NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 155 



a good-sized flock is shown. Canvas-Backs, however, are 

 difficult to capture unhurt, and still more difficult to keep 

 alive in captivity, and for these reasons the number exhibited 

 always is very small. 



The Lesser Scaup, (Marila afUnis), is one of the sea ducks, 

 and, like its congeners, a very expert diver. It feeds chiefly 

 on mollusks, which it finds in the mud, often at considerable 

 depths under water 



The Paradise Sheldrake, {Casarca variegata), of Australia, 

 is a striking bird, occupying a position mid-way between 

 the ducks and geese. It is interesting to note that the fe- 

 male is much more attractive than the male, the head and 

 neck being pure white, in contrast with the more sombre 

 body. This species is very quarrelsome in captivity. 



The Ruddy Sheldrake, {Casarca casarca), is a bird of wide 

 distribution, being found from the Mediterranean countries 

 to Japan, and also in northeast Africa. Both sexes are of 

 a uniform light chestnut, the male being distinguished by 

 a black ring around the neck. The nest is always well 

 sheltered, often being placed in a hollow log. 



The Common or Tadorna Sheldrake, (Tadorna tadoma), is 

 a remarkably colored bird, but unfortunately difficult to 

 keep alive in this climate. It nests in holes in the ground, 

 preferably in disused rabbit burrows. 



The Mandarin Duck, (Aix galerxculata) , is the Chinese 

 counterpart of our beautiful Wood or Summer Duck, (Aix 

 sponsa). Of all living ducks, the males of these two species 

 are the most gorgeously colored and plumed, and they are 

 also of elegant form. Although both species are much 

 sought after, the number of available specimens continues 

 to be limited to a comparatively small number. 



THE PHEASANT AND PIGEON AVIARY, No. 40. 



Entire Collection is the Gift of Mr. Jacob H. Schiff. 



The Pheasant Aviary is a building like a corridor 240 feet 

 long with a cross pavilion at each end. The main structure 

 is divided into 22 shelters connecting with a like number of 

 wire enclosed outside runways, each of which is 8 feet wide, 

 24 feet long and 8 feet high. The two end pavilions furnish 

 32 smaller shelters and runways, making a total of 48 com- 

 partments. The shelters are divided into two stories, the 

 upper series being designed for pigeons, doves and perch- 



