NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 117 



dogs, the Society has constructed a series of fifteen small 

 yards, each 10x20 feet, bounded by walls going down to 

 bedrock, and enclosed above by a box-like arrangement of 

 very light wire-netting 5 feet high. The ground is chiefly 

 undisturbed soil of a firm and gravelly nature, thoroughly 

 drained, and all earth filling has been tightly rammed into 

 place to prevent caving in the burrows. Above ground, 

 each yard contains weathered rocks, stumps, and hollow 

 logs in abundance. 



In these fifteen yards, each of which will hold specimens 

 of at least two or three species, will be placed strongly 

 marked types of those families whose representatives are 

 most numerous in North America, and also the least known, 

 only a few of which may be mentioned here. 



The Sewellel Family, (Aplodontidac), contains five or six 

 species and is of unusual scientific interest. The Sewellel, 

 Mountain Beaver, Farmer or "Showt'l" (Aplodontia rufus 

 and major) , is an animal of the size and general appearance 

 of a large, short-tailed muskrat. It inhabits a few localities 

 in remote regions in the mountain-valleys of northern Cali- 

 fornia, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia. 

 It feeds like a beaver, climbs bushes four feet high, burrows 

 in wet ground, and fights like a little fiend when brought to 

 bay. Notwithstanding the size of this animal, it is very 

 seldom seen, and is but little known. 



The Squirrel Family, (Sciuridae), is large (one hundred 

 and forty-one species), very interesting, and entitled to 

 much consideration. In the present enclosure will be shown 

 in summer many species of interesting ground squirrels, 

 chipmunks, and marmots. In winter all the squirrels, save 

 one or two hardy native species, will be found in the Small- 

 Mammal House, near by. 



The Rabbit Family, (Lepofidae), is one of the most diffi- 

 cult to install and exhibit. Its members are large and 

 showy, but for several reasons it is very difficult to keep 

 them on exhibition in captivity. In time, however, all four 

 of the great groups — Rabbit, Varying Hare, Jack Hare, and 

 also the Pikas, forming the allied Family Ochotonidae — will 

 be represented by specimens. 



Just what can be accomplished satisfactorily with the 

 most interesting members of the Jumping Mouse, Pouched 

 Rat, and Pocket Gopher Families, remains to be determined 

 by trial. If they can be induced to show themselves to 



