make much of this creature, for in itshome country it has been almost exterminated. Fortunately,in climates reasonably well suited to it—but not inor near New York—it is possible to breed this bird in captivity.In size the Emeu is next to the African ostrich.

The Ceram Cassowary, (Casuarius casuarius), of theIsland of Ceram, Malay Archipelago, represents a groupwhich contains a number of well-defined species which arescattered through the northern cape of Australia, NewGuinea, the Aru Islands, Ceram, and other islands of Malayanaeast of Celebes. They are all distinguished by theirglossy purple or black body plumage—which looks far morelike coarse hair than like feathers—their huge legs, andtheir helmeted heads. The differences between species arebased chiefly upon the bright orange red and purple colorsof their upper necks and wattles.

In size the Cassowaries are all of them smaller than theemeus. In captivity they are the best of all the large cursorial166birds, and live longer than either ostriches, rheas oremeus. They are essentially birds of the thick forests ratherthan open plains, and can not bear the glaring light and heatof midsummer that is the delight of an ostrich. In captivitythey are very apt to be quarrelsome toward each other.

Miscellaneous Birds in the Ostrich House.—At presentthese are so numerous and so important it is necessary tomention a few of them, even though the labels may be supposedto speak for them. They fall into several groups, chieflybirds of prey and cranes.

One of the most remarkable creatures in the entire collectionis theSecretary Bird, (Serpentarius serpentarius). It iswell known as a snake killer, its attacks being made withthe feet alone, and never with the beak. Its long legs are remarkablypowerful, and capable of dealing a crushing blow,always aimed at the head of the victim. Although it doesnot resemble the hawks and eagles in general appearance,it is in reality one of this group, and might well be describedas a “hawk on stilts.” The snakes, frogs, small animalsand birds which form its diet are generally swallowed entire.The long cockades of black feathers falling backwardsat each side of the head are said to have suggestedthe name Secretary Bird, from a fancied resemblance to aquill stuck behind the ear of a clerk.

The Brush Turkey, orTelegalla, (Catheturus lathami), is abird of the dark tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia.For many years it has been regarded as a zoologicalwonder, because of the remarkable manner in which it nestsand produces its young. Instead of building a small, hollownest, and hatching its eggs by the heat of its own body,it pursues the plan of the crocodile! Choosing an open spotin the forest it builds a huge mound, and as the structurerises, it lays its eggs in the heart of it. Turning its tail tothe mound-site, this absurd little bird—no larger than abarnyard hen—scratches about right and left, gathers a bigfootful of small dead sticks, grass and dirt, and fiercelyflings it backward upon the pile. A Brush Turkey in goodworking order can fling a bunch of jungle debris fully tenfeet. Usually the finished mound is about three feet highby ten feet in diameter on the ground, and contains two orthreecart-loads of sticks, leaves and grass. The eggs aredeposited in a circle, well separated from each other, andeach newly hatched bird must scratch out or die. Of course,167the eggs are incubated by the heat of the sun and the fermentationof the mass. When hatched, the young chicks areable to fly.

THE CRANES.

At present the Cranes of the Zoological Park are dividedbetween the Ostrich House and the Aquatic Bird House, andtheir environs. In summer there are exhibits of these birdsin the outdoor yards adjacent to each of those buildings.Recently, a number of species have been acclimatized in theCrane Paddock, and are to be seen there winter and summer.

The Whooping Crane, (Grus americana), is the largest, thehandsomest and the rarest crane species in America. Itsgreat size and its pure-white plumage—except its primaries—renderit conspicuous from afar, and its voice will carryhalf a mile. The arched secondary wing feathers of theadult give the bird a very jaunty appearance. This speciesis so rare that thus far we have been able in eight yearsto secure only three specimens. The Whooping Crane nestsin summer in the Arctic regions, but in winter it rangesas far south as Mexico. Our specimens of this bird will insummer be found in the large paddock immediately northof the Aquatic Bird House, with the next species.

The Sandhill Crane, (Grus mexicana), is smaller than thepreceding species, more common, and is frequently seen in168captivity. Its color is slaty-blue. It is found in the southeasternUnited States, but once was fairly common throughoutthe Mississippi valley. In captivity this bird often indulgesin some very droll antics—at times actually dancing.The adult males are often quite pugnacious, and inclined toattack those who go near them, and all visitors are warnednot to go within striking distance of them. Children especiallyshould not be permitted to climb over the guard wires,and approach close up to the cranes’ fences.

The Sarus Crane, of the plains and sand-bars of northernIndia, (Antigone antigone), greatly resembles our sandhillcrane, but is a much larger bird. This also is a quarrelsomespecies, and in captivity individuals are inclined to be crueltoward each other.

The Asiatic White Crane, (Sarcogeranus leucogeranus), islike a modest understudy to our whooping crane, in allrespects save the elevated tail-crest. It is a bird of widedistribution.

The Paradise Crane, (Tetrapteryx paradisea), of the openplains of Africa outside the deserts, is a slaty-blue bird witha head so puffed out with side feathers that it looks almostreptilian. Its tail-feathers taper out to infinity, and gracefullydroop quite to the ground. The little AfricanDemoiselleCrane, (Anthropoides virgo), is so diminutive, sodainty in appearance and so gentle-spirited that its young-ladylikenesshas been proclaimed in its name. Of all169foreign species of cranes, it is the one easiest to procure,and the most satisfactory to keep in collections. It neverquarrels, it is very sociable in its habits, and thrives incaptivity.

The Crowned Crane, (Balearica pavonina), also of Africa,is, perhaps, the most beautiful of all living cranes. It is ofmedium size, royally colored, and strikingly set off with aconspicuous crown of stiff, quill-like feathers that stand aserect and regular as the aigret of an Indian prince.

SECTION III.—THE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS.

THE REPTILE HOUSE, No. 34.

The Reptile House was the first large building erected inthe Zoological Park. It represents an earnest effort to presentcarefully selected examples of the reptilian Orders, in amanner which may afford the visitor and the student a generalview of the important groups of living reptiles.

The length of the Reptile House, over all, is 146 feet, andits greatest width is 100 feet. It is constructed of buff mottledbrick, combined with granite and Indiana limestone.In the ornamental cornice of terra cotta, reptilian formsmodelled by Mr. A. Phimister Proctor, the well-known animalsculptor, constitute an important feature. The buildingis roofed with slate, heated by hot water, and cost, withits cages, about $50,000. It is beautifully situated on theedge of a forest of primeval oaks, very near the geographicalcenter of the Park.

The great center hall is unbroken by a single column, andat one end it opens across the Crocodile Pool and its sandbanks,through three huge arches, into the green, junglymass of the conservatory. Of the tropical vegetationmassed behind the pool—palmettoes, bayonet cacti, yuccas,and the like, and the tillandsias, Spanish moss, resurrectionferns, and butterfly orchids,—nearly the whole came fromFlorida, along with five alligators which were the firstoccupants of the pool.

In effect, the central hall appears to be 115 feet in length,by 40 feet wide, exclusive of the cages. But, large as thisbuilding is, it would be an easy matter to fill all its availablespace with the reptiles of North America alone, choosingonly the handsome and showy forms. As we contemplatethe great number of species in our own reptilianfauna, the thought occurs, what can we do with the reptilesof the Old World? Manifestly, the only proper courseis to choose from the reptiles of the world the forms whichwill make for our visitors and students the most instructiveand attractive series of important types.

SYNOPSIS OF THE CLASS REPTILIA.

THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES.

ORDERS.	CONSPICUOUS EXAMPLES.	LOCALITY.
LIVING REPTILES.
Turtles, orChelonia.
	Aligator Turtle	Louisiana.
	Snapping Turtle	Zoological Park.
	Box Turtle	Zoological Park.
	Giant Tortoise	Galapagos Island.
	Gopher Tortoise	Florida.
	Painted Turtle	New York.
	Green Turtle (marine)	New York.
	Soft-shelled Turtle	Indiana.
Saurians, orCrocodilia.
	Alligator	Florida.
	Florida Crocodile	Southern Florida.
	Broad-nosed Crocodile	Africa.
Lizards, orLacertilia.
	Iguana (I. tuberculata)	West Indies.
	Horned “Toad”	Arizona.
	Green Lizard (L. viridis)	Europe.
	Monitor	Ceylon.
	“Glass Snake”	Florida.
	Gila Monster	Arizona.
	Chameleon	Africa.
Serpents, orOphidia.
Harmless.
	Regal Python	Malay Peninsula.
	Anaconda	British Guiana.
	Black Snake (B. constrictor)	Zoological Garden.
	Garter Snake	Zoological Park.
	Hog-Nosed Snake	Zoological Park.
Venomous.
	Coral Snake	Florida.
	Cobra de Capello	India.
	Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake	Florida.
	Water Moccasin	Florida.

The Order of Turtles, (Chelonia), is so large that it hasbeen found necessary to devote to its representatives thewhole central space of the main hall of the Reptile House,and also a specially designed Tortoise House of glass in theeastern end of the building. In the main hall are two features—one,a large square tank for large turtles; the other,a pool of running water between banks of earth, sand, andliving plants. This tank is 35 feet in length, and by meansof low, plate-glass partitions it is divided into ten cross sections,each of which can very comfortably provide for thewants of at least three species of turtles of medium size.173With a wonderfully rich Chelonian fauna on the westerncontinent to provide for, there is little room to spare forOld World forms, and the temptation to make this collectionstrictly Occidental, is almost too great to be resisted.For the sake of brevity and clearness, only six types havebeen chosen for special mention.

The following species taken together fairly represent thedifferent forms of Chelonians, from the highest to the lowest:

The Alligator Turtle, (Macrochelys lacertina), is the largestfresh-water chelonian in North America. In form andtemper it resembles the common snapping turtle of theNorth, and its home is in the Gulf States. The largest ofthe two Louisiana specimens on exhibition weighs 115pounds.

The Snapping Turtle, (Chelydra serpentina), which is themost courageous and pugnacious of all turtles, is ratherpoorly protected by its shell, and must therefore fight for itsplace in nature.

The Painted Turtle, (Chrysemys picta), is a species ofwide and common distribution, and fairly representative ofthe host of fresh water terrapins and turtles so commonthroughout the United States in ponds and streams of allsorts.

The Box Tortoise, (Cistudo carolina), lives on land, and asa means of perfect protection has been enabled by naturecompletely to withdraw its head and legs within its shell,174and by means of a hinge across the middle of the plastron,or lower shell, to close it tightly.

The Tortoise and Lizard Yards.—At the eastern end of theReptile House is a commodious glass-roofed hall, openinginto a series of sandy yards. This installation is occupiedby the collection of tortoises and the larger tropical lizards.These reptiles do better in captivity, and show to best advantage,if given outdoor sunlight and plenty of room forexercise.

The Giant Tortoises are among the most interesting ofliving reptiles. There are fourteen distinct species, all belongingto the genusTestudo. These creatures appear to besurvivors of the reptilian ages when reptiles attained colossalproportions. Fossil remains of the great tortoises showthese creatures to have formerly inhabited the continents,but the survivors are restricted to isolated groups of smallislands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Six species inhabitthe Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Four are foundin the Aldabra Islands in the Indian Ocean, and four inhabitthe Mauritius-Rodriguez group of Islands. All thespecies are rapidly becoming extinct. Recent expeditionsto the Galapagos Islands have reported that very few GiantTortoises now survive in those islands.

The Giant Tortoises are entirely herbivorous. The specimensexhibited consume great quantities of green food,which varies in kind according to the season’s supply. Duringthe summer months they feed largely upon melons.

Among the species exhibited isTestudo vicina, representedby our largest specimen, captured in the GalapagosIslands. It weighs slightly over two hundred and twenty-fivepounds. Another example from the same islands representsTestudo nigrita, a smaller and flatter species.Testudoelephantina, the Elephant Tortoise, is represented by a largespecimen from the Aldabra Islands, which is growingrapidly. The latter tortoise has a very high shell, and proportionatelysmall head.

The Gopher Tortoises, (Testudo carolina), are large, thick-shelled,clumsy creatures, which burrow in holes in thesandy southern regions where they live. Once they werecommon in southern Florida, but their edibility has resultedin a great decrease in their abundance.

The South American Tortoise, (Testudo tabulata), is agood representative of the smaller tortoises from variousparts of the world. It is common throughout tropical175South America and attains a maximum length of shell ofabout 14 inches. The shell is elongated and blackish, eachof the shields having a yellowish center. Like all of thetortoises, this is a herbivorous reptile.

The Marine Turtles.—At the New York Aquarium, situatedin Battery Park, and managed by the New YorkZoological Society, will be found a fine collection of suchlarge sea-turtles as theLoggerhead,Green Turtle andHawksbill, which require salt water.

The Soft-Shelled Turtle, (Aspidonectes ferox).—As to livingrelatives, this strange genus seems apropos of nothing.Like some of the marine turtles its shell is greatly reducedin weight, so that it can float more readily; instead of beingsolid bone, it terminates in a wide, thin edge of cartilage,which is so soft that when properly boiled it constitutespalatable food.

THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.

The Order of Crocodilians.—This important Order, themembers of which are widely distributed throughout thetropics and sub-tropics of the world, contains nineteenspecies. At this point it is well to correct certain verygeneral misapprehensions regarding crocodilians.

Crocodiles arenot confined to the Old World; at leastthree species being found abundantly in tropical America.

The “movement” of a crocodile’s jaw differs in no mannerwhatever from that of an alligator.

There is no authentic record of the loss of a human lifethrough our common alligator.

TheAlligator genus embraces theAmerican Alligator,(A. mississippiensis), of the southern United States and asmall species found in China! The head of the Alligator isvery flat and its sides are nearly parallel, while the head ofa typical crocodile is nearly triangular.

The American Alligator is well represented in the Pool inthe Reptile House, by several lusty specimens, all of whicheat voraciously, are growing rapidly, and undoubtedly enjoyinglife. The largest specimen, a burly monster overtwelve feet in length, has grown nearly five feet in lengthsince its arrival here in 1899.

In summer, the Alligator Pool on the hill, southeast of theReptile House, is well stocked with alligators of various176sizes, and it is there that visitors can secure most realisticimpressions of the appearance of this species in a state ofnature, and in abundant numbers.

Under favorable conditions,—warm water and air, goodlight, plenty of room, and abundant food,—the Alligatorgrows rapidly. A specimen hatched in our Reptile Housein October, 1900, was in January, 1911, 8 feet 3 inches long,and weighed 75 pounds.

TheCrocodile genus is widely represented throughout theworld. Of the whole eleven species, the American continentcontains four—theFlorida Crocodile, (Crocodilusacutus floridanus), attaining a length of 14 feet, which wasdiscovered at the head of Biscayne Bay, in 1875, by W. T.Hornaday; theAmerican Crocodile, (C. acutus); theSharp-nosedOrinoco Crocodile (Crocodilus intermedius), found inSouth America; and the smallCrocodilus rhombifer, whichis found only in Cuba and the West Indies.

Of the seven remaining species, Asia contains four, andAfrica three. Of the Asiatic species, one frequents saltwater.

The Florida Crocodile is now represented by two specimensnearly 9 feet long, from Madina Creek, southern Florida,presented by Mr. Julian A. Dimock. It is to be recognizedat a glance by its dark olive color and sharp-pointedhead. This is the only species of crocodile found in theUnited States. Its maximum length is 14 feet 2 inches.

The Broad-Nosed Crocodile, (Osteolaemus tetraspis), ofAfrica, is represented by two specimens. This species ischaracterized by the broad, bony-looking head. It is one ofthe smaller crocodilians attaining a maximum length of fivefeet.

THE LIZARDS.

The Tropical Lizards.—Several families of lizards arerepresented among the specimens occupying the ReptileHouse, the Tortoise room and outside runways. Amongthese are theIguanas, Tegus and Monitors.

Among theIguanas are several large and interesting lizards.The largest of these is theRhinoceros Iguana, (Cycluracornuta), found in Hayti. Contrary to the generalbelief, but like all the Iguanas, it is partly carnivorous,though it feeds largely upon vegetables and fruit. Thisspecies receives its name from the presence of three well-definedhorns upon the snout.

The Mexican Iguana, (Ctenosaura acanthura), looksunique in the possession of rings of sharp spines about thetail. Most specimens are jet black when adult, but veryyoung examples are pale green.

The South American Iguana, (Iguana tuberculata), may bereadily distinguished by the very pronounced fringe of178erect spines which rise along the back-bone of male specimens,and also by the presence of a rounded tubercle orplate on each side of the head. This is a brightly coloredIguana, having bars of green, gray and black. It is strictlyarboreal, and evinces stronger herbivorous habits than speciesof the allied genera. A large male specimen is sevenfeet long, but much of this length is taken up by the graduallytapering tail. In South America—on the Orinoco, atleast—this species is considered edible, and the writer cantestify that to a hungry man its flesh is excellent.

The very popularHorned “Toad”, (Phrynosoma), of thesouthwestern states, of which there are eight or nine species,should be mentioned if for no other reason than to placeit where it belongs—with the lizards, and not with thetoads.

The Tegus, (genusTupinambis), are powerful lizards,growing to a length of four feet, and inhabiting tropicalSouth America. They are fleet of foot, mainly carnivorousand very quarrelsome. It is impossible to keep any but thelarger lizards in the yard with them. Tegus are fond ofeggs, breaking the shell at one end and lapping up the contentsby means of the very broad, forked tongue. They willalso eat raw beef.

The Australian Monitor, (Varanus gouldii), is a good representativeof a genus of large and powerful lizards confinedto the Old World, where they occur in India, Malaysia,Africa and Australia. Monitors grow to a length of eightfeet. They are swift runners, entirely carnivorous, andusually dwell in thick jungles. They are able to swallowentire an animal as large as a half-grown rabbit. All arefond of eggs, swallowing them without breaking the shell,which is soon dissolved by the powerful gastric juices.

Other Lizards.—Within the main halls of the ReptileHouse will be found various representatives of the smallerLizards, a few of which may be mentioned.

The beautiful, emerald-coloredGreen Lizard, (Lacertaviridis), of Europe, is not only a handsome species, but it isalso one of the most satisfactory to keep in a vivarium—agood feeder and always posing.

The famousGlass “Snake,” (Ophiosauris ventralis), is importantbecause its resemblance to a snake is so perfectit is generally mistaken for one, although a true lizard. It179is not, however, a “connecting link” between the lizardsand the serpents.

Our well-knownGila Monster, (pronouncedHe-la) (Helodermasuspectum), is a stupid, slow-moving creature from thesouthwestern deserts, thick-set and stumpy in body, and ithas the appearance of being covered all over with dark-brown-black,and yellow beads, such as Indians use in theirbead industry. Its bite is sufficiently venomous that it inflictsa painful wound, but it is not necessarily fatal.

TheChameleon of the Old World, (Chamaeleo vulgaris),because of its color phases and its remarkable form, is trulya great “curiosity”; but it should not be confused with ourso-called American Chameleon, which belongs to anotherFamily, and is also less interesting.

THE SERPENTS.

The Order of Serpents, (Ophidia).—The large glazedcases along the northern side of the main hall of the ReptileHouse are devoted to the larger serpents, while the smallerspecies are provided for along the south wall, and in theadjoining room. One serious difficulty in the management ofa collection of living serpents lies in the fact that often themost valuable specimens are so nervous and shy in theirfeeding habits it is impossible to cage several together.

Out of the many species of serpents exhibited in the ReptileHouse, ten are chosen as fairly representing the principalgroups.

The Regal Python, (Python reticulatus), here representedby a fine specimen, 22 feet in length, weighing 170 pounds,is the best representative of the rock pythons of Asia andAfrica. The island of Borneo is its center of distribution.None of the constrictors is venomous, but their crushingpower is almost beyond belief.

The Rock Python, (Python sebae), of Africa, is a light-coloredspecies with a very small head, and is frequentlyseen in the hands and around the necks of snake-charmers.

The Anaconda, (Eunectes murinus), is one of the largestconstrictors of tropical America, and is noted for its aquatichabits. It is a handsome serpent, being of a rich greencolor, marked with large black spots.

The Black Snake, (Bascanium constrictor), a common speciesin the eastern United States, is probably the highest180type of the harmless snakes. It is a serpent of great vigorand activity in running, climbing, and swimming; it possessesgreat courage, and seeks prey of many kinds in allkinds of situations.

The Garter Snake, (Eutaenia sirtalis), is more frequentlyseen in the eastern United States than any other serpent.Although the warfare waged against it is perpetual, regardlessof the fact that it is as harmless as a fly, its numbers donot sensibly diminish.

The Hog-Nosed Snake, “Puff Adder,” or “Sand-Viper,”(Heterodon platyrhinus), represents a large and importantFamily, and, despite its dangerous appearance and terrifyingnames, it is quite harmless. It represents one of Nature’smethods for protecting harmless and inactive creatures,by making them resemble others which are dangerous.

Venomous Reptiles.—Because of the number of speciesof rattlesnakes which have found lodgment in the UnitedStates, and the trouble they have caused in a few localities,we are specially interested in all serpents which are dangerousto man. The species named below represents the deadlygenera which civilized man has most cause to fear.

The Harlequin Snake, or Coral Snake, (Elaps fulvius),represents a genus which contains many species, though butfew of them occur in America.

The King Cobra, (Naja bungaris), from the Malay Peninsula,181often calledSnake-Eating Cobra, is the most dangerousof all serpents, because it is the largest and the most athleticof the venomous species, and for its bite there is noeffective antidote. It feeds only on living snakes. The finespecimen exhibited is about ten feet in length.

The Cobra-de-Capello, (Naja tripudians), of which somefine specimens are shown, is the terror of India, where itkills between 18,000 and 20,000 people annually! Thisis the most deadly of all serpents. For its bite, science hasthus far been powerless to find an antidote, although Dr.Albert Calmette, of Lille, France, experimenting extensivelyin this direction, has secured partially successful results.

The most vicious snake in North America, and one ofthe ugliest in appearance, is theWater Moccasin, (Ancistrodonpiscivorus),—closely related to the beautifulCopperhead,(A. contortrix). It is more dreaded in the South thanthe rattler, because it strikes on the slightest provocation,and without the rattler’s timely warning. Its colors aredull, its scales rough, its body ill-shaped and clumsy, itstemper is vicious, and for every reason it is a serpent to bedisliked.

The Diamond-Back Rattlesnake, (Crotalus adamanteus), istoo handsome, too showy, and too large to be chosen as thebest average type of the genusCrotalus; but he is king ofhis kind, and cannot be ignored. Three species shown side182by side in our Reptile House afford striking examples ofprotective coloration. The Diamond-Back Rattler of Floridaand the South is yellow, brown, and black, to match thecheckers of sunbeam and shadow that fall upon the sandsunder the palmetto leaves.

THE BATRACHIANS, OR AMPHIBIANS.

Among the many wonders of Nature, none is more interestingthan those forms which serve to connect the greatgroups of vertebrate animals, by bridging over what otherwisewould seem like impassable chasms.

Between the birds and the reptiles there is a fossil bird,called the Archæopteryx, with a long, vertebrated, lizard-liketail, which is covered with feathers, and the Hesperornis,a water bird with teeth, but no wings, which inhabited theshores of the great western lake which has already yieldedto American paleontologists a great number of most remarkablefossil forms.

Between the reptiles and the fishes, stretches a wonderfulchain of living links by which those two Classes of vertebratesare so closely and unbrokenly united, and by suchan array of forms, that they constitute an independent Class,the Batrachia, or Amphibia. In the transition from waterto land, from fins and gills to legs and lungs, Nature hasmade some strange combinations. In some instances thefins, legs, lungs and gills have become so mixed that severalnotable misfits have resulted, and in some cases we see gillsand legs going together, while in other lungs and fins areassociated.

The Reptile House contains about two dozen species ofAmphibians, and it is reasonably certain that this numberwill be maintained and increased. They are to be foundin small aquarium cases, ranged along the south side andeastern end of the Main Hall.

The Bullfrog, (Rana catesbiana), is a fair representativeof the Batrachians which stand nearest to the true land-goingreptiles. During the early stages of its existence it isin turn, a fin-tailed tadpole with no legs, a short-tailed tadpolewith a pair of front legs, a shorter-tailed tadpole withfour legs, and finally a fully-developed, land-going frogwith a voice like a small bull, and no tail whatever. Of thegenusRana, there are five species in the eastern UnitedStates, several of which inhabit the Zoological Park.

The Wood Frog, (Rana sylvatica), is frequently seen inmoist valleys in the Zoological Park, where its chocolatebrown back so closely matches the color of the dead leavesand moist earth; it is difficult to find, save when it takes oneof its flying leaps. The specimens shown were taken nearthe Beaver Pond.

The Tree Frog, (Hyla pickeringi), is the commonest ofthe queer little tree-loving species which are so easy to hear,and so difficult to find. In spring their voices are the firstto be heard in the swamps. The Zoological Park is full ofHylas, and their cheerful piping is heard at all seasons,especially in dry midsummer, when dark storm-cloudsgather and promise rain.

The Common Toad, (Bufo lentiginosus), is found in theZoological Park, though not in such abundance as the twopreceding species.

Among the most remarkable creatures in the ReptileHouse are the specimens ofSmooth-Clawed Frog, (Xenopuslaevis), from Africa andThe Surinam Toad, (Pipa americana).Both of these species are strictly aquatic and have broadlypalmated hind feet. The Surinam Toad comes from DutchGuiana. It is unique in its breeding habits. The male collectsthe eggs and places them on the female’s back wherethey are engulfed in large folds of the skin, which formcells in which the metamorphosis occurs.

The Spotted Salamander, (Salamandra maculosa), becauseof its broad, bright yellow bands and blotches, laid on arich, dark-brown body color, is one of the most showy of allAmphibians. It comes from Europe, and being much prizedin collections, it frequently passes through the hands ofdealers in reptiles. Its skin is very moist and clammy,which gives the creature the appearance of having beenvarnished. This is the creature which is supposed to beable to withstand fire—a belief which is purely imaginative.

The Tiger Salamander or Axolotl, (Amblystoma tigrinum),is a widely different creature from the preceding. It isfound throughout the greater portion of the North Americancontinent, and as far south as Central Mexico. Thirteenother species of the genusAmblystoma are found inNorth America and Mexico. In the matter of “harmonizingwith environment,” theAmblystoma is one of the mostremarkable creatures in existence. In its larval stage(corresponding with the tadpole stage of a frog), this animal184possesses external gills, red and sponge-like in appearance,and its tail has a fin-like edge above and below, likethe tail of an eel.

So long as this larval creature remains in water, its externalgills remain and do duty, and the larval stage continuesindefinitely. Remove it from water, or let its homepool dry up, and, presto! its gills dry up, its tail loses itsfin-like edges, and the creature goes about on land, breathingair instead of water, with lungs instead of gills.

The “Water-Dog” or “Hellbender,” (Cryptobranchusallegheniensis), is a salamander-like amphibian, from 18 to 22inches long when adult, found more frequently in Pennsylvaniathan elsewhere. They are said to be very tenaciousof life, and voracious in their food habits, feeding onworms, minnows and crayfish, and often taking the hook ofthe fisherman in quest of that most repulsive of all Americanfishes, the cat-fish. Between cat-fish and water-dogthere would seem to be small choice. Mr. William Frearoffers this testimony in regard to the tenacity of life of thiscreature:

“One specimen, about 18 inches in length, which had lainon the ground exposed to a summer sun for 48 hours, wasbrought to the museum, and left lying a day longer beforeit was placed in alcohol. The day following, desiring to185note a few points of structure, I removed it from the alcoholin which it had been completely submerged for at least20 hours, and had no sooner placed in on the table than itbegan to open its big mouth, vigorously sway its tail to andfro, and give other undoubted signs of vitality.”

The Congo Snake, orAmphiuma, (Amphiuma means), isa creature which closely resembles a thick-tailed snake.A close examination, however, discloses a tiny pair of frontlegs; and far back, well toward the end of the tail, a smallpair of hind legs appear. These are about as valuable tothe animal as the tiger’s clavicle is to him. There are buttwo species belonging to this strange genus, both of whichare found in the stagnant waters of our southeastern states.Still lower than the amphiuma, isThe Mud Eel, (Siren lacertina),of the southeastern quarter of the United States,which possesses small external gills, and only one pair oflegs, which are in front.

The Menobranchus, orMud Puppy, (Necturus maculatus),possesses external gills and four legs, and inhabits many ofthe rivers of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, the great lakesand also the lakes of northern New York. It is often takenin fisherman’s nets.

SECTION IV.— THE INSECTS.

THE INSECT COLLECTION.[1]

A collection of insects was formed and placed on exhibitionduring the early summer of 1910. While this firstexhibit was not elaborate, it excited such interest that itwas decided to enlarge it, by taking advantage of the seasonwhich then was at its best for insect collecting.

A series of long shelves has been built in the Pavilionbetween the Small-Mammal House and the Ostrich House,and thirty-five glass-fronted cages, together with a row ofaquaria for aquatic specimens, were installed. A numberof collecting trips were made into the country within aradius of twenty-five miles of the city, with such markedsuccess, that by the middle of July the collection was pronouncedby a number of visitors to equal in interest anyexhibition of the kind heretofore attempted in this country,or in Europe. In view of the marked interest created bythis display, the insect collection will hereafter be a permanentfeature of the Park.

There are so many possibilities in exhibiting living insectsthat it is difficult to select groups to feature for thesummer. Our efforts were first directed toward exhibiting aseries of the different insects that sing, and also a seriesof species injurious to the interests of the agriculturists,together with a number of the insects that prey upon thenoxious species. The collection of singing insects was amarked success and will hereafter be continued each summer.

We are gathering from both the Old World and the New,a fine collection of the larger silk moths. The cocoons willbe shown on panels, and inasmuch as a number of themoths will be emerging daily, this exhibit should be instructive.During the winter the insect collection is made uplargely of tropical species; and in this series we include thelarge bird-killing spiders, scorpions and centipedes, eventhough these creatures are not to be classified as true insects.

The collection of singing insects of the past summer wascomposed of the meadow locust, greater and lesser cone-headedlocust, the Katy-did, broad-winged locust, fieldcricket, lesser field cricket, smooth-winged cricket and twospecies of the tree crickets. There were about five hundredspecimens in the collection, and at times the noise madeby them was so great that visitors had to shout to one anotherto make their own voices audible. The sounds comingfrom this collection varied according to the time of day.It was late in the afternoon, when the larger locusts commencedtheir singing (which continued throughout thenight), and inasmuch as the strictly diurnal species were yetactive, the insect chorus was quite vociferous.

It is only with considerable difficulty that singing insectsare collected. The best time to capture them is at187night, when the collector stalks the loudest singers, and byapproaching within definite investigating distance, can accuratelylocate the insects by bringing into use an electricflash-lamp. The glare of the light usually causes the insectto stop its calls, but it remains motionless upon a branch orleaf and may be grasped with a delicate pair of forceps,provided the movements of the collector’s arm are performedoutside the rays of light. If the locust has become silentand cannot be detected when the light is thrown upon it,the collector simply switches off the light and remainsquiet. In a few minutes the creature continues its song,when its exact location is again determined. In this waythe night songsters of a big meadow are collected, one byone, and the collector leaves behind him a silent field that afew hours before resounded with the stridulations of theinsect chorus.

Among the more interesting insects exhibited, in ourseries are to be found the walking-stick, the praying mantis,the huge red-winged locust of the South, the Egyptianscarab, the luminous beetle of Central and South America,and broods of silk worm. The life history of the mosquitowill be permanently illustrated in a series of tanks, and adjoiningthese an exhibit of natural enemies of these pests.

The insect collection is supplied with interesting descriptivelabels. During the latter part of spring it is removedfrom the Reptile House, where, during the winter the numberof its cages are much reduced, and replaced in thequarters occupied during the summer.

INDEX.

Footnotes

Membership in the Zoological Society

Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all who are interested in the objects of theorganization, and desire to contribute toward its support.

The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admissionto the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.Members are entitled to all the Annual Reports, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges ofthe Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary ticketsto the Zoological Park for distribution.

Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payment of $200. A subscriberof $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, aFounder in Perpetuity, and $25,000 a Benefactor.

Applications for membership may be handed to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;Dr. C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to theGeneral Secretary, No. 11 Wall Street, New York City.

PUBLICATIONS

Reports and Publications of the Zoological Society are for sale at prices affixed below:

H. R. MITCHELL,
Manager of Privileges,
Zoological Park, 185th St. & Southern Boulevard.New York City.

Transcriber’s Notes

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Administration Bldg., 8	D 4
Alaskan House, 32	H 3
Alligator Pool, 36	H 4
Antelope House, 50	J 3
Bear Dens, 37	H 5
Beaver Pond, 29	G 5
Biological Laboratory, 28 A	G 4
Bird House, Aquatic, 5	D 2
Bird House, Large, 7	D 3
Bison, 51	J 5
Boat House, 54	M 6
Buffalo Herd, 52	J 6
Burrowing Animals, 42	I 3
Cage, Flying, 4	C 3
Camel House, 39	I 2
Deer House, Small, 49	I 2
Deer, American, 30	H 2
Deer, Asiatic, 1	C-D 2
Deer, Axis and Sika, 2	C 2
Deer, Fallow, 53	K 4
Deer, Red, 10	D 2
Duck Aviary, 3	C 3
Eagle and Vulture Aviary, 11	E 2
Elephant House, 20	F 3
Elk Range, 21	G 2
Feed Barn, 27	G 3
Flying Cage, 4	C 3
Fountain, Rockefeller, 13	D 4
Fountains, Drinking,	D 2, H 2, M 7
Fox Dens, 23	G 2
Lion House, 15	E 3
Llama House, 38	I 2
Lydig Arch, 47	I 5
Mammal House, Small, 35	H 3
Mountain Sheep Hill, 44	I 4
Musk Oxen, 48	I 2
Nursery, 18	E 9
Ostrich House, 43	I 3
Otter Pools, 31	H 2
Pavilion, Shelter, 26	G 3
Pheasant Aviary, 40	I 2
Polar Bear Den, 37	H 5
Prairie Dogs, 41	I 3
Primate House, 17	E 4
Puma and Lynx House, 33 A	H 3
Raccoon’s Tree, 44 A	I 5
Reptile House, 34	H 4
Restaurant, 46	I 5
Riding Animals, 6	D 3
Rocking Stone, 45	I 5
Sea Lion Pool, 12	D 3
Service Bldg., 28	H 4
Soda Fount’s.	*D 2, G 3, H 4
Subway Station	O 6
Toilets, W. M.,	C 3, E 3, G 3, I 5, L 6, M 8
Tortoise Yards	H 4
Totem Pole, 32	H 3
Turkeys, Wild, 33	H 3
Wolf Dens, 22	G 3
Yak House, 55	K 4
Zebra Houses, 14	E 2

Attendance of visitors in 1914	2,020,433
Total attendance of visitors from 1899 to Jan., 1915	19,325,590

General Officers
WILLIAM T. HORNADAY,Director
H. J. SHORTER	Assistant Secretary
R. L. CERERO	Assistant to Treasurer
DR. GEORGE S. HUNTINGTON	Prosector
C. GRANT LA FARGE	Architect
H.DeB. PARSONS	Consulting Engineer

Officers of the Zoological Park.
WILLIAM T. HORNADAY, Sc.D.
Director and General Curator.
H. R. MITCHELL	Chief Clerk and Disbursing Officer
R. L. DITMARS	Curator of Reptiles, Asst. Curator of Mammals
C. WILLIAM BEEBE	Curator of Birds
LEE S. CRANDALL	Assistant Curator of Birds
W. REID BLAIR, D.V.S.	Veterinarian
H. W. MERKEL	Chief Forester and Constructor
ELWIN R. SANBORN	Editor and Photographer
GEORGE M. BEERBOWER	Civil Engineer
WILLIAM MITCHELL	Cashier

Our Vanishing Wild Life (Hornaday) postpaid			“	1.65
Destruction of Our Birds and Mammals (Hornaday)	“	.15
Notes on Mountain Sheep of North America (Hornaday)	“	.40
The Caribou (Grant)	“	.40	“	.60
The Origin and Relationship of the Large Mammals of North America (Grant)			“	1.00
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant)			“	1.00
Zoologica Vol. 1, Nos 1-11 inclusive, set	“	2.30
Sea-Shore Life (Mayer)			“	1.20
The National Collection of Heads and Horns (Hornaday) Large Quarto. Parts 1 and 2, each	“	1.00

1st	Edition,	October,	1899—	5000
2d	“	May,	1900—	5000
3d	“	December,	1900—	5000
4th	“	October,	1901—	3000
5th	“	June,	1902—	10000
6th	“	“	1903—	10000
7th	“	“	1904—	15000
8th	“	“	1906—	7000
9th	“	“	1907—	30000
10th	“	October,	1909—	30000
11th	“	June,	1911—	30000
12th	“	“	1913—	40000
13th	“	September,	1915—	20000

Land area west of the Boston Road	150	acres.
Land area east of the Boston Road	80	“
Bronx Lake	25	“
Lake Agassiz	5½	“
Aquatic Mammals’ Pond, Cope Lake and Beaver Pond	3½	“
Total area	264	acres.

Annual	Report	No.	1	Paper	$ .40
“	“	“	2	“	.75	Cloth	$1.00
“	“	“	3 and 4, each	“	.40	“	.60
“	“	“	5“ 6“	“	.75	“	1.00
“	“	“	7“ 8“	“	1.00	“	1.25
“	“	“	9“ 10“	“	1.25	“	1.50
“	“	“	11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, each	“	1.00	“	1.25