SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 63 
and $5,000. The only question about it is,—will the price be 
available? From the first $100,000 of the Building Fund, we fear 
it can not be taken ; but it would constitute an attractive gift. 
Frequently is the question asked,—‘‘ How many animals are 
there in the London Gardens?’’ In April, 1896, there were 768 
quadrupeds, 1,267 birds and 334 reptiles, making a total of 2,369 
living creatures (fishes and insects not counted), valued at £22,128 
($106,214.40). Ofthis number there were born in the Gardens 
during the previous year, 57 quadrupeds, 76 birds and 8 reptiles. 
The gifts numbered 575 specimens, the purchases were 192, there 
were 259 specimens received on deposit, and 156 were obtained in 
exchange, making a total of 1,303 accessions during the year. 
But wild animals do not live forever, even in the best zoological 
gardens. ‘The total number of deaths during the year was 1,092 
—rather more than the average. ‘The mortality amongst the Fe- 
lidee chanced to be unusually heavy, and robbed the Gardens of a 
tiger, 3 leopards, 2 cheetahs and a puma, besides which there also 
died a polar bear, a Burchell’s zebra, a grysbok, and two male 
ostriches. And this brings to mind the continuous draught of 
regret that must be quaffed by the executive officer of every zoo- 
logical garden. None of his animals are immortal, and, care for 
them as he may, sooner or later all are bound to die. 
During the 70 years of their existence, the London Gardens 
have contained 770 species of mammals, 1,676 species of birds, and 
420 species of reptiles, on exhibition and available for study. 
The printed ‘‘ List of Animals’’ that have lived in the Gardens 
since 1830 makes two thick octavo volumes of about 650 pages 
each. 
Few persons have had an opportunity to know the extent and 
curious variety of the bill of fare of the inmates of a large zoo- 
logical garden. Not only is the variety great, but the amount of 
food consumed really is astonishing. To satisfy popular curiosity 
on these points, the Council of the Zoological Society has compiled 
and published a statement of the provisions consumed in the 
Gardens by the 2,369 animals living there in 1895-6. The follow- 
ing is the list : 
Clover Hay, 118% loads. Maize, 70 qrs. 
Meadow Hay, 151 loads. Bran, 300 qrs. 
Oats, 144 qrs. Canary, 15 qrs. 
Wheat, 43% qrs. Hemp, 1s; dis: 
