57-i 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



Australian Diamond Python and Carpet Py- 

 thon, a full series of Crocodilians, lizards of 

 many species and a series of tortoises — among 

 the latter being two specimens of Testudo ele- 

 phantina, from the Aldabra Islands. 



Antwerp. — Although there ajupears to be no 

 recent installation in the Antwerp Gardens, new 

 specimens are constantly added. A long, high 

 cage, with artistically painted background, of- 

 fered a spectacular display owing to its con- 

 tents, which consisted of over two dozen Flamin- 

 goes and seventy-five Purple Gallinules. The 

 smaller, irridescent birds, running in every di- 

 rection among the tall pink forms of the flamin- 

 goes offered a striking display. 



Cologne. — Of particular interest in the Zoo- 

 logical Gardens is the breeding of two Giraffes, 

 both of which are in perfect condition. One ex- 

 ample was born on May 26th, 1907, and the 

 latest arrival, on April 4th, 1909. This young- 

 ster was alert and active when the writer in- 

 spected him the following June after his birth. 

 He was about 6 ft. in height, with wisps of black 

 hair standing on that portion of his head from 

 which the horns will grow. 



Frankfort. — The collection of reptiles in the 

 Frankfort Gardens is particularly noteworthy. 

 The reptiles are housed in the top of a grotto- 

 like structure. The walls of the reptile enclosure 

 are of the vacuum tiles previously mentioned, 

 which, together with a glass roof floods the 

 place with light. Among the lizards were a 

 number of fine chameleons, the Australian 

 Tiligua, Spike-Tailed Lizard, Zonurus, Tegus, 

 and a full series of the lizards of Europe. 



The collection of batrachians was very com- 

 plete, embracing the Blind Salamander of the 

 Adelsberg Cave, Giant Salamander, Hellbender, 

 South American Toads of several species and 

 many Tree Toads. The collection of snakes 

 was the finest on the Continent. Especially in- 

 teresting among these were the Gaboon Viper, 

 Puff Adder, Russell's Viper, Horned Viper, 

 Desert Viper, Sandnatter, Cape Viper, Austral- 

 ian Blacksnake and Indian Cobra. There is a 

 good representative series of North American 

 serpents. 



Berlin. — The magnificent Gardens in Berlin 

 offered nothing particularly new, but it is in- 

 teresting to note the successful breeding of the 

 Giraffe here, in April of this year. While noting 

 this subject it should be mentioned that a 

 Giraffe was also bred in the London Gardens 

 last year, and is in thriving condition. 



Berlin is fortunate in having on exhibition a 

 number of specimens of the wild Guinea "Pig," 

 Cavia porcellus, of South America. These ani- 

 mals look like fat, tailless gray rats and are 

 extremety timid. Owing to the rigid quarantine 

 existing against South American rodents, it is 

 now impossible to import this interesting animal. 



Zoological Gardens at Halle. — At Halle on 

 the Saale, delightfully situated, ingeniouslj' laid 

 out, and with many novel features, is a zoologi- 

 cal institution that promises to be among the 

 most interesting in Europe. The gardens of Halle 

 offer a series of surprises : for the winding walks 

 that lead up the hill to the mountain goats, 

 thence down to other installations, bring one 

 unexpectedly upon changing scenes, exhibits and 

 all sorts of pleasing nooks and vistas of the 

 surrounding landscape. These gardens are 

 young and the buildings not elaborate in num- 

 ber as yet, but everything is ingeniously quar- 

 tered and there is a valuable collection. There 

 is a marked fraternal spirit in the exhibit of 

 some of the animals. The Indian Blackbucks 

 and Ostriches were running in the same en- 

 closure. The Camels and Yaks roamed to- 

 gether, and in a medium-sized cage was a rol- 

 licking family of Raccoons and Coatis. Few 

 zoological gardens can boast of a more pictur- 

 esque site and such possibilities of interesting 

 development as the Gardens at Halle. 



Hamburg. — A new feature of Hagenbeek's 

 Tierpark, at Stellingen, is the Ostrich Farm, 

 situated immediately across from the main en- 

 trance of the Tierpark, and being distinct in 

 requiring a separate admission of 50 pf. It is 

 well worth the visitor's time to inspect this 

 novel venture. Mr. Hagenbeck informed the 

 writer that he expects his birds to grow much 

 finer plumes in the cold climate of Hamburg 

 than those ostriches on farms in the hot coun- 

 tries. There are ten breeding houses, each with 

 two long j'ards and separate compartments. 

 Each of these houses is intended to accommo- 

 date a pair of birds. A great central yard and 

 commodious shelter building accommodates the 

 main herd. A very complete incubator, with 

 capacity for a great number of eggs, is part of 

 the exhibit. The ostrich farm was opened in 

 July, with one hundred and ten ostriches — all 

 of the species being represented. 



Prior to the opening of the Ostrich Farm, the 

 main herd of birds was running in a fifteen-acre 

 pasture. The multitude of long necks, above 

 which towered the heads of some really gigantic 

 males, formed an imposing picture. 



