SECRETARY'S REPORT 111 



but are active and entertaining, and give scientists and others their 

 first glimpse of this extremely rare form. 



A flat-tailed otter {Pteronura hrasiliensis) , the first of its kind 

 to be exhibited in the Zoo. It was a young of the large river otter 

 of Brazil that is fairly well known in its native habitat but so far 

 as is known has not previously been exhibited in the United States. 



Two wombats had been ordered as a pair, but on arrival one was 

 found to be the rare hairy-nosed wombat {Lasiorhinus latifrons)^ 

 an even more desirable specimen than the common wombat {Vombatus 

 hirsuty^) that accompanied it. This is the first hairy-nosed wombat 

 exhibited in this Zoo. 



Two lesser pandas (Ailurvs fitlgens) , the first in the collection for 

 many years, were received in June. These relatives of the raccoons 

 are uncommon in collections largely because of the difficulty of getting 

 them to eat the food that can be provided. One of these has apparently 

 adapted itself to conditions in the Zoo and appears to be thriving on 

 its favorite food, bamboo leaves and shoots, plus pablum and eggs. 



Four young gibbons {Hylobates) constituted one of the most enter- 

 taining exhibits in the park. All are still in their immature buff- 

 colored coat but are gradually acquiring the markings char- 

 acteristic of the adults so that definite identification can later be made. 



A fine pair of cheetahs {Acinonyx juhatus) were received. These 

 large, graceful, long-legged, spotted cats are the swiftest of all four- 

 legged animals and are frequently tamed and trained for hunting. 

 Their feet are unique among those of cats in that they resemble the 

 feet of dogs in not having retractile claws. 



A choice pair of young tayras (Tayra harhara) are so active in 

 their cage that they have greatly interested the public. These giant 

 weasel-like creatures of South America are dark brown with gray 

 heads and have a striking cream-colored marking on the throat. 



A pair of giant Indian squirrels {Ratufa indica) also provide excel- 

 lent entertainment by playing in their big wheel and displaying their 

 brilliant coloration of rich reddish brown and buff. 



Tliree young South American tapirs [Tapirus terrestris) were pur- 

 chased. The appearance of young tapirs in contrast to the adults 

 is particularly interesting. The young are longitudinally striped with 

 rows of whitish spots on a dull brownish-gray backgi-ound, whereas 

 the adults are almost black. 



A young female black rhinoceros (Diceros hicornis) was bought 

 as a possible mate for the male which has been in the Zoo II/2 years. 



A beautiful specimen of Wilson's bird-of-paradise {Schlegelia 



