ON DKATIIS IX TFTE SOCIETY S GARDENS. 



123 



11. Report on the Deaths which occurred in the Zoological 

 Gardens during 1914, together with a List of the Blood- 

 Parasites found during the Year. By H. CI. Plimmer, 

 F.R.S., F.Z.S., Pathologist to the Society. 



[Received and Eead February 9, 1015.] 



Index. Page 



Pathology 126 



Blood Parasites 128 



On January 1st, 1914, there were 733 mammals, 2073 birds, 

 and 371 reptiles in the Zoological Gardens : and during the year 

 373 mammals, 1174 birds, and 470 reptiles were admitted, 

 making a total for the year of 1106 mammals, 3247 birds, and 

 841 reptiles. 



During 1914, 309 mammals, 867 birds, and 301 reptiles have 

 died : that is, a percentage of 27*9 for mammals, 26 - 6 for birds, 

 and 35*7 for reptiles. Out of the total deaths for the year, 1590 

 in all, 719 occurred in animals which had not been six months in 

 the Gardens : that is, nearly half the total number. It has been 

 found that after six months' residence in the Gardens, the death- 

 rate falls rapidly ; so it is assumed that by this time the new 

 animals have got over their journeys, have died from any 

 diseases they may have brought with them, or have got quite 

 used to their new environment. Of these 719 animals, 141 were 

 mammals, 375 were birds, and 203 were i*eptiles ; and if these 

 be deducted from their respective totals, the death-rate per- 

 centage will come out as 15T for mammals, 15T for birds, and 

 11 - 6 for reptiles. 



The following Tables show the facts which have been ascer- 

 tained in outline. Table I. summarizes the actual causes of 

 death in the three groups specified. Under Reptiles are included 

 Amphibia.. 



Table I. — Analysis of the Causes of Death. 



