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ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



A SIOR-M ARIMXG BRlXliS THK PF.I.KANS lO THE NESTS. 



tn tlic Auilubdn Societ}', liis feathers are allowed 

 to remain on his bod}- and no longer deface the 

 creations of the milliners. At the time of our 

 visit, warning notices were posted on the island, 

 and a special warden watched us from a distance, 

 until assured that our guns were mounted on 

 tripods and that our ammunition was plate- 

 holders. Since tliat time, the United States 

 Government has taken possession of the island 

 and the future of the birds is assured. 



The birds have so increased in numbers that 

 several overflow colonies have been formed on 

 the nearest land, the nests in these cases being 

 placed in trees. One needs only to spend a da}- 

 or two on the ocean beach of Florida to realize 

 what a prominent feature in the landscape these 

 birds form. One may lie on the warm sand and 

 watcli flock after flock pass close overhead — 

 twent\-, fortv, even eighty birds — li>ng undul- 

 ating lines, now sailing with set wings, now 

 beating the air in unison, and again gliding all 



together. The marvel nt their graceful flight is 

 this alternate gliding and flapping — simultaneous 

 throughout the whole flock. 



One hour's count near Oak Lodge, of those 

 passing south toward their island amounts to 

 nine hundred birds, while apparently as many 

 more are flying northward. Not only does this 

 passing and repassing go on from daylight to 

 dusk, but if we walk along the beach on a 

 moonlight night, we will occasionally be startled 

 by the rustling of wings and the shadows of 

 ghostly forms soaring overhead. 



A single glance at the comfortable group in 

 their aviary in the Zoological Park brings to 

 mind the whole varied panorama of their wild 

 life, and as we watch one old fellow on his nest 

 of sticks in the flying cage, we feel a peculiar 

 svmpathy with him, for cannot we too share his 

 dreams nf that wonderful little island where he 

 first broke through his chalky shell .'' 



GENERAL INFORMATION. 



Admission to the Park. — On all holidays and on Sunday. Tuesday, 

 Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday admission to the Zoological Park is 

 Tree. 



On every Monday and Thursday, sa vt- wh.-n .■uIkm- n\ tliese days falls 

 on a holiday, only members of tin- '-^^>Mr^v .iml pn-s.ui- h.ilding tickets 

 from the Society, are admitted \v<-'- Ml miIm i-, p.Lv UM-my-five cents 

 for each adult, and fifteen cents l..ri,.ili < liil<l innl-r ludvu years ol 

 age. Tickets are sold only at the fiiu.nKt-^. 



Admission to the Aquarium is confintd to men 

 Thursday from lo a. m. to 12 m. At all other li 

 public. 



Oi-ENiNG AND CLOSING. — From May ist to November 



Monday anc 

 s open to th( 



St the 



rance-gates will be opened at o a. M. and closed half an hour before 

 unset. From November ist to May 1st, the gates will open at 10 a. m. 



Bicycles must be checked at the entrances ifive cents. All wheels 

 lot called for half an hour before sunset will be locked up until the fol- 

 owing day. 



Restaurant. — At the Rocking Stone Restaurant meals are served 

 . la carte every day from 10 a. m. to the closing hour. The North 

 'avilion of this buildhig has a spacious lunch counter, where all kinds 

 if luncheon food are served at popular prices. 



Tlie South Pavilion will be arranged as an open air dining-room. The 

 ervice will be increased and improved, so that large numbers may be 

 erved expeditiously. 



