REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 75 



species were liberated in the Park and dropped from the list of ani- 

 mals in the collection. 



The number of animals lost by death is comparatively small, but 

 some important and valuable animals are included in the list. The 

 death of Dunk, the Indian elephant, was the most notable loss. Dunk 

 was the first animal to be placed in the Zoological Park when the 

 present site was occupied. He was presented to the park by Mr. 

 James E. Cooper, proprietor of the Adam Forepaugh Shows, April 

 30, 1891, and was then about 25 years old. Over 50 years of age at 

 the time of his death, Dunk had reached the average limit for animals 

 of his kind, for contrary to common belief the longevity of the ele- 

 phant is not great in proportion to the size of the beast. Others of 

 the more serious losses were a large Galapagos tortoise (Testudo 

 ephippium), February 21, from enteritis; the harpy eagle {Thrasae- 

 tos harpyia) April 14, from aspergillosis ; and a female Manchurian 

 tiger which was mercifully killed as unfit for exhibition June 29. 

 The Galapagos tortoise, with others of his kind, had been in the col- 

 lection since October 1, 1898. The record for the harpy eagle is a 

 matter of pride for the keepers in the bird department, for this rare 

 bird of prey had been kept in good health for nearly 18 years. He 

 was received May 19, 1899, as a gift from the governor of the State 

 of Amazonas, Brazil, through Commander C. C. Todd, United States 

 Navy. It is believed that the species has never before been kept in 

 any gardens for a similar period. 



Post-mortem examinations were made, as usual, by the pathological 

 division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. The following list shows the cause of death of 

 animals in each general group. It is believed that the publication of 

 such lists is to be encouraged, as they are of undoubted value to 

 gardens less fortunately provided for up-to-date pathological inves- 

 tigations. 



CAUSES OF DEATH. 

 MAMMALS. 



Primates: Gastritis, 1; enteritis. 3; gastroenteritis, 2; no cause found, 1. 



Carnivora : Enteritis, 3 ; gastroenteritis, 7 ; malnutrition, 1 ; anemia, 1 ; peri- 

 tonitis, 1 ; internal hemorrhage, 1. 



Ungulates : Enteritis, 3 ; gastroenteritis, 1 ; pneumonia, 3 ; congestion of lungs, 

 1 ; tuberculosis, 2 ; uremia, 1 ; peritonitis. 1 ; necrosis of jaw, 1 ; cachexia, 1 ; 

 malnutrition, 1. 



Rodents : Entertits, 1 ; gastroenteritis, 1 ; tuberculosis, 2 ; anemia, 1. 



Marsupials : Enteritis, 1 ; pneumonia, 1 ; septicemia, 1. 



Passeriformes : Enteritis, 1. 



Coraciiformes : Aspergillosis, 1 ; no cause found, 2. 



