ON DEATHS IN THE GARDENS IN 1922. 1 25 



10. Report on the Deaths which occurred in the Society's 

 Gardens during 1922. By N. S. Lucas, M.B., F.Z.S., 

 Pathologist to the Society. 



[Received January 26, 1923 : Read February 20, 1923.J 



On January 1st, 1922, there were 696 mammals in the 

 Gardens, 1878 birds, and 759 reptiles. 



During the year 459 iBammals, 1026 birds, and 334 reptiles 

 have been added, making a total for the year of 1155 mammals, 

 2904 birds, and 1093 reptdes. 



Of the 1 155 mammals 320 have died, giving a percentage of 27-7. 

 ,, 2904 birds 583 „ „ „ 20-0. 



„ 1093 reptiles 237 „ „ „ 21-6. 



The percentages for 1921 were 21-4, 20-4 and 24-5. 

 „ 1920 „ 32-1, 24-3 „ 20-1. 



If only those animals are considered which have lived in the 

 Gardens for more than six months 167 mammals have died and 

 95 reptiles. 



This gives a percentage for mammals of 14*4. 

 „ reptiles „ 8-6. 



The percentage for 1921 was lO'O for mammals. 

 „ 1920 „ 16-9 

 „ . ,,1921 „ 8-1 for reptiles. 

 !! V >. 1920 „ 4-5 „ _ 



For the reasons given last year, it is impossible to give this 

 percentage accurately for birds. 



From these figures it would appear that the warm, dry summer 

 of 1921 was distinctly beneficial to the mammals. 



It has been felt for some time that the death rate in the 

 unacclimatized mammals has been unduly high. It is hoped 

 that the reservation of a special room in the Sanatorium, where 

 small mammals and birds can be kept under conditions of extra 

 care and attention, will do something to lower the death rate 

 among new arrivals. 



It is satisfactory to note that the death rate among the 

 mammals from tuberculosis is still falling. The number of 

 deaths among birds from this disease has risen. _ This is probably 

 due to the large numbers of birds now in the Gardens. 

 Especially is there crowding in the Western aviary, for of the 

 31 deaths from avian tuberculosis, 17 have occurred in that 

 aviary. The figures for nephritis still continue low. The two 

 diseases which have accounted for the highest numbers of mammals 

 and birds are congestion of the lungs and enteritis. 



Of these, the former represents a state where the lungs contain 

 a great quantity of blood and are darker than normal. Tliej 

 may even reach the stage of heing a dull red purple, but they are 



