1905. 



63 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include Hedgehogs, from Mr. F. Goddeu and Mr. Madden ; 

 a Red-breasted Merganser, from Mr. Nagle ; a Japanese Peacock, from 

 the Hon. R. Bellew ; a Zebra Trout, some Brown Trout, and some Rainbow 

 Trout, from Mr. F. Kennedy ; a young Otter, from Rev. B. C. Hannan ; 

 two Golden Pheasants, from Mr. R. G. O'Callaghan ; and a Chinese 

 Gander, from Mrs. M'Donnell. A Pigmy Calf has been born in the 

 Gardens. 



January 31. — The Annual General Meeting was held at the Royal Irish 

 Academy House, Rt. Hon. Jonathan Hogg in the chair. The Report 

 of the Council submitted by Dr. R. F. Scharff, Honorary Secretary, 

 shows that, although the admissions to the Gardens during 1904 were 

 only 172,976 and the receipts £2,2,6^ (as compared with 195,177, and 

 ^2,671 respectively in 1903), the management of the Society's affairs has 

 been so capable and economical that the financial position is stronger 

 now than a year ago. At the beginning of the year there was a small 

 balance due to the Bank, while at the close, the credit balance exceeds 

 the liabilities by £/\S. 



Reference is made to the loss sustained by the Society in the deaths of 

 Viscount Powerscourt and Mr. H. M. Barton. The former was President 

 from 1864 till 1869, and his work in acclimatizing foreign species of 

 Deer in the Powerscourt park is well-known to zoologists. Mr. Barton 

 was Treasurer from 1884 till 1889 ; he leaves to the Society a legacy of 

 ;^ioo, which will be devoted to improvements in the aviaries. Mr. A. E. 

 Goodbody resigns his position as Hon. Treasurer and is succeeded by 

 Prof. A. F. Dixon. 



How to increase the comfort and happiness of the animals in the 

 Gardens has engaged the serious consideration of the Council for many 

 years past, but out of a considerable number of schemes suggested to 

 improve the accommodation of the stock, it was not found possible to 

 carry out more than a few. 



One of these seemed to the Council of such importance that it was 

 taken in hand at once, viz, : to provide a series of dens where animals 

 could be housed when undergoing some special treatment during sick- 

 ness 



The proper housing of rodent animals next engaged the attention of 

 the Council. After careful consideration of various plans, it was decided 

 to erect a circular structure divided into a number of railed-in enclosures, 

 and to raise the central portion so as to produce an ornamental rockery. 

 Ample accommodation for sleeping dens would thus be provided under- 

 neath. The whole structure was completed in August, and the dens 

 have proved to be thoroughly dry. The Rabbits, '^Guinea Pigs, Prairie 

 Dogs, Porcupines, and other rodent animals seem to be thoroughly 

 comfortable and healthy in their new shelters. 



