10 
Biddle, but as is the case with many of these birds exported 
from India, it is doubtful if they are of pure breed. 
On May 12th two white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) were 
presented by A. J. Kearny, B troop, Fifth United States 
Cavah-y, having been captured by him near Laredo, Texas. 
Two specimens of the Texas king snake {Ophibolus getulus 
splendidus) were received about the same time. This fine 
species was new to the collection. 
A number of animals purchased from Carl Hagenbeck 
arrived from Hamburg on May 22d. Of these the following 
were new to us : a pair of young wild asses from Askabad, 
Persia, the species being the Persian form {Equus onager of 
many authors) of the ass widely distributed through 
central and southwestern Asia, Equus hemionus, Pall. The 
female of this pair died in August, as a result of the great 
heat and humidity which prevailed at that time, but it is 
hoped that another may be secured to replace her. The 
collection contained also a specimen of the Pluto monkey 
(Cercopithecus leucampyx) from West Africa; two banded 
ichneumons {Crossarchus fasciatus); a marabou stork (Lep- 
toptilus crumeniferus) from Africa ; a pair of lag or gray 
geese {Anser anser), and two lesser spotted eagles (Aquila 
pomarina) from southern Russia. 
Females of the nylghaie and sing-sing antelopes were 
procured at the same time to complete pairs. 
An example of a rare species of passerine parrakeet 
{Psittacula guianensis) from Caracas,Venezuela, was presented 
May 30th, by Master Donald R. McCain. 
On the 2d of June a young male gibbon (Hylobates agilis) 
was purchased from a dealer in New York, and has proved 
to be a most interesting accession. As it is highly impor- 
tant in the care of these delicate apes, that they should be 
protected from the generous but indiscriminate feeding pro- 
pensity of visitors, this animal was placed in the keeper's 
room at the Monkey House, in company with the young orang 
brought from Borneo by Dr. Furness in December, 1896, until 
the completion of the Small Mammal House, since when, he 
has been provided for in the hot room of that building. 
