The Irish Naturalist. 
March, 
of the Hoolock Gibbon generously given in 1912 by D. J. M. Falkiner. 
Several deaths of smaller monkeys have taken place, including one of the 
Vervets on deposit from the King's African Collection, and a Red Howler, 
which lived only for a few weeks in the Collection. Among gifts a fine 
Yellow Baboon from Captain Furnell is noteworthy. Our collection of 
Lemurs is still extensive, and a beautiful specimen of the curious Aye -aye 
from Madagascar, very rarely seen alive in Europe, was purchased early 
in the year, and is still in excellent health. It feeds freely on soaked 
cake, which it slowly collects with the long and slender third finger, whose 
normal function is to pick succulent grubs out of timber. 
The famous collection of Lions has been well maintained during the 
year, the only death being the first cub of " Conn " and " Mitze," born — 
a solitary female — in March, and dying the day after her birth. In August 
the same pair had two healthy cubs — male and female — which are doing 
well. Two families of cubs were born at the beginning and the end of the 
year respectively, " Red Hugh" and " Nigeria" being the parents. On 
January 22nd there were three males and two females, and on December 
25th a litter of one male and three females. The very valuable gift of a 
pair of wild West African cubs was received from Lieutenant Ackland,R.N. 
These handsome animals, on arrival, were remarkable for the sleek texture 
and deep brown colour of their hair ; after a few months' residence in the 
Lion House the coats became paler and somewhat more furry. As usual, 
some of the stock has been exported during the year. The young Lioness, 
" Dido IL," and a pair of the " Red Hugh " — " Maive " cubs (born in 
191 2) were sold. The other pair of the same litter were selected for pre- 
sentation to the newly -established Zoological Park at Edinburgh. This 
gift was made with special acknowledgment to the invaluable services 
rendered to the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland by one of Edinburgh's 
most distinguished men of science — the late D. J. 'Cunningham. From 
the five " Red Hugh" — "Nigeria" cubs born in January, 1913, a pair 
were sent to the Toronto Zoological Gardens in exchange for Beavers. 
The stock of Lions now stands at twenty -three — twelve males and 
eleven females. 
A serious loss has been sustained by the death of the Tiger " Rajah," 
which the Nizam of Hyderabad gave to the Society in 1900. A splendid 
tame Cheetah, given and personally brought home by Captain H. C. 
Dobbs, is a mo.st welcome addition, as it is many years since one of these 
interesting beasts was on view in Dublin. The Council would record 
their warm thanks also to Major Kirkpatrick, who secured a pair of Snow 
Leopards from the Himalaya, and presented tliem to the Society ; un- 
fortunately these valuable animals both died before their .shipment from 
India had been arranged. The collection of Pumas has increased, as three 
hand.some and liealtliy cubs were born in August. The birth of six more 
Dingo puppies is also worthy of record. One of the young Pumas has been 
exchanged for a Himalayan Bear, and a very tame and lively Brown Bear 
— Nelson " by name — was received as a gift from Mes.srs. Wallis, of 
London. A young Sca-Hon was bought during tlie year. 
