6'22 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



JAiilRU STORK. 



part of the a\-iary. represent all the more choice 

 and more interesting domestic breeds. 



Ring doves have been bred in large num- 

 bers, and an opening in the roof of their run- 

 way permits them to fly out and in at will. 



The Wild-Fowl Pond is a paradise for ducks 

 and geese, and hundreds of ducklings have been 

 hatched in the wilderness of reeds and grass 

 along its eastern border. The wings of many 

 of these have not been clipped, and toward 

 dusk the free-flying flocks begin to come in not 

 only from the other ponds in the parks of the 

 Bronx, but even from the Bay and Sound, 

 sometimes two or three hundred dticks assem- 

 bling before dark. On this pond all the seven 

 species of Swans known to exist have been ex- 

 hibited at one time. 



The Wild Turkey Range, with its dense 

 underbrush, ahnost invisible fencing, and ab- 

 sence of all artificial shelter, is the least arti- 

 ficial enclosure for birds in the Park. Sum- 

 mer and winter the splendid gobblers strut up 



and down in full view, and at night fly up 

 with their mates and roost among the 

 branches. The one drawback is the impos- 

 sibility of rearing turkeys near New York 

 City, and farmers are no more successful than 

 we. Disease invariably attacks the young 

 birds, in spite of all precautions. 



After years of endeavor, Dr. Hornaday has 

 just succeeded in obtaining specimens of the 

 rare and delicate Ocellated Turkey of Y'ucatan, 

 which, so far as we are aware, has never be- 

 fore been exhibited alive in America. The 

 collection is rich in species of the South Ameri- 

 can turkey-like birds, curassows, guans and 

 chachalacas, and the day is coming when these 

 birds will require a special installation. Un- 

 fortunately, they are not hardy and must be 

 warmly housed in winter. 



The -Macaw Tree, already described, has 

 been successful beyond expectation, and will 

 be elal)orated in the near future. These birds 

 are splendid for exhibition, but, up to the 

 present time, their successful accommodation 

 has been a difficult problem. A constant sup- 

 ply is being offered by friends of the Society, 

 and as these birds seem never to die natural 

 deaths, this exhibit gives promise of being a 

 large one. We have found that after being 

 confined by a chain on the leg for a time, they 

 may be set at liberty, and will not leave their 

 comrades, but delight the eye by flving from 

 tree to tree, all through the summer. 



Ever since its erection in 1899, the great 

 outdoor Flying Cage has been a constant 

 source of pleasure, a success from the point of 

 view both of the birds and the visitors. The 

 deaths in this avian community have been very 

 few and far between, and the activitv and 

 glossy appearance of the birds shows their 

 perfect condition. In the great pool the peli- 

 cans, flamingos, herons and rare tropical ducks 

 disport themselves, while in a partitioned part 

 of the pool the curious penguins spend their 

 time. Curassows keep much among the 

 branches of the trees, contrasting oddly with 

 the vultures. The latter, indeed, are a most 

 useful adjunct, as they are ever hungry and 

 never allow a stray bit of fish to remain after 

 the water birds have dined. Here in this great 

 cage the California Condor has his summer 

 home. In the matter of these all but extinct 

 condors, the Society has been very fortunate, 

 having obtained three individuals. The first 

 died a victim of some cruel visitor who gave 

 it a rubber band; but the other two are now 

 living. Both are very tame and most interest- 

 ing birds. The fully adult specimen is just 

 now acquiring the brilliant colors in its third 



