REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 67 



great game animals of America, the glacier bear has, since its dis- 

 covery, been watched for eagerly by the officials of zoological gardens. 



The New Zealand Government, through Mr. Ben Wilson of the 

 Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, made to the park the 

 most valuable gifts of birds received during the year. These in- 

 cluded six keas, or sheep-killing parrots (Nestor iwtabilis), and 

 eight wekas, or flightless rails (Ocydromus) from South Island, New 

 Zealand. The keas are beautiful and interesting parrots of large 

 size which inhabit the high mountains of New Zealand. Some indi- 

 viduals of the species have developed the habit of killing sheep, 

 and as a consequence the birds have been greatly reduced in numbers 

 by the stockmen. A large outdoor cage with shelter attached was 

 constructed near the bird house and the keas have attracted great 

 attention. They are utterly unmindful of the cold, and during the 

 unusually severe weather of last winter they played in the snow and 

 bathed in icy water. The wekas, of which three species are repre- 

 sented in the collection, are members of the group of rails notable 

 for their imperfectly developed wings. They are of the size of a 

 well-grown pullet and are mischievous and quarrelsome even among 

 others of their kind. Unlike their relatives in North America they 

 are not aquatic, but inhabit dry woods and scrub. 



Two interesting collections of Trinidad snakes were received from 

 Mrs. James Birch Rorer and from Hon. Henry D. Baker, Trinidad, 

 British West Indies. Included in the lot from Mr. Baker was a 

 large boa constrictor nearly 11 feet in length. 



Among the miscellaneous donations for the past year were some 

 valuable parrots from individuals as noted below. Not less than 

 six species of amazons, of which the white-fronted (Amazona albi- 

 frons), yellow-cheeked (Amazona autumnalis), and Santo Domingo 

 (Amazona ventralis) were new to the collection, were received in 

 this manner. The Brazilian green macaw and Haitian paroquet 

 were also previously unrepresented. 



The complete list of donors and gifts is as follows: 



Mr. Norman Anderson, Washington, D. C, alligator. 

 Mr. G. Gordon Bailey, Washington, D. C, red-tailed hawk. 

 Hon. Henry D. Baker, Trinidad, British Wes^ Indies, boa constrictor, tree 

 hoa, three lora snakes, and three water coral snakes. 

 Mrs. Barefield, Washington, D. C, Cuban parrot. 

 Mr. J. Barnes, Washington, D. C, alligator. 

 Maj. E. R. Beadle, Paris Island, S. C, peacock. 

 Miss Pearl Beard, Herndon, Va., American crow. 

 Mr. William Blum, Chevy Chase, Md., opossum. 

 Mr. S. Howe Bonar, Moundsville, W. Va., great horned owl. 

 Mr. C. F. Borden, Brookland, D. C, white-fronted parrot. 

 Mr. J. T. Boston, Washington, D. C, American coot. 

 Mrs. J. Bourke, Washington, D. C, two alligators. 

 Mrs. C. V. Brooks, Del Ray, Va., alligator. 



