EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 83 



the number brought in during the past fiscal year considerably ex- 

 ceeds that of preceding years. Interesting, also, was a shipment of 

 16 California Valley quail, imported from Austria.^ These birds, 

 like wood ducks and other native species, have been sent abroad, 

 where they are raised in captivity and are now being reimported. 



Among the miscellaneous nongame birds was one Imperial Amazon 

 parrot, imported from Dominica for the New York Zoological Park. 

 This very rare parrot is almost extinct, and the specimen, which 

 arrived on Februarj^ 19, 1912, is apparently the first that has been 

 imported alive into the United States. The shama thrush continues 

 in popularity as a substitute for the mocking bird, as shown by the 

 fact that more than 200 were brought in during the year. Rare birds 

 imported for the first time included several East Indian species, most 

 of which were consigned to the New York Zoological Park. Among 

 the rarer mammals was a female gorilla, received by the park on 

 September 23, 1911, which only lived until October 5. By far the 

 larger number of mammals were guinea pigs and monkeys, imported 

 for laboratory and pathological experiments. About half the 

 -squirrels imported are the European red squirrel, and the remainder 

 are chiefly Mexican species. There were also about 1,300 white mice, 

 intended chiefly for research purposes, a few silver and cross foxes, 

 several beavers, and a number of ferrets. The foxes and beavers 

 come from Canada, the former imported for breeding purposes, the 

 latter for exhibition, while the ferrets are imported chiefly for kill- 

 ing rats. 



No prohibited species, so far as known, have gained entry during 

 the year. Under date of July 10, 1911, the director of the New York 

 Zoological Park ordered the destruction of the female mongooses 

 belonging to the park, leaving three males. One of the latter died in 

 March, and on June 2, 1912, the other two were still on exhibition. 



NATIONAL GA^NIE AND BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



It is not too strong an assertion to say that the antelope is in 

 greater danger of extermination than any other kind of American 

 big game, and that serious consideration and well-directed effort 

 are necessary to prevent the species from becoming extinct in several 

 States in which it was formerly abundant. Tlie Yellowstone Park 

 does not contain half as many antelope as it did four years ago, and 

 not a national game refuge has been established in a region where 

 antelope still remain, while attempts to stock certain bison ranges 

 with those animals have not as yet met with success. There is great 

 need for a suitable preserve, especially for antelope, in the antelope 

 country. More effective protection seems to have been provided on 

 private ranges in the Southwest than under cither Federal or State 

 auspices. 



