KEPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 59 



nately there has been great difficulty in inducing these latter animals to eat, for 

 they do not seem to relish any of the iish or other sea products procurable in the 

 markets of Washington. These seals are among the most important acquisitions 

 ever made by the National Zoological Park. The species has been known for more 

 than two centuries past to exist in the Caribbean Sea, but it has been exceedingly dif- 

 ficult to get specimens, even the extensive zoological garden at London never having 

 jjossessed one. Those in the possession of the j)ark were obtained on a small island 

 in the Gulf of Campeche. 



I am informed by Dr. J. Eugene Jaruigan, United States consul ;it Utilla, Hon- 

 duras, that the species is occasionally seen among the reefs about 70 miles north of 

 Cape Gracios-a-Dios. 



In concluding my report I wish to call attention to the fact that since the estab- 

 lishment of the National Zoological Park there have been many other enterprises of 

 a similar character projected and established in various parts of the country, and 

 that these are, as a rule, supported by far greater resources than are allowed for the 

 national collection. Among these I will mention the following: 



The Blue Mountain Forest Park, established by the late Mr. Austin Corbin, is a 

 large tract of forest and abandoned farm land, situated in the western part of New 

 Hampshire, comprising an inclosed area, of 26,000 acres. Within this inclosure are 

 kept about 4,000 wild animals, including 74 bison, 200 moose, 1,.500 elk, 1,700 deer of 

 different species, and 150 wild boars. These animals are rapidly multii^lying, and, 

 with the exception of the bison, which are sheltered and fed during the winter, live 

 ill perfect freedom. 



In the Adirondack region of New York a game preserve of 9,000 acres has been 

 stocked with elk, Virginia deer, mule deer, rabbits, pheasants, etc., and Mr. W. C. 

 Whitney has established a jireserve of 1,000 acres in the Berkshire hills, near Lenox, 

 Mass., where he maintains not only the species of animals above mentioned, but also 

 bison and antelope. Other preserves are Ne-ha-sa-ne Park, in the Adirondacks, 8,000 

 acres; Tranquillity Park, near Allamuchy, N. ,J., 4,000 acres; the Ailing jireserve, 

 near Tacoma, Wash., 5,000 acres; North Lodge, near St. Paul, Minn., 400 acres, and 

 Furlough Lodge, in the Catskills, New York, 600 acres. These are all fenced inclos- 

 ures, well stocked with animals. 



At Pittsburg, Pa., certain public-spirited citizens have undertaken, in one of the 

 public parks, the construction of a numl>er of buildings intended for the exhibition 

 of animals. These are already nearing completion and will cost more than $200,000, 

 exclusive of the animals they are to contain. A further collection of buildings and 

 inclosures intended for American animals only is also projected for that city. 



In 189.5 certain gentlemen interested in natural history organized the New York 

 Zoological Society, whose objects are stated to be as follows: 



"First. — The establishment of a free zoological park containing collections of 

 North American and exotic animals, for the benefit and enjoyment of the general 

 public, the zoologist, the sportsman, and every lover of nature. 



"Second. — The systematic encouragement of interest in animal life or zoology 

 among all classes of the people and the promotion of zoological science in general. 



" Third. — Cooperation with other organizations in the preservation of the native 

 animals of North America and encouragement of the growing sentiment against 

 their wanton destruction." 



To carry out this plan these gentlemen obtained from the city of New York a 

 grant of some 261 acres in the southern portion of Bronx Park, near that city, fori" 

 the purpose of establishing there a zoological garden, which is to be free to the pub- 

 lic for at least five days in each week. Plans are now being prepared for the develop- 

 ment of a collection on the most generous and attractive scale. The bulletin issued 

 by the society states that it is expected that there will be at once spent $125,000 for 

 preparing the ground and $250,000 for buildings and inclosures. 



