ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



LONG-LIPPED SLOTH BEAR. 



THE DIRECTOR'S TRIP ABROAD. 



Stocking the Lion House requires a special 

 effort on the part of the Society, as the selec- 

 tion of lions, tigers, leopards and other cage 

 felines worthy to represent their respective 

 species and thoroughly fit for breeding pur- 

 poses, can not well be accomplished by cor- 

 respondence. This is a matter of personal 

 inspection and special selection. It is highly 

 important that the original stock of lions and 

 tigers, especially, should be jungle-bred ani- 

 mals, and not the offspring of caged parents. 

 One of the most interesting features of cage 

 collections of felines, is the breeding of young- 

 lions and tigers ; aside from the interest always 

 attaching to young animals of this species, they 

 sometimes prove a source of revenue not to be 

 despised. 



By the direction of the Executive Commit- 

 tee, the Director of the Zoological Park sailed 

 for Europe on August i6th, provided with a 

 special fund of $13,000, for the purchase of 

 animals for the Lion House, and also an addi- 

 tional sum to be devoted to the acquisition of 

 new specimens of ibex and wild goats for the 



inclosures soon to be finished on Mountain 

 Sheep Hill. Several members of the New 

 York Zoological Society have personally con- 

 tributed sums of money for the purchase of 

 particularly fine lions, tigers and leopards, to 

 enter the collection as their special gifts. 

 Among these, one which is noteworthy is the 

 gift of the little daughter of Andrew Carnegie, 

 who, when asked by her father what she 

 wished to give to the " Elephant and Tiger 

 Alan,"' promptly responded, " The biggest 

 hairy-headed lion in the world, papa." Mr. 

 Carnegie's comment on her reply was quite 

 characteristic. He said, " naturally, she chose 

 the most expensive animal ; but her promise 

 will be made good." It is the intention of the 

 Director to visit the establishments of all the 

 principal dealers in wil<l animals in England 

 and northern Europe. 



The Society is advised that in anticipation 

 of the stocking of the Lion House and Mr. 

 Hornaday's intended visit to Hamburg, Mr. 

 Carl Hagenbeck has held back from sale a 

 number of specially fine lions, tigers and leop- 

 ards, which have come into his hands during 

 the past year, and it is highly probable that 

 some of the best specimens now for sale in 

 Europe are to be found in his famous Their- 

 park. It is not expected that the Society's 

 representative will succeed in finding for sale 

 and subject to immediate delivery the entire 

 series of animals necessary for the Lion House 

 collection, and it is highly probable that to se- 

 cure some of the rarer specimens standing- 

 orders will have to be placed until the animals 

 can be obtained. 



In connection with the search for animals, 

 the Director will inspect the Zoological Gar- 

 dens of England, Germany, Holland and Bel- 

 gium. He will also visit the Duke of Bedford's 

 celebrated collection of hoofed animals, at 

 Woburn Abbey, and study the methods that 

 have been employed in caring for the many 

 specimens that have been brought together 

 there. 



During- the absence of the Director, Mr. H. 

 R. Mitchell, Chief Clerk of the Zoological 

 Park, has been designated as Acting Director. 

 The various improvements now in progress in 

 the Park will be vigorously prosecuted. 



