NEWS BULLETIN OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



A PORTION OF THE ELK HERD. 



Gift of Mr. Geo. J. Gould and the Brooklyn Park Department. 



dainty Orange-necked or Muhlenberg's Turtle (Chdopus 

 muJileubergi) , rare little fellows, of very limited distribu- 

 tion. Their beauty places in strong contrast the formidable 

 appearance of the huge Alligator Terrapin, or " Snapper," 

 and the flabby soft-shells (Aspidonectes) , as the latter stare 

 at nothing in particular, with a perpetual look of extreme sur- 

 prise. 



During the winter months, the members of the Tortoise 

 group, comprising about eight large species, have occupied 

 temporary cages. In summer, these creatures will be placed 

 in small yards outside the building. The north sand-bank 

 of the Alligators' enclosure, however, has been arranged to 

 accommodate some of the larger species, which form a high- 

 ly attractive exhibit. Here are quartered two large Nubian 

 Tortoises, the larger weighing about forty pounds. They 

 were but recently imported by Carl Hagenbeck, and are be- 

 lieved to be the only living members of the species in this 

 country. Each specimen cheerfully consumes nearly an entire 

 head of cabbage at a meal. Among these land Chelonians is 

 a beautiful representative of the South African Geometric 

 Tortoise (Testudo geometrica) . The dome-like shell, scrib- 

 bled with various hieroglyphics, makes this creature unique 

 among its kind. 



Far different are the habits of the tortoises from those of 

 their aquatic relations. The latter scramble like a drove of 

 chickens for the generous hand of their keeper, casting all 

 dignity aside to satisfy their appetites. The former are al- 

 ways stately in their movements, and dignity seems to be 

 with them a ruling passion. A tempting mixture of rice, 

 bananas and lettuce, provokes the slow appearance of plated 

 heads. The dark eyes blink solemnly, then begins a deliberate 

 advance toward the feeding tray. Each mouthful is de- 

 liberately studied, until at last there is a slow retreat to favor- 

 ite corners, and sleep intervenes until next feeding time. 



It is rarely that turtles and tortoises in captivity enjoy the 

 commodious quarters given them in the Reptile House of the 

 Zoological Park. It is hoped that in the near future, visit- 

 ors may observe the interesting process of raising the young 



reptiles, as many eggs have been deposited in the sand-bank 

 along the Terrapins' Tank. These would not be the first 

 young reptiles to appear in the Park, however, as about 

 seventy snakes of three different species have been born dur- 

 ing the past few months, and the new arrivals are all in a 

 thriving condition. Raymond L. Dilniars. 



AS OTHERS SEE US. 



" The time has come for a great art school for studying animals." 

 This is the dictum of Mr. Ernest Seton Thompson (whose work- 

 as an animal painter does not enjoy the world-wide reputation it 

 deserves) in a vigorous paper read before the Zoological Society 

 of New York a couple of years ago. . . . And the Society has 

 acknowledged the justice of the artist's plea for better opportunities 

 of study by giving facilities which will be the envy of their less 

 fortunate brethren in Europe. . . . We venture to think that 

 in providing facilities for students at their new menagerie in Bronx 

 Park, the New York Society gives one of several proofs that it 

 regards its mission as that of popular educator. . . . 



The New York Society does not indicate that they propose placing 

 dead specimens at the disposal of art students for anatomical pur- 

 poses. We could hardly expect an explicit declaration which would 

 be somewhat suggestive of anticipated disaster in a young society; 

 but they have done that which promises in course of time to make 

 America the headquarters of animal painting. 



When planning the houses and dens for the new park, they kept 

 Mr. Thompson's representations in view, and ascertained by care- 

 ful inquiry that there were many young artists and sculptors who 

 made animal portrayal their specialty, and who only required en- 

 couragement and facilities for study in order to develop into a 

 " school " in the sense artists use the word. Fully alive to the 

 importance of pictures as a means of stimulating popular interest 

 in animal life — a sentiment it is eminently desirable to foster in 

 America, whose great game is being steadily and surely killed down 

 to extermination — the Society have designed their premises to in- 

 clude, in many cases, studios into which it will be possible to 

 transfer cages containing any animals required as models, and which 

 will be furnished with all the conveniences necessary for students. 

 The executive of the New York Society goes further than tin's in 

 pursuance of its policy to systematically encourage animal painting 

 and sculpture. . . . Our animal painters have now powerful 

 rivals in America, and it is greatly to be hoped that the scheme of 

 the New York Society may awaken the spirit of emulation at 

 home. — The Asian Sporting Newspaper 



