ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



82S 



snakes spending most of their time in their hid- 

 ing quarters, we are gratified to find that there is 

 always a fair number of them in view. Theo- 

 retically, it seems proper to give these timid 

 creatures an opjjortunity to seek secluded quar- 

 ters when they so desire, especially after feed- 

 ing. We imagine that with these cage arrange- 

 ments, our poisonous snakes will do better, and 

 not evince the stubborn inclination to fast which 

 is so common among venomous reptiles. 



As this article goes to press, we are much dis- 

 turbed to note that an epidemic has appeared 

 among our rattlesnakes. Dr. Blair has diag- 

 nosed the trouble as being caused by a worm- 

 like parasite which attacks the various internal 

 organs. At present, adequate treatment seems 

 to be impossible, and it may be that we are 

 destined to lose all the members of our rattle- 

 snake colony, with the result of having to wait 

 until the coming spring to obtain a fresh supply. 



We are particularly fortunate in possessing 

 a spectacular series of copperhead snakes. 

 These are obtained by a specialist on this spe- 

 cies, who resides in Connecticut. He points 

 with pride to the existence of a copperhead den 

 on his farm, and explains that he fully pro- 

 tects the reptiles, with the result that a liberal 

 number always may be obtained. From him we 

 have received about thirty particularly large 

 copperheads ; and this lively family now occu- 

 pies our latest panoramic cage. 



It seems highly desirable that our visitors 

 should be enabled to examine our two local spe- 

 cies of poisonous reptiles amid surroundings 

 that at least attempt to represent their natural 

 haunts. The first impression of the copper- 

 head is the color similarity of this reptile to 

 fallen leaves. Difficult to distinguish, and ordi- 

 narily a silent creature, it is especially feared in 

 the regions where it is common. On the other 

 hand, when the rattlesnake is stretched upon 

 rocks, owing to its velvety scales and surface, 

 and the pitchy black of the males, or the strik- 

 ing sulphur hues of the females, it stands out 

 in bold relief, and is readily seen. In addition 

 to the vivid hues, the charcteristic rattle aids in 

 rendering this dangerous serpent very promi- 

 nent whenever it is disturbed. 



It is our intention to continue the series of 

 panoramic snake cages. When we consider 

 backgrounds for the Indo-Malayan, African 

 and South American species, we realize that the 

 decorative possibilities are many and pictur- 

 esque. R. L. D. 



SLEEPING PEACOCKS. 

 Buried under snow during night storm. 



NOTES. 



Storm-bound Peafowl. — The hereditary habit 

 of the peacocks of roosting for the night in trees 

 sometimes forces upon them considerable discom- 

 fort. After selecting a roosting place the birds 

 return to it each night; apparently the same 

 ones without ever deserting the site. Usually two 

 in the same tree. After the recent heavy snow 

 storm, Dr. Blair directed my attention to two 

 male peafowl that had selected a big oak tree 

 near his office window as a perching place. The 

 snow had fallen during the night to a depth of 

 about ten inches forming a wall on each side of 

 the sleeping birds, which completely arched over 

 their backs. As the heat of their bodies melted 

 the snow, the water had gradually saturated their 

 lighter feathers and formed a tiny coronet of ice 

 on their heads. As we watched them they stood 

 erect as if to learn just what the prospect of 

 moving might be. The effort probably con- 

 vinced them that to get to the ground meant to 

 tumble and not fly, for they promptly settled 

 down again. While they waited for the sun to 

 dry them out, the picture was made. 



Laughing Hyena. — A sound very startling to 

 visitors comes from a cage in the Small-Mam- 

 mal House, enclosing a vigorous specimen of the 

 laughing or spotted hyena, the gift of Mr. Paul 

 J. Rainey. The weird and sharp calls of the 

 hyena, immediately prior to feeding times, are 

 positively startling, and echo throughout the 

 building. 



