NEWS BULLETIN OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



AMERICAN BISON. — " CLEVELAND. " 

 Gift of Hon. Wm. C. Whitney. Captured wild in Panhandle of Texas, in 1SS7, by C. J. Jot 



RAPID TRANSIT TO THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



When the site ot the Zoological Park was chosen, in 1896, 

 the Society builded even better than it knew. It was admitted 

 that existing street railway facilities were very inadequate, 

 but in the firm belief that a great popular institution would 

 soon bring them, South Bronx Park was chosen. 



The terminus of the eastern branch of the great rapid 

 transit system, to be completed in three years, will be situated 

 within three hundred feet of the West Farms entrance to 

 the Zoological Park! Briefly stated, this means — from the 

 Brooklyn Bridge to the Buffalo Range in twenty-five min- 

 utes, for five cents. If this possibility does not cause every 

 Brooklynite to feel that the Zoological Park is partly his, 

 nothing ever will do so. If this does not place the summer 

 shade, the coolness and restfulness of that sylvan spot within 

 reach of the children of the crowded tenements of Manhat- 

 tan, nothing ever will. 



For some time past, we have been aware of the location 

 of the eastern terminus of the great tunnel, and have awaited 

 with bated breath the development of the scheme. With- 

 in a week after the acceptance of Contractor McDonald's 

 bid, the Society drafted a bill providing for the expenditure 

 of $300,000 more in the preparation of the grounds of the 

 Zoological Park for the use of the crowds that will flock 

 to them the moment rapid transit to the Park is an accom- 

 plished fact. The walks and roads already constructed are 

 not much more than one-third of what will be required 

 when visitors begin to come at the- rate of 50,000 per day. 

 We shall do our part toward taking every possible advantage 

 of the three years to elapse before the completion of the tun- 

 nel. The crowds of 1903 will find us ready for them. 



THE SEA LIONS. 



Pending the completion of the Sea Lion Pool in Baird Conn, 

 the California Sea Lions are permitted to usurp the summer rights 

 of the Crocodilians, and occupy the Crocodile Pool, between the 

 Reptile House and Bear Dens. Two fine rock dens were huilt last 

 year, at the south end of the Pool, and by keeping them well filled 

 with straw, and the pool free from ice during the winter, the four 

 Sea Lions came through the winter in good condition. It was 

 noticed that during the coldest weather, they had very little to say; 

 but no sooner did the frogs in the Beaver Pond begin to croak than 

 the Zalophii began to make the Park resound with their cheerful 

 barking. 



GENERAL INFORMATION. 



Admission. — On all holidays, and on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednes- 

 day, Friday, and Saturday, admission to the Zoological Park is 

 free. 



On every Monday and Thursday, save when either of those days 

 falls on a holiday, only members of the Society, and persons hold- 

 ing tickets from the Society, are admitted free. All others pay 

 twenty-five cents for each adult, and fifteen cents for each child 

 under twelve years of age. Tickets are sold only at the entrances. 



When a regular pay-day falls on a legal holiday, the following 

 day will be a pay-day for that week. 



Opening and Closing. — From May 1st to November 1st, the 

 entrance-gates will be opened at 9 a.m. and closed half an hour 

 before sunset. From November 1st to May 1st the gates will open 

 at 10 a.m. 



Bicycles must be checked at the entrances (five cents). All 

 wheels not called for half an hour before sunset will be locked up 

 until the following day. 



Lunch Room.— Until the Rocking Stone Restaurant has been 

 completed, a lunch room, where excellent food will be served at 

 popular prices, will be maintained in the extreme eastern end of 

 the Reptile House. Enter directly from the main walk. 



Park Seats.— Two hundred park settees have been placed in 

 the Zoological Park, along the walks and in shaded situations. 



Walks.— All the walks in the Park are now receiving their final 

 surface of broken rock and crushed blue-stone, which will render 

 them perpetually smooth and clean. 



