REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



71 



in the park, in good health, for over 17 years. Its age at the time 

 of arrival was uncertain, but it was probably over 2 years old. The 

 Somaliland lioness, Duchess, which was received at the park De- 

 cember 17, 1902, when about 3 years old, from Hon. E. S. Cunning- 

 ham, United States consul at Aden, died June 15, 1918, at an age of 

 about 19 years, 15£ years of which had been spent in the park. It 

 is extremely doubtful if a wild lion ever reaches so advanced an age. 

 A male Brazilian tapir received from Commander C. C. Todd, United 

 States Navy, May 19, 1899, died September 17, 1917, after a period 

 of 18 years and 4 months of life in the park. Among the birds, a 

 yellow-throated caracara (Ibycter ater) received from Hon. E. H. 

 Plumacher, United States consul at Maracaibo, Venezuela, October 

 19, 1904, after 13 years and 4 months of life in the bird house, died 

 on February 22, 1918. A male cassowary died October 21, 1917, of 

 aspergillosis; it had been in the collection, in excellent health, for 

 eight years. Others of the more serious losses were a wombat, a 

 Japanese bear, the sable antelope, an eland, and a Cape Barren goose. 



Through cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, post- 

 mortem examinations were made, as usual, by the pathological 

 division of the Bureau of Animal Industry. 1 



Of the animals lost by death, all specimens of scientific importance 

 or needed for museum work, 19 mammals, 20 birds, and 16 reptiles, 

 were transferred to the United States National Museum for study 

 and permanent preservation. 



ANIMALS IN THE COLLECTION JUNE 30, 1918. 



MAMMALS. 



MARSUPIALIA. 



Virginia opossum (Didelphis virgini- 



ana) 6 



Tasmanian devil (SarcopMlus Jiar- 

 risi) 2 



Phalanger (Trichosuriis vulpecula)- 3 



Dusky phalanger (Trichosuriis fulig- 

 inosus) 



Brush-tailed rock kangaroo (Petro- 

 gale penicillata) 



Great gray kangaroo (Macropus 

 giganteus) 



Red kangaroo (Macropus rufU8)-+ — 



1 The following list shows the results of autopsies, the cases being arranged by groups : 



CAUSES OF DEATH. 



Mammals. — Marsupialia : Pneumonia, 2 ; gastroenteritis, 1 ; peritonitis, 1. Carnivorn : 

 Pneumonia, 4 ; tuberculosis, 1 ; gastroenteritis, 2 ; enteritis, 1 ; septicemia, 1 ; cystic 

 chondroma on head, 1. Pinn'ipedia : Gastroenteritis, 2. Rodentia : Pneumoenteritis. 1. 

 Primates: Pneumonia, 1; tuberculosis, 1; gastroenteritis, 4; severe constipation, 1. 

 Artiodactyla : Pneumonia, 3 ; tuberculosis, 2 ; gastroenteritis, 2 ; pyaemia, 1. Ferisso- 

 dactyla : Tuberculosis, 1. 



Birds. — Ratitae : Aspergillosis, 1. Ciconiiformes : Digestive disorder, 1 ; enteritis, 1 

 impaction of crop. 1 . Anseriformes : Tuberculosis, 3 ; aspergillosis, 3 ; enteritis. S 

 catarrhal gastritis, 1 ; pericarditis, 1 ; avian gout, 1 ; anemia, 2 ; internal hemorrha.ce. 1 

 no cause found, 4. Palconiformes : No cause found, .1. Galliformes : Tuberculosis, 2 

 enteritis, 3 ; coccidial enteritis, 1 ; peritonitis, 1 ; no cause found, 4. Gruiformes 

 Exposure, 1 ; no cause found, 3. Charadriiformes : Enteritis, 5 ; ulcerative enteritis, 4 

 caseous tumor in peritoneal cavity, 1 ; no cause found, 1. Cuculiformes : Enteritis, 1 

 no cause found, 2. Coraciiformes : Hepatic hematoma, 1 ; septicemia, 4. Passeriformes 

 Enteritis, 1 ; inflammation of mucosa of duodenum, 1 ; anemia, 1 ; no cause found, 5. 



Reptiles. — Serpentes : Parasitism, 1. 



