64 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES. — Rayiuoud L. Dituiars, Ctirator. 



The most important accessions to the reptile collection during 

 the year consisted of two specimens of the Florida Crocodile, each 

 nearly ten feet in length. The first was captured near Cape 

 Sable by Mr. Julian A. Diniock, and presented by him. The 

 other was presented by Mr. C. B. Cory from his collection of 

 living animals at Palm Beach. These specimens represent the 

 onlv species of true crocodile found in the United States. It is 

 sharply distinguished from the Alligator by its olive-green color, 

 its sharp-pointed snout, and exposed lower canine teeth. 



To accommodate these very interesting specimens one end of 

 the Alligator Pool in the Reptile House was cut ofif by a wire 

 partition. Soon after Mr. Dimock's specimen was placed in this 

 enclosure it proved itself to be a female by depositing 28 eggs. 

 These were quickly taken in hand and placed in an incubator, 

 but unluckily they proved infertile. 



Noteworthy additions to the collection of venomous serpents 

 consisted in three large Cobra-da-Capellos from India, the first 

 specimens' to be imported since the opening of the Reptile House. 

 Although in poor condition on arrival, they were treated with 

 such care and skill that their old skins were finally removed 

 successfully, since which they have thriven. They are very 

 active and vicious, and attract much attention. The addition of 

 2 more species of Rattlesnakes brought the number of that genus 

 up to eight. A female Fer-de-Lance procured from Trinidad 

 gave birth to 24 young, which are being reared by hand with 

 especial care. 



On December 31st, 1902, the reptile collection contained the 

 following representatives : 



Chelonia 32 Species. 



Crocodilia 3 



Lacertilia 16 



( \'enomous 12 '^ 



Ophidia| Kon-\'enomous ... 35 



Batrachia 16 



114 772 



Received by gift 442 



Purchased 5^8 



Born 46 



Used for food, for snake-eating snakes 310 



