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, (A plodontidac), 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, (Leporidae), is one of the most diffi- 
eult 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 
