62 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



intention to form a fine collection of Ostriches, Rheas, Casso- 

 waries and Emus, and have it on exhibition at this date. 



Among the new species added to the collection of birds during 

 1902 the most important were the Paradise Crane, Crowned 

 Crane, Sarus Crane, \ulturine Guinea Fowl, Upland Goose, 

 Caracara Eagle and Griffon Vulture. The greatest rarity of all 

 is a large bird called the Seriema, from South America, which, in 

 its long crane-like legs, bustard-like body, and hawk-like beak 

 bears some resemblance to the far-distant and equally rare Secre- 

 tary Bird of Africa. This bird has for years Ijeen an ornithological 

 puzzle, and has been variously classified, but the latest decision 

 is that it shall be accorded a Family all its own, near the cranes 

 and bustards. 



The usual careful attention was paid by Curator Beebe and 

 his assistants to the breeding of birds, with very satisfactory re- 

 sults. In addition to the successful breeding of all the species 

 which bred last year, young were reared by the Indian Peacock, 

 Wood Duck, English Pheasant, and Mongolian Pheasant. 



Several rare species deposited eggs, and under better condi- 

 tions would no doubt have reared young. These were the Cas- 

 sowary, Rock Dove, Chinese Goose, Sparrow Hawk, Trumpeter 

 Swan, and Bald Eagle ; and their efforts point out the possibili- 

 ties of the future, when all species of birds will be properly in- 

 stalled, both for exhibition purposes and for rearing young. 



A determined effort was made to colonize several Ospreys in 

 a state of freedom in the Park, and induce them to regard this 

 preserve in the same light as their very popular homes on Plum 

 Island and Gardiner's Island. Curator Beebe visited Gardiner's 

 Island by invitation of its owner, Mr. Gardiner, and there col- 

 lected 7 young birds almost ready to fly, and an osprey nest 

 weighing about 400 pounds. With great labor, nest and nest- 

 lings were transported to the Park, the former was erected at 

 the western end of Cope Lake and provided with a descriptive 

 label. Various schemes were devised to fix the home idea in the 

 minds of the growing Ospreys, but as soon as they were able 

 to fly strongly, those that were fed in a state of freedom, with 

 undipped wings, finally flew away and failed to return. 



Similar efforts have been made with Gulls, but thus far without 

 success. These experiments will be continued, however, in the 

 hope that finally several large and interesting species of birds 

 may be induced to nest in the Park every year. 



An interesting development has been the increase in the num- 

 ber of wild birds which have made the Park their home. Four 



