igi?- Irish Societies. 51 



a curious dancing performance, a rare Rolo-way from the Gold Coast, and 

 three White-collar Mangabeys, one of which is of great size. A Hamadr3'as 

 Baboon — the " sacred " monkey of the ancient Egyptians — and a large 

 Anubis Baboon from West Africa live together on friendly terms in the 

 large central cage, which afTords them ampk- scope for mutual chnses 

 and climbing competitions. The American group was represented last 

 year by Capuchins. These have, unhappily, all died, but tv/o Humboldt's 

 Woolly Monkeys (I-agothrix), on deposit, worthil}' represent the New- 

 World Primates, as well as a Fehne Douroucouli — an animal rarely seen 

 in collections. A beautiful little Titi, given by Capt. Henderson during 

 the summer, proved very docile and affectionate ; unfortunately, it died 

 in October. 



Among the older lions, the East African " Fritz," given to the Society 

 four years ago by Mr. H. Gurney Barclay, has died ; all the other mature 

 stock is still on view. Four litters of cubs were born during the year, 

 comprising twelve specimens. Of these, three of each sex were in the 

 House at the close of the year ; of the remainder, four died, two were 

 sent to Canada in exchange for a Black Bear, Canadian Porcupines and 

 Beavers, while two were sold, together with six of the 1915 cubs. The 

 stock now stands at twenty — ten of each sex. 



The old Tigress, " Ranee," given by the Nizam of Hyderabad, died 

 in October, but two handsome pairs of Tigers are left in the House. Un- 

 fortunately, the Jaguars and three of the Leopards have died during the 

 year, leaving only one Leopard to represent the larger spotted felines. 

 Promises of gifts to replace these losses have been received, but it is feared 

 that it may not be possible to import them while the war lasts. The 

 Cheetah, given by Capt. Dobbs, died in February, to the grief of many 

 admirers of such a friendly beast. The stock of Bears has been increased 

 by a very fine Black male, received in exchange from the Riversdale 

 Gardens, Toronto. 



Unhappily, several interesting and valuable animals in the Herbivore 

 Houses have died during the year. The Eland bull succumbed in March, 

 and the cow, kindly promised a year ago, and given in the spring by the 

 Duke of Bedford, survived only until August. The Indian Antelope, 

 after a long life in the Gardens, also died in August. As some compen- 

 sation for these losses, a very handsome Zebu bull from Borneo, w4th 

 two cows, were given by the Zoological Society of London ; shortly after 

 arrival in June, one of the latter gave birth to a fine calf ; these beasts 

 are kept in the paddock beyond the lake, where they show to great 

 advantage. Another midsummer birth of much interest was that of a 

 female Bison calf, v/hich is thriving ; in its early weeks, this calf's fur 

 was of a bright red colour, but it has now assumed the dark coat of its 

 parents. /\ Greek Boar from jMudros— -formerly a warship pet — is another 

 noteworthy acquisition. 



Two pairs of Canadian Porcupines have been acquired during the year ; 

 these are on view beneath the Haughton House ; a new Beaver from 

 Toronto is another gratifying addition to the collection of Rodents. On 

 the other hand, we deplore the loss of the pair of Capybaras, which tor 



