REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 67 



great game animals of America, the glacier bear has, since its dis- 

 covery, been watched for eagerly by the officials of zoological gardens. 



The New Zealand Government, through Mr. Ben Wilson of the 

 Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, made to the park the 

 most valuable gifts of birds received during the year. These in- 

 cluded six keas, or sheep-killing parrots (Nestor notabilis) , and eight 

 wekas, or flightless rails (Ocydromm) from South Island, New Zea- 

 land. The keas are beautiful and interesting parrots of large size 

 which inhabit the high mountains of New Zealand. Some individuals 

 of the species have developed the habit of killing sheep and as a con- 

 sequence the birds have been greatly reduced in numbers by the 

 stockmen.- A large outdoor cage with shelter attached was con- 

 structed near the bird house and the keas have attracted great atten- 

 tion. They are utterly unmindful of the cold, and during the un- 

 usually severe weather of last winter they played in the snow and 

 bathed in icy water. The wekas, of which three species are repre- 

 sented in the collection, are members of the group of rails notable for 

 their imperfectly developed wings. They are of the size of a well- 

 grown pullet and are mischievous and quarrelsome even among others 

 of their kind. Unlike their relatives in North America they are not 

 aquatic, but inhabit dry woods and scrub. 



Two interesting collections of Trinidad snakes were received from 

 Mrs. James Birch Rorer and from Hon. Henry D. Baker, Trinidad, 

 British West Indies. Included in the lot from Mr. Baker was a large 

 boa constrictor nearly 11 feet in length. 



Among the miscellaneous donations for the past year were some 

 valuable parrots from individuals as noted below. Not less than six 

 species of amazons, of which the white-fronted (Amazona albifrons) , 

 yellow-cheeked (Amazona autumnalis), and Santo Domingo (Ama- 

 zona centralis) were new to the collection, were received in this 

 manner. The Brazilian green macaw and Haitian paroquet were also 

 previously unrepresented. 



The complete list of donors and gifts is as follows : 



Mr. Norman Anderson, Washington, D. C, alligator. 



Mr. G. Gordon Bailey, Washington, D. C, red-tailed hawk. 



Hon. Henry D. Baker, Trinidad, British West Indies, boa constrictor, tree 

 boa, three lora snakes, and three water coral snakes. 



Mrs. Barefield, Washington, D. C, Cuban parrot. 



Mr. J. Barnes, Washington, D. C, alligator. 



Maj. E. R. Beadle, Paris Island, S. C, peacock. 



Miss Pearl Beard, Herndon, Va., American crow. 



Mr. William Blum, Chevy Chase, Md., opossum. 

 i Mr. S. Howe Bonar, Moundsville, W. Va., great horned owl. 



Mr. C. F. Borden, Brookland, D. C, white-fronted parrot. 



Mr. J. T. Boston, Washington, D. C, American coot. 



Mrs. J. Bourke, Washington, D. C, two alligators. 



Mrs. C. V. Brooks, Del Ray, Va., alligator. 



