HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
side of the enclosure. A gravel beach has been 
provided at one side of the pool, and the banks 
of the streamlet have been finished off with boul- 
ders and clumps of rushes, and the work looks 
exactly like a section out of a hill burn. Three 
raccoons have now been placed in the enclosure, 
and may be seen there either sitting- on a branch 
of the tree, wandering amongst the grass, or 
sometimes squatting by the side of the pool en- 
gaged in washing their food. This last operation 
is an interesting characteristic of the. raccoon, who 
invariably washes the flesh on which he feeds 
before he eats it, alternately dipping it into the 
water and rubbing it between his two front paws. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
The Council met at Dublin on August 14th, 
Dr. R. F. Scharff, Vice-President, in the chair. 
Also present — Hon. Sec. (Prof. Scott, acting), 
Hon. Treasurer (Dr. MacDowel Cosgrave, the 
Hon. Mr. Justice Boyd, M. F. Headlam, Esq., 
James Inglis, Esq., T. K. Laidlaw, Esq. 
The following new arrivals for the collection 
were noted — Quaker parrakeets and turtle doves, 
wood pigeons, from W. W. Despard, Esq. ; Italian 
black snake and ringed snake, peacock and pea 
hen, Lady Palmer; fan-tail pigeons and a blue- 
fronted amazon. The visitors for the week 
numbered 2,785. The Rev. F. Avent, St. Cath- 
erine's, N.C.R., was entered as a Garden sub- 
scriber. A large party of children were enter- 
tained to tea and to the other enjoyments afforded 
by an afternoon at the Gardens by Mr. H. Figgis 
during the week. Unfortunately the weather was 
extremely showery, which to some extent marred 
the youngsters' enjoyment, nevertheless they con- 
tented themselves with the indoor delights, the 
gorillas ("Mr. George" and "Susan") causing 
much fun. Another large party from the Drum- 
mond School also had their annual outing as usual 
at the Gardens. The coming week, from 21st 
inst. to 28th included, which this year is to replace 
Horse Show Week, as it has been known by in 
former years, is to be a week in which recreation 
will be provided for visitors from the country, and 
the numerous societies started since the outbreak 
of the war are in some instances organising attrac- 
tions both for the sake of the city and to benefit 
thf various relief funds they represent. The Gar- 
dens will be much frequented by the country visi- 
tors, and it has been arranged to give a whole- 
week at half-price — that is 6d. per head for 
adults, and children, as always, half-price, or 3d. 
Willi fine weather, this should provide an added 
inducement to intending excursionists. This is 
First time there has been a 6dL week at the Car- 
dens. Should it prove a success, no doubt the 
Council will try it on another occasion. The Eland 
cow presented by his Grace the Duke of Bedford 
is expected shortly, and will, it is hoped, arrive 
in time to be on exhibition for the "Visitors' 
Week" in Dublin. 
ELEPHANT STEALING. 
" NOTHING EASIER " : 
DECREASE OF THE CRIME IN SIAM. 
Mention of elephant stealing in a Consular 
report usually occasions comment of a humorous 
nature, it being apparently thought that the crime 
is a difficult one to commit. This is a mistake 
(declares the British Consul in Siam). Nothing is 
easier than to' steal an elephant, and there is no 
crime the prevalence of which has a more preju- 
dicial effect on trade in Northern Siam. It is there- 
fore gratifying to observe that the official figures 
for the year April, 1913, to March, 1913', show 
that fewer elephants were stolen than during any 
previous year concerning which statistics have 
been published. 
Since the introduction of branding paste, the 
marks from which are almost ineradicable, the 
number of elephants stolen has steadily dimin- 
ished, and if this paste can be brought into general 
use the crime may in time entirely cease. 
AN INTERESTING NOTE FROM 
"CAGE BIRDS." 
An interesting event has just occurred at the 
Scottish Zoo. The pair of Rheas have hatched out 
a nest of promising chicks. As mentioned in my 
article, "A Daj with t he Birds at the Scottish 
Zoo," of January last, the peculiarity of the 
Rhea's family affairs is that the hen merely lays 
the eggs (a hole, scooped in the sand being all the 
nest she troubles to makej and leaves the incuba- 
tion and feeding to the "mere male," while she 
remains a perfectly disinterested looker-on. Our 
partieular Rhea, however, has found an unex- 
pected helper in his arduous duties in the person 
of a hen Emu (kept in the same enclosure) which 
has formed an attachment lor him and his chicks. 
She tends the latter as ii they were her own. It 
is indeed a most interesting sight, and has 
attracted a lot of visitors. The Zoo officials seem 
to have an opportunity of producing Rhea-Emu 
hybrids next year. 
