60 NEW YORK “ZOOLOGICAL, SOCIEMN 
and various species of tortoises, the latter ranging in size from 
specimens six inches long to the ponderous giant tortoises from 
the Galapagos and Aldabra Islands. Here, for the first time in the 
Park, it was possible to properly exhibit the iguanas, monitors, 
and tegus which, even in the best indoor cages, are compara- 
tively dull and listless. Placed outside they soon become quite 
different creatures, rushing about at surprising speed, and dis- 
playing all the ferocity, cunning, and hunting instincts of the 
warm-blooded beasts of prey. When naturally and unreservedly 
displayed, their habits are in marked contrast to many former 
records of these creatures, from which it would seem as 1f many 
of those records had been based on theories, only. In our sunny 
yards, with the large iguanas enjoying practical liberty, we 
have noted that they are by no means “largely herbivorous.” They 
are markedly carnivorous, sometimes even inclining toward can- 
nibalism; and for this reason we are careful to stock our yards 
with specimens of almost uniform size. 
To add to the natural aspect of the Lizard and Tortoise Yards, 
a small cedar tree was planted in the iguana enclosure; and on 
sunny days it was decorated with clusters of the South American 
and Mexican tree iguanas, singularly striking in their display of 
various shades of green. Some large cacti and other plants of a 
similar nature furnished hiding places for the smaller species that 
live chiefly upon the ground. During the cold months all the 
lizards and tortoises are kept in the glass-covered annex of the east 
end of the Reptile House, where a generous supply of heating 
pipes, and diffused sunlight throughout the day, maintain a high 
temperature. 
The collection of crocodilians has grown substantially, not only 
in the number of individuals and species exhibited, but in the 
size of the specimens. Observations on the growth of these rep- 
tiles have been of much interest, and that subject is treated at 
length elsewhere in this volume. The ten-inch alligators installed 
in the Reptile House at the opening of the Park, over seven 
years ago, have constantly and rapidly increased in growth. The 
specimens first outgrew their section of the turtle crawl, after that 
a lobby cage, then a double lobby cage, and finally the large tank 
at the east end of the Reptile House on the main floor. 
Last summer they were placed outdoors, in the rock-bound 
pool formerly occupied by the sea-lions. In this commodious pool 
they basked in the hot sun, and grew until the approach of frosty 
weather, when an embarrassing situation was presented. It was 
discovered that these alligators had outgrown all available ac- 
