NEWS BULLETIN OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



so shy they seldom are visible in the daytime, 

 either in their own haunts or an enclosure. 

 They willingly go hungry rather than be seen 

 taking food. No matter how anxious or even 

 worried they may be about their work, no 

 matter how much their dams or houses need 

 repair, they keep union hours, and do no work 

 whatever in the daytime. Even their pleas- 

 ures they take sadly, making light of nothing 

 in their world. 



The Zoological Park Beaver Pond contains 

 six Beavers, with others due to arrive very 

 shortly. Three came from Texas, one from 

 Colorado, and two from Canada. The lat- 

 ter, which are very dark-colored and hand- 

 some animals, are a gift from Mr. Hugh J. 

 Chisholm. 



During the first month that these animals 

 were in the Beaver Pond, they did practically 

 no work. Since that time, however, they have 

 been cutting small saplings, and working 

 steadily on a house which they are building 

 on one of the islands in the pond. The pile 

 of sticks is now 3 feet in height, and 12 feet in 

 diameter. Many branches in full leaf have 

 been built into it, and nearly all other wood 

 available. The dam is built chiefly of mud 

 and water-soaked leaves, to which has been 

 added such sticks, green branches and odd 

 bits of wood as could be spared from the 

 house. Thus far the largest tree cut by the 

 Beavers was 4 inches in diameter. The dam 

 is now about two feet high, and is steadily- 

 rising. 



Occasionally a beaver is seen during the 

 day. swimming about, or out on the bank, 

 solemnly combing his fur. The best time to 

 see them is after 6 o'clock, when the Park is 

 quiet and visitors are few. Because of the 

 trunk sewer that will be constructed this sum- 

 mer, the walk along the Pond has not yet been 

 constructed. 



ANOTHER NEW BUILDING — THE 

 OSTRICH HOUSE 



The Executive Committee has decided to 

 erect forthwith, from our own funds, a build- 

 ing designed to accommodate a large collection 

 of Ostriches, Rheas, Cassowaries, Emus, and 

 Cranes, and plans for the structure are now 



being prepared. The urgent need for such a 

 building has long been apparent ; and for use 

 next winter, in housing the large birds requir- 

 ing warmth, it is quite indispensable. 



The building will be 150 feet long by 30 feet 

 wide, and will be located opposite the Burrow- 

 ing Rodents' quarters, immediately south of 

 the present temporary Small Mammals' House. 

 As befits its purpose, it will be of lighter and 

 more simple construction than the more im- 

 portant buildings. Its cages will be 12 feet 

 deep, and at the rear will connect with an ex- 

 tensive series of yards of various sizes. 



The new building will be known as the 

 Ostrich House. Pending the erection of the 

 Antelope House, a portion of it will be used 

 in winter for the tropical Deer and Antelopes 

 which last winter occupied the Buffalo House 

 to the exclusion of its rightful owners. The 

 cost of the new building will be about $15,000. 



THE MOUNTAIN SHEEP HILL. 



The visitor who stands at the Rocking Stone 

 and looks westward will observe on the farther 

 side of a narrow valley a high and bold ridge 

 of granite rock, which extends from the Sea 

 Lion Pool to the northwest corner of the 

 Buffalo Range. That is Mountain Sheep 

 Hill. To-day its rocky side is partly masked 

 by a growth of long grass and bushes ; and 

 the big pile of black earth on its highest point 

 (from the Aquatic Mammals' Pond) is hid by 

 a thick veil of green weeds. The highest point 

 of the hill above the level green valley at its 

 base is 30 feet, and the total length of the ridge 

 is 500 feet. 



This entire hill is to be developed forthwith 

 as an installation for a collection of Mountain 

 Sheep and Goats. At various points, hidden 

 shelters of rock will be constructed. The hill 

 will be enclosed by two curved lines of Page 

 wire fencing, and cross lines will divide this 

 space into a number of roomy hill ranges. The 

 salient points of the granite outcrop will be 

 emphasized, and it is believed that the instal- 

 lation as a whole, when complete, will add to 

 the landscape a feature of real picturesqueness. 

 As a home for a collection of mountain animals 

 that are to be visible to visitors, it would be 

 difficult to find more suitable conditions any- 

 where near New York City. 



