SECRETARY'S REPORT 95 



The United States National Museum is given first choice of all speci- 

 mens that die in the Zoo. If they are not desired for the Museum they 

 are then made available to other scientific institutions or scientific 

 workers. Thus the value of the specimen continues long after it is 

 dead. 



Professional workers of the National Institutes of Health frequently 

 perform autopsies on animals for the information thus obtained that 

 might be of use in the study of human diseases. They frequently 

 diagnose causes of death and make suggestions for treatment of liv- 

 ing animals. In particular, acknowledgment is made for the excellent 

 assistance and advice given the Zoo from time to time by Dr. W. H. 

 Eyestone, of the National Cancer Institute, and by Miss Frances 

 Dobell, biologist in his laboratory. 



Zoos are constantly striving to take such good care of their animals 

 that they may live out their maximum life spans. Therefore when 

 fair success is attained and animals live in captivity longer than they 

 usually do or when they appear to have established outstanding 

 longevity records, it is gratifying. In the National Zoological Park 

 there are many animals that continue to thrive after relatively long 

 periods in captivity. A few of these are listed below. Though none 

 of them has established a maximum longevity record, all are note- 

 worthy. 



Mammals. — A ringtail, or cacomistle (Bassariscus astutus), received 

 as an adult in August 1941, is still living and in good condition. 



A digger pine pocket gopher [Thomomys bottae mewa) , received on 

 May 19, 1949, lived until June 27, 1952. Pocket gophers do not ordi- 

 narily survive so long in captivity. 



Birds. — The bird that has been in the zoo collection the longest is 

 a Siberian crane ( Grus leucogeranus) , which was received in 1906. It 

 is still thriving and appears to be in good condition. 



A white-naped crane {Grus leucauchen) received in 1916 appears to 

 be in good health. 



A wood ibis (Mycteria americana) and a lesser adjutant stork 

 {Leptoptilus javaniecus) were both received in 1928 and are still doing 

 well. 



East African crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps) 

 received in 1926 and West African cranes (Balearica pavonina) re- 

 ceived in 1931 are thriving. 



A single- wattled cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus) , re- 

 ceived in 1928, and other cassowaries received in 1937 are still alive. 



Small birds that are still thriving are white-cheeked bulbuls 

 (Pycnonotus leucogenys) and mourning finches {Phrygilus fruticeti) 

 received in 1940. 



Reptiles. — The oldest animal in the collection is a Galapagos turtle 

 (Testudo vicina), which was collected by the Lord Rothschild Expedi- 



