ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



363 



through other agile manoeuvers. These hand- 

 some rodents are among the most docile, in- 

 telligent and hardy of our squirrels — a combi- 

 nation not always to be found among the 

 showy tropical animals. 



* * * 

 While referring to the squirrels it is inter- 

 esting to note that our fourteen cages of these 

 animals form an instructive display in the 

 Small-Mammal House. Among the species 

 exhibited are the following : Eastern chip- 

 munk, western chipmunk, Parry's spermophile, 

 Richardson's spermophile, red squirrel, golden- 

 bellied squirrel, Columbian fire-backed squirrel, 

 southern fo.x squirrel, white-nosed squirrel, 

 Carolina gray squirrel, together with the black 

 and the albino phases of the latter species. 

 Among the Old World species are Prevost's 

 squirrel, African striped squirrel, Malabar 

 squirrel, white-headed squirrel and the Indian 

 black squirrel. 



A pair of large and lusty beavers has been 

 placed on exhibition in an outside cage on the 

 eastern side of the Small-Mammal House. 

 The animals are supplied with a large tank and 

 plenty of food-wood, and are thriving. While 

 our examples in the Beaver Pond are seldom 

 to be seen on account of their nocturnal habits, 

 this is certainly not the case with the present 

 specimens. They are continually about, and 

 when annoyed rush for their tank, from which 

 they send the water flying by violent blows 

 from their broad, flat tails. 

 * * * 



While the average spider monkey is a timid, 

 delicate and generally unsatisfactory animal 

 for exhibition, we have been fortunate in se- 

 curing three exceptionally good examples of 

 the black species, {Atch's atcr). They are con- 

 tinually on the move, demonstrating the great 

 value of the long, prehensile tail. Moreover, 

 they are in the best of health, and on thor- 

 oughly satisfactory terms with their keepers, 

 who carry them about in their arms in a fash- 

 ion seldom possible, except with baby chim- 

 panzees or orang-utans. 



The leopard cubs and jaguar cub now quar- 

 tered in the Small-Mammal House have at- 

 tained a size to almost belie the name cub, and 

 they will soon graduate from their present 

 quarters to cages in the Lion House. The 

 leopards are still as playful as kittens, but the 

 jaguar, in keeping with the reputation of his 

 species, is becoming savage and not to be 

 trusted. The keepers have discontinued their 

 practice of daily entering the jaguar's cage. 



This specimen came from Central Mexico, as 

 a gift from Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James, and if 

 his very thick limbs and heavy head are typical 

 indications, he promises to develop into a fine 

 animal. 



* ^: ^ 



The amusing antics and fuzzy coats of the 

 two European brown bear cubs have earned 

 for them a warm spot in the hearts of our 

 youthful visitors, who, as in duty bound, call 

 them "Teddy Bears." They have a droll habit 

 of strutting about on their hind feet and cuff- 

 ing each other, besides doing a long series of 

 other laughable tricks which only young bears 

 can display. The mother is at all times watch- 

 ful and suspicious, and wisely prevents them 

 from spending too much time in close prox- 

 imity to the visitors. 



* * * 



Rather an amusing incident occurred in the 

 Park during the early part of June. The 

 weather had been steadily cool with no hint of 

 summer, when there came a sudden warm day 

 and an incipient thunder shower. Without 

 warning, there was a general chatter of tree- 

 toads. It seemed as if those lively little crea- 

 tures had been patiently awaiting a warm 

 rain, and when it came felt called upon to wel- 

 come it with prompt enthusiasm. 



During the cool weather our Indian elephant 

 "Gunda" was necessarily kept indoors, and 

 felt much bored by the general postponement 

 of the outdoor life. With few visitors from 

 whom to beg, and nothing in particular to do, 

 he turned his attention to the heavy plaster 

 moulding or cornice work around the top of 

 his stall. Rearing high on his hind legs, he 

 succeeded in removing several sections, weigh- 

 ing about ten pounds each. A severe repri- 

 mand from his keeper stopped his tricks during 

 the day, but one night his suppressed energy 

 again broke loose, and he tore down a section 

 of plaster as large as a man's head. He has 

 since been punished for his wanton destruc- 

 tiveness, thus far with a satisfactory result. 

 * * * 



Among recent arrivals in the Small-Mammal 

 House is an exceptionally fine pair of Mala- 

 bar squirrels. This East Indian species is 

 the largest of all known squirrels. It is at- 

 tractively colored and very docile. Another 

 interesting rodent is a tailless tree-rat from 

 Jamaica, while on the eastern side of the 

 building, in an outside cage, is a pair of large 

 and lusty beavers. Among the flesh-eating 

 animals is a new clouded leopard from Singa- 

 pore, a big ocelot from Texas, and a young 



