3° 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



AN ANIMAL SCULPTOR AND HIS MODEL. 



A. P. Proctor modelling the " Orang Utan " Rajah, as or 

 the figures for a pediment group on the Primates' House. 



The "Service Building" is at last completed, and all 

 departments are safely housed and settled down for the 

 winter's work. After so long in cramped quarters, it takes 

 a deal of stretching for the officers of the Park to get 

 accustomed to such a spacious, airy abode. 



An Alligator Snapping Turtle, purchased in Plaquemine, 

 Louisiana, is a formidable rival to the smallest Giant Tor- 

 toise. He weighs qo pounds and his head measures fully 

 25 inches in circumference. 



The largest alligator, " Mose," was successfully treated 

 for a tumor-like growth on the front feet. He was with 

 some difficulty strapped to a board, or stretcher, and the 

 tumors removed by cutting. Injections of cocaine were 

 administered frequently, to reduce the pain as much as 

 possible, and it is reasonable to suppose that he suffered 

 but little. 



A beautiful Leopard, which was one of the steamer 

 Afridi shipment, had on its arrival a severe skin disease 

 about the head and ears. Unusually docile, it took so 

 kindly to treatment that the infection has entirely disap- 

 peared and a beautiful co.at of hair now covers the once 

 bare spots. It gives promise of being one of our finest 

 cats. 



In some mysterious manner, a Brown Capuchin Mon- 

 key broke its arm, above the elbow. The fracture was 

 successfully reduced and placed in a plaster-of-Paris Ixand- 

 age. To prevent him from removing the bandage, which 

 he did at first, a collar of wood, ten inches in diameter, was 

 placed about his neck. This accomplished the desired re- 

 sult and he has entirely recovered the use of the arm. 



■ The aggregate weight of the five Galapagos Tortoises, 

 which were acquired by the Society July 1 6th, is about 800 

 pounds, and the largest specimen of the group weighs 

 nearly one-half of that amount. There are three species 

 represented in this installation. 



A fine macadam walk has been completed along the foot 

 of Mountain Sheep Hill, and all the posts are set, ready 

 for the wire enclosure. The rock-workers have completed 

 the first of the series of shelter houses, which is now oc- 

 cupied by a fine pair of Aoudad, or African Wild Sheep, 

 from Morocco. It has been so constructed as to form 

 part of the hill itself, and constitutes a landscape feature 

 which is very imposing. 



The "beaver" have worked most vigorously for the 

 past two months. The dam has been increased in height 

 and strengthened until the water has submerged most of 

 the small islands and deepened at least one foot. Trees 

 eight inches in diameter have been laid low and the 

 branches lopped off and used in the " dam" and "house." 

 Along the southeast bank, the birch and maple saplings 

 have been almost completely wiped out. 



To one of a number of Rattlesnakes which were pur- 

 chased in Pecos City, Texas, were born thirteen young, 

 while en route. The brood came to the Park safely and 

 was received with much pleasure. 



In addition to the above, fourteen young Diamond Backs 

 were born in the Reptile House. Each snake at birth was 

 encased in a membranous sack, which it broke through of 

 its own volition and commenced moving about, in the live- 

 liest manner. As the Rattlesnake collections are very 

 difficult to maintain, the two additions are most welcome. 



The two little European Brown Bears, Czar and Czarina, 

 which came to us on May 25, 1901, have quite won the 

 hearts of all visitors, with their aflfectionate dispositions 

 and funny little bear ways. 



Bears of this species, C'rstis arctos, are noted for their 

 tractability, and the readiness with which they learn and 

 perform amusing tricks. The unfortunate creatures which 

 are dragged about the world by gypsies, and made to 

 dance, are of this species. 



Czar and Czarina are now being trained by Keeper Hoey 

 to wear harness, and draw a sulky, and they take to the 

 bridle and bit quite as patiently as the average colt. When 

 first "hitched up" and driven. Czar complained loudly at 

 being compelled to labor, but he has now become resigned 

 to the inevitable. 



In July, iqoo, Herr Carl Hagenbeck, of Hamburg, fore- 

 most of ail collectors of living wild animals for exhibition, 

 sent to Mongolia an expedition for the capture of specimens 

 of comparatively rare species of wild horse, known as 

 Eqnus prqcvahkii. The latest news from the expedition 

 announces the capture of 46 colts, 24 being males and 22 

 females. Mr. Hagenbeck states that in capturing these shy 

 and swift animals, his people engaged the assistance of seven 

 big troops of Kirghiz horsemen, numbering nearly 2,000 

 men, mounted on swift horses. In addition to this for- 

 midable army of rough riders it was necessary to take along 

 a great number of brood mares, to be used as foster 

 mothers, one for each of the young wild horses. 



In emerging from Mongolia, the expedition will be ob- 

 liged to make a journey of more than two months, through 

 very rough country, before reaching the nearest station of 

 the Central-Siberian Railway, after which it will require a 

 journey by rail of 2,795 miles to bring the expedition to 

 Hamburg. The entire catch is for sale, and already orders 

 have been taken for 10 stallions and 12 mares, at the rate 

 of $2,500 per pair. 



