62 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Commissioner George V. Brovver and Landscape Architect De 

 ^^'olf. These fine animals were immediately placed in the elk 

 range, where they were soon joined by seven more elk, presented 

 by Mr. George J. Gould, making a very fine herd, consisting of 

 two large old males, two yovmg males, and females of various ages. 



Following closely upon the completion of the Buflfalo House 

 and corrals was the arrival from Texas and Oklahoma of seven 

 buffaloes, selected and purchased for the Society by Mr. C. J. 

 Joues, and by him delivered at the Zoological Park. These ani- 

 mals represent two strains of blood, and form a very satisfactory 

 nucleus for what it is intended shall be a herd of about twenty 

 indiviiluals. 



After much correspondence, and the placing of several orders, 

 six young prong-horned antelopes were procured and safely trans- 

 ported to the Park. They were all quite small, and generally 

 delicate. Being fully aware of the difificulty of acclimating these 

 animals on the Atlantic seaboard, they received the most imre- 

 mitting care. In spite of all efforts, however, illnesses in the little 

 herd were frequent, and, one by one, four out of the six animals 

 have died, usually without any premonitory symptoms. The dif- 

 ficulty of rearing antelopes in captivity, even in the portions of 

 the West where the animals run wild, are so well known that, 

 while these deaths have occasioned much regret, they have caused 

 no surprise. At present, the two remaining specimens are in ex- 

 cellent condition, and it is hoped they will survive and become 

 physically adjusted to this climate. The Society intends to per- 

 sist in its efforts to establish in the Park a representative herd of 

 prong-horned antelopes, and if possible induce the species to breed. 



The accumulation of small mammals from the tropics rendered 

 it imperatively necessary to provide for them a shelter building 

 which could 1)C heated in winter. To this end, the construction of 

 a glass house was determined upon, and during the months of 

 September and October a building 25 x 75 feet was erected near 

 the Burrowing Rodents' quarters. The construction of the cage 

 work occupied two months longer, and this building was finally 

 opened to the public on January 24th with all of its cages filled. 

 It contains cages for small mammals of various sizes, and the 

 abundance of light and ventilation leads to the belief that the 

 building will be found admirably adapted for the display of small 

 mammals, both summer and winter. Tn this building arc housed 



