ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



785 



We have many specimens representing the 

 Dog Family. {Canidae), and it is our intention 

 to exhibit them in a continuous series, as soon 

 as possible. Owing to their various sizes and 

 requirements, they are now scattered through a 

 dozen cages, both in and out of the Small-Mam- 

 mal House. Our examples have come from 

 many parts of the world. Among the latest ar- 

 rivals are two species of the Raccoon Dog, 

 (Xyctercutcs). coming respectively from Siberia 

 and Japan. The Indian Jackal, Black-Backed 

 Jackal. Australian Dingo, Central American 

 Wild Dog, Striped Tailed Dog and the Argen- 

 tine Wild Dog all are represented in and about 

 the Small-Mammal House. 



We are not vet fully supplied with the smaller 

 species of flesh-eating mammals. Our collection 

 of viverrincs is too large, and that of the muste- 

 lines is too small. We find the North American 

 members of the Marten Family rather short- 

 lived and "difficult." Among these creatures, 

 the Mink is one of the most difficult to exhibit in 

 captivity in small quarters. With a large num- 

 ber of species, it is not possible to give each one 

 a great amount of space in which to live. The 

 Mink is an exceptionally delicate animal as a 

 captive, and our previous experiences with indi- 

 vidual specimens in small quarters have not been 

 satisfactory. The present Mink colony is com- 

 posed of six active and healthy individuals, oc- 

 cupying a large amount of space. They have 

 been on exhibition for about one year, during 

 which period only one Mink has been lost. With 

 the installation of this lot in more ample quar- 

 ters, we determined to try also radical departures 

 in their food. We had previously fed our Mink 

 upon small scraps of lean raw beef, varying this 

 about even' three days with chicken heads or 

 small birds. It was resolved to feed this family 

 upon nothing but small creatures of the kinds 

 they would be likely to find during their natural 

 prowlings. As the majority of the Mink we had 

 previously lost had died of gastro-enteric troub- 

 les, it seemed as though this had been brought 

 about through feeding meat of too coarse mus- 

 cular fibre. This seemed likely to be the case 

 with the flesh of animals that were much larger 

 than those normally preyed upon. The sched- 

 ule prepared for the feeding of these Mink con- 

 sisted of mice, sparrows, very young chickens, 

 frogs and small fresh-water fish. Upon this 

 diet, with one day each week to fast, these Mink 

 have remained in the best possible condition. 

 We are trying a similar diet with the smaller and 

 more delicate species of cats, and thus far with 

 good results. 



TASMANIAN DEVIL. 



ALBINO RACCOON. 



MINK. 



