66 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



effect on the situation. Neither is any length of healthful quar- 

 antine in Europe accepted as a mitigating circumstance. 



RARITIES. 



At the present hour, the park is particularly fortunate in 

 the possession of a large series of zoological rarities of special 

 value and importance. 



In mammals we possess 3 Pygmy Hippopotami, a Pygmy 

 African Elephant (type specimen), an Indian Rhinoceros, a 

 herd of 6 Musk-Ox, a herd of 6 Rocky Mountain Goats, 4 species 

 of Alaska Brown Bears, a Spectacled Bear, Andean black Bear, 

 Mountain Zebra, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, European Bison, 

 2 adult Big-Horn Sheep rams, a Suleiman Markhor, 10 great 

 Apes and an Atlantic Walrus. 



In birds we possess the Secretary Bird, 3 California Con- 

 dors, 2 Greater Birds of Paradise, Great Bustard, Concave- 

 Casqued Hornbill, Carolina Parrakeet, Rifle Bird, Ocellated 

 Turkey, Boat-Billed Heron and Black Cockatoo. 



Of reptilian rarities the collection contains a Gavial, 2 

 Central American Crocodiles, a Bushmaster, 2 Fer-de-Lances 

 and 4 Indian Cobras. 



NOTABLE EVENTS. 



The two notable events of the year 1912 were the com- 

 pletion of the Eagle and Vulture Aviary and the Zebra House, 

 and the installation of their respective collections. The com- 

 pletion of these two long-awaited and very important features, 

 and the planting of all the ground surrounding them, has com- 

 pletely transformed Bird Valley, and added to the Park an 

 entire new section of commanding interest. Mr. Hermann W. 

 Merkel, our chief constructor and forester, and his working 

 force is entitled to great credit for the masterful manner in 

 which the yards and fences of the Zebra House have been con- 

 structed, — wholly by our own force, — and the surrounding 

 grounds beautified with great despatch. All this work again 

 demonstrated the wisdom of having all specially difficult fea- 

 tures of work on the grounds performed by our own force, under 

 the personal supervision of our own officers. To other insti- 

 tutions like ours we heartily commend this plan over the con- 

 tract system. 



ATTENDANCE. 



During the past year, our attendance of visitors showed a 

 strong increase, and reached the highest figures that have yet 



