ZOOLOGICAL SOCIKTV HULLETIN 



245 



use this weapon. It belongs in the same class as 

 the outlawed "punt-gun" for waterfowl, and the 

 dynamite cartridge for fish. The "pump-gun" of 

 to-day is certainly bad enough; and between it 

 and the automatic machine-gun the line must 

 resolutely be drawn. The sole reason for the 

 existence of the new gun is tliat it is more deadly 

 than any other on the market. If that is not the 

 reason, then why is it made? 



It is now time for every man who siioots with 

 a shot-gun to decide where he will stand. Will 

 he take a place beside the market-shooter and 

 poacher, who despises all game laws and hates all 

 game wardens, and slaughters all that he dares, 

 in season and out; occasionally including the game 

 wardens; as it recently occurred in Florida where 

 an authorized agent of the Audubon Societies was 

 deliberately murdered? Or will he stand with the 

 conscientious sportsman, who believes in giving the 

 wild creatures a fair show for continued e.xistence ? 



The New York Zoological Society is unalterably 

 opposed to the manufacture, sale, and use of the 

 machine-gun. The war against the new e.xler- 

 minator of birds is now on, and it will be necessary 

 for every self-respecting sportsman to do all that 

 lies in his power to limit its sale and use. 



THE DOG NUISANCE 

 During the spring of the present year, the street 

 which forms the southern boundary of our exhilji- 

 tion grounds (i82d Street) was graded and regu- 

 lated. Throughout about two-thirds of its length, 

 and close against our boundary fence, was erected 

 a wall of loose stones to a height of from three to 

 ten feet. In places our fence was practically de- 

 stroyed and for a month our grounds were inade- 

 quately protected. 



On July 24th the imjirovcment of iS2d Street 

 was accepted by the city, and our force imme- 

 diately began the erection of a very substantial wire 

 fence, on steel posts, set U])on the boundary wall 

 of "dry rubble" masonry. The work was pushed 

 with all possible vigor, and completed on August 

 loth — just fifteen working days. It could not have 

 been erected earlier or more rapidly than it was. 



On July 31st a mania for deer-killing broke out 

 among the dogs that swarm around the Zoo- 

 logical Park. On the nights of July 31st and 

 August ist two successful attacks were made. 

 Three axis deer does and two ho? deer were killed. 



A s])ecial night guard of two men was put on duty. 

 On .Vugust 2d a prong-horned antelope and an 

 Indian black-buck female were so frightened by 

 dogs outside their corrals that they injured them- 

 selves so seriously it was necessary to chloroform 

 them. After that six extra men were put on patrol 

 duty at night, until our fences could be finished, 

 and no further fatalities occurred. 



Until the outbreak described above, the waters 

 of Lake Agassiz had served as a barrier against the 

 invasions of dogs from the north. But simulta- 

 neous with the attacks of dogs from \\'est Farms 

 those of Bron.xdale and Fordham began a series of 

 attacks. It was immediately apparent that nothing 

 short of a dog-proof fence around the area north 

 of Lake Agassiz could possibly prevent incessant 

 attacks upon our hoofed animals. A large force of 

 men was at once detailed to erect the fence re- 

 quired, and it was completed in September. 



If there are any complaints from the public 

 regarding the fencing of the area north of Lake 

 Agassiz, our reply will be that the swarms of 

 vicious, unlicensed, unmuzzled dogs running at 

 large in Bronx Borough in complete defiance of 

 tlie laws of this city have left us no alternative. 



The outbreak of the " sheep-kilUng-dog " pro- 

 pensity in the Zoological Park was wholly unex- 

 pected, particularly determined, and vicious beyond 

 precedent. 



The wire fences surrounding our grounds and 

 our deer ranges, and our exit turnstiles, are now 

 as nearly dog-proof as it is possible for them to be 

 made. Eventually we must be protected by stone 

 walls and wrought iron. Meanwhile we are en- 

 deavoring to see what can be accomplished in the 

 enforcement of the laws which prohibit unmuzzled 

 dogs to run at large in this city. 



The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 

 Animals has been called upon to perform its duty 

 to the city and to take action to abate the dog 

 nuisance in northern New York Citv. w. t. h. 



(Jn September 2d, the Society received by cable the 

 HOWS that a Gorilla was to be had in Europe, and a deal 

 was instantly closed by which this most interesting of all 

 the great .\pes was consigned via steamship Graaj Waldersee 

 to the New York Zoological Society. Up to this time 

 but one specimen has ever been exhibited in this countn,' 

 and it lived but five days. The Society's specimen was 

 ijbtained through Dr. Cecil French and will arrive in Xew 

 York the latter part of September. 



L.vter: At the moment oj f;oi>!g to press, the editor re- 

 grets to announce that the Gorilla died aboard ship, en route. 



