NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK — HOLLISTER 323 



EXOTIC WATERFOWL 



Numerous interesting and beautiful exotic waterfowl are on exhi- 

 bition in the pelican pond, in the flight cage, and in special inclosures 

 in suitable places throughout the park. Specimens of the graceful 

 mute swan (Cygnus gibbus) enjoy the freedom of Rock Creek and 

 nest along its banks. The strange black swan of Australia (Che- 

 nopis atrata), the pied goose (Anseranas semipalmata) from the 

 same region, the bar-head goose (Anser indicus) from India, the 

 rosy-billed pochard (Metopiana peposaca) and the upland goose 

 (Chloephaga leucoptera) of South America are examples of the 

 variety shown. A large flock of the most strikingly ornamental 

 and curiously colored mandarin duck (Dendronessa galericulata) 

 is maintained. This species is native to eastern Asia, particularly 

 China and Japan. 



Of particular interest among the waterfowl is the Hawaiian goose 

 (Nesochen sandvicensis) . The park is very fortunate in possessing 

 specimens of this fine goose, which is now all but exterminated. The 

 Hawaiian goose is confined to the island of Hawaii, where it for- 

 merly inhabited the crater meadows and, during the breeding season, 

 the lava beds near sea level. 



BIRDS OF PREY 



The hawks, eagles, and vultures, commonly known as birds of 

 prey, form a natural and well-defined order, the Falconiformes. The 

 group contains the largest of flying birds and most of the species 

 are of good size, but some of the falcons are barely larger than spar- 

 rows. The owls were formerly placed in this order, but are now 

 known to be nearer in structural characters to the goatsucker family, 

 a widely different group represented in the United States by the 

 whippoorwill and related birds. 



THE EAGLES' CAGE 



The large open flight cage near the bird house is devoted to such 

 larger members of this group as will endure our winter climate and 

 live peacefully together. Here may be seen magnificent specimens 

 of our national bird, the bald eagle {Haliosetus leucocephalus) , show- 

 ing the transition plumages from the younger blackish specimens to 

 the fully plumaged adult with white head and tail. The largest 

 specimens of this bird come from Alaska and the Northwest, while 

 the eagles from Florida and other Southern States are very inferior 

 in size. Another eagle found in the United States, but with an ex- 

 tensive Old World distribution as well, is the golden eagle (Aquila 

 chrysdetos) . It is a fine species, distinguished from the bald eagle 

 in any plumage by the feathered legs. 



