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eee, 44
ypoXXL. No.1 AO) JANUARY, 1918
SOC TY.
BULLETIN
iin i oe.
Mi Published by
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
| A
i — ITUATION ULL ETO S STOTOETT
MVNA AA
NOT od nego gall WI lll HNN
LEY Frey Pr Coa CPP YT
UR OTE ora
Nem York Zoological Society
GeneraL Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York Ciry.
President
Henry FarrrieLtp Ossorn.
Hirst Wire-President Serond Vice-President
Mapison GRANT. Frank K. Srtureis.
Oreasurer Asst. Treasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. Tut Farmers’ Loan anp Trust Co.
Secretary
Mapison GRANT.
Exerutinve Committee
Mapison Grant, Chairman. Wm. Pierson Hamitton, Warson B. DickeRMAN,
Percy R. Pyne, Frank K, Stureis, Antuony R. Kuser,
Witiiam Wuire Nites, LisPENARD STEWART, Henry Farrrietp Ossorn, ex-officio
Board of Managers
£x officia: The Mayor and The Presipent Department of Parks, City of New York.
Glass of 1918
Levi P. Morton, Henry A. C. Taytor, Lewis RutuHerrorp Morris,
ANDREW CARNEGIE, Frank K. Srurais, Arcuer M. Hunrineton,
Mapison Grant, Gerorce J. Goutp, Henry M. Titrorp,
Witiiam Wuire NItsgs, Oepen Mits, E. C. Converse,
Glass of 1919
Percy R. Pyne, C. Lepyarp Buarr, Antuony R. Kuser,
Georce Birp GRINNELL, Freperick GitBertT Bourne, Watson B. DickerMAN,
Grorce C. CrLark, Wma. Austin Wapswortu, Mortimer L. Scuirr,
Crievetanp H. Doper, Emerson McMituin, Freperic C. Watcort,
Class of 1920
Henry Fairrietp Osgorn, Gerorce F, Baker, Epwarp S. Harkness,
*Wittiam C. Cuurcn, Grant B. Scutey, WituiaMm B. Oscoop Fiexp,
LisPENARD STEWART, Wo. Pierson Hamitton, A. Barron Heppurn,
Cuartes F. Drerericn, Rosert S. Brewster, Wirti1am Woopwarp.
General Officers
Witi1am T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenn, Director, New York Aquarium.
R. L. Cerero, Bursar. C. Grant La Farer, Architect.
H. Dr B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer. Grorce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
Officers of the Zoological Park
Wiriiam T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircuett, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merxet, Chief Forester.
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Rew Buarr, Veterinarian.
WituiaMm Beese, Curator, Birds. G. M. Berrsower, Engineer.
Lee S. Cranpauu, Asst. Curator, Birds. WituiamM Mircuepy, Cashier.
Erwin R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuinctron I. DeNysr, Assistant. Rogerr Sutrcyuirre, Clerk.
Louris L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Metten, Secretary.
Groree A. MacCatuvum, Pathologist.
*Deceased.
AOOL OECTA ~sOCLE TY BULLE DIN
CONTENTS FOR JANUARY, 1918
PAGE
SYR G > ANGST REN OV AGAIN ER eee rc Ree eae wee. Prontispiece
PAGES TT KeVer EVAURICRIE O RSAUNIT'S ee at Bibs Saeed an RT ee a William Beebe 1561
sROOPS ORM CHIMP AWN: WKS t ater ee ee ee es ee 4 Letter from R. L. Garner 1566
Soutn American FRoGs . co. Richard Deckert 1567
BUR DMR An VAmE UES O12 U/L IO Nima eee eee eee ae Pee ac tree Sees SiR eee Shee
AMeERICAN-CaNnaDIAN Birp Treaty ac tctecer trees Neca .W. T. Hornaday 1568
Wixtp Lire Loses a CuampPrion .... _W. T. Hornaday 1568
Game Protection Nores .....Vew York Sun 1569
Brnavior oF Witp Grizziy CUBS... From a Member of the Society 1570
Vitra Ours bik Dsl COME SROM ees te ee el Le ee S$. Crandall 1571
LaBeL MAKING IN THE FIELD ............ William Beebe 1574
Ant Pests AND ANT-EATERS .....0.0:0:0-0-0------ feet et S. P. Verner in Panama Star and Herald 1575
IremMs OF INTEREST... CBT ROnGEl a Bex Sodeies Depa ee At. LL. Ditmars 1576
Army anp Navy Mascors Liserty Bonp SuBSCRIBERS
SnakeE-Bire SeruM War-TIME FreepING
Persistent Zero WEATHER Park CoLitections NorMAL
Recorp or Events KaNnGAROO COLLECTION
Our Service Fiac An Aviator Goar
AU SECOND SUMIPERTAT DARROW 22022 Bee Wash see William Beebe 1578
Cover
LineaTeD PHEASANT
SILKY ANT-EATER
“At a touch, the little creature assumes a most
remarkable attitude”
ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
Published by the New York Zoological Society
Vou. XXI.
JANUARY, 1918
NuMBER 1
AD SILKY
KATER OF
ANTS
By Witx1aM Brese.
iT HREE million years ago a perfectly good
white ant lived on the earth. His fossil-
ized remains have been so well preserved
that there is no doubt of his presence and activ-
ity in that dim, distant past. Together with
many of his fellows, he left the impression of
his body in the mud of that far off time, and
since then the mud has hardened to stone, been
buried under thousands of centuries of other
mud and stone, and at last split open by inquis-
itive scientists and the ant impressions recog-
nized from their striking resemblance to their
rather distant relatives living on the topmost
stratum of the earth today. Hence my right to
the adjective “white” in referring to fossils, an
adjective of considerable importance, as it in-
dicates that these insects are not really ants at
all, and removes them from Soloman’s entomo-
logical advice, in identity although not in un-
worthiness. For white ants or termites are re-
lated much more closely to dragonflies than to
ordinary ants. Though today they have devel-
oped a marvellously intricate social life, yet they
and their relatives trace their lineage back with
almost no change in structure an unthinkably
longer time than man and his immediate fore-
bears have taken to evolve.
I have devoted this whole paragraph to the
white ant because of the importance of his re-
lation to my subject from quite another view-
point—a rather unkind one that of the food
which he, and his billions of brethren, scattered
over all the face of the world, furnish to hosts
of animals, birds, reptiles and ant-eaters in par-
ticular. True ants, Soloman’s kind, which make
slaves and wage wars, are devoured by many
creatures, but these insects are all flavored more
or less strongly with formic acid, and must be
an acquired taste. White ants or termites, on
the other hand, are, by all insect-eaters and
some others, considered a universal panacea for
hunger, and I have seen fishes leaping for them,
lizards risking dangers from hawk and man,
dogs, cats and Bornean squirrels snapping up
the winged hosts, while they furnish by far the
larger proportion of food of pheasants and
many other birds. The little Malayan bear has
been recorded several times as clawing apart
their nests and feeding upon these insects, al-
though the amount of debris which must be in-
cluded, makes this an exceedingly adulterated
diet.
Termites are today so important an article of
diet on the earth, that certain animals have been
developed with this sole means of nourishment
in view. I have already related something of
the scaly ant-eater of Borneo.* In South Amer-
ica, where these insects are exceedingly abun-
dant, there are three animals set apart from all
others in structure and mode of life, to which
the ants are actually la raison d’etre. They
would probably become extinct or at least hard
pressed for food were the supply of termites
and ants to fail for a few weeks.
Some of the white ants build their nests in
trees, others are content with lowlier positions ;
some of the nests are large and extremely hard,
some are smaller and less cement-like, while
still lesser structures are not lacking which offer
but little resistance to outside force. Like the
various sizes of big and little bears, we find
*Zool. Soc. Bull. XVII. No. 1,141.
5,
p-
1562 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY EULLETIN
measured exactly eight feet.
This species is wholly terrestrial
and is occasionally to be seen
making its way through the jun-
gle or along the Indian trails,
or, as I have twice observed it,
swimming wide rivers and
creeks. The head, and the long
hair of the back and tail project
above the water, and the crea-
ture makes surprisingly good
time.
The tamandua or lesser ant-
eater is less frequently seen and
always in trees. Last year one
was discovered rolled up in a
ball resting in a low crotch. He
was picked out and we kept him
alive.
The Pygmy or Silky Ant-
eater is by far the rarest of its
family. There are few speci-
“HAVING OBTAINED A FIRM GRIP WITH BOTH HIND FEET, THE mens in museums and not one
LITTLE CREATURE BENDS FORWARD ” has been brought alive to a
northern zoological garden. In
three types of ant-eaters adapted to the varied July, a year ago, as I paddled along a jungle
building sites and the durability of the antnests. creek I saw my first Silky Ant-eater. It was
These three animals whose forms and activ- an overcast, late afternoon and the little crea-
ities have been moulded upon a single article of _ ture had begun her hunting early, climbing
diet are the Great Ant-eater :
or Ant-bear, (Myrmecophaga
jubata), the Lesser Ant-
eater or Tamandua, (7'aman-
dua tetradactyla), and the
Little Silky Ant-eater, (Cy-
clopes didactylus). It is said
that the latter occasionally
feeds on the larvae of ants
and wasps, but this has not
been confirmed. All three are
found about our tropical re-
search station in British Gui-
ana and all have now been
represented by living speci
mens in the Zoological Park.
Perhaps the best known is
the largest, which is by no
means innocuous, although its
diet is of so humble a charac-
ter. No man, single-handed,
could overcome an ant-bear,
so strong are its muscles and
so effective its claws. The
last one observed in our vi-
cinity was killed at the Penal
Settlement by Mr. Frere,
which from nose to tail-tip “NOSE AND ALL FOUR FEET COME TOGETHER ”™
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
MRL
“NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE IS TEASED, NOT A SOUND
ESCAPES HIM”
slowly along a branch overhead. I was quite
certain of her sex, for I could distinctly see a
young ant-eater clinging to her fur, half be-
neath and half to one side. I had no gun, so
could only watch her through my glasses and
curse the horde of stinging ants which made
any ascent of the tree impossible.
A boviander gold miner was descending the
lower Cuyuni rapids late in September of the
present year, when an unexpected eddy swung
his boat toward shore, and it crashed
into some bushes. When he _ had
pushed out again into the still water
below, several small boughs — re-
mained on board. On one of these
was a round ball of fur, which, when
poked, turned toward the man with
such a comical, supplicating’ gesture
that he laughed and allowed the
small creature to remain.
When the Penal Settlement was
reached I lifted the little ant-eater
carefully and received the same ludi-
crous salaam. This was the first liv-
ing captive specimen of which I ever
had heard, so I devoted myself to
making him comfortable, both out-
side and in.
His external wants were simple in
the extreme—in comparison those of
Omar were complex, with only the
bough in common, and this to sit
upon and not under. He was happy
1563
in a cubic foot of space throughout
the day, and unless disturbed never
moved from the spot he had chosen
at dawn. No circle plotted by mathe-
matician could be rounder than this
small being when engaged in pass-
ing the useless hours from dawn to
dusk. For him the sun is a wholly
useless member of the planetary sys-
tem, light is an evil thing, day some-
thing to be forgotten in sleep.
Having obtained a firm grip with
both hind feet upon a branch, the
little creature bends forward and
down, until nose and all four feet
come together. Then the long pre-
hensile tail curls around, so evenly
that without unwinding it, one can-
not tell which side it starts
ends. It is always curled from the
right side around in front of the
feet, behind the left leg.
From here on, the bare, pinkish-
red tail-grip forms a tiny cup be-
tween the feet, in which the sensitive little nose
is safely buried. The palms of the forefeet are
pressed together, which brings the inbent, twin
claws of those limbs close above the face, thus
effectively shielding all the delicate parts of the
body.
Homer describes the Cyclopes of old as gi-
gantic troglodytes, cannibals with a single eye,
living a pastoral life in the far west, ignorant
of law and order, and fearing neither gods nor
on or
SORE
“HE TURNED WITH A SUPPLICATING GESTURE”
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
body into the blow and the claws
come down on the branch or any-
thing which intervenes with most
surprising force.
My assistant incautiously received
a slight scratch from such a stroke,
and required two weeks’ treatment
to avoid blood poisoning. Although
thus quiescently awaiting attack, the
Silky Ant-eater is far from being
unarmed, even in addition to his
claws. His thirty-two ribs are wid-
ened and flattened until they form
a veritable box of bone, and with the
dense, matted coat of fur, must of-
fer an almost perfect protection to
an attacking snake, small owl or car-
Though concealed beneath
a camouflage of fur, yet the ribs pro-
tect the vital organs as completely
as the external plates of the scaly
ant-eater or the armadillo.
nivore.
“HE ENGENDERS A FEELING OF PERFECT BALANCE AND
SURENESS OF FOOTHOLD”
men. With our modern little spherical Cyclopes
we can find no parallel, except as to the final
phrase. But though more prosaically arboreal,
insectivorous, et avec deux yeux, yet the Silky
Ant-eater is not an unworthy namesake.
At a touch, at a trembling of the branch, the
little creature straightens up and assumes a
most remarkable attitude. The tail
takes a tight grip about the branch.
Both arms are raised in front of the
face, the red soles and the bright
pink muzzle showing as three strange
bits of brilliant color. The claws are
laid along the snout back of the tip,
and this weird posture brings to the
imagination thoughts of some strange
gnome performing an equally strange
religious rite, or an eery dwarf go-
ing through the movements of some
unknown, silent dance.
Thus swaying from side to side, in
slow inexplicable rhythm, the little
ant-eater awaits further attack on
the part of his disturber. At the
least touch on the upraised palms or
the snout, both limbs are brought
down as quick as a flash, and one has
to be on the alert to avoid getting a
vicious slash from the strong claws
which, like stilettos, shoot forth from
the line of the snout.
If the disturbance
creature puts its
is severe, the
back and
whole
The color of the fur on the body
of this ant-eater is, in general, a
grizzled buffy grey, the hairs being long, dense,
and with a silvery gloss. On the head and legs
and tail this becomes a cold grey. A narrow
blackish-brown line on the crown broadens sud-
denly on the neck and back, narrowing and
dying out on the lower back.
These colors and patterns are emphasized on
SKIN OF GREAT ANT-EATER
The animal measured exactly eight feet from nose to tail-tip.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
the under surface, and, added to the rosy spots
of color of the soles and muzzle, give it an un-
describably strange aspect. The sides below
are yellowish buff, while toward the center this
color changes to whitish grey. Down the full
length of the body in sharp contrast with the
surrounding hues extends a broad black line, of
even width, except where it widens out on the
throat. This sturdy little erect column of grey,
yellow and black fur, apparently faceless, top-
ped by a triangle of red, is like nothing else in
the world, and when at a tap on the branch it
suddenly arises from a mass of green leaves, all
efforts at similes or exact descriptions are hope-
less.
His eves are black, prominent and mouselike.
When open wide they are quite round, but more
often they are mere slits or are closed. Strange-
ly enough the latter is the case at the moment
of expected attack, the ant-eater preferring to
shelter his eyes with the claws, and to trust to
reacting to the slightest touch, rather than to be
forewarned by sight. With all his strangeness
he is but a tiny beast, not more than fifteen
inches in length, of which more than half is tail.
In walking, the two pairs of feet are used m
very different ways. The front feet are remark-
ably modified, with the third toe developed at
the expense of all the others, and armed with a
large stout claw. The second finger has a small
slender claw but the remainder do not appear
above the skin. When walking on a flat surface,
the two claws are bent inward and the foot rests
upon a great pad of flesh, a sort of globular
palm, which bulges like a boxing glove on the
outer side of the hand. On a branch, however,
the claws are slipped over and the branch rests
in the hollow of the front, flat part of the palm,
the claws forming one side, and the inner side
of the boxing glove the other.
The hind feet are interesting in a wholly dif-
ferent fashion, but even more efficient as organs
of climbing. Their grip is chameleon-like, zy-
godactyl, the sole being much extended heel-
wards, and very mobile, so that any irregularity
is seized, chameleon wise, with the four nearly
equal claws grasping one side and the pliant,
muscular sole and heel, the other. The great
sole cushion is supported by an exaggerated
heel bone, and a large, made-to-order, sesamoid
ossicle.
The ant-eater depends almost exclusively on
the grip of the hind feet and tail, seldom re-
leasing more than one at a time. These have
such power that, without effort he can rise slow-
ly to full height, or lean sideways almost hor-
1565
izontally from the branch with no other sup-
port.
All his movements are slow and deliberate.
He engenders a feeling of unusual strength,
perfect balance and sureness of foothold. When
walking slowly down one branch, if he can
reach even a single leaf of another, he clasps it
firmly and draws it toward him; then carefully
steps, one foot at a time, upon it, keeping his
tail hold until the last. No matter how much
he is teased, or annoyed, or shaken or left alone,
no sound, not even sigh or hiss escapes him.
His strange appearance and posturing have
caused many strange legends to arise among the
natives, one of which is that he is the author of
the caprimulgine cry which echoes through the
jungles at night, like the cry of a lost soul—
Poor-me-one-oh-oh. His senses seem extremely
dull, and he pays no attention to a threatening
hand or stick swung a few inches from his eyes.
If I sit or stand quietly, he climbs slowly and
painstakingly, all over me, showing not the
slightest fear, nor the knowledge that I am a
living creature. But the least tremor of the
branch not wind-born, and he stiffens, ready, if
the disturbance should increase, to rise into the
weird upright column, with hands raised in a
salaam of preparedness.
My Silky Ant-eater was wholly nocturnal,
and remained rolled up all day. It is probable
that this fact makes his claws more of a defense
against danger, than sapping tools, for at night
the hosts of termites stream forth, sometimes
unprotected, more often beneath the flimsiest of
earthen tunnels, which need but a touch to ex-
pose the hurrying hosts within. I placed a half
broken termite nest at his disposal, but he paid
little attention to it and ate but few of the in-
habitants. He thrived on two small saucers of
egg and milk each day, leaning over the saucer,
with forelimbs partly raised or on the ground.
He took the liquid with rapid darts of his long
worm-like tongue, occasionally getting his whole
mouth immersed, which made him choke a bit.
Even more than the tamandua, the Silky Ant-
eater is structurally specialized for an arboreal
life, his hind feet being preeminently fitted for
climbing. His large collar bone and the unu-
sual breadth and size of his ribs emphasize his
arboreal character. But he is quite at home on
the ground, even more so than his near rela-
tive. Once my specimen escaped from his box
and walked easily and with considerable speed
around five rooms looking for an exit to the
jungle. At last we found and rounded him up
as he was making for the one open door.
The written accounts of this creature show
1566
almost a total ignorance of his actions in life.
Illustrations which show him upside down,
slothlike, and with a short rounded snout are
wholly at fault. He never suffers the inverted
position for a longer time than it takes to clam-
ber topside again. As to his snout, it is quite
long and slender, with a curious Roman break
in it, which with his usual half-shut eyes con-
veyed an air of peevish aloofness which was
very characteristic and amusing.
When given the run of a large packing case,
he was constantly making his way over the
branches and twigs, occasionally taking a few
laps at his milk and egg. When the first hint
of dawn appeared, he chose a small calibred
crotch, or the crossing place of two twigs, se-
cured a firm grip with both hind feet, one facing
front, the other backward, bowed into a perfect
sphere, and gave himself up to the luxury of
Cyclopean day-dreams.
OF CHIMPANZEES, ON OPEN
PLAINS.
A LETTER OF THRILLING INTEREST FROM
Mr. R. L. Garner.
Fernan Vaz, Gabon,
Congo Francais, October 1, 1917.
Dear Mr. Hornaday:
Your letter of June 18 came about the 20th
of August, and found me camped in a tent on
the south bank of Lake Ntyonga, an arm of
Lake Fernan Vaz, about four hours by canoe,
north-east of Omboueé, where the post is located.
TROOPS
I have an ideal place here for our purposes
and if I had designed it myself, I doubt if I
could have done it so well as nature has. I am
building a new house here to shelter myself and
comrades from the approaching rains that are
now beginning. My new abode is on the margin
of the lake on the edge of a great plain stretch-
ing miles away to the southward and extending
about the same distance east and west.
The plain (or plains) is traversed by wide
belts of forest which afford asylum to vast num-
bers of antelope, buffalo, chimpanzees, monkeys
and birds of countless kinds and numbers. On
the opposite side of the lake about a mile away
is a boundless forest, one of the favorite resorts
of the gorilla and the home of herds of elephants.
During all my experiences in Africa, through-
out twenty-five years of travel and sojourn in
the heart of the habitat of the chimpanzee, I
have seen here what I never saw before, and
that is schools of chimps playing out on the open
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
plain, and crossing the plain in full view, a dis-
tance of nearly half a mile, and within three
hundred yards of a dozen natives at work on my
house.
One day a school of ten passed over the plain
in full view and the younger ones were gambol-
ing like human “kids.” Another day three
adults came within less than two hundred yards
of us and seemed intensely curious to learn what
we were doing. Another day two mothers, each
carrying a baby, one on her back and the other
with the babe under her arm, clinging to her
side.
Yesterday a big, stoical-looking fellow passed
within two hundred yards of us, and seemed
quite indifferent to the presence of my fourteen
crewboys, cook, houseboy and myself. More
than a dozen times within the last few weeks,
from one to ten crossed from bush to bush, and
rarely showed the least timidity.
I am preparing to entertain them next year
in my garden, where I shall try to have a boun-
tiful supply of sugar cane and pineapples for
them to steal. I have postively forbidden any
of my people disturbing them in any way, by
chasing, yelling or otherwise, as I want to see
how near I can come to taming them in a wild
state. Not that I expect, in any sense, to tame
them as they are tamed in captivity; but to get
them so that they can be closely approached,
studied and photographed in the open.
No doubt after the war closes there will be a
rush for such animals to restock the decimated
gardens of Europe, but the supply will be great-
ly restricted because of the new and stringent
regulations of the chase in these colonies. I am
truly glad of them, because in the past anybody
could go out and slaughter whole bands of ani-
mals for $1.50 a year. Now, the sporting li-
cense is $1,000, and the commercial license $200,
and there are many restrictions on them. For
example, the chimps enjoy absolute protection
under all licenses, and it is almost as great a
penalty to kill one as it is to kill a man. The
maribou and several other kinds of birds are
absolutely immune, and hence the reckless
slaughter that formerly prevailed is now much
reduced.
Just at this moment five maribou are feeding
on the plain, three of them about sixty yards
away. They seem to be utterly indifferent to
the presence of a score of people, nineteen of
them trying to persuade the twentieth man to
shoot one of those stately birds to feed a multi-
tude of ebony-colored gluttons.
Here they come! At this moment seven
chimps are crossing the plain, and now that they
ZOOLOGICAL
are about half way across four more are just in
sight, following in their wake. I am utterly
amazed at the conduct of these apes, and it is
to me certainly a new phase of their life.
I insist that Mr. Aschemeier, my taxidermist
companion, will not shoot at anything near our
domicile. A mile has always been my limit, and
I have always observed the rule myself except
for game birds. I can’t bear to have my ani-
mal neighbors murdered, and they seem to know
that, for I long had three schools of monkeys
that made their home in the bush around my
clearing and often came to my fruit rack, within
ten yards of the house, and stole bananas.
For four years, two ibises nested in a tree
just in front of my house, and mixed with my
chickens in the yard. Three schools of chimps
boarded on me for over four years, and three or
four antelope used to come three or four times
a week to eat manioc in my garden. Three pairs
of mocking-birds (?) nested for several years in
a palm that stood within ten yards of my door.
In fact, I have always guarded my wild neigh-
bors; and they seem to realize it.
Here I have the finest Zoo Park possible, and
I shall try to keep it stocked. But I don’t know
how long it will be my home.
Five times today I have seen chimps crossing
the open plains near us, in groups of eleven,
five, three, one and two, counting the first two
groups as one, because they were all in sight
at one time.
Yours very truly,
R. L. Garner.
SOUTH AMERICAN FROGS.
By Ricuarp Deckert
N THE amphibian collection of the Reptile
House are several large specimens of the
five fingered frogs, a species common in
northern South America, where they take the
place that the bullfrog occupies in the United
States.
These creatures are not true frogs, belonging
to the family Cystiqnathidae, which is more
closely related to the toads and tree-toads. The
determining characters, however, are purely in-
ternal, therefore we will speak of these animals
as frogs, especially since they resemble our trve
frogs in appearance.
The specific name, Leptodactylus pendactylus
means slender-fingered five-fingered, and is giy-
en this frog on account of the possession by the
males of a spur on the inside of the hand, in ad-
dition to the regular four fingers. The color
SOCIETY BULLETIN
1567
above is rich chocolate brown, with darker cross
bands and marblings. The concealed part of
the thigh is brilliant crimson, the sides of the
body lemon or whitish yellow, and the throat
and abdomen are pale gray with purplish mar-
blings. A black band extends from the tip of
the snout through the nostril and eye, curving
over the ear-drum and ending at the insertion
of the arm.
The eye is large and prominent. The lower
half of the iris is black, and the upper half a
beautiful pale bronze tint. The skin is smooth,
moist, and when handled, very slippery, owing
to a strong and acrid secretion. This secretion
has a very peculiar odor, is intensely bitter to
the taste, and serves perhaps, as a protection
against some of the frog’s enemies. On _ the
sides of the body are several rows of large
glands, some round and some oval in shape. The
head is very large. and the mouth is unusually
wide, even for a frog. There are no webs on
the feet and the fingers and toes are long and
slender for a frog of five and one-half inches
head and body length.
The habits of this species are terrestrial and
nocturnal. In their terrarium, they sit bunched
together in the darkest corner during the day,
but at night they are quite active, continuously
making the rounds of their cage by means of
short leaps.
Although shy creatures, they do not jump up-
on being touched, but at first squat close to the
ground with head lowered, hissing loudly with
every breath. When continually annoyed, one
specimen raises itself on its limbs as high as
possible, and with body slanted toward the in-
truder, tries to rid itself of its tormentor by but-
ting vigorously. In this position the brilliant
crimson of the inner sides of the thighs appear
like fresh blood flowing from a wound.
When taken up suddenly, one of our speci-
mens will utter a series of loud, piercing cries,
like a kitten in acute pain. These cries are pro-
duced with the mouth wide open, whereas the
regular calls of frogs and toads are made with
the mouth closed.
Among the many species of amphibians ob-
served by the writer at the Reptile House, none
can approach this one in quickness of movement.
When food, which consists of roaches, grass-
hoppers, frogs, toads and sometimes mice, is in-
troduced into the vivarium, the frog seems at
first not to pay the slightest attention, but should
the unsuspecting victim, either toad or insect,
venture too near, it will be pounced upon and
devoured with startling rapidity.
1568
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Departments :
Mammals Aquarium
W. T. Hornapay. C. H. TownsEnp.
Birds Reptiles
WILiiaM BEEBE.
Leg S. CRANDALL.
a
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
ELwin R. SaNnBorn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Vou. XXI No. 1 JANUARY, 1918
RayMonp L. Ditrmars.
RESOLUTION REGARDING MIGRATORY
BIRD TREATY
At the Annual Meeting of the Zoological So-
ciety, held on January 8, 1918, the following
resolution was adopted:
Whereas, the Congress of the United States in-
vited the Government of the Dominion of Canada
to enter into an international treaty for the protec-
tion of North American migratory birds from the
destruction which rapidly has been exterminating
many valuable species, and
Whereas, the Government of Canada, despite the
distractions of her participation in a great war,
promptly accepted the proposal of our Congress and
diligently and forcefully carried it into complete
effect; now therefore be it
Resotvep, that the New York Zoological Society
hereby respectfully directs the attention of the Presi- ,
dent of the United States and the House of Repre-
sentatives to the disquieting fact that the American
enabling act to provide regulations for the enforce-
ment by the United States of the aforesaid treaty
has not yet passed the lower house of Congress, and
that immediate action is necessary in order to keep
faith with Canada, to avoid affronting a friendly
nation, and at the same time to place our migratory
birds on the basis of protection that long has been
desired for them by the people of the United States.
WHAT ABOUT THE AMERICAN-
CANADIAN BIRD TREATY?
Our enabling act for the international treaty
for the protection of all migratory birds, fully
negotiated in 1916 between the United States
and Canada, is at last making progress in the
lower house of Congress. On January 15 the
House Committee on Foreign Relations formal-
ly reported the enabling-act bill to the House.
We proposed that treaty to Canada. Unhin-
dered by her heroic part in the war, Canada
promptly accepted our overture, gave the mat-
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ter diligent attention, and finally ratified the
treaty, down to the last detail. Canada already
has passed her enabling act into statute law.
Our Senate has passed our enabling act, but
the House of Representatives has not acted.
Of two things, however, we all may be abso-
lutely sure. Canada is watching to see what we
are going to do with our end of the treaty that
we invited her to negotiate; and if for any rea-
son our House of Representatives fails to pass
that enabling act, it will be to Canada a slap
in the face and a first-class affront! Let us
make no mistake about that. Great nations are
not supposed to trifle with international treaties.
Unquestionably the situation depends on the
lower House of Congress. Will that body de-
feat our own treaty, or not? ““War measures”
will not be accepted by anybody as an excuse
for neglect or failure on our part. Canada has
shown us that even in the midst of a terribly
exacting and exhausting war she was able to
pass a bird-treaty bill, and secure for it the nec-
essary concurrence of a large group of proyvin-
cial governments, all of whom were busy with
war troubles of their own.
Again it seems to be a case of the spring-
shooters of Missouri against the American na-
tion. And what will the House of Representa-
tives do about it? Moo dba, Il.
WILD LIFE LOSES A CHAMPION
The passing of an ideal champion of wild life
is a loss to the country at large. Three years
ago the game situation in New Mexico was in a
well-nigh hopeless condition. At that time there
stepped into the arena, as the champion of the
remaining game, Mites W. Burrorp, and a few
other men like him. They resolved that the situ-
ation should be saved, partly for the benefit of
the present, and partly for the benefit of pos-
terity.
The result of their work has proven to be an
object lesson of such illuminating power that it
shines afar; and what has been done in New
Mexico has been a great source of encourage-
ment to the wild life defenders of other western
and southwestern states.
Miles W. Burford, first president of the New
Mexico Game Protective Association, died at his
home near Silver City on November 8; but he
has helped to make history.
In March, 1916, there was organized the New
Mexico State Game Protective Association, with
Mr. Burford as its president. In quick succes-
sion eight local organizations, with an aggregate
membership of over 1.000, and each member soi-
ZOOLOGICAL
MILES W. BURFORD
emnly pledged to a common platform of princi-
ples and action, sprang into existence almost in
a day. New Mexico was transformed.
Miles Burford, facing the state with a thou-
sand men at his call, was the same vigorous, ge-
and young Burford who eight
years before “tied into” Silver City, riding alone.
Looking neither to the right nor to the left, he
promptly attempted the accomplishment of the
A true sportsman, and also a true
nial generous
impossible.
cattleman, he won his way by demanding, in the
name of the people, the protection of their herit-
age of wild life. Out of a clear sky, politely but
firmly, he demanded of the political powers the
appointment of a non-political state game war-
den, to be selected on a basis of fitness only, hy
the Game Protective Association.
The politicians laughed in his face. The job-
The bystand-
ers smiled and made wise remarks about “‘theo-
But the loyal thousand
members of the Association stuck, and stood by
hunters gasped in astonishment.
rists’ and “fanatics.”
with their votes in their pockets, while the news-
papers found much good copy in a situation so
novel in politics-ridden New Mexico.
New Mexico has
today a real game warden, backed by every
The cause of progress won.
SOCIETY BULLETIN 1569
sportsman in the state. The man who deliber-
ately violates the law, be he of humble estate or
the landed nobility of politics, steps up and pays
in full view of the applauding public. The man
who ignorantly violates the law is bombarded
with publicity and educational material in a
manner equally effective.
While the wild life of New Mexico is yet far
from being saved, its ultimate preservation is at
least well within the bounds of possibility. Miles
W. Burford did these things; and while doing
them died. His fight is over, but his work is not.
The flaming spirit that gave out courage and en-
thusiam in life will live forever. The slogan in
New Mexico is “Remember Burford and Carry
On!” Wiewian kts
GAME PROTECTION NOTES
From the N. Y. Sun.
Under a new law Colorado permits land own-
ers and tenants to capture or kill pheasants de-
stroying crops, provided a permit is first ob-
tained from the Game Commissioner.
the
partridges and ring-necked pheasants except in
Iowa has closed season on Hungarian
four counties, and on quail until 1920.
Idaho has shortened the grouse season by one
month, turtle doves two months and a half, deer
two weeks, and reduced bag limits generally.
Arkansas by a new law protects does, turkey
hens, prairie chickens, grouse and woodcock un-
til 1922.
By a new statute California permits civil war
veterans to hunt free of charge.
By regulation Alaska has prohibited the kill-
ing of deer on Hinchinbrook and Montague Is-
lands, in Prince William Sound, before August
I LOWS:
It is unlawful, according to a new statute in
Michigan, while hunting, to skin or otherwise
destroy the identity of any bird.
California now includes the black-tailed jack-
rabbit as a predatory animal.
Utah has prohibited the hunting of quail, sage
hen, grouse and dove.
Florida has shortened the deer and game sea-
son by ten days.
Ohio has added the bob white to the list of
protected game birds.
Wisconsin has established close seasons on
partridge (ruffed grouse), spruce hens, prairie
chickens and pinnated and sharp-tailed grouse
until 1919.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BULLETIN
THE BEAR SKINS AND THE CUB
In Wisconsin automobiles may be seized when
it is believed they contain game illegally in
possession.
California now prohibits the sale of aigrettes,
birds of paradise and goura or numidi.
Wyoming has added six new game preserves
to its total, making eleven in all.
Indiana is giving greater protection to the
squirrel.
BEHAVIOR OF WILD GRIZZLY CUBS.*
Contributed By a Member of the Zoological
Society.
AST May when I was out bear hunting in
the Rocky Mountains, one of our party
shot a female grizzly with three cubs. We
had no dogs, as they are not allowed in bear
hunting in Wyoming, so the cubs escaped. We
skinned the mother and left the carcass lying
where she fell, hoping the cubs would return on
that account, but though we visited it every day,
we found no them for
weeks.
trace of about three
Then the warm weather came and the carcass
ripened and the three little cubs returned to
feed upon it. We tried to rope them several
“The most interesting feature of this unusual in-
stance of bear behavior is the failure of the two
cubs to recognize the dead body of their mother, and
their keenness in recognizing her furry coat.—Ed.
times, but they were so very small and so very
quick and the trees so dense that this proved
futile, but we eventually caught one in a trap
made out of a He was quite fierce, but
after his paws were tied together and a stick
and rope put through his mouth for a gag, he
became fairly docile.
box.
He traveled quietly on the back of a horse
for several hours until, as we reached camp, he
started squealing and struggling violently, and
upon being released, made a dash, pulling after
him the men who were holding him towards the
four bear hides we had strung on a rope near
the tents. Still crying, he jumped upon that of
his mother, and clung to it with his teeth and
claws so firmly that we could only remove him
eventually by hitting him gently but decidedly
over the head with a stick.
About a week later we caught one of the other
cubs, a little female, and exactly the same per-
formance was repeated. We kept them in camp
about two weeks, and their only happy moments
were when clinging contentedly to, or cuddled
up upon, their mother’s hide—the hide of the
mother they had eaten with so much pleasure
and appetite,— where they would spend quiet,
peaceful hours every day. As as taken
away, they would cry and fight, even when ta-
ken half a mile from the camp so that we could
sleep at night, and no amount of food and kind-
ness were ever able to tame them. We endeavy-
soon
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
THE GRIZZLY CUB CLINGING TO ITS MOTHER'S HIDE.
ored many times to make them pay some atten-
tion to the other bear hides we had, but with no
success whatever.
WHERE OUR BIRDS COME
By Lee S. Cranpatu.
FROM.
IRDS are so widely dispersed over the sur-
face of the earth that barren indeed is the
spot without avian life. The great gift
of flight has carried them to the farthest cor-
ners of the globe. Perfect plasticity of form
and habit have allowed adaptation to a multi-
tude of changing conditions. From Arctic to
Antarctic, birds have fitted themselves to every
conceivable type of environment. Every land,
however inhospitable, has its share of the 20,000
forms of feathered life.
The study of the geographical distribution of
life on the earth has led to the recognition of
well defined areas, distinguished by the char-
acter of their fauna. Six main life zones, cor-
responding in general to the continental bodies,
have been separated. Each has numerous sub-
divisions but for our purpose, the six will suffice.
Briefly, North America forms the Nearctic
Region; southern Mexico, the West Indies and
South America, the Neotropical. Europe, north-
ern Africa are included in the Palaearctic Re-
BULLETIN 1571
gion, while southern Asia and the neighboring
islands are known as the Oriental. Arabia and
Africa south of the tropic of Cancer are as-
signed to the Ethiopian Region; Australia, New
Guinea and the East Indies to the Australian.
The sequence of these regions in point of
numbers of species represented in our collection
is interesting. It depends in some degree on
the number of forms indigenous to the zone un-
der consideration, but chiefly on their accessi-
bility. The 802 species of birds now living in
the Zoological Park are grouped as follows:
Neotropical, 287; Nearctic, 162; Australian,
118; Ethiopian, 84; Palaearctic, 81; Oriental,
78. Forty-two species either are cosmopolitan
or range extensively through more than one re-
gion, so that they may not fairly be assigned to
one.
The order of the first two probably would
obtain under normal conditions, the greater
abundance of species in South America more
than balancing propinquity in the north. Since
the beginning of the world war Europe, Africa
and the Orient have been almost entirely cut
off, and most of the species which still repre-
sent them have been in our possession three
years or more. The position of the Australian
area is abnormally high, the same factors which
have interrupted our supply in some cases hay-
ing had the reverse effect in this. The trade in
Australian birds has been diverted from Europe
to America and there is no doubt that New York
now has the finest collection of Australian fauna
ever gathered by a single institution outside that
country.
The maps which accompany this article give
a diagrammatic idea of the broad geographical
area represented in the collection. The origins
of 879 typical species are designated. As far
as possible, sedentary forms have been chosen.
When widely dispersed or strongly migratory
birds have been used, a point approximating the
center of their breeding grounds has been in-
dicated. The object has been to emphasize ex-
tent of distribution rather than the numerical
precedence of the various regions.
Every extreme of habitat has contributed its
mite. The ice fields of the far north, the drip-
ping jungles of the tropics, the giant peaks and
the seas of many lands, have been skillfully
searched.
The gathering of such a company is a heren-
lean task. A group of tiny finches, a brilliant
bird of Paradise, a flock of penguins, each could
tell a tale of adventure and romance that would
enthrall the listener. One may get a hint of
0 GALAPAGOS |S.
Greenwich
C.Blanco
PAUMOTU 1S:
A>
=
7ROPIC-OF-CAPRICORN ci
HOW THE WORLD HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE
Without an ocular demonstration, few persons can realize how much of the habitable globe
is represented by the 813 species of birds now on exhibition in the Zoological Park. As an aid to
the understanding, Mr. Lee S. Crandall, Assistant Curator of Birds, has marked on a map of the
world, as shown above, the localities represented by about 379 important species. All of these are
now living in our collections and enjoying life. The Large Bird House is nothing less than an
avian treasure-house, and the happiness of this feathered throng from far distant lands is quite
evident from the strange mixture of song. While it is impossible to show the names of these
selected species, they appear on our reference map, which holds all the keys to this exhibit.
Extreme
LIVE BIRD COLLECTIONS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
It is unnecessary to suggest to the careful observer the amount of human effort, and also
avian endurance, that has been involved in gathering all these birds, and hundreds more, from
near and from far, caring for them in their infancy, and transporting them, without starvation, to
their present home. Nor do we need to suggest the quality or the quantity of the skill and indus-
try that is required of the staff of the bird department, to take this cosmopolitan assemblage
of appetites and wants, and enable these 2799 specimens to live together in this one spot. It is
believed that all the efforts represented on this map of the world, and by the birds not indicated
thereon, will be appreciated by the public. Wik. H.
1574 ZOOLOGICAL
this from the descriptive labels on the cages.
New Caledonia, Formosa, Pegu and Patagonia
are good material for castles in Spain. But for
full realization of the meaning of these names,
one must visit the wharves and docks and the
shops of the great importers, where come the
men to whom New Caledonia and Formosa are
not mere words on a label.
That brilliant if diminutive Gouldian finch,
gravely wheezing his ludicrous song, represents
the climax of the effort of a succession of human
minds and hands. Some Australian bushman
has spent weeks in the lonely scrub of the north-
west, keeping vigil at the only water hole for
miles about. At last, a single pull of the net-
rope has enmeshed dozens of gaudy mites. Then
the gruelling trip back to the outposts of civili-
zation, where the catch is turned over to the
local dealer. After a long trip at sea, in charge
of the agent of an American or European tra-
der, comes the arrival at New York, San Fran-
cisco or “somewhere in Europe.” Here the birds
are resorted and reshipped to the many retailers
who distribute them among the final owners.
In India, much the same system prevails, ex-
cept that the trapping is done by natives. In
the neighborhood of Bombay and Calcutta, pro-
fessional bird-catchers ply their trade. The
great markets of these cities have many bird
stalls, each well supplied with potential song-
sters. Farther north, collecting is more casual,
and less skillfully done, so that few birds reach
us from that region.
The course followed in Africa is a middle
one. Here the collector is usually in quest of
the mammals which abound, and to him birds
are of small consequence. Such as he does get
are obtained quite by chance from natives, as
the caravans are passing. ‘There are, however,
a few dealers who gather birds from the native
catchers and dispose of them to traveling
agents.
The South American method is quite differ-
ent. Here are no proper trappers, skilled in
their art. Although the Neotropical Region
boasts of far more species of birds than any
other, its possibilities are almost entirely unde-
veloped. In the public markets of most of the
larger cities, birds of a few common kinds are
generally to be seen. Occasionally one finds a
man, usually a Portuguese, who conducts a sort
of zoological clearing station. But for his
wares he depends on more or less nomadic In-
dians, who bring their hand-reared pets from
the interior. The only birds commonly trapped
are the smaller finches and tanagers, which are
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
caught in some numbers, as occasion demands,
by small boys.
This region has been exploited chiefly by
American dealers whose steck in trade consists
of parrots and monkeys. Few uncommon or deli-
cate birds reach us from this source. By means
of our own expeditions and the permanently es-
tablished Tropical Research Station, we have
done much to overcome these obstacles. The
latter, especially, has brought us many rarities.
But not until the dealers who control the market
have acquired more of both skill and initiative,
will the zoological treasures of the great south-
ern continent fully be opened to us.
LABEL MAKING IN THE FIELD.
By Wit11aM BEEBE
HEN one has reached some remote field
\ \) of research in tropical jungles or else-
where, at the cost of considerable ex-
pense and many days of travel, every moment
is of scientific worth. Foresight should have so
arranged that all possible details and prepar-
ations are already provided for, so that in the
field every activity of body and mind may be
concentrated on the work in hand.
Labels are one of the time-consuming neces-
sities that sometimes can not be planned in ad-
vance, especially in those cases where places,
dates and other minutiae are incapable of pre-
diction. I have spent many weary and _ thor-
oughly begrudged hours in writing series of la-
bels, whose items I could not have forseen.
‘Frop.Research Station
How dors 2oal.Socteuy
*
Eeinertst sah
rch Station
bol Sockeky
Resare Station Research Station
trop
Hew ore Zool Seckeuy
Trop Rassarch Station
Hew Tork Zool Seckety
=
rob Station
isa Society
‘Trop.Research Station
Sew Tork Zool .Bockety
‘Trop.Research Station
Hew Tork tool Sockety
x fad
TYPEWRITTEN LABELS REDUCED BY PHOTOGRAPHY
Proper spacing of the typed matter—before photograph-
ing—is important. In this instance, the space be-
tween the columns was 1%4 inches, and the hori-
zontal spaces were 5-16 of an inch. To facilitate cut-
ting apart, dotted lines could be made through the
horizontal spaces on the copy.
Assuming that the scientist has an ordinary
photographic outfit, I can suggest a method of
fulfilling all the requirements of label duplica-
tion in the field, no matter how intricate or !o-
calized may be the data. This method is to
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
print with clearness, or, much better, to type-
write a sheet of the required labels, and to re-
duce these on a photographic plate to any con-
venient size. Then by printing on ordinary un-
glazed paper or making common blue-prints,
any desired number are available within the hour
or two necessary for making the fixed, dried
prints.
It is so simple a matter that I would hesitate
to record it, were it not that my memory is still
very vivid of the times I wearily wrote labels
by the hour on many expeditions, before this
solution occurred to me and was put into prac-
tice, instantly and successfully.
ANT PESTS AND ANT-EATING
ANIMALS
By S. P. Verner.
From the Panama Star and Herald
HE ant-eaters are close kin to the sloths,
but they live on the ground also, whereas
the sloths live on trees. The ant-eating
animals comprise the great or maned ant-eater,
(Myrmecophaga jubata); the lesser ant-eater,
or tamandua (J'amandua tetradactylus); the
two-toed ant-eater, (Cyclopes didactylus); the
armadillos; the pangolins; and the aard-varks.
These six groups of animals are usually all
classed under the order of the edentates, al-
though they differ widely from one another in
many respects. The ant-eaters and the arma-
dillos are Central and South American animals;
the pangolins and the aard-varks are Afro-
Asiatic.
The main point of interest common to these
animals presented for consideration here is the
fact that they devour ants, and that they may
possibly be put to a useful economic purpose
because of that fact.
The extent to which farming and gardening
in Panama is handicapped by the presence of
certain species of ants is a fact well known to
everybody who has had the least experience in
the matter. The difficulty of getting rid of the
insects within the limits of the expense that
could be borne is almost unbelieveable unless
one has tried it. The main reason for it lies in
the marvellously intelligent routine habits of
the ants. They have their central fortress,
which is their home, food warehouse, nest,
queen's palace, all in one; and from this center
they have their long marching lines of workess
and soldiers moving along in a continuous cir-
cuit to the trees or shrubs which they attack,
1575
and back again to their base; this being so con-
tinuous a movement that if one followed up the
line outside of the nest in the ground and mash-
ed them all, there would still be immense num-
bers of them in the subterranean galleries and
chambers; while if the latter were blown up,
and the lines left outside, there would be a suf-
ficient number left outside for them to go off
and start a new colony. Moreover, the minute
a disturbance starts they scatter round so that
it is almost impossible to get them all. They
are extremely suspicious and wary; it is almost
impossible to poison them, or to get them on
sticky substances, or to trap them; while the
usually prescribed use of carbon bisulphide has
not been either completely efficacious or cheap
enough to meet the requirements.
Of course it is possible for men to beat ants.
By using dynamite, or the wholesome applica-
tion of poisonous liquids or gas, or even by per-
severing digging and killing, they can be elim-
inated, but to get rid of a single well-developed
colony by any or all of these methods would
cost not less than ten or fifteen dollars, some-
times much more. Some of these colonies hon-
ey-comb the ground over an area of a hundred
square yards and to a depth of two yards, thus
requiring the excavation of two hundred cubic
yards of earth to get rid of the nest.
The damage they can do is amazing. A col-
ony has been known to strip an avocado tree
in a day; another to destroy a hundred hills of
yam-vines in the same time. Any kind of prod-
uce which they like cannot be raised near the
nests; and their tastes are unfortunately very
much like man’s
The possibility of using the ant-eating ani-
mals to combat these pests is therefore inter-
esting. I am not aware that it has ever been
done, and do not know how such an experiment
would work out in practice. But ant-eaters
would feed themselves on the work; they are
known to tear the hardest and toughest nests
all to pieces to get at the larvae, and in this way
they also expose and probably destroy the
They could be harnessed so as not to
interfere with their working powers, and as they
also eat other insects they could be kept at little
expense when not eating the ants, though there
are ants enough here to keep a good many busy
all the time.
queens.
All this at least would warrant the capture
and preservation of any ant-eater found here.
Armadillos are fairly common, and all three of
the ant-eaters are found in Central America.
ZOOLOGICAL
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Zoo.toaicaL Park
Army and Navy Mascots.—Owing to a gov-
ernment ruling that no large animal mascots
may accompany our soldiers on army transports
during the voyage to France, the Park has be-
come a sanctuary for several army and navy
pets. One of these mascots is a particularly
interesting white-tailed deer of a variety that
never previously has been on exhibition at the
Park. This fine, young male specimen was
captured near the United States-Mexican boun-
dary, and was presented to the Society by the
Ist Troop United States Military Police,
through Sergeant Charles L. Bajart, Jr. This
troop is now quartered at Camp Upton, Long
Island. Other mascots that are on exhibition
include three black and cinnamon bear cubs.
Two black bears were presented by Sergeant
Skinner, of the Sunset Division, U. S. A.,
through Mr. John Hays Hammond, President
of the Rocky Mountain Club, New York City.
Young bears appear to be favored mascots.
Snake-Bite Serum.—Since establishing a base
at the Park for the distribution of anti-venom-
ous serum, we have had a number of calls for
this valuable antidote for snake-bite, and so far
as we can learn, all the cases treated have re-
sulted in complete cures. The Society recently
sent a large number of tubes of serum to army
medical posts along the United States-Mexican
boundary. These tubes were produced specific-
ally in the Brazilian government laboratory at
Sao Paulo, by Dr. Vital Brazil, for the treat-
ment of rattlesnake bite.
While comparatively few cases of bites cf
wild poisonous snakes in the United States are
reported, accidents are rather frequent from the
careless handling of captive specimens. The
majority of these cases occur in traveling shows.
Our last assignment of serum went to the Har-
lem Hospital, in this City, where a young man
was suffering from a wound on the thumb,
produced by a large Texas rattlesnake. The in-
jection of the serum brought speedy improve-
ment, and the patient was soon discharged.
Persistent Zero Weather.—The month of De-
cember, 1917, has broken all weather bureau
records of the past forty years for persistent
cold. Four cold waves — each of particularly
long duration — covered a period of fully two-
thirds of the month. Between these spells of
cold, storms prevailed,
greatly increasing the severity of existing win-
ter conditions. Temperatures below zero on the
29th, 30th and 31st were unprecedented in the
intense severe snow
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
history of the Park. On the night of the 30th,
our thermometers registered between 12 and 14
degrees below zero. Under those conditions
practically all the hydrants supplying drinking
troughs in the animal ranges were frozen. The
few hydrants that continued running, accumu-
lated immense and fantastic mounds of ice, and
the keepers assigned to outside work toiled
throughout the day chopping away the ice and
carrying water to the animals.
Throughout the cold period, the animals con-
tinued in splendid condition, and the only cas-
ualty among the mammals was a very young
fawn axis deer that wandered out of its stall
and died of exposure. We discovered several
guinea fowl that had sought shelter in nooks
along the buffalo shed, were frozen to death.
Despite the activity of the great flock of ducks
and geese in the Wild-Fowl Pond, this large
stretch of water closed to such a small area that
hundreds of birds were forced to take refuge in
an opening not more than twenty feet in diam-
eter.
Record of Events——A motion picture series
has been prepared at the Park showing certain
activities here during the present strenuous year.
These pictures were exhibited at the Annual
Dinner of the Board of Managers given by Mr.
Geo. F. Baker on the evening of December 27,
and also formed part of the program at the
Annual Meeting of the Society at the Waldorf-
Astoria on Tuesday, January 8. The series of
events illustrated, included the ceremonies at-
tending the raising of the large national flag on
Baird Court early last April. This flag was the
gift of the officers of the Zoological Park Staff.
The event was attended by a mobilization of
the Boy Scouts to the number of over a thou-
sand.
The war farming activities in the Park dur-
ing the year, and the planting of the elk range,
wild-horse ball fields and other areas
with corn, cabbage, carrots, mangles, sunflowers
and other needed products were shown. There
were several scenes illustrating the midsummer
utilization of the crops, the use of one of the
elephants in delivering hay, and the training of
the Park rifle company. There were interest-
ing views of the target range with squads of our
men practicing with the Springfield rifle, the
large and flourishing Red Cross working base
at the Lion House, and a number of the Park
animals.
range,
Our Service Flag.—A large service flag now
hangs in the Reptile House, and its field con-
tains nine stars.
ZOOLOGICAL
Dr. W. Reid Blair, Veterinarian of the Park.
has received a major’s commission and is on
active duty at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va. Innes
Hartley, Research Assistant of the Society’s
Tropical Research Station at Kalacoon, joined
the Officers’ Training Camp at Plattsburg, New
York, early in the year. He received a 2d lieu-
tenant’s commission, and recently has been pro-
moted to Ist lieutenant, attached to the 302d
Ammunition Train, and is stationed at Camp
Upton, Long Island.
Curator William Beebe, of the Bird Depart-
ment, enrolled with the French Aviation Serv-
ice that came to the United States to instruct
our aviators, and after much technical work be-
gan the instruction of United States volunteers.
Among the men under his instruction, twelve
are now in France in the flying corps. During
his instruction work, Mr. Beebe experienced a
fall and received severe injury to his wrist,
making it necessary to discontinue active work
for some months. During his recuperation he
is abroad on an observation trip.
The Park stock-accountant, Cyril J. New-
man, has enlisted in the Navy, and is now on
active duty in the transport service as a yeo-
man.
Howard Engeholm, of the Bird Department,
is acting corporal of Co. K, 325th Infantry, at
Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga. T. Donald Carter,
likewise of the Bird Department, is an acting
corporal in Co. 13, 4th Battalion, 157th Depot
Brigade, also stationed at Camp Gordon. Ed-
ward Reuter, a gateman, is a private in the
307th Infantry at Camp Upton, Long Island,
and Frank Doyle, of the Forestry Department,
is with the American Expeditionary Forces, in
France.
The excellence of the training and discipline
of the Park Rifle Company, which is officially
connected with the New York Police Depart-
ment, is well exemplified by the recognition ac-
corded the men of the Company who have
joined the colors. Those not already commis~
sioned have been advanced in the ranks, and
one of them has received orders to prepare for
examination for a commission. The location of
some of our men cannot be determined at
present.
Liberty Bond Subscribers——The members of
the Park statf—officers, keepers and other work-
ers—have subscribed liberally to both issues of
Liberty Bonds. The sum of seven thousand
dollars was subscribed to the first issue, and four
thousand dollars to the second issue; making a
total of eleven thousand dollars from our force.
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 15
~
~I
This amount was raised to sixteen thousand
by subscribing five thousand dollars that had
accumulated in the Pension Fund. The Society
has extended aid to its employees in purchasing
government bonds by arranging for payments
in installments. Our employees are also pur-
chasing War Saving Stamps.
War-time Feeding.—War conditions have cre-
ated radical changes in feeding the animals.
Coarse corn bread has proven a very successful
product, and we are cooking large batches of it
daily. This bread is made in square loaves of
about two and a half feet square by four inches
thick. Some of the animals prefer it to any
other food—and this is particularly marked
among the bears. We are now drawing heavily
upon the stock of vegetables raised during our
farming operations.
Park Collections Normal.—With the close of
1917, our census of the collections reveals in-
teresting and satisfactery conditions. The total
number of species of mammals listed at the close
of the year is 204, which is a very superficial
drop of but three species below the total re-
corded at the close of 1916, and the total num-
ber of mammal specimens at the close of the
past year (610) was within seventeen of the
total of the previous year. These are gratify-
ing conditions, in the face of the practical ex-
tinction of the world’s animal market. The
Bird and Reptile Departments show a similar
condition.
The Kangaroo Collection—With substantial
additions by births to the collection of kanga-
roos and wallabies, our series of these interest-
ing and characteristic Australian animals be-
comes probably the largest and most elaborate
series ever exhibited in the United States. And
Mr. Ellis Joseph, who furnished the collection,
states in a letter that it is the equal of the one
at Melbourne, Australia. The collection now
contains forty-one specimens representing six-
teen species. One entire side of the Small Deer
House is occupied by these animals. The im-
mature specimens are especially interesting to
our visitors.
An Aviator Goat.—One of the most interest-
ing of the animal mascots deposited by the 98th
Aerial Squadron, is a goat, with long, lustrous
jet black hair. For years we have maintained
an adamantine rule against the exhibition of do-
mestic animals, but the members of the Squad-
ron were soon to leave for France, and they
pleaded so earnestly for their pet, on the
grounds that he was particularly famous, that
ZOOLOGICAL
ee a
~_
ae =
DOMINICA—THE HOME OF
an exception to the rule was made. This goat
has traveled over 500 miles in trial trips of fast
United States flying machines, and, from ac-
counts, appeared to heartily enjoy such expe-
riences.
A SECOND IMPERIAL PARROT.
By Wit.1amM Breese
IVE years ago the Zoological Society add-
EF ed a live Imperial Parrot to its collec-
tion of birds, and of the details of this val-
uable accession I have already written.* Since
then, this extremely beautiful and rare bird has
remained unique, until last summer when we
were able to secure a second specimen, a male
in full plumage, and bring it safely to the Zoo-
logical Park. To this the way was paved by
correspondence with the Hon. A. M. Mahaffy,
Administrator of Dominica. On my way south
to the Station in British Guiana, I
visited Government House, and through the in-
terest and kindness of Mr. Mahaffy was able
to arrange for a pair of birds to be ready when
In this interval the fe-
Research
I passed north again.
*Zool. Soc. Bull. XVI. No. 51, May, 1912, p. 868.
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
THE IMPERIAL PARROT
male escaped so that I was able to obtain only
a single bird. It was exceedingly tame, at once
adapted itself to life on shipboard, and is now
in good health and on exhibition in the Park.
I was interested to learn from Mr. Mahafty
that the bird laws on the island were being en-
forced rigorously, and that the Imperial Parrot,
while still restricted to a small area in the cen-
tral range of mountains, was holding its own.
On a recent trip which he had made around the
island he had seen and heard a number of these
birds, and was convinced, for the present at
least, that their perpetuation is assured.
Dominica is a worthy island to be the last
earthly home of such a splendid parrot. No
other of the West Indies quite impresses one
with such tropical luxurience as Dominica. The
view from the steamer passing close to shore is
magnificent—a constant succession of tumbled
mountains and ravines, completely covered with
the densest, most lush growth of vegetation,
come swirling down the valleys from the high
peaks, showing as dense, streaming, pale-blue
mist or as oblique lines of rain, yield humidity,
to which, suspended or precipitated, the luxuri-
ance of the tropical plant life is due.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges of the
Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary tickets to
the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payrnent of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the opening and closing hours are from 9
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the year; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report No.1............ Paper $ .40 Souvenir Books: Series No. 8, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 78
be Y ta Baieele eee cine Oe 75 Cloth $1.00 illustrations from four color plates. ............. .50
hs Fe ra : and ‘: each.. 2 he ie (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
ae cL aby Oy 8. aor ~ 1.00 a 1.25 Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 32 Pages, providing
ns ss ee SAQI ens LOM ee Rt “ 1.25 es 1.50 space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
oF ne Gan bel a 18, 14, 15. made from selected photographs of animals taken
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, al, ache nes aS 1.00 Bs 1.25 in the Zoological Park, complete with stamps....... .75
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horna- (By mail, postage 6 cents extra.)
day) postpaid..............-- x 1.65 Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
mals (Hornaday).....-.....-. 15 color stamp reproductions....... Sentient an rk 85
Notes on Mountain eesoe of North (By mail 7 cents extra)
America (Hornaday)........-. 40 a ‘ rl *
7 “ Photogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. Animals
The Caribou (Grant)............ 40 .60 : £ : i zo z
and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
ies OrEtn and Bee acuenp ah the of 2 subjects. Per set, postpaid................. 25
arge Mammals o ort mer- i
ica Grant) Vaated AGinoth Mase Ste “4 1.00 Souvenir Map-Fan: A combined fan and map of the
. “ ZOOIGBIGAW Park, Oot. vies divi win sie wi byeleie\eie +e) «ele «+ .10
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) 1,00 (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
zonlogics WO LISTER VESTS IN “ 2.80 Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
Te eh ROE TNE LOD OO RAR OTE a & from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 12, 18 and 14. pee 25 flattors im tolderctormieseni titer iatacee tulete ashe weyers 10
o Gao ee 18 Asa tee “ 2 (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
so URI Titty eee * 195 Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
ss iP pose etal ht on eet A fs 30 WIDE ERGIM fa Parcis ters ctcin ete teen tiete clots coat. whelibicie el'euce 25
. neh fer athuny i SOR Sens fete ostte ‘Y 25 Dnotone Brow neceach syn vairle eirictelel els Ale cveyals a elaine 35
WY COAT ges S534 a i i PA O 25 Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each.......,-..+..-- 15
mf i i‘ i Bosealeynleinscies el 125 Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure...2for .10
" reer aery) sand AAGSOL “ e - i * a 1 ASCOLOTEie 321s; lele-s 2for .10
Zoopathologica Vol. I. No.1...... " 25 New York Aquarium Nature Series
5) Nite Payee « 25 SearShareslite UMayer)(ors se ntre eueliae ey netdnnlsitioy. fe $1.20
Bulletin Nos. 1, 6, 8, 85, 48 and 46 .. Out of Print Goltive on OF ees im Hondeat Tow nsen) rete e eee au
* ; d ‘hameleons o = s .
Bulletins—Bi-monthly......... 20c. each; Yearly by mail 1.00 Northern Elephant Seal (Townsend) “95
Bulletin Nos. 5 to 28 inclusive, set, cloth bound,........ 5.00 | Care of Home Aquaria (Osburn). ........-2.-00seseeee 25
wy “24 to 60 4 PBR NGAP ii) dace Raae tr ere tee atc 10.00 | Porpoise in Captivity Gace ges 25
Official Guide to the New York Natural History of the Whale Shark (Gudger).... een a
Taplogical Park MRIOTMAtaYy)) secs class es/elenstctate wan uate .25 | The Gaff-Topsail Catfish apadeer): Reena nae ee BD
Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors, Tama tes pe thee One uray Book On Views os
sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects......... 25 y
(By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.) Aquarium Post Cards: Colored. In sets, each..... pal’ /-)
Publications for sale at 111 Broadway, Zoological Park and the New York Aquarium.
Vou. XXI. No. 2 ASO) MARCH, 1918
A inna
paar wa AU uns
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"TOOLOGICALI oh
SOC LET ==
BULLETIN
inn i,
Published by
' A THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
A Wi fr DONATO 1 TCO
a AMM ANN AEN ATRL TTT TOTLLA NEUEN AAG
wali ATA ACTOR TTT TTT
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UR PecunG ‘e112
New York Zoological Society
GeNeRAL Orricr, 111 Broadway, New Yorx City.
President
Henry Farrrietp Oszorn.
Second Vice-President
Frank K. Srurais.
Hirst Wice-President
Mapison GRANT.
Asst. Greasurer
Tue Farmers’ Loan anp Trust Co.
Greasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place.
Secretary
Mapison GRANT.
Executive Committee
Wm. Pierson Hamitton,
Frank K. Srurais,
LIsPENARD STEWART,
Watson B. DickeRMAN,
Antuony R. Kusrr,
Henry Farrrietp Osporn, ea-officio
Mapison Grant, Chairman.
Percy R. Pyne,
Wirtiiam Wuite Nites,
Board of Managers
€x ofticia: The Mayor and The Presipenr Department of Parks, City of New York.
Glass of 1918
Levi P. Morton,
ANDREW CARNEGIE,
Mapison GRANT,
Wiriiam Wuire N11es,
Percy R. Pyne,
Georee Birp GRINNELL,
Grorce C. CLark,
Crievetanp H. Dones,
Henry Fairrietp Osporn,
*Wiriiiam C. Cuurcu,
LisPENARD STEWART,
Cuartes F. Dietericnu,
Henry A. C. Taytor,
Frank K. Srurais,
Gerorce J. GouLp,
Ocpren MILxs,
Glass of 1919
C. Lepyarp Bratir,
Freperick GILBERT Bourne,
Wm. Austin WapswortTu,
Emerson McMituin,
Glass of 1920
Grorce F,. Baker,
Grant B. Scutey,
Wo. Pierson Hamitton,
Rozgert S. Brewster,
General Officers
Lewis RurHerrorp Morris,
Arcuer M. Hunrineron,
Henry M. Tirrorp,
E. C. Converse.
Antuony R, Kuser,
Watson B. Dickerman,
Mortimer L. Scuirr,
Freperic C. Watcort.
Epwarp S. Harkness,
WitriaM B. Oscoop Fiexp,
A. Barton Hepsurn,
Witt1am Woopwarp.
Witu1am T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenn, Director, New York Aquarium.
C. Grant La Fares, Architect.
R. L. Cerero, Bursar.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer.
Grorce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
Officers of the Zoological Park
Witiram T. Hornapay, Director.
H. W. Merket, Chief Forester.
H. R. Mircuett, Chief Clerk.
W. Rei Bratir, Veterinarian.
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles.
Witu1aM Berse, Curator, Birds. G. M. Berrsower, Engineer.
Ler S. Cranvatu, Asst. Curator, Birds. Witi1am Mitcuey, Cashier.
Exwin R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuineton I. DeNysz, Assistant. Rosert Sutciirre, Clerk.
Louis L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Me ten, Secretary.
Grorce A. MacCatuium, Pathologist.
*Deceased.
ZO OG OrG ft CALL
S- OFC ICE hey:
AQUARIUM NUMBER
CONTENTS FOR MARCH,
Fronr Evevation ann Grounp Pian or THE AQUARIUM
Is THE Aquarium To Have a Square Dear?
Atiesn (Crojevnzpanes IN RGISeian, ee :
Care or SmMatui Saut-Warer AQuaria
SALMON SPEARING FROM A SHADED Booru .................
Sea Horse oF THE Buack Sa .............. ;
Tre Most ReEMARKABIE Frise NET KNOWN, occ csccccscccccecccccccsccsee essences
CEM SARGASSUIM, HSH sce ee ee eee
ComMMoNn SNaILs
New Memsers
RAINBOW AND STEELHEAD TROUTS 2...
IrTeMs OF INTEREST ................. BOY A dem Re ee
LarGe Ocropus.
Oxp Doors or THE AQUARIUM.
More Larce TANnkKs.
ATTENDANCE.
Wuate Meat as Foon.
Oxp Doors oF THE AQUARIUM ...................
PAGE
nee: ..... Frontispiece
6. He Tounsend 1581
Ida M. Mellen 1582
Lda M. Mellen 1584
eRe creas C. H. Townsend 1586
Louis L. Mowbray 1587
_E. W. Gudger 1588
Louis L. Mowbray 1590
..lda M. Mellen 1591
1595
eben Sei. MnO C. H. Townsend 1595
_C. H. Townsend 1596
Furp Savine av THE AQUARIUM.
Brrp Visirors at Skea.
AtKa-FIsH.
Rep SNAPPER.
Cover
BULLETIN
1918
bake iSrecce,
Amey
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4)
FRONT ELEVATION OF THE AQUARIUM SHOWING PROPOSED THIRD STORY
his addition is made necessary by the removal of the machinery from the rear to the front of the building
==
fra Aoom VA
se 7 a Y
ge
OFFICE
=
MAIN, ENTRANCE
GROUND PLAN OF THE AQUARIUM SHOWING POSITION OF BOILER AND PUMP ROOMS
It is proposed to remove the entire mechanical department from the rear, to the basement of the front of the building.
The space now occupied by engines and boilers would, in case of their removal, be available for exhibits.
1580
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BULLETIN
Published by the New York Zoological Society
Vou. XXI
MARCH, 1918
NuMBER 2
IS THE AQUARIUM TO HAVE A SQUARE DEAL?
HE Director of the Aquarium cannot re-
frain from expressing once more his re-
gret at the repeated failures to secure long
needed improvement of the building. During a
few days of each month wet coal has to be
shovelled into the furnaces by firemen wearing
rubber boots and standing knee deep in water.
The sea has always invaded the fireroom floor
and the underground pipe galleries during new
moon tides. This almost impossible condition
has been tolerated under constant protest.
The Aquarium needs to have its mechanical
department removed to the unused basement at
the front of the building where it can be pro-
tected during high tides. The installation of
the machinery at the front of the Aquarium will
render necessary the creation of a third story.
The space vacated by pumps and boilers can be
made available for exhibits to good advantage.
During the high tides one of the pumps be-
comes entirely submerged and ceases to operate,
and the steam heat is cut off from the entire
building until the tide falls; a serious matter
in cold weather. The coal storage space is so
limited that the Aquarium always has had to
depend on two deliveries each week. This win-
ter we are operating on the precarious basis of
daily coal deliveries. If these should cease for
forty-eight hours, the Aquarium would lose its
collections, and be put out of business until next
summer.
The high tide of January 15 invaded the fire-
room, flooded the ash pits under the boilers, and
covered the day’s coal supply completely. It al-
most covered the iron wheelbarrow from which
wet coal was shoveled into the furnaces; in fact,
the water was so deep, that the rubber hip-boots
worn by the fireman were not high enough to
protect him, and he was forced to abandon his
duties for an hour.
The return pump submerged and
stopped, so that heat was cut off the entire
building all the forenoon.
was
For evidence that the above described draw-
backs have not been overstated, the reader is
invited to study the accompanying photographs
which were made in the fireroom of the Aqua-
rium on January 15, 1918.
If more evidence would be of interest, the
following letter from the Architect of the Park
Department is submitted. Mr. Kraus saw the
fireroom when it flooded on October 24,
1917:
CID OF
was
NEW YORK—DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS.
Boroughs of Manhattan and Richmond.
Municipal Building, 10th Floor.
Cabot Ward, Commissioner.
October 1917.
Mr. C. H. Townsend, Director,
New York Aquarium, New York.
Dear Sir:
I visited the boiler room in the Aquarium this
afternoon to see the conditions there during a high
tide.
I entirely agree with you that the present condi-
tions are intolerable. The boiler room is cramped
and the coal storage space very limited.
24th,
Having seen the fireman in rubber boots shovel-
ling wet coal into the furnaces, with the ash pits,
at the same time, half filled with water, I must con-
gratulate you on having been able to successfully
1581
FIRE ROOM, NEW
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Photographed by L. L.
Mowbray
YORK AQUARIUM
Flooded at high tide.
operate your mechanical department all these years
with such handicaps.
You can count on me for such asi
can render in your endeavors to convince the City
authorities of the urgent need of a change in the
location of the machinery department as described
in your recent report.
assistance
Very truly yours,
(Signed) Jaros Kraus, Architect.
The wretched and unsanitary conditions that
exist in the Aquarium building are of long stand-
ing. The Director is on record as having pro-
tested many times during the past fifteen years
against the official that ignored
conditions which would not be tolerated in any
other City building.
neglect has
The Aquarium had 1,595,118 visitors during
the past year, and this attendance was lower
than usual. It would seem that a museum pat-
ronized by the public to such an extent should
be put on a safe and sanitary basis without fur-
ther argument.
THE CLIMBING MUSSEL
(Mytilus edulis)
By Ipa M. Metien
Illustration from a pen drawing by author
HE sea mussel is not a home-body like
the oyster, which settles in one spot for
life; nor is it a great traveler. It does
not use its foot to plow through the bottom mud,
as do the fresh-water mussels, as it is a less ac-
Rather, it prefers to gather with
its friends upon the ledges or wharves at low
water mark, where, holding fast to its moorings,
it may feel the rocking of the sea and benefit by
the rise and fall of the tides. If satisfied with
the spot selected, the sea mussel remains an in-
definite tenant. If food or other conditions turn
out unfavorably, it moves on.
tive species.
The sea mussel has not sufficient strength in
its small foot to support it against the sweep of
the waves, nor even to permit it to walk without
assistance. But its foot is quite equal to both
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
1583
eappauacnaness
——
Photographed by L. L. Mowbray
FIRE ROOM, NEW YORK AQUARIUM
Flooded at high tide.
emergencies in the possession of a means for
manufacturing what might be called provisional
hands and arms. It is advisedly that we say
the mussel’s foot is equal to the emergencies,
since its brains are under its foot and the foot
is therefore as good as a head. Indeed, rather
better than some heads.
In the end of the foot is a byssogenous cavity
containing a byssus gland whose function it is
to secrete slender threads of conchiolin called
byssus threads which become hard and tough on
contact with the water. Each thread may be
likened to a long white arm with an open hand
at the end. The arm remains attached to the
base of the foot and can be broken off; but the
hand, once fixed, adheres permanently to the
spot.
When the animal wishes to change its posi-
tion, it puts out its foot and extrudes numerous
provisional hands and arms, or byssus threads,
which it attaches to the nearest objects upon
either side of it, as well as before and behind,
drawing them taut as far ahead as it can reach,
in order that it may pull itself forward by means
of their support. The
doned with each change of its moorings and the
threads in actual use may number seventy-five
or more.
old threads are aban-
On glass, the sea mussel’s tracks ap-
pear to the best advantage.
The illustration shows the track of one as it
traveled up the glass in a tank of sea water,
searching, no doubt, for low water mark. It
spent some days in the ascent, but after climb-
ing eight inches, desisted and dropped to the
bottom, resuming the ascent a week later. Other,
smaller mussels in the same tank, climbed pa-
tiently till they reached the which
necessitated a journey of nearly twelve inches,
and settled there.
surface,
They all stop occasionally when traveling,
sometimes for several days at a time, perhaps
to rest or manufacture new byssus material, or
both. They have a preference for attachment
to shells. One voung specimen fixed itself to
1584 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
THE CLIMBING SEA-MUSSEL
Three of the positions that the mussel held during its
ascent are shown
a mud snail, and at the time of this writing is
still traveling without exertion on its part—but
has not yet reached its desired destination at
the top of the water.* The shells they generally
cling to are those of their own species, and
bunches of mussels may be seen almost any-
where along the shore attached to the rocks and
spiles and ends of wharves—one might almost
say, holding hands.
The food of the sea mussel consists of micro-
scopic organisms and bits of floating matter
that drift to it.
Until recent years mussels have not been con-
sidered palatable in this country, though they
have long been used extensively for food in Eu-
rope, and are cultivated in “parks” in France,
where stakes are driven in the mud and the in-
tervening spaces filled in with wicker work for
their accommodation. Clinging together in
clusters in these enclosures, they are said to be
gathered like grapes from a trellis.
*For twenty-four hours the mud snail remained in
one spot, an inch from the surface; but the mussel
did not alight.
SALT WATER AQUARIA IN THE HOME
By Ipa M. Me.ien
eae peculiar beauty and charm of animal
and plant life in the sea arouses in our
minds a natural craving to enjoy it close
at hand. This is comparatively an easy task for
residents of the coast, who may collect plants
and animals for themselves and procure plenty
of sea water; but for the inland aquarist it is
a matter requiring more delicate care and closer
concentration.
Salt water, with the animals and plants, can
be shipped inland from the coast. Formulas
for the preparation of artificial sea water have
been devised, but we do not know of anyone
who has succeeded with them.
That salts in water are not subject to evapor-
ation, is illustrated by the eternal salinity of
the seas, whose evaporation is replenished by
water from the rivers that constantly flow into
them; and though they acquire some additional
salt from the rivers, their loss of that substance
is so small that the new salt acquired really adds
to their salinity. It is therefore quite practic-
able to compensate the loss through evapora-
tion in the salt water aquarium with fresh water
from the faucet once a week, and a watering
can is very good for the purpose.
It is 75 years since the first salt water bal-
anced aquarium was established in England,
and many experimenters have been at work in
the field since that time; but to secure a per-
fect balance of marine animals and plants, it
is still difficult to suggest an infallible rule. As
with fresh-water forms, the animals depend
largely upon the oxygen thrown off by the
plants, while the plants absorb the carbonic acid
The aquaria hav-
ing capacities measured by the gallon are more
satisfactory than those holding only quarts.
There is small danger*from an excess of plants.
but too much animal life is certain to prove
fatal.
All-glass aquaria are the best for salt water.
and are the only kind used at the New York
Aquarium for small marine balanced aquaria.
gas exhaled by the animals.
Marine collections of the happy family or-
der are successfully maintained at the Aquari-
um in eight-gallon jars, with two kinds of
plants and as many as eleven forms of anima]
life. The plants are the red alga (Soleria chor-
dalis), sometimes attaching itself to rocks and
again living free at the bottom, and the green
sea-lettuce (Ulva latissima) buoyed with bits
of cork to cover two-thirds of the surface and
allowed to hang down ten inches from the top
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1585
BALANCED SALT WATER
AQUARIUM
on the side of the jar nearest the light. The
animals are:
Northern white coral (colonies ranging in
size from 2 to 6 inches in diameter) ;
Brown anemones (3 or 4) ;
White anemones (3 or 4);
Tunicates (Molgula) (3 or 4);
Killifishes, 2 inches long (2 or 8);
Variegated minnows, 2 in. long (2 or 3):
Prawns, 1% inches long (2 or 3);
Young eels, 3 or 4 inches long (1 or 2);
Mud snails (Nassa obsoleta) (1 to
Oyster (1);
Little-neck clam (J’enus mercenaria) (1).
Warning has been given to the beginner by
limit his animals,
It can be seen
one to
from the
list just given that a gallon will accommodate
more than one animal—even more than
but in with
much moderation cannot be urged at the start.
some aquarists to
the gallon of water.
four
experiments marine aquaria too
Sea-lettuce is absolutely essential for the bal-
anced aquarium. Other plants may be
with it, as the red called flame
(Grinella americana), and dead, sun-dried hy-
used
alga weed
droids such as Sertularia argentea and S. pin-
nata, make good ornamental effects.
Other animals that
fully in balanced aquaria are
can be confined success
small mussels
say a quarter of an inch in length, rock bar
nacles, annelids (especially the tube dwellers),
and small crabs. Large crabs tear the
plants and catch the fishes, but small mud and
very
spider crabs, of one-half inch or so in diameter,
only truly
comical animals) but desirable, as they pick up
from the bottom. The hermit
crabs are especially good scavengers.
It is well to place an two of fine
pebbles, white sand, or bird gravel on the bot-
tom of the jar, and a few stones must be added
for the attachment of and for the
erabs to hide under. must be taken to
wash the sand thoroughly. Bird gravel is very
dirty and will ruin the aquarium if put in before
are not interesting (crabs being
seraps small
inch or
anemones
Care
cleansing.
Hermit crabs should be provided with empty
shells of a suitable size so that when they out-
grow the home they are living in and go house-
hunting for a larger one, the new tenement will
be at hand.
fight hard for the possession of a desired shell.
They are pugnacious, and two will
Little-neck clams and oysters, whose siphons
are always busy, are valuable as clarifiers.
Snails that
avoided. The periwinkles do not thrive as w ]]
consume vegetation should be
in standing water, but no balanced aquarium is
complete without a few mud snails (Nassa ob-
soleta). They do not harm the vegetation ap-
preciably, preferring animal food, and besides
being excellent scavengers, are always interest-
ing to observe as they move about with their in-
quisitive siphons traveling a little ahead like an
advance agent.
Young specimens of starfishes may be kept.
They live on mollusks, however, and a supply
them Wt
would not be possible to keep an oyster, clam,
or any other mollusk alive in the jar with a
starfish, and at best the starfishes are not long-
lived in captivity.
of the mud snails is necessary for
Probably the most attractive of all small
fishes is the sea horse; and the general desire
to own one is so great that people even inquiré
if they could not keep one in the same jar with
their goldfishes! The little creature is difficult
to provide for, except with running sea water
and salt water Gammarus—the minute shrimp
that infests the sea-lettuce. Some aquarists have
succeeded in maintaining sea horses for a num-
ber of months in balanced aquaria by feeding
them with fresh chopped prawn on the end of
a stick, which the little fish soon grows tame
enough to take.
A New York dealer in aquaria and aqua
rium supplies, who sells sea horses, tells us
that he feeds them on daphnia— the common
1586
water flea of the ponds—by taking the sea
horses out of the salt water and the daphnia out
of ihe fresh water, and putting them all into
brackish water one-third salt and two-thirds
fresh. Within an hour the sea horses are re-
placed in salt water, and this process he re-
peats each day. Fresh-water shrimps are a wel-
come substitute for the salt water variety, and
will live several hours in sea water.
During a shortage of Gammarus, we have suc-
ceeded in enticing some of the sea horses to eat
the fresh water worm Tubifex, which will live
for half an hour in salt water, and some were
also coaxed to partake of enchytrae. One of
the Chicago department stores maintains an
aquarium and has succeeded in keeping five sea
horses alive since last summer by feeding them
on the new-born young of small, fresh-water
viviparous fishes. These little tropical fishes
are well known to aquarists, and include Guppyi
or rainbow fish, Helleri or swordtails, Gam-
busia, ete.
Other fishes, also crabs and prawns, annoy
the sea horses. but it is possible to keep anem-
ones, barnacles, oysters and clams in the same
jar with them.
The salt water aquarium requires strong
light, but should have very little direct sunlight,
—none in the summer and not over an hour or
two a day in winter. The most useful cover is
one made of glass of the same diameter as the
jar, with bits of cork glued to its edges at sev-
eral places in such wise as to allow it, when set
on the jar, to rest on the corks a quarter of an
inch above the top of the aquarium. Such a
cover prevents the escape of crabs, snails, etc.,
retards evaporation, and keeps out dust.
Animals in all balanced aquaria at the New
York Aquarium are fed three times a week with
macerated clam. Care is taken to drop small
pieces from the end of a stick or long wooden
forceps upon the tentacles of the corals and
anemones, which then may be seen to carry the
food to their mouths. All food not eaten within
a few hours in carefully siphoned off with a
glass tube.
For the inland aquarium, dried shrimp, des-
sicated cod fish after the salt has been soaked
out of it, fresh-water mussels, or fresh fish, fine-
ly chopped, would serve. Fresh fish, however,
is oily, and even an expert aquarist must take
unusual care in using it.
A bit of wood fastened at the end of a stick
and covered with felt or cheesecloth, is useful
to clean the inside of the glass. In the matter
of impurities in the water, an ounce of preven-
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
tion is worth many a pound of cure; particular-
ly in the inland marine aquarium. The speedy
removal of dying plants and dead animals is
very essential. For this, a long wooden forceps
is a convenient tool. Some aquarists advocate
a bit of charcoal placed under the rocks as a
clarifier.
During a succession of gray days, the water
may be aerated by lifting out a dipper full at a
time and letting it fall back from a height of
several inches. When the sand appears dirty, it
is well to siphon off the bottom with a rubber
tube until about four inches of the water have
been drawn. This can be used again by filter-
ing through four or five thicknesses of cheese-
cloth, or letting it seep through a sponge placed
in the bottom hole of a watering can. The same
method may be employed if the water appears
a trifle cloudy.
What is only difficult, may appear to the novy-
ice impossible. He must not be discouraged if
his first efforts fail, however, but remember
that “Patience and perseverance overcome all
obstacles.” and, as a wise lady once remarked,
the only difference between the difficult and the
impossible is that the impossible takes a little
longer time.
SPEARING SALMON FROM A SHADED
BOOTH
By C. H. Townsennd
METHOD of fishing to be seen, prob-
ably, nowhere else, is that practised by
the Wintun or Digger Indians of the Mc-
Cloud River in northern California.
When the salmon run begins in this mountain
tributary of the Sacramento, three hundred
miles from the sea, the Indians erect booths of
branches and green leaves overhanging the wa-
ter, through the half open bottom of which they
strike salmon with the spear. The booth or
bower is shaped like a conical tent and is high
enough to accommodate a standing man, while
the long shaft of the spear projects through the
leafy top.
The booth is supported on a framework of
poles set firmly in the bank, its rim in close
contact with the surface of the water, the bot-
tom being without floor except for a mere shelf
close to the bank on which the spearman stands.
It is erected over a shallow pool or eddy just
below a rapid or rifle where the upward moving
salmon are likely to pause before rushing into
more rapid water.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BULLETIN
BOOTH FOR SALMON SPEARING
Built of branches and leaves by the Indians of McCloud River, California
From a photograph made by C. H. Townsend in 1888
Being heavily shaded so that the light within
is dim, while the water beneath is well illumin-
ated by the light of day, the spearman can
strike to good advantage. The spear used by the
Wintun has a detachable barb, which is secured
to the shaft by a stout cord, permitting enough
play to prevent the heavy fish from tearing out
the barb or breaking the shaft. With an Indian
constantly on watch in a shelter of this kind,
a good many salmon can be secured in the course
of a day.
In all our explorations of salmon waters in
the region inhabited by the Wintun tribe, we
observed this form of fishing employed only on
the McCloud.
The photograph was made on a bend of the
river, just above the government salmon hatch-
ery at Baird.
THE SEA HORSE OF THE BLACK SEA
By L. L. Mowbray
In the summer of 1905 it was my good fortune
to spend several months along the coast of the
Crimea, with headquarters at the navy yard in
Sebastopol.
The docks about this locality are covered with
marine life. Between the rise and fail of the
tide the area exposed is covered with mussels
(Mytilus), algae, and tube worms (Serpula).
Below low tide mark there are hydroids and
polyzoans in abundance. Among these the sea
in considerable
horse feeds and can be found
numbers. It is a small species, not more than
three inches in length, and of a bright yellow
color.
One day while leaning over the rail watching
them feeding, I determined to catch some. Hay-
ing no dip net, I took a boat hook and twisted
a piece of wire round the end to form a loop six
or eight inches long and three or four wide.
When the loop of wire was placed near one of
the sea horses, it would in most cases coil its
tail around the wire and allow itself to be drawn
to the surface of the water, rarely releasing its
hold. In this way I
many specimens, and secured the same species
also about the shores of Balaklava and in tlt
tide pools around Cape Khersones.
succeeded in capturing
Dried sea horses are frequently to be seen for
sale on the streets of Sebastopol.
1588 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Bepartments -
Aquarium
C. H. Townsenp.
Mammals
W. T. Hornapay.
Birds Reptiles
WILLIAM BEEBE. Raymonp L. Ditmars.
Lee S. CRANDALL.
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
Ewin R. Sanporn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Vor. XXI No. 2 MARCH, 1918
THE MOST REMARKABLE FISHING-
NET KNOWN—THE SPIDER’S
WEB NET
By E. W. Gupeer, Professor of Biology,
State Normal College, Greensboro, N. C.
OUIS BECKE, author of many interesting
iG books on the life and customs of the South
Sea islanders and on the habits of the
fauna found therein, in one of these books,
"Neath Austral Skies (London, 1909), tells the
following interesting story: He says that many
vears ago he was discussing the customs, habits,
and manner of life of the inhabitants of western
Polynesia with Dr. J. S. Kubary, a German nat-
uralist and traveler of high standing. They
were at the time traversing a path through the
mountains of Ponapé, one of the islands of the
Caroline Archipelago, lying northwest of New
Guinea.
It was early in the morning and spiders’ webs
with the dew on them were found everywhere.
They were very large, so much so that oceasion-
ally one of them would obstruct the path of the
travelers, and would have to be broken through
with a stick. The size, strength, and beauty of
these webs were so extraordinary as to attract
Becke’s attention, and he spoke to Kubary of
them. However, the German assured him that
these were nothing compared to those which he
had heard were to be found in the vicinity of
Astrolabe Bay on the northeastern coast of that
strange island-continent, Papua or New Guinea.
Kubary told his companion that he had read
in either a letter or a publication by the dis-
tinguished Russian naturalist, Baron Nicolai
Miklucho-Maclay, the statement that the moun-
tain-dwelling tribes about Astrolabe Bay used
similar spider-web nets for catching fish in their
mountain streams.
Now Miklucho-Maclay was a_ scientist of
high standing, especially in ichthyology, a tray-
eler of wide acquaintance among the savage can-
nibals of New Guinea and the South Sea
Islands, and had for some time resided among
the tribes inhabiting the shores of Astrolabe
Bay.
Whether or not the Baron had actually seen
the natives use the large spider-webs for catch-
ing fish, Kubary could not say; but he certainly
believed that the former had grounds for mak-
ing the statement. Kubary’s own notion was
that the natives somehow or other were able to
remove the nets whole and uninjured from the
branches of the trees between which they had
been spun, and having fastened them with
proper supports across the narrow streams,
drove the fish into them.
Becke next relates that years later, in a
conversation with Sir John Robertson, Premier
ot New South Wales and father-in-law of Mik-
lucho-Maclay, he spoke of the death of the lat-
ter from fever in New Guinea, and expressed
great regret that the loss of the collections,
journals, ete., of the naturalist probably made it
impossible ever to trace down the spider-web
fish-net story. Sir John, however, laughed at
the story and expressed his belief that his son-
in-law was simply playing on the credulity of
the German. I have had careful search made
of all the works available in the Library of Con-
gress of both Kubary and Miklucho-Maclay, but
with barren results so far as finding anything
confirmatory of this interesting story.
However, from another source we now come
to a most important confirmation of the spider-
web fish-net story. During the past summer
while at work in the American Museum of Nat-
ural History, New York City, on the Bibliogra-
phy of Fishes, under the editorship of Dr.
Bashford Dean and Dr. Charles R. Eastman, I
examined a considerable number of books of
travel to get fish references. Among these was
one entitled Two Years Among New Guinea
Cannibals: a Naturalist’s Sojourn Among the
Aborigines of Unexplored New Guinea (Lon-
don, 1906). The author is Mr. E. A. Pratt. a
natural history collector of standing, and Gill
Memorialist, 1891, of the Royal Geographical
Society of Great Britain. Mr. Pratt spent two
vears in New Guinea, mainly among the aborig-
ines in the vicinity of Yule Bay on the south-
east coast where he collected insects and birds-
of-paradise. This book gives an interesting
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1589
NEW GUINEA NATIVES FISHING
Reproduced from Two Years Among New Guinea
Cannibals,
account of his experiences during this time. On
pages 266 and 267 is found the following re-
markable account of fishing with the spider-web
nets. The accompanying figures are reproduc-
tions of Mr. Pratt’s plates:
“One of the greatest curiosities that I noted
during my stay in New Guinea was the spiders’
web fishing-net. In the forest at this point
(Waley, near Yule Bay), huge spiders’ webs,
six feet in diameter, abounded. These were wo-
ven in a large mesh, varying from one inch
square at the outside of the web to about one-
eighth inch at the centre. The web was most
substantial, and had great resisting power, a
fact of which the natives were not slow to ayail
themselves, for they have pressed into the sery-
ice of man this spider, which is about the size
of a small hazel-nut, with hairy, dark-brown
legs, spreading to about two inches. This dili-
gent creature they have beguiled into weaving
their fishing-nets. At the place where the webs
are thickest they set up long bamboos, bent over
in a loop at the end. In a very short time the
spider weaves a web on this most convenient
frame, and the Papuan has his fishing-net ready
to his hand.
“He goes down to the stream and uses it with
great dexterity to catch fish of about one pound
in weight, neither the water nor the fish sufficing
to break the mesh. The usual practice is to
stand on a rock in backwater where there is an
eddy. There they watch for a fish, and then
dexterously dip it up and throw it on to the
bank. Several men would set up bamboos so as
to have nets ready all together, and would then
arrange little fishing parties. It seemed to me
that the substance of the web resisted water as
readily as a duck’s back.”
Since writing the above, a third brief refer-
ence to the spider’s-web fish-net has come to
light. In 1913, Captain C. G. Rawling, a fel-
low of the Royal Society of Great Britain, pub-
lished in London a work bearing the title “The
Land of the New Guinea Pygmies. An Account
of the Story of a Pioneer Journey of Explora-
tion into the Heart of New Guinea.” His ex-
plorations were done in Dutch New Guinea, on
the southern side of the western end of the
island beginning in 1910 and covering about a
vear and a half. On page 289 is found this in-
teresting statement:
the
Bei) Sab
NEW GUINEA NATIVE AND HIS SPIDER-WEB NET
Reproduced from Two Years Among New Guinea
Cannibals.
1590 ZOOLOGICAL
“The bushes round the
camp (at the village at Ata-
bo on the
numbers of an im-
coast) contained
large
mense spider; I do not
know its name, but it is well
known in other parts of
New They
soft balloon-like bodies. and
Guinea. have
spin a web of great strength.
It has been commonly stated
that these webs are utilized
by the as fishing-
nets, and that large fish are
natives
secured, but I am afraid
that this is an unsubstanti
ated yarn. Nevertheless, it
fact that the children
do take the webs off entire
is a
by slipping a ring of cane
below, and that in them they
fish the size of
will carry
sprats.”
THE SARGASSUM FISH.
CaLtLtep Marspiep ANGLER AND ‘TOADFISH.
Pterophryne histrio.
Ba le. e:
Mowsray
HIS fish, without doubt, is one of the most
ab interesting and curious of fishes, and can
be classed as a true subject of Aeolus, for
it has no definite line of migration, is purely
pelagic, and is dependent upon the course of
drift of the sargassum weed. It is most abun-
dant in tropical and sub-tropical seas, but has
been taken on the coast of Norway.
When it leaves the Strait of
cast into the Atlantic clinging to the air vesicles
that
measure anywhere from the size of a man’s hat
Florida and is
of a floating mass of sargassum may
it is at
The
strong west and northwest winds drive large
to several miles in length and breadth
the mercy of the winds and currents.
beds of the weed easterly out of the Gulf Stream
off Cape Hatteras and between the latitudes of
20° and 40
ways
north, where there is almost al-
an abundance of weed to be found.
The little fish makes these floating beds of
weed its whole world. Its color matches that of
the weed, it feeds on the many forms of crusta-
cea that live in the weed—principally shrimp,
and there it builds its nest, fastening its eggs to
the fronds by silk-like threads.
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
rHE
SARGASSUM FISH
Sometimes called Marbled Angler and Toadtiish.
Peter O’Phryne, as the fish is jokingly called
by naturalists, is almost helpless without a mass
of weed to cling to, being a very poor swimmer
and dependent upon its hand-like pectorals for
grasping and for darting at its prey. Holding
fast to the weed, it dangles its little fishing rod,
that nature has so cleverly set over its gaping
mouth and whose quivering movement attracts
As they attempt to nibble at
the natural bait the rod is thrown back and the
fisher strikes with lightning speed.
passing animals.
If the Sargassum fish is placed in a jar of
water, it will settle to the bottom, resting on
ventral and pectoral fins.
pectorals are turned forward.
In this position the
The fish changes
its position only occasionally, resting for hours
at a time, motionless. If fishing is not good in
will turn and fish as
long facing the other way.
one direction, it around
When a shrimp is dropped into the jar with
the fish it will start quivering its bait. There
seems to be something magnetic about it, as it
does not take long to get the shrimp interested.
I have taken hundreds of these fish in the
course of many years’ collecting in the Bermuda
Islands. In size one finds them ranging from
inch to half
inches in length, the average size being from
three-quarters of an four and a
two to three inches.
Like other anglers, they lose their bait at
times, or have their fishing rod broken, and it is
by no means rare to find one with the bait miss-
ing from the end of its rod, or the rod broken
off at various lengths.
ZOOLOGICAL
As previously stated, the sargassum fish is
entirely pelagic, and when found along the
shores it is there because it has followed some
mass of floating weed. Another fish that looks
to the untrained eye to be the same, but is found
on careful examination to be of another genus,
is the Marbled Angler (Antennarius scaber),
which lives on rocky shores and about coral
reefs. It can be recognized by its rough skin,
the skin of the sargassum fish being smooth.
THE COMMON SNAILS.
Tuerr Retation to BaLtancep Aguartia.
By Ipa M. Me.tien
Illustrations from Sea-Shore Life and pen drawings
by author.
ALANCED aquaria, whether of salt or
fresh water, are never quite satisfactory
without snails; and most snails, especially
very active varieties, are so attractive that no
one who observes them closely can help develop-
ing some interest in them.
The snails are members of that group of mol-
luses called gasteropods, which are character-
ized by an unsymmetrical body, a well-devel-
oped head, and a one-piece or uniyalve shell
which is readily distinguished from the double
or bivalve shells of clams and oysters.
The amount of oxygen in the water is sup-
posed to determine the growth of the shell.
Snails differ in habits and structure. Some
(principally the land and fresh-water species)
have lungs, while others (mostly the marine
forms) breathe with gills. There are certain
kinds which die very soon if they become dry,
and others, after spending years in a natural-
ist’s cabinet, apparently dead, have been known
to resume activities when placed in water. Some
are separately sexed, while others are not. Most
snails lay eggs, but a few bring forth their
young alive. The hard shell of certain species,
provided with a horny door or operculum with
which the animal closes the shell’s opening after
retreating within, serves as a protection against
enemies; others, with thin, doorless shells, are
defenseless and fall easy prey to aquatic insects,
beetles and fishes.
Shells are subject to erosion from the action
of chemical and mechanical stimuli upon the
prismatic layer.
The tongue of the snail, also called a lingual
ribbon, is set with even rows of minute teeth,
only the forward sets of which are used. As
these wear down, the rows behind, which are
continually being formed, move forward on
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 1591
their membrane, and by this process of constant
renewal the snail is always in possession of a
serviceable rasping apparatus. This is drawn
back and forth over a plant leaf or other edible
substance, scraping and comminuting it pre-
paratory to swallowing.
The eyes are generally situated at the base of
the tentacles.
Snails possess some powers of regeneration
even in the shell; and a hole cut in the shell of
a common pond snail was observed to heal com-
pletely in six weeks.
Salt Water Snails—The Periwinkle (Littor-
ina littorea), though prettily shaped, is not
hardy in balanced aquaria, nor particularly to
be desired because of its preference for a vege-
table diet, which is inimical to the aquatic
plants. If one lives near the seashore, however.
he may keep periwinkles in his aquarium for a
few months by feeding them with sea lettuce.
which they will eat fresh or partly decayed. If
provision is made for them to crawl up out of
the water, they will do so, clinging to a stick
or stone for hours as though waiting for the tide
to rise.
The Seaweed and Salt Marsh Snails (Lit-
torina palliata and Melampus bidentatus) are
also vegetarians, and fishes prey upon the latter.
The Oyster Drill (Urosalpinz) is a hand-
some little shell and will survive for some time,
but as the presence of an oyster or clam is high-
ly desirable for clarification in the salt water
balanced aquarium and this small carpenter will
bore his way through either, it is obvious that
the helpless giants must not be placed at
the mercy of the Lilliputian. In truth, no other
molluses, even small ones, can be maintained
with the oyster drill, which is a thorough can-
nibal.
Other seashore snails, such as the Rock Snail
(Purpura lapillus), whose natural food is barn-
acles, have proved fairly hardy in the home
aquarium, but experiments to date point to the
conclusion that the best of all salt water snails
for this purpose is the mud snail.
The Mud Snail (Nassa obsoleta) is found in
all parts of the world. On the Atlantic coast,
from Massachusetts to Florida, it is the com-
monest of small molluses, darkening the rocks
and infesting mud flats and tide pools.
When adult it moves only on solid surfaces,
though the young hang by the foot to the sur-
face of the water after the manner of fresh-wa-
ter snails. Miss Dimon, who has made special
studies of this species, thinks it effects locomo-
ZOOLOGICAL
Center: SEAWEED SNAIL
PERRIWINKLE
OYSTER DRILL:
Right:
Left:
tion by the extrusion of mucus, “affording a
semi-solid rod against which to push.” This is
probably the method of locomotion of many
snails. However, considerable difference of
opinion exists on this point, some observers
maintaining that snails move by muscular con-
traction and relaxation of the foot, other theo-
ries variously holding that they effect locomo-
tion by means of a blood flow to the foot tissues ;
by peristaltic contraction of the foot in undula-
POTOMAC SNAILS
tory waves; by action of the cilia on the foot
and not by motion of the foot itself, ete.
The mud snail requires considerable oxygen.
Its siphon supplies the gills with oxygen from
the water when submerged, while, when left dry
at low tide, air is inhaled through the siphon
and life sustained as long as there is some water
remaining in the mantle cavity. Moisture is
ROCK SNAILS
SOCIETY BULLETIN
to its existence, and it dies much
sooner when deprived of it than when prevented
from rising to the surface for air. Indeed, it is
a burrower, and will bury itself in the mud and
remain quiescent for a considerable period.
necessa ry
The sexes are separate but there are no ex-
ternal distinguishing marks. Under natural
conditions eggs are laid during the warm
months. In small aquaria they appear at all
seasons on the sides of the tank or attached to
the sea-lettuce. The capsules, shaped
like miniature urns, are dirty white, semi-trans-
lucent, and may contain as many as seventy-five
ova. The young hatch as invisible, free-swim-
ming veligers, and, for several days prior to
leaving the egg, the cilia of their large “ears,”
under magnification, can be observed already in
rapid vibration. The shell is only partly formed
at hatching, but a couple of weeks’ growth com-
pletes it, and the tiny creature now having lost
its means of locomotion, no longer swims, but,
snail-like, crawls on its large foot.
Typical of snails, this species is a scavenger.
It takes food only under water. It will eat al-
gae and sea-lettuce but does little damage to
the plant life of the home aquarium. Its favor-
ite food is fresh meat in the shape of other mol-
luses, worms, shrimps, crabs and dead fish, and
it will assiduously clean up all the scraps fror
the aquarium, only the eel surpassing it in seay-
enging ability. For a slow-moving animal, bur-
dened with a shell uncommonly heavy in a mol-
It is
recorded that several together have been ob-
luse of its size, it is extremely voracious.
served to capture a clam-worm (Nereis) and
devour it alive, though we suspect that the worm
must have been caught napping.
The mud snail is nearly black. The upper
surface of its foot is heavily pigmented, and the
The
shell is marked with deep, brownish grooves,
and is so much subject to erosion that some
specimens are worn away to the innermost layer.
under or crawling surface is pale gray.
When full grown it measures about an inch in
length.
closing the opening of the shell when the body
The operculum is small, only partly
is withdrawn.
The animal often carries around a pretty lit-
tle roof garden of waving green algae, and
occasional specimens are so densely overgrown
with the fringe-like plant Enteromorpha, that
at first glance they might be mistaken for sea
mice.
The species is unique in the possession of a
long inquisitive siphon that can be turned in
any direction, and which, traveling on before
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1593
like an elephant’s trunk, tells its owner the na-
ture of the object it is approaching.
Small aquarium fishes do not molest it, and
next to the minnows, eels and shrimps in activ-
ity, the mud snail, without which no salt water
balanced aquarium can be complete, serves as a
useful and interesting pet.
Fresh Water Snails —There are numerous
species of American fresh-water snails, and
most of them are preyed upon, either in the
young or adult stage, by fishes. One of the few
that attains a length greater than one inch, is
said to avenge all the others by attacking and
devouring little fishes.
The two species most commonly used in our
balanced aquaria come from other shores: the
Red Ramshorn of Europe and the large brown
Japanese Snail.
The commonest of American fresh water
snails are the Pond Snail (Lymnaea), its near
relative Physa, the little fresh water limpet,
Ancylus, the coiled shells called ramshorns, and
the Potomac snail.
The horn-colored fresh-water limpet, or river
limpet (4ncylus), is a very small, sluggish and
almost flat snail. It is a lung breather and has
been observed to spend an entire winter out of
water. It is hardly above a quarter of an inch
long, and desirable only in an aquarium for ani-
mals smaller than fishes, since the latter will
prey upon it.
Physa is one of the species credited with re-
sisting dessication. It is a spiral snail with no
operculum and a thin shell easily crushed in a
fish’s jaws; and most species of the pond snail
answer the same description, being thin-shelled
and doorless like Physa, slightly longer and
more pointed. One species of the pond snail,
however, found in northern New England (es-
pecially in Vermont) and called the Niagara
snail (Lymnaea stagnalis), grows to be two
inches in length and is large enough to be kept
with goldfishes. But it has the reputation of
capturing little fishes such as sticklebacks, also
small salamanders; and it will attack the plants
if not provided with special food, such as
lettuce.
The common pond snail is the most interest-
ing of fresh-water snails, a pulmonate—that is
to say, an air breather, having a lung and no
gills. Crawling upside down, at the surface, on
its broad, flat foot, it imbibes air so audibly that
even small specimens can be heard sucking it in,
and feeds on floating vegetable and animal sub-
stances. Drawing small edible objects to its
foot, which is provided with threads of fine
cilia, whose action attracts like a magnet, it curls
the foot so as to hold the food substances thus
captured, and carries the repast below to be de-
voured under water. It can drop to the bottom
or rise to the top in an instant, and all feats of
FRESH-WATER LIMPET
aquatic motion are familiar to it except that it
cannot swim through the water like a fish.
Its most interesting performance is the man-
ner in which it ascends from the bottom on a
string of mucus extruded before it as it rises,
Left: POND SNAIL; Right: PHYSA
Physa is a near relative of the Pond Snail, When held in the
same position, one shell opens to right and the other to the left.
later descending upon the same string. These
mucus strings are invisible unless they remain
long enough to gather a covering of silt, but
their presence is easily detected by passing a
stick over or under the suspended animal.
ay
oR
RED RAMSHORN SNAIL AND YOUNG
The young—much enlarged—shown marked difference in shape
of shell and size of eye and syphon.
The pond snail is omnivorous, feeding largely
on vegetable substances, but refusing nothing
that is edible. A defunct comrade is soon
cleaned out of its shell, and no scraps left by
the fishes will escape the snail’s attention. It is
MUD SNAIL, EGG CASE AND YOUNG
Egg case and young much enlarged
1594 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
hermaphroditic, both sexes being present in each
individual, but the eggs are cross-fertilized.
The eggs number from seventy to one hundred.
according to the species, are laid in horse-shoe
shaped masses of gelatin attached to plants or
to the sides of the aquarium, and hatch in two or
three weeks.
The ramshorn shells are of a very ancient
type, being found in fossil remains of great an-
tiquity. They are of numerous species, the com-
monest being the brown Planorbis, a clumsy
snail measuring scarcely more than half an inch
in diameter. It lays about eighteen yellow eggs
in gelatin and does well with little fishes such
as shiners, banded minnows and dace. It often
carries on its back a menagerie as well as a roof
garden, colonies of protozoa and rotifers, water
bears and other minute animals. Specimens are
said to have become active after being without
water for four months.
There is a ramshorn shell (Planorbis magni-
ficus) indigenous to certain streams of North
Carolina, that is the giant of its type in this
country, some specimens measuring one and
three-eighths inches in diameter. It is called
the Cape Fear River Snail. It has been ob-
served chiefly for scientific data, has eyes when
young which later degenerate and, becoming
covered with cuticle, render the adult sightless.
It is probable that the rarity of this large shell
will prohibit its general introduction into home
aquaria, although, as its name indicates, it is
a magnificent snail.
The European Red Ramshorn (Planorbis
corneus rubra) originally introduced from Ger-
many and numbers of which are now bred in
America, is the ramshorn shell most commonly
used in home aquaria; a handsome, active snail
an inch and a quarter in diameter, ruby bodied
and ruby-shelled when young, the shell becom-
ing striated with brown and black as its size in-
creases. It is also called Copenhagen, Coral,
and Red Post Horn Snail, and occasionally
Trumpet Snail. It breathes by means of a lung,
often visiting the surface for air, and manages
its shell more dexterously and gracefully than
the American Planorbis, never giving the im-
pression that it labors under an embarrassing
weight. This is partly due to the advantage
of having a longer body to control both the foot
and the shell. Like most pulmonate shells
(lung breathers) it is hermaphroditic and cross-
fertilization takes place. The pink eggs, num-
bering from ten to forty-five, are enclosed in an
ovate mass of gelatin attached to the stems of
plants.
The eyes and the siphon (which is at the side
of the shell, behind the body) are enormous in
newly hatched specimens, and the shell at birth
is thimble-shaped and shows no convolutions,
the color being dirty yellow with faint touches
of pink. The baby snail just out of the egg is
barely visible to the naked eye, but begins ac-
tivities at once, and can travel an inch in five
minutes.
The eggs are preyed upon by microscopic ani-
mals of various sorts, but given a clean aqua-
rium, a little lettuce and scraps of meat or fish,
with chalk, gypsum, ground coral, plaster of
paris or cuttlefish to provide lime for the grow-
ing shells, and the red snail will breed rapidly.
It is desirable to place only full grown speci-
mens with fish, the younger ones being likely
to fall prey to their finny companions. The red
color is, speaking eugenically, a recessive trait,
and is lost if the snail is bred with our native,
sombre-hued ramshorns.
The Potomac Snail (Viviparus viviparus,
formerly Paludina) and the Japanese Snail
(Viwviparus malleatus) have the fault of becom-
ing somewhat dormant in the winter, moving
about only on the milder days or when the sun
is upon them. The Potomac Snail, whose shell
measures an inch and a half in length, is gen-
erally more sluggish than the larger Japanese
variety, which is over two inches long. This
sluggishness is so dominant a quality that those
who have interbred them record the resulting
progeny as sluggish and short-lived as the Po-
tomac Snail. The males of both species have
one tentacle shorter than the other, while those
of the female are of even length.
Both the Potomac and Japanese Snails are
ovoviviparous, the eggs being retained within
the mother’s shell till they hatch. The young
shells are hard enough at birth to protect them
from smal] aquarium fishes. It is believed that
the female of the Japanese snail after once mat-
ing, remains fertile the remainder of her life.
Both species have remarkably small appetites,
yet help to clarify the aquarium, and are of an
ideal size to be kept with goldfish. They are
gill breathers, not needing to rise to the surface
for air, and have a horny operculum for the
complete closure of the shell.
The dark brown shell of the Japanese Snail
often presents a fuzzy green aspect, because of
the dense growth of minute plants with which
it is overgrown.
The only fertile specimen the present writer
has observed, produced fourteen young in seven
days and then rested. At birth the Japanese
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Snail is larger than the Potomac, and is an ex-
quisite creature, of a delicate gray tint with
slender brown tentacles and a single brown
band in the translucent shell.
A European snail now bred in this country
and to some extent used in home aquaria, is the
Transparent African Snail, also called African
Paper-Shelled Snail (Lymnaea auricularia). It
has a light, horn-color shell, over an inch in
length, and a spotted brown body. The eggs
and young are preyed upon by fishes, and only
adult specimens are therefore desirable for
aquaria. It is a short-lived, rapidly-breeding
species and an excellent scavenger. In shape
the shell is similar to that of the common pond
snail, except that the opening is much larger,
giving it the popular name of Ear Shell. It has
a broad body whorl, and depressed spire.
The Four Horned Snail (Ampullaria gigas)
from South America is a vegetable feeder and
destroys plants indiscriminately. It is large,
like the Japanese snail, and has the peculiar
habit of laying its eggs above the water in such
a position that when the young snails hatch they
may drop into the water immediately. Another
snail of the same family, dmpullaria pinei, from
Florida, grows over three inches long. These
snails are attractive and a study of their habits
will afford many pleasant and profitable hours;
but if one wishes snails only to act as scaven-
gers in his aquaria, the most desirable are
those which will not attack the plants except
to keep the fine plant growth cleaned off the
glass, and will consume the scraps left by the
fishes.
The best fresh-water snails for this purpose
that are readily procurable, are the European
red ramshorn, the Japanese snail, and—when
it is not asleep—the Potomac, common in nearly
all our ponds and lakes. Of these the last two
are the cleanest, but the red ramshorn is the
best scavenger, though necessarily requiring
more care, and will survive several years in cap-
tivity. More than one variety of snail is not
amiss in an aquarium, since tastes differ even
among: snails.
NEW MEMBERS
July 1, 1917-December 31, 1917
BENEFACTOR
Mrs. Frederick Ferris Thompson
Founpers IN PERPETUITY
Emerson MeMillin,
Mrs. Russell Sage,
Schiff
Mrs. Andrew Carnegie,
E. C. Converse,
Mortimer L.
ASSOCIATE
Edwin Thorne,
Joel W. Thorne,
=
or
©
or
Founvers
Samuel Thorne, Jr.,
Mrs. Richard Tjader.
Patrons
William Pierson Hamilton,
Joseph A. McAleenan,
Mrs. Samuel Thorne,
W.V.S. Thorne,
H. M. Tilford.
Lire
James Douglas,
Coleman duPont,
H. EK. Huntington,
ANNUAL
Beach, William N.,
Black, Mrs. Robert C.,
Bliss, Miss S. D.,
Bryce, Miss Mary T.,
Case, J. Herbert,
Cornell, Miss Emily I..,
Day, Miss Laura V.,
deForest, Henry W.,
Delano, Moreau,
Dodge, Mrs. Cleveland H.,
DeTynfo, Ignacio,
Hagard, Rowland G.,
Ibbeken, A. G.
Karcher, Frank Joseph,
Kennerly, Miss M. M.,
Lawrence, Mrs. W. W.,
Lichtenstein, Oscar R.,
MacFadden, C. K.,
Maxwell, George T.,
Milliken, Mrs. Gerrish H.,
Moore, Mrs. Barrington,
Norrie, Mrs. E. L.. Breese,
Pomeroy, Daniel E.,
Pond, Miss Florence L.,
Post, William H.,
Potter, James Brown,
Pratt, Samuel,
Richard, O. L.,
Richardson, Mrs. D. E.,
Rumsey, Mrs. Charles C.,
Schmidt, Fedor,
MemMBErs
H. deB. Parsons,
EK. R. Sanborn,
Rodman Wanamaker.
Members
Scribner, Charles,
Shulhof, Otto B.,
Silliman, James R.,
Simon, Robert E.,
Smith, Geo. Stuart,
Snyder, Valentine P.,
Soldwedel, Frederick A.,
Soule, Louis H.,
Spalding, H. Boardman,
Stallforth, F.,
Stewart, Cecil P.,
Stillman, Joseph F.,
Stimpson, Edwin B.,
Stone, Charles A.,
Strauss, Mrs. Nathan, Jr.,
Thompson, LaMarcus A.,
Thursby, Sidney,
Tiedemann, Theodore,
Timolat, James G.,
Todd, W. Parsons,
Townes, W. G.,
Townsend, H. N.,
Van Cott, Harvey A.,
Wagner, Charles H.,
Walbridge, Henry D.,
Walter, William I.,
Watson, Mrs. J. Henry,
Weiler, Mrs. Julia O.,
Wheelock, Wm. H.,
Williams, Clarence E.,
Winter, Emil,
Wrightsman, Charles J.
RAINBOW AND
STEELHEAD TROUTS
Both Now Called Salmo irideus
By C. H. Townsenp.
ATURALISTS for some time have been
of the opinion that these two trouts were
identical. The steelhead is merely a
rainbow trout that enters salt or brackish waters
and has acquired the anadromous habit. As a
result it becomes much changed, having a larger
size when it re-enters the rivers, and a more
salmon-like appearance. While the rainbow
trouts of our Pacific coast states vary somewhat
according to the streams they inhabit, the sea-
run steelhead, wherever taken, remains uniform
in appearance and ranges farther north, enter-
ing streams in southeast Alaska.
The writer has seen freshly captured steel-
heads at the McCloud River hatchery on the
1596 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
RED SNAPPER
Sacramento, three hundred miles from the sea,
the appearance of which was very different
from rainbows taken at the same point.
It is now known that the so-called steelheads
introduced with remarkable success by the Bu-
reau of Fisheries into Lake Superior, are re-
cognizable as rainbow trouts when they enter
the streams. Moreover, the young rainbows
artificially propagated in streams flowing into
Lake Michigan, acquire to some degree the ap-
pearance of steelheads.
The appearance of trouts is affected by the
waters they frequent, and this probably ac-
counts for such changes in coloration as take
place when the rainbow moves from streams
into large lakes. As rainbows were introduced
into streams tributary to Lake Michigan before
the first so-called steelheads were introduced
into Lake Superior, the presence of fishes re-
sembling steelheads in Lake Michigan cannot
well be explained otherwise.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
By C. H. Townsend
A Large Octopus.—Dr. W. H. Dall the vet-
eran curator of Mollusks in the U. S. National
Museum, recently visited the Aquarium. While
looking at a photograph of an octopus, he gave
an account of one he saw captured in Alaska
in 1880.
It was observed in shallow water in the har-
bor of Unalaska, and was soon harpooned and
taken on board the Coast Survey vessel of which
Dr. Dall was then in charge. When hung by
the body from the main boom over the stern,
the relaxed arms touched
the surface of the water
from a height of sixteen
feet. This means that if
measured across the out-
spread arms the distance
would have been more
than thirty-two feet.
Ancient Doors of the
Aquarium. — These doors.
like the building itself, are
over one hundred years
old, and are of consider-
able interest to visitors.
They are, in fact, the
doors of a fort—West
Battery, as the building
was first called—and were
constructed to withstand
almost any force except
the cannon shot of that period.
Today they seem as out of place in New York
as though they belonged to the Tower of Lon-
don. It is not unlikely, however, that some other
forts in the country have doors like them.
The great doors of the Aquarium are each
twelve feet high, five feet wide, and seven inches
thick. They are constructed of three layers of
heavy cross planking, thickly studded with
bolts, the heads of which are over two inches in
diameter, all riveted on the inside. The bolts
on each door are in twelve vertical rows, with
thirty-two in each row, a total of 768 bolts, five
inches apart, for both doors.
The hinges, three to each door, are propor-
tionately massive. The small sentry, or postern
door cut in one of the large doors. is fifty-seven
inches high and twenty-one inches wide, with a
ponderous lock, the key to which must have been
three times the size of the key to the Bastile,
that Lafayette presented to Washington and is
now exhibited at Mount Vernon.
The large doors were fastened with heavy
timbers, the ends of which were let into the ma-
sonry at each side.
More Large Ewhibition Tanks—The work
of enlarging the glass-fronted tanks at the
Aquarium has been carried on until more than
half of the ground-floor series have been extend-
ed toa depth of twelve feet back from the glass.
Most of these tanks have been rebuilt by the
employes of the Aquarium, and all of them with
material charged to the regular maintenance
fund, without extra cost to the City for con-
struction.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1597
The extent of this work
may be seen by a glance at
the ground plan of the
building on page 1580 of
this BuLietin.
The enlargement of the
exhibition tanks constitutes
the most pronounced im-
provement made in the
Aquarium during recent
years, and the increased
swimming space attorded
has been directly beneficial
to their living occupants.
Attendance. The total
number of persons who vis-
ited the New York Aqua-
rium in 1917 was 1,595,118.
an increase over the preceding year of 95,451.
Fuel saving at the Aquarium—In compliance
with the orders of the Fuel Administrator, the
Aquarium was closed to visitors on January 18
to 22 inclusive. It was also closed on the Mon-
day following. Steam heat was cut off all parts
of the building, leaving it about as cold as a
barn with the roof off. Just enough steam was
generated to keep the pumps going and warm
the water for tropical species that would other-
wise have been lost. The engineer states that
there was a saving in coal of about fifty per
cent. The employes were on duty and kept
warm by engaging in vigorous house-cleaning.
Bird Visitors at Sea.—Most of the land birds
that alight on vessels at sea, do so for the pur-
pose of resting. But some water birds, in no
way under the necessity of finding a dry perch.
often make themselves quite at home on a ves-
sel cruising near their nesting rocks. This is
a common trait of the various species of gan-
nets (Sula) called boobies. During the investi-
gations of the U. S. Fisheries Steamship dAlba-
tross in the Gulf of California, boobies often
rested on the rigging of the vessel, especially
when the vessel was working about the rocky
islets where they breed in great numbers, There
is little reason to believe the booby the stupid
fowl sailors have always credited it with being,
since many birds unaccustomed to the presence
of man are quite fearless.
The writer made the accompanying photo-
graph on the deck of the Albatross, while clouds
of black smoke from the funnel drifted past the
boobies perched on the main boom without dis-
turbing them in the least, and the sailors were
able to catch some of them with their hands.
ATKA-FISH OR ATKA MACKEREL
The >
Photograph by Herbert Lang
TYPICAL HABITAT OF THE OKAPI
are the higher, more
hundred and fifty feet
Its favorite haunts open forests, where the big trees reach an average height of one
and not the swampy, impenetrable stretches that are traversed as
a rule only on well beaten tracks.
1626
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges of the
Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary tickets to
the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payrment of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $4,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the openirig and closing hours are from 10
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the year; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report No.1..-..-..-+-> Paper $ .40 Souvenir Books: Series No. 8, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 78
“ . R Bisseee rite nto “ 15 Cloth $1.00 illustrations from four color plates. ......... 50
i a i : and 4 caches on | n *h fe (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
i ae si bafier~ 8. ss : ; os 1.00 - 1.95 Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 82 Pages, providing
Os 0 Or aaa oe es oe 1.25 ne 1.50 space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
Bp aa “V1, 12, 18, 14,15. made from selected photographs of animals taken
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,each .... 7 1.00 3 1.25 in the Zoological am comple with stamps - Sy 15
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horna- Fe By mail, postage 6 cents extra.
day) postpaid ...-...+..+..+-. 1.65 Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- *: containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
mals (Hornaday)........-- 15 color stamp reproductions - Gis a Sie 85
Notes on Mountain Sheep of North y mail 7 cents extra
America (Hornaday).......... 40 :
- ” “ Photogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. Animals
The Caribou (Grant). s rasa ciate 4 Fee Bs) 160 and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
RRS OnE LD and Bee rc oe ae the of 2 subjects, Per set, postpaid. ............... 25
arge Mammals of Nor mer- :
TEDW TAC E13 |e eee Ree metry % 1.00 Souvenir Map-Fan: A combined fan and map of the
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) . 1,00 Zoological Park gies geste na eee SSCS IN 10
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 1-11 inclusive, (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.
SOD. cee ewe eee es os 2.80 Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 12, 18 and 14. i 25 from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
| CON) Ves Res ep Maca - 25 Tatior Mifold er tory cy. 6 my. sist a te Seley sl aio) see ie ek O
My EAE (ee 4 25 (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
“ Ce eet (3 us and 18.... “ a Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
mY FTN fee TT a “ 5 SP TLELE HEHE creat aii a eVorminiaie a) Crepes ef Cueteia, eet es a, voajevese ea © 25
“ or en a pa ees ey “ a Duotone, Boren each... 5; CRN sare a ea 35
“ Wp RAL eles bees ee “ M4 Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each........-......- 75
Bere eterin ata a) w +25
= Bas Mee ge pend 4 + 25 Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure...2for .10
= ig Ltd Nee : i an ve 2 es COLOR acres ois « 2for .10
poctenolweice, Vo we 5 “ 3 New York Aquarium Nature Series
7 re 3 Seat Shores bite (Maver) ties ect rcicecttic avcgecs ae viet erele $1.20
pci caly WEEE esis ; Out ae Cultivation of Fishes in Ponds (Townsend)......-..... 20)
Bulletin Nos. 1, 6, 8, 85, 48 and 46 E BUR OPS ETA Chameleons of the Sea (Townsend) .....-.....++--+++5: 15
Bulletins—Bi-monthly......... 20c. each; Yearly by mail 1.00 Northern Elephant Seal (Townsend)..........--......- "95
Bulletin Nos. 5 to 28 inclusive, set, cloth bound,........ ane Care of Home ea OPER Area RODEO Morne Pare 25
gS it SAMOUO Be eee Pena en «LS aes =m thaye sine - 10. Porpoise in Captivity (Townsen : Sn. Sop bf
i Natural History of the Whale Shark (Gudger) . 30
Setlogienl Park feonaeriee Ps Ae yoragear ae 25 | The Gaff-Topsail Catfish ipadger) ai ee 30
- 7 2
Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors, Tnmates amine Anuariim: (book of views). =)
sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects......... 25 : Tia
(By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.) Aquarium Post Cards: Colored. In sets, each.... - met J)
Publications for sale at 111 Broadway, Zoological Park and the New York Aquarium.
ea
FELLA ENR OV ES 2a paey
JULY, 1918
Vere
os
Ne WALA A Mitilitasveatl gti!
Seagrocica ae
* SOCIETY - =’
BULLETIN
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
[A “im ALLAAH OTOL
— ==
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cAEATMIRERITTITA nA eT ATT HT im
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New York Zoological Society
GeneraL Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York City.
President
Henry FarrFietp Ossorn.
Firat Hice-President Second Hice-President
Mapison GRANT. Frank K. Srureis.
Greasurer Asst. Greasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. Tue Farmers’ Loan anp Trust Co.
: Secretary
ols Fa
Mapison Grant.
Executive Committee
Mapison Grant, Chairman. Wm. Pierson Hamitton, Warson B. DickeRMAN,
Percy R. Pyne, Frank K. Srurais, Anruony R. Kusrr,
WitiiamM Wuirte NIves, LisPENARD STEWART, Henry Farrrietp Ossorn, ev-officw
Board of Managers
Ex officia: The Mayor and The Present Department of Parks, City of New York.
Glass of 1919
Percy R. Pyne, C. Lepyarp Buair, Antuony R. Kuser,
Georce Birp GRINNELL, Freperick GILBERT Bourne, Watson B. DickerRMAN,
Grorce C. CrarkK, Wma. Austin Wapswortu, Mortimer L. Scuirr,
Crievetanp H. Dopes, Emerson McMIttin, Freperic C. Watcorr.
Glass of 1920
Henry Farrrietp Osporn, Wo. Pierson Hamitton, A. Barton Hepsurn,
LisPENARD STEWART, Rosert S. BREWSTER, Wirtzt1am Woopwarp,
Cuartes F. Dierericnu, Epwarp S. Harkness, Epwin Tuorne,
Grorce F. Baker, WittiaM B. Oscoop Frexp, Percy A. RockereLurr.
Glass of 1921
Levi P. Morton, Henry A. C. Taytor, Lewis RurHERForRD Morris,
ANDREW CARNEGIE, Frank K. Srureis, Arcuer M. Hunvtineton,
Mapison GRANT, Grorce J. Goutp, Henry M. Tivrorp,
Wituiam Wuire NItes, Ocpen MILts, E. C. Converse.
General Officers
Witu1am T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director, New York Aquarium.
R. L. Cerero, Bursar. C. Grant La Fares, Architect.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer. : Grorce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
@fficers of the Zoological Park
Wituram T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircuett, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merxet, Chief Forester.
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Rew Bram, Veterinarian.
WiiuraM Beese, Curator, Birds. G. M. Berrsower, Engineer.
Ler S. Cranvatt, Asst. Curator, Birds. Witiiam Mircuety, Cashier.
Exwry R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
@fficers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasnineton I. DeENysz, Assistant. Rosert SutcuirFre, Clerk.
Louris L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Metten, Secretary.
Grorce A. MacCatium, Pathologist.
ZOLOpesOLG iC AE. (SOC Gk yY) BULL kT tN
CONTENTS FOR JULY, 1918
PAGE
Pee Lpanvirinyal ORV IVA SNUAIN TAIN] JE) EVI Ste er ee eer nee eens I rontisprece
Witp Lire Preservation anp Extinction 1n AvsTRALIA ....................V. H. D. LeSouef 1629
Direcror LeSover anp THE AUSTRALIAN FAUNA 0c WV. T. Hornaday 1631
Austratia’s Most REMARKABLE MAMMALS..........00.0--00--00------- ee cee ..W, H, D. LeSouef 16382
EMBARGO ON Witp ANIMAL IMPORTS 220 cccccce nee ncenennee We I. Hornaday 1641
Gortp Mepat AwarDeD FOR BIRD TREATY occ cccccccccsce ciocsessccceeeeteteeneeeeeee The Associated Press 1642
TROUBLES OF THE BERLIN ZOO oo. ccccseeccee ee Hamlyn’s Menagerie Magazine, London 1642
(ONGRESSPLUATIEIES, MITGRAMOR] IS TRD) wR Ate. ceca cs ccc cac see ceeeca cece sentnehaceseenneccenseeeeeeedhecromess 1642
VAY MTR GR LEVEE AYN 0 DY. A e o ee a W. TT. Hornaday 1642
Vistonary Pueasant FarMs OF CHINA Qc ee. ornaday, 1643
Divine Ersi, AND! PREY... ee ees nomman Votonmaichines el oad
RSPIDUAUN HR OFUFVAUT' UR ES (Oly ELD) SOA ce eee co cere eee react From a Motion Picture 1645
A Junete Incusator set, oe ee pee Bee iec Sy iGrandaly 646
IGHTESWTS MOI SRUN GIS Sih ee Wee cs ee a ...d’aymond L. Ditmars 1648
Ovur Tame Wompsat A Duet in tHE Bear Dens
Anmat WeatHer PRropHets Batrritinc Unper WatTER
Tame SwaLiows Srrance Antics or a Monkey
A Srrance Rat-Trap Grant Orrers
[He AW IER SAIN OR Karen etn eon eee ne ten ee a: Br ene se ieee Meee ene eee tg ei ee 1650
Tue Ecuipna ........... eee Pate tent FoR een ot se ke Eesha Re ee . Cover
-
.
Beal
1628
ZOOLOGICAL
BULLETIN &
Published by the New York Zoological “Stiga ee
0 sale
AX onia ty
NM
SA
te yo} 9 ae
Vout. XXI
MUIENG,
1918 NumBer 4
WILD LIFE PRES
SERVATION AND EXTINCTION IN AUSTRALIA
By W. H. D. Le Sover,
Director, Zoological Gardens, Melbourne.
Author “The Mammals of
USTRALIA is a large country, approxi-
mately 2,000 miles square, and is very
sparsely populated, therefore although
good laws exist for the protection of native
game, it is very difficult to see that they are en-
forced in the thinly populated districts. For
example, Queensland has an area of 670,000
square miles, but its population is only about
190,000 whites, and approximately 9,000 abo-
rigines. New South Wales is better, having an
area of 309,460 square miles and a population
of 1,847,214. Victoria has an area of only
87,884 square miles, but has a population of
1,897,977, so is considerably more dense than
the other States. South Australia consists of
380,070 square miles and has 483,616 people,
but Western Australia has the large area of
975,920 square miles and a population of only
308,806.
The Northern Territory also is a large dis-
trict, consisting of 528,620 square miles, and
inhabited by only 4,767 people, excluding na-
tives. The island of Tasmania has 26,215 square
miles, with a population of 199,925.
In glancing over these figures one can easily
realize the difficulty in fully enforcing game
laws. The only way that native animals surely
can be preserved for those that come after us
is to form reserves in various types of country.
This is being done in many of the States, but
only to a limited degree at present, because the
subject is a difficult one. Introduced foxes and
domestic cats that have gone wild, to say noth-
ing of rabbits, cannot well be kept out of these
reserves. The foxes and cats prey on the pro-
tected game, and the rabbits destroy the native
Australia,’ “Wild Life of Australia,’ ete.
grass and shrubs that it is sought to preserve.
Of course, these animals are not all over Aus-
tralia yet, but they certainly will be in course
of time, despite fences, and we cannot possibly
estimate the havoe they will play with the
ground game and waterfowl. It is quite possi-
ble that some species will become extinct before
we realize it.
Then again, parts of Australia are subject to
severe droughts, and thousands of small ani-
mals, as well as birds and kangaroos, perish.
And emus cannot migrate as they used to do, on
account of fences and settlements. The sheep
and cattle help to denude the country and drain
the waterholes. Therefore, in some districts
where certain forms of life formerly were in
evidence, none are seen now. Take as an exam-
ple, about fifty miles inland from Rockhampton
in Queensland. There the beautiful parrakeet,
(Psephotus pulcherrimus) was fairly plentiful,
but since the drought in 1896 not a bird has
been seen in the whole district. The pig-footed
bandicoot was comparatively common in the
southern districts of Australia, but now one is
rarely, if ever, found.
Gilbert’s rat-kangaroo, (Potorous gilberti), of
South West Australia, apparently is extinct.
The so-called native cat, (Dasyurus) was ex-
ceedingly plentiful in Victoria, but now they
are just as scarce as they once were plentiful.
It is difficult to say why these various animals
have almost disappez ared. Of course the settle-
ments and what they bring with them might ac-
count for a good deal, but certainly not for all.
We really know little as to the unaccountable
disappearance of small mammals in districts
1629
1630
where they were numerous, and when we wake
up to the fact they have gone, it is usually too
late to take measures of protection. Probably
the same thing occurs in America and elsewhere.
The introduction of foxes into Australia by
private persons is bound to cause the destruc-
tion, and possibly, extinction, of certain ground
game. Inasmuch as much of the country has
been cleared of scrub, the game does not have
the same cover that it had formerly. The ani-
mals that live in burrows probably will hold
their own longer than those that make their
nests on the surface. Tasmania, being of com-
paratively small area, is sure to lose the marsu-
pial wolf or thylacine before long, as the dense
brush is cleared and the country becomes more
thickly settled. Even now it is scarce, and the
settlers snare and destroy it whenever they get
the opportunity. The Government has lately
established a large reserve for it near Hobart.
In Queensland there are ninety-two Honorary
Rangers, and that State is trying to protect its
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
animal life, but having so much sparsely popu-
lated country it is difficult. In the near future,
they probably will convert more crown land into
reserves. So far only four have been made for
animals and fifty-two for birds. It is now un-
der consideration to take up the subject of the
exportation of the skins of Australian native
wild animals, and to place this important matter
on a proper basis. It probably will be under
the control of the Commonwealth Government,
and further efforts will then be made to pre-
serve our fast disappearing fauna. In every
country there are what are popularly called
“oame hogs,’ heedless men as well as thought-
less boys, who seek to destroy the fauna of the
country for their own individual benefit, and
with no thought for posterity, or whether they
are exterminating the fauna or not. Simply for
what they call “sport,” they carelessly destroy
all they can, making little use of what they do
kill. Persons of this class always are with us,
more or less.
Carnenta
Wel?
\a
Hustrat
inders\&
Eyres Fenrir
ReMARN
Launceston
Hobart
A D. Hanoy, Comp
a=
135 140 145 150 155
AUSTRALIA: GREAT BRITAIN’S SOUTHEASTERN EMPIRE
The development of Australia outruns the imagination.
How many Americans know thata great transcontinental
railway now links Brisbane, Sydney and Victoria with far-distant Perth and Western Australia?
Not-
withstanding her tremendous outpouring of men, munitions, ships and money for the war, Australia
is vigorously maintaining her chain of zoological gardens, and a remarkable series of
sanctuaries for the preservation of wild life.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1631
Photograph by W. H. D. LeSouef
A TYPICAL FOREST IN THE PROVINCE OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
This home of the beautiful Tree Fern is also the favorite haunt of the now rare Lyre Bird, the Black-Tailed Wallaby,
Yellow-Breasted and Rose-Breasted Robins, Giant Kingfisher and Giant Earthworm. “Fern gullies always
are delightful places to visit on a hot day.”
DIRECTOR LE SOUEF AND THE AUSTRALIAN FAUNA.
In length and breadth of departure from the recognized standards of mammalian
anatomy and physiology, the mammals of Australia are, per capita, the most odd and re-
markable of any continental group. With the exception of the dingo, a few rodents and
bats, all those species that do not lay eggs are marsupials, and carry in the abdominal
pouch the astoundingly minute newly-born young until it grows to a size fit to take a small
place in the outer world. A newly-born kangaroo cannot possibly be appreciated by a
stranger until it is seen.
The Australian marsupials display a remarkable line of radiating development
that is quite inexplicable to zoologists. This relates to the production of forms within an
order, that strikingly parallel in external appearance the characteristic forms of members
of various orders of mammals. It would appear as if the scheme of evolution among the
Australasian marsupials tended to produce an aggregation of pouched mammals that in
form and habits would cover the strange absence of other orders. The Tasmanian “wolf”
may be cited as an example and the ant-eating echidna, with its porcupine-like quills, as
another. There are carnivorous, fox-like phalangers, marsupial “mice,” the wombat—in
form and habits like a gigantic woodchuck, and the flying phalanger, which latter animal
is precisely like a flying squirrel in form and actions. Yet more remarkable is a marsu-
pial mole.
The New York Zoological Park always has been rather strong in Australian mam-
mals. They are so universally interesting as to be irresistible. Our Australian collection
is now very rich. As a contribution to public interest in these strange creatures from the
continent wherein Nature has done everything differently, the distinguished Director of the
Melbourne Zoological Gardens has been prevailed upon to write a series of short popular
1632
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
sketches of the Australian species now or recently exhibited here, and illustrate many of
them with photographs taken by him in Australia.
Mr. Le Soeuf is a man of charming personality and successful habit.
He visited
and lectured in America about eight years ago, and thereby greatly strengthened the bonds
of interest between the zoologists of his country and ours.
He is the author of books on
the wild life of Australia that are at once deeply interesting and thoroughly reliable. The
titles of those best known are “Wild Life in Australia” (London, 1907), and “The Ani-
mals of Australia,” by A. H. S. Lucas and W.H. Dudley Le Souef (London, 1909).
This collection of sketches will be followed by another in the issue of the BuLLETIN
for September, which will illustrate the most interesting kangaroos, phalangers, marsupial
mice and others —W. T. H.
AUSTRALIA’S MOST
REMARKABLE
MAMMALS
Basep ON THE CoLLEcTIONS OF THE New Yor«k Zootocicat Park
By W. H. D. Le Sover
Director Zoological Gardens, Melbourne
Author of “The Mammals of Australia,’ ‘‘Wild Life of Australia,” ete.
THE ECHIDNA
F these most interesting animals, the Ech-
idnas, or as they usually are called in
Australia, Porcupine Anteater, there are
three species, namely, that found in New
Guinea, (Echidna lawesii), about fourteen inch-
es in length, which has short spines; the Brown
Echidna, (EF. setosa) from Tasmania, with long
hair almost concealing the spines, and the Aus-
tralian form, (E. aculeata) which is slightly
larger than the New Guinea species, being
about inches long and without as
much hair as the Tasmanian species.
seventeen
These animals live entirely on the ground
and their food consists of small insects, and,
especially termites and ants, which they easily
can obtain by digging with their powerful claws
into the ants’ nests or termites’ mounds. The
tongue, which is covered with sticky saliva, is
then protruded, and when covered with ants is
drawn back into the mouth. In captivity they
are fed on finely chopped raw meat, eggs and
milk. They have no true teeth, but have small
spines at the back of the tongue. The tail is
rudimentary and the feet short and _ strong.
When in danger, the animal rolls itself up some-
thing like a hedgehog. The sharp spines not
only are presented to its enemy, but also are
stuck into the ground, making it harder to lift
up.
The only way it can be carried conveniently
is by grasping it by its hind feet, so that its
head hangs down. It ean dig in any hard soil
by the aid of the spines as well as by the strong
claws, and it is remarkable how quickly it seems
to sink into the ground. It also can hold so
tightly to the soil that it is only with difficulty
that it can be raised, even by the aid of a spade
or strong stick. It also is very difficult to dis-
lodge from the corner of a room, and can climb
over almost any wire fence and also out of any
ordinary box at the corners, and unless the lid
is very firmly nailed on, will push it oft, and get
through a very small aperture. The strength of
the animal is astonishing, and even if tightly
fastened by a cord around one of its hind legs,
is almost certain to get it off.
These animals generally hibernate during the
winter; usually under the surface of the ground,
and frequently by a rock or rising ground. It
is at this time that the egg is laid and the young
hatched. The shell of the egg is soft and not
calcified, and measures about half an inch. The
mother by rolling herself up helps to protect
the young which are in her pouch, and as the
female has no nipples the young one when
hatched has to lick the milk from the folds in
the pouch. The young Echidna leaves the
pouch just as the spines begin to appear, and
when it is a little over three inches long. The
pouch then gradually disappears until the next
breeding season. Like the kangaroo, it is very
rarely that two young are born. These animals
are more or less nocturnal, as are nearly all the
Australian animals.
THE PLATYPUS
The Duck-Billed Platypus, (Ornithorhynchus
anatinus) is of great interest. It is found in
the rivers of Tasmania and eastern Australia,
except the extreme north. Like the echidna, it
belongs to the egg-laying Order Monotremata,
ZOOLOGICAL
ECHIDNA
but passes its time in water and not on land, ex-
cept when coiled up in its burrow with its tail
tucked underneath, which usually is most of the
day. It seeks its food generally in the evening
or sometimes during the day in some very shel-
tered spot, feeding on earthworms, shell-fish,
crustaceans and water insects, generally; a cer-
tain amount of which it can store in its cheek
pouches.
Although the young have rudimentary teeth,
they have none when they reach an adult siage;
horny plates developing in the place of them,
which enables the animals to masticate their
food, which they usually do when lying on the
surtace of the water. The fur, which looks very
much like that of a seal when the longer hairs
are removed, is of two kinds; the longer being
shiny and crisp and the under fur soft and
short. The bill is soft and leathery, but shrinks
considerably when dry, as in museum specimens.
The under parts are lighter in color, usually
grevish white. The tail is broad and flat and
of a dark color above. The under part is usual-
ly devoid of hair, especially in the older animals.
Their eyes are very small, but as their bill is
usually sensitive, they generally can find their
insect prey by the sense of touch.
Being unable to raise the body high from the
ground like ordinary animals they can only shut-
fle along in an awkward manner. It is a bur-
rowing animal and makes a long, upward tunnel
in the river banks, sometimes thirty feet in
length, usually starting at the roots of a tree
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 1633
that
with the entrance generally
grows to the water,
under the surface of the wa-
ter. At the end is a small
lined with
and grass, generally not so
chamber leaves
far from the surface of the
ground, so that the natives
frequently can_ tell
the nest is by striking the
surface of the ground above
and listening for the echo.
When swimming the claws
where
and web are stretched out to
their full extent, but = on
land the extended web is al-
doubled up under-
neath; the end of the claws
then coming in contact with
the ground.
ways
ment . a
Photograph by E. R. Sanborn
In nearly all specimens in
museums, the web is expand-
ed beyond the claws, although the animal is
represented as being on the ground. But that
is incorrect.
These animals are very timid, and though
they possess no external ears, they are very
quick at hearing, and any suspicious sound
Ticks <
i
Photograph by E. R. Sanborn
UNDER SURFACE OF THE ECHIDNA
1634
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Photograph by W. H. D. LeSouef
THE PLATYPUS, OR DUCK-BILL
We regret to say that owing to the food habits of this most remarkable
outside of Australia.
animal, it is never seen alive
There is little ground to hope that a living Platypus
can be brought to New York and shown in captivity.
makes them dive out of sight. The male meas-
ures about eighteen inches, tail six inches. The
spur on its heel is larger than that on the fe-
male. The latter animal is about fourteen inch-
es in length.
The most astounding feature of this animal is
the fact that it reproduces by laying eggs, and
hatching them. The shell of the egg is of a
tough, leathery texture, and from two to four
eggs are laid at a time. As the mother has no
pouch, she practically makes one by rolling her-
self up in her nesting chamber. She
nipples, but the mammery glands which are in
two groups, are underlying the skin on the un-
derside, and the milk is pressed out by a con-
traction of the muscles and the young takes its
food by applying its flat face and tongue to the
lacteal surface.
has no
TASMANIAN
The Marsupial Wolf, (Thylacinus cynoce-
phalus). These rare animals probably will be-
come extinct before very long, as the settlers
are prejudiced against them on account of their
destruction of sheep and other stock. The dark
marks across the back as so very striking and
distinctive that the animal is usually called lo-
cally the Tasmanian Tiger. They utter a pecu-
liar coughing bark, rapidly repeated and some-
WOLF
thing like that of the kangaroo. They have a
fair-sized pouch which opens backwards and
usually bear from one to two young at a time.
These animals resemble in form some of the
short-legged wolves, but have short, close hair.
During the day they generally sleep in hollow
logs, holes, under rocks, ete., and hunt their
prey in the evening and at night. They are not
very fleet of foot but have a keen scent and
usually spring on their prey, which consists, be-
sides the stock of settlers, of wallabies, rat-
kangaroos and other ground game. They swim
well and readily cross rivers in pursuit of their
prey, one having been recently observed swim-
ming a river after a wallaby; quickly overtaking
it. They are now found only in Tasmania, but
their bones have been found in Australia. Why
they disappeared from the mainland, it is dif-
ficult to say.
TASMANIAN DEVIL
The Tasmanian Devil, (Sarcophilus ursinus)
is strictly terrestrial and is now found only in
Tasmania, although formerly it was plentiful in
the southern districts of Victoria, judging by
the remains found. But that animal was appar-
ently extinct before the arrival of Europeans.
It is a strong but sluggish beast, it has pow-
erful canine teeth, and is a match for any ordi-
nary dog. It is carnivorous and can bite se-
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Photograph by E. R. Sanborn
FLYING PHALANGER
verely, while the molar teeth enable it to crush
bones with ease.
As the Tasmanian Deyil is comparatively
slow of movement, it usually catches its prey by
a sudden spring, which it then eats greedily,
bones and all. It utters a disagreeable kind of
snort. It has three to four young, which when
too large to remain in their mother’s pouch gen-
erally cling te her back. It lies up in hollow
logs or burrows during the day, coming out at
night to catch its prey. It is destructive to
poultry and lambs, consequently has few friends
and is being killed out of all settled districts.
Its color is jet black with a white horse-shoe
mark on the chest, but it often has patches of
white on other parts of the body. So far I have
not seen an albino specimen such as one finds
among the kangaroos, wallabies, ete.
THE KOALA
The Koala or Native Bear as it is always
called, of which there is put one species, (Phas-
colarctus cinereus) is found in all the eastern
districts of Australia. It is strictly arboreal,
living in the eucalyptus trees, and sitting dur-
ing the day in a coiled-up position in a fork,
where it is more secure. On account of this
habit it is therefore easily shot, or killed by the
heavy bush-fires. Like phalangers, the young
cling to the back of the parent when they be-
come too large for the pouch. The querulous,
high-pitched note of the little ones is exactly
like the crying of a child, but the old animals
utter a prolonged, deep base note. This animal
is grey with white feet, and has thick, woolly
fur. It does not possess a tail.
{The food habits of the Koala are a misfor-
tune to the zoological gardens of the world.
This animal is so very difficult to keep alive in
captivity that it rarely is seen in captivity out-
BULLETIN 1635
side of Australia. We know of only one that
reached America alive, for which a price of
$900 was asked, but not given by us. Three
specimens which collectors attempted to bring
to us died at sea—W. T. H.]
An interesting little animal, Tarsipes rostra-
tus, that is not often seen in captivity is found
in Western Australia. It is only thirty-one
inches in length, and its tail three and one-half
The color is grey, striped dorsally with
dark brown. Its principal food is insects, but
it also sucks honey from flowers.
inches.
PHALANGERS OR AUSTRALIAN OPOSSUMS
The Australian Phalangers, locally mis-called
opossums, are not carnivorous like the American
opossum, but feed entirely on vegetation; euca-
lvptus leaves forming the principal part. They
live entirely in trees, and are nocturnal in their
habits, sleeping during the day in some hollow
or in their domed nest. They once existed in
very large numbers, despite having formed the
principal article of food of the aborigines, in
days gone by, but as their fur is of value for
rugs they have been shot and trapped unmerci-
fully and practically cleared out of many dis-
tricts; over a million skins sometimes being ex-
ported annually from Australia. Foxes are
now taking their toll of them in southeast Aus-
tralia; catching them as they pass on the
ground from one tree to another. They climb
the trees by jumping quickly upwards with all
feet at once; the sharp claws being extended to
their fullest extent, and thus securing a firm
hold in the bark. They choose the upper side
of a tree should it be reclining in any way, and
a defined track will be made on the bark of one
that is much used, which serves to guide the na-
Photograph by E. R. Sanborn
TASMANIAN WOLF
1636 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Photograph by W. H. D. LeSouef
THE KOALA IN ITS TREE-TOP HAUNT
tives in finding the hollow in which the
sums are coiled up asleep. They usually are
caught by placing a long, thick branch or stick
opos-
against the tree, and the animal will always as-
this in preference to
In descending the branch, the
head first, thrusts its head
through a wire noose that has been placed on
the stick, and thereby meets its fate. Many are
cend by going up the
straight trunk.
animal advances
shot; a moonlight night being chosen for the
purpose, as the animals then can be distin-
The skins
shot are not
guished against the face of the moon.
from the animals that have
as valuable as those that have
been
been snared.
The smaller race of phalangers, called the
Ring-Tailed, (Pseudochirus) are found in Tas-
mania, Australia and New Guinea. They
construct bulky, domed sticks
leaves near the top of some thickly
shrub, on which their tracks are not easily seen.
They have from two to three young at a birth
which, on leaving their mother’s pouch, hang to
her back for some weeks, by clinging with their
claws to her fur, and are carried about until
they are able to look after themselves. As their
also
and
growing
nests of
BULLETIN
tail is prehensile and frequently used for cling-
ing, the underpart of the end of it is rough and
bare. Sometimes when shot and badly wounded
they will hang on by their tails before life
leaves them, and remain in that position after
death for a considerable time; frequently a day.
The end of the tail is usually white. In the
Herbert River district in Queensland, a small
lemur-like variety, (P. lemuroides) is found.
The soft, woolly brownish- grey fur is darker on
the shoulders and lighter on ‘the hips, and the
head is brown and the tail black. It measures
fifteen inches and tail twelve inches.
Australia possesses other forms of Flying
Phalangers that are popularly called Flying
Squirrels. When the Phalangers stretch the
feet well out, the loose skin that acts as a
parachute holds the air sufficiently to allow the
animal to glide from the higher branches of one
tree to the lower trunk of another; the long,
furry tail acting as a rudder. As they alight, a
quick upper movement is made, the sharp claws
enabling them to hold on to the bark, when they
quickly can ascend the tree again and repeat
Photograph by W. H. D. LeSouef
KOALA, OR NATIVE BEAR
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
1637
Photograph by EB. R. Sanborn
RABBIT-EARED BANDICOOT
the performance. All the species have beauti-
ful long, soft fur.
The Pigmy Flying Phalanger, (Acrobates
pygmaeus), well distributed over the eastern
parts of Australia, is a delicate looking little
creature, three inches long and with a tail three
and one-half inches. The soft, silky fur is
greyish-brown, the under-surface is white and
the edge of the parachute is tipped with the
same color. They usually have four young. On
the timbered ranges of the coastal districts of
Victoria and New South Wales, a large form of
flying phalanger is found, called the Yellow-
Bellied, (Petaurus australis). ‘Their color is
greyish-brown, but varies in shade. The claws
are strong and much curved, to enable them to
get a good hold of the tree trunk when alight-
ing, the body length of the species measures
eleven and one-half inches and the very long
and bushy tail is sixteen and one-half inches.
The Squirrel Flying Phalanger, (P. sciureus),
a much smaller form, measuring only ten inches
and tail ten and one-half inches, is light grey
with a dark line on the crown. They are easily
tamed and make interesting pets. They are
found in eastern Australia.
A small, mouse-like animal, the Dormouse-
Phalanger, (Domica) is closely allied to the fly-
ing phalangers, but has no flying-membrane.
Two forms are found in Tasmania. One, D.
Icpida, measuring only three inches with a tail
of the same length, is a graceful little animal,
light fawn in color with fine, soft fur like all
the others, numerous long whiskers and large
ears. The other form, D. nana, fawn in color,
but with the legs usually grey, also found in
Victoria and New South Wales, is slightly
larger, measuring four inches and its tail slight-
ly longer. They have four young at a time.
These little animals often have fatty accumula-
tions on the body. The Long-Tailed, (D. cau-
data), which is the larger of the genus, comes
from northwest New Guinea. It measures four
inches in length, tail five and three-quarter
inches and the general color is rufous, with two
dark lines on each side of the face.
The smallest form, the Lesser, (D. concin-
na), found in South and West Australia, meas-
ures only three and one-half inches, and the tail
slightly longer. Their color is fawn, and the
underparts white. These little animals live well
in captivity. Another genus, Gymnobelideus
leadbeateeri, has been described from the moun-
tainous districts of Southeast Australia (Gipps-
land), and is very rarely found. It is five and
three-quarter inches long, tail a little longer,
and the color of the body is grey with a dark
line on the top of its head.
THE BANDICOOTS
The Rabbit Bandicoot, (Peraqgale lagotis),
from Southwest Australia, is about the size of a
— a
“yl ajpuoy Avur pytyo B Fey g[loop os st pue ‘spunod o£ ynoqe sysiom Mou fT “Aled [BoLs0[007 YOK MAN PZ UL U1OG SBM Uauitoads Auno’ aif
ONNOA GNV LVANOM
uLoqung “yg fg ydv.bo,04q
1638
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
rabbit. The fawn-grey fur is long and silky,
head and ears are long, an indistinct dark line
runs vertically from the back on the sides of
the rump, the underparts are white and the tail
towards the end is also white and crested. Ban-
dicoots are destroyed chiefly by dogs and cats,
and were far more plentiful in the days gone by
than they now are. They are nocturnal, resting
during the day in burrows and feeding at night
upon insects, grubs, earthworms, fungus and
roots. They are marsupial and the pouch opens
backwards. Their general color is olive-grey,
with bars across the lower part of the back. The
smaller Bandicoots belong to another species,
namely Perameles. The Short-Nosed (P. obesu-
la) is the most widely distributed, being found
all over Southern Australia and Tasmania. It
is fourteen inches long and the short, coarse fur
is grizzled-yellow and black, the underparts are
white and the ears short and broad. They are
usually found in swampy localities where the
vegetation is very dense.
THE WOMBATS
Wombats, (Phascolomys) are still fairly plen-
tiful in southeastern Australia and Tasmania.
They dig deep burrows and are safe there from
foxes and dogs, as they are quite able to defend
themselves. Their length averages about forty-
four inches. They prefer scrubby, mountainous
country and their food is entirely vegetable.
They are nocturnal, resting during the day in
their burrows. They have no tail.
The common variety, (P. mitchelli) is found
in Victoria and New South Wales. They vary
in color from dark yellowish-grey to black. The
Tasmanian, (P. tasmaniensis) is smaller and
usually of a dark greyish-brown color, and the
Flinders Island form, (P. ursinus), the form
originally, but incorrectly described as from
Tasmania, is yet smaller, being thirty-six inches
in length. The Hairy-Nosed (P. latifrons),
grey in color with the end of its muzzle white,
is found only in South Australia. They are not
as uniformly colored as the other varieties.
These animals are very strong and burrow with
great rapidity with their powerful claws; a hab-
it that makes them very troublesome to settlers,
as they dig under and damage wire-netting fenc-
ing. In walking, they shuffle along in a clumsy
manner. They live well in captivity, but are
very susceptible to skin disorders.
SPOTTED DASYURE
The Spotted Dasyure, or, as it is popularly
ealled in Australia, the Native Cat, used for-
merly to exist in thousands in South Australia,
1639
but from some unknown cause these pretty little
animals have now disappeared from many dis-
tricts. There are three varieties, namely, The
North Australian, (Dasyurus hallucatus), which
is small, only measuring eleven inches and its
tail eight inches; the Black-Tailed, (D. geof-
froyi) from all Australia except the extreme
north and the coastal districts of the southeast,
and the Common (D. viverrinus) from eastern
New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and
Tasmania.
These animals are marsupial, having about
six young ones at birth. They are usually of a
reddish-grey color, but also often black and are
well marked with white spots, but not on the
tail, which is usually white at the tip. They
measure about seventeen inches and the tail ten
inches. A larger variety, the Spotted-Tail, (D.
maculatus) found from eastern Queensland to
Tasmania, is more than twice the size of the
other species. These animals can climb well, al-
though they are mostly terrestrial, taking refuge
during the day in hollow logs and among rocks,
ete. If several are kept in the same compart-
ment in captivity, they are liable to turn canni-
bals; the stronger eating the weaker. They are
carnivorous, taking birds and their eggs, mice,
rats, bandicoots, and other game, and are very
destructive to poultry. Consequently, they are
not spared by the settlers. They are plentiful
in Tasmania; more so than on the mainland.
MARSUPIAL MICE
A form of Pouched Mouse with habits the
same as the others, is the genus Phascogale.
Their pouch is hardly visible. They bear from
six to ten young ones at birth, and live princt-
pally in holes in trees, lining their nests
with grass and leaves. Nine species have been
described, namely: the Crest-Tailed, (P. cristi-
cardata), which measures about five and one-
half inches with a tail three and one-half inches.
much thicker at the base,is found in central and
southern Australia. P. macdonnellensis from
central Australia has an abnormally thickened
tail at the base. The Lesser Brush-Tailed
Pouch Mouse, (P. calura), also found in south-
ern and central Australia, is five inches long
and has a tail six inches. P. penicillata or
Greater Brush-Tailed Mouse is ten inches long
and tail nine inches, is the largest of this genus.
They are found all over Australia except at
the extreme north, and live almost entirely in
trees, making their nests in the hollows of the
branches. They have thick tails and the end is
covered with long, black hair, forming a brush.
There is a very small variety named P. minu-
tissima, found in southern Queensland and New
1640
Photograph by FE. R. Sanborn
FAT-TAILED OPOSSUM MOUSE
South Wales, that is only three inches long. The
Yellow-Footed, (P. flavipes) with yellow legs
and feet, as its ranges
eastern Australia to New Guinea. In Tasmania
and the adjacent islands, a small variety is
found, (P. minima), or Little Pouched Mouse,
with a body length of five inches, and tail three
and one-half inches, and in Queensland a still
smaller form is P. minutissima or Pigmy
Pouched Mouse, only three inches long and tail
two and one-half inches. Tasmania and south-
ern Victoria has still another variety, P. swain-
soni, which has long, soft fur. In West Austra-
lia is found the Freckled, (P. apicalis), which
is freckled, reddish-grey above. Australia is
well off for Marsupial Mice, and other varieties
certainly will be found, as these little animals
are easily overlooked. Insects form a large part
of their food.
Still other Pouched Mice, (Sminthopis) are
slender and active little animals, from three
to four inches long, with large ears and a well-
developed pouch in which they carry the three
to four young they have at birth. They are ter-
restrial, insectivorous and do not often burrow.
Their grey fur is soft and fine. Six species have
name indicates, from
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
been described, S. larapinta, from
Central Australia, near the Finke
River, and the Fat-Tailed, (S. cras-
sicaudata), which is found all over
Australia except the north.
Both of these little animals have
the basal portion of their tail much
thickened. The Common, (S. mu-
rina) is found over the southern
and central portions of the conti-
nent. S. psammophila lives near
Lake Amadeus in Central Austra-
lia among the sand hills covered
with tussocks of porcupine grass.
The White-Footed, (S. leucopus)
extends over eastern Australia from
Cape York to Tasmania and_ is
plentiful in certain localities. S.
virginae is known only in eastern
Queensland. It is five inches long.
\ MARSUPIAL ANT-
EATER
An interesting animal found in
southwestern and southern Austra-
lia, of which but one species is
known, is the Marsupial Anteater,
(Myrmecobius fasciatus). It fre-
quents both the ground and_hol-
lows in the trees and its food con-
sists of insects, generally. The fur
is short and strong, of a general rufous color
which darkens to black toward the tail, with
prominent bands of white. It therefore is dis-
tinguished readily. The underparts are light yel-
The females have no pouch, the young
It leaps along the
lowish.
adhering to the nipples.
ground like a squirrel, with the tail slightly
raised. They make charming pets and never at-
tempt to bite. It measures ten inches long and
its bushy tail seven inches.
THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
Australia possesses a marsupial Mole, (No-
toryctes typhlops) found in central and western
Australia, but, naturally, it never is seen in cap-
tivity. It is about six inches long, with a curi-
ous ringed tail about an inch in length, and
much thickened at the base. The nose has a
hard shield. The fur is soft with an iridescent
effect, and varies in color from a yellowish tint
to chestnut-brown. They have two young at a
birth, live underground entirely, are without
eyes and subsist on insect food.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Departments :
Mammals Aquarium
W. T. Hornapay. C. H. TownsEnp.
Birds Reptiles
WiLiraM BEEBE.
Lee S. CranDatt.
Raymonp L. Dirmars.
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
ELwin R. Sanporn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Vou. XXI, No. 4 JWIGYS, W918
THE EMBARGO ON WILD ANIMAL
IMPORTS
The New York Zoological Society now is feel-
ing acutely the pressure of conditions that hour-
ly remind us of the universal expression of all
France, “C’est la guerre!” (It is the war). We
have endured with resignation the loss of our
young men, the increased cost of food and ma-
terials, and the scarcity of steel. We bowed to
the inevitable stoppage of the inflow of wild
animals from Africa and Asia, and by way of
consolation helped ourselves bountifully to mam-
mals and birds from Australasia.
Practically nothing is coming to us across the
Atlantic. Very little has been coming from
South America, but to us that little meant much.
South America is not a continent teeming with
important wild life. There is too much jungle
around each bird and mammal. Even in the
best of times the receipts from South America
are small, and few in a hill; but we always were,
and are, thankful according to the length of the
list.
Now, alas! a new blow has fallen, like the
final straw to which the camel’s back succumbed.
On May 20 we applied to the War Trade
Board for permission to import from British
Guiana 2 small capybaras, 6 agoutis, 8 monkeys,
1 porcupine, 1 young jaguar, 5 macaws, | curas-
sow and 1 searlet ibis.
The request was promptly denied, on the
ground that cargo space on ships could not be
spared for wild animals “not for breeding pur-
poses.” We wrote again, asking for a hearing,
and at the same time stating our reasons against
being put out of business. We went so far, in
our effort to ameliorate war imposts, as to set
forth the activities of the Zoological Society and
Park m promoting the war.
1641
Our case was presented to the Bureau of I[m-
ports of the War Trade Board, by the Director
of the Bureau of Imports, and on June 20 we
had the misfortune to receive the following
blow: ;
June 17, 1918.
W. 'T. Hornaday, Esq.,
New York Zoological Park,
185th Street & Southern Boulevard,
New York City.
Dear Sir:
Careful consideration has been given to all the
points so forcefully presented in your letters of May
20, May 27 and June 5 in the hope that we might
find a way whereby the Bureau of Imports could
make an exception to its import restrictions and
grant you a license to import the wild animals and
birds you desire from British Guiana for exhibition
purposes.
It is a matter of keen regret to me personally
and, I believe, to the War Trade Board as a whole,
that its previous refusal must stand. You may be
sure that this decision has not been reached without
the most thoughtful and thorough examination of
every phase of the matter.
There is no question that the purpose of this im-
portation is highly important. But importance is a
relative term, and in a world crisis such as this things
ordinarily important become minor. There is room
only for the essentials. The reason is that with ship-
ping space and tonnage so precious as they are today,
every square inch and every pound must be con-
served for the importation of essentials to the mili-
tary requirements and to the physical well-being of
the civil population. Everything else must wait until
these have been taken care of.
It is unfortunate that a valuable collection such
as yours cannot be added to as it deserves. It is to
be hoped that you can maintain it at something like
its present degree of completeness until the return of
better conditions makes it possible for you to develop
it as you desire. You doubtless recall that in 1870
the French were obliged to eat the animals in their
zoo. While this is not urged as parallel to the pres-
ent conditions in any way, it may suggest to you the
kind of sacrifices which war makes necessary.
We appreciate all that you have told of the splen-
did work done by your organization in the various
movements that have had for their object the win-
ning of the war. We regret that it is necessary to
require of you an additional service of sacrifice and
self-denial.
Since it is necessary—and we assure you that other-
wise it would not be asked—we trust that you will
bear as patiently and cheerfully as you may the hard-
ship of this import restriction until such time as it
becomes possible to remove it.
Yours very truly,
FRED B. PETERSON,
Director, Bureau of Imports.
This reminds us of old Shylock’s last shot at
Judge Portia: “You take my LIFE when you
do take the means whereby I live.”
Ever since the British government stopped
all importations of wild birds into England be-
cause birds consumed seeds and other foods, we
1642
have believed that there is such a thing as tak-
ing even a war too seriously, and carrying the
rigors of war to unnecessary extremes. How-
ever, the continent of North America still is
open to us, and if we must hereafter be deprived
of all other faunas, we can and will specialize
on home-grown species.—W. T. H.
GOLD MEDAL AWARDED FOR TREATY
ON BIRDS
By the Associated Press
London, May 2.—The gold medal ot the Roy-
al Society for the Protection of Birds has been
conferred on Dr. William T. Hornaday of New
York and Dr. Charles Gordon Hewitt of Otta-
wa, in recognition of their successful efforts in
furthering the treaty between Canada and the
United States for the protection of migratory
birds.
W. H. Buckler, special attache to the Ameri-
can embassy who received the medal on behalf
of Dr. Hornaday, said:
“This war, which has shown us the value of
aviation, has taught us also as never before, the
vital importance in relation to food supply, of
that most experienced of all aviators, the bird.
Certain worms and grubs are the submarines of
the countryside, while the bird is the airship pa-
trol which detects and destroys these enemies.
Birds are a precious international asset. The
organized effort for their protection has been
one of the chief public services which Dr. Horn-
aday has been performing for the past twenty
years.”
TROUBLES OF THE BERLIN ZOO
Farture or Foop SuspsriruTes
The quarterly report of the Berlin Zoological
Society shows that the wild animals there have
not been able to digest the food substitutes pro-
vided by German science. The mortality has
been heavy—the giraffes, the mandrill. the
chimpanzees are among the more valuable ani-
mals which have died this winter,—while the
general health of the surviving animals is not
good. The society expresses some doubt as to
the exact cause of death of the chimpanzee. It
is admitted that the dates and bananas and other
tropical fruits being unprocurable, the apes
were fed on a kind of biscuit made of musty
flour; but it is said they may have pined away
with grief at the loss of their keeper, who was
called up for the army.
The carnivores managed to get on fairly well
on scraps from the slaughterhouses, but the ani-
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
mals requiring grain and seeds have not thrived
on the wild roots given them as substitutes.
—Hamlyn’s Menagerie Magazine, London.
FINAL RATIFICATION BY CONGRESS
OF THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY
Once more the bird lovers of America owe
Congress a vote of thanks for its absolutely un-
broken record in the protection of birds. The
bill to provide for carrying into effect the terms
of the already complete treaty with Canada for
the protection of all migratory birds passed the
House on June 6, by a vote of 246 to 48. A
prolonged fight over the bill was precipitated by
an attempt to pump oxygen into the corpse of
the old state-rights fetich, which died and was
decently buried about fifty years ago.
There was no amendment to the bill save one
proposed by the Committee in charge. In this
the Senate concurred, and the completed bill
was finally laid before the President, and
promptly signed by him. While the act carries
no appropriation for enforcement, the Agricul-
tural bill contains an item of $50,000, which
was expressly inserted to provide funds until
special and larger appropriations begin. The
situation calls for at least $200,000 per year.
This extremely gratifying action renders the
triumph of the international bird treaty com-
plete, and disposes forever of all questions of
the constitutional right of the federal govern-
ment to take an active interest in protecting the
birds of the nation from unjustifiable slaughter.
At last the humiliating spectacle of game-hogs
flouting the United States government on ac-
count of the weakness of a federal bird law has
ended.
Viewed as a whole, this treaty, fully protect-
ing 1,022 species of North American birds from
the Mexican boundary to the North Pole, is the
greatest item of bird protective legislation ever
enacted in any country.
The Canadian half of the treaty, and its cor-
responding enabling act, have been for several
months in active operation.
WAR ON PARK VANDALS
The army of park vandals is to be given a
hot reception by Mayor Hylan, Police Commis-
sioner Enright and the City Magistrates. The
campaign opened on May 28. by the promulga-
tion of this beautiful document, which covers all
the parks of Greater New York:
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ORDER BY THE MAYOR
All persons are forbidden, under pen-
alty of the law, to throw newspapers,
bottles, lunch waste or refuse of any kind
in the Public Parks, or to mutilate or
destroy branches, trees or other park
property.
This law will be vigorously enforced
by the Park and Police authorities.
JOHN F. HYLAN,
Mayor.
Speaking for the Zoological Park only, it
gives us great pleasure to report that on June
18 Commissioner Enright directed that for the
more thorough protection of that Park, Inspec-
tor Collins and Police Captain John Ievers were
empowered to make a permanent detail, for the
summer season, of two policemen in plain
clothes to suppress vandalism and other forms
of disorder. This measure will completely
thwart the sometimes-shrewd disorderly persons
who watch for the disappearance of the uni-
formed policeman in order to transgress the
rules of decency and good order. From this
time henceforth the rubbish-throwers and news-
paper-fliers neyer can tell which is the plain
citizen who will hale them to court. The only
safe course is to be a good citizen, and be decent.
The action of the Police Commissioner will be
in the Zoological Park a measure of economy in
man power, and it also will result in a cleaner
park. We hope that this plan will be extended
to all city parks; for abuses elsewhere are quite
as serious as they have been here.
There is strong ground for the belief that the
City Magistrates will continue to support vig-
orously the efforts of the police and park de-
partments to curb vandalism, and establish the
reputation of New York as a city of clean
parks!—W. T. H.
THE VISIONARY “PHEASANT
OF CHINA
FARMS”
URING the past year, several efforts have
been made by the commercial agents of
firms in China engaged in the exportation
ot pheasant skins to convince the United States
Treasury Department that golden and silver
pheasants are bred and reared in confinement,
in China, in great numbers. If that claim can
1643
be established by satisfactory evidence, then the
United States will permit the importation of
pheasant skins for millinery purposes. If it
cannot be proven, the plumage is permanently
barred.
The good faith of the American firms propos-
ing to import pheasant skins on the strength of
affidavits and assurances from China is not ques-
tioned. The representations from China have
been regarded with grave suspicion. Having
been called upon for opinions and advice, the
New York Zoological Society began a search for
testimony.
Mr. William Beebe, Curator of Birds at the
Zoological Park, and who recently traveled in
China in quest of pheasants of all available spe-
cies, reported having seen no pheasant farms,
nor having heard of any, nor of having seen any
pheasants in captivity in China.
Mr. Roy Andrews, who late in 1917 returned
from extensive zoological travels in Yun-nan,
China, declares that he saw no pheasant “farms”
in southern China, heard of none, and in all his
travels saw only two captive birds. Like Mr.
Beebe, he believes that no pheasant farms exist
in China.
Finally, a letter was addressed by Dr. W. T.
Hornaday to the French Consul at Mongtseu;
and this elicited the attached reply. It quite
effectually disposes of the visionary “pheasant
farms’ of China, producing annually from
10,000 to 20,000 silver and golden skins for
commercial purposes. It is hoped that with this
direct eye-witness testimony no one ever again
will seek to import pheasant skins from China
into America under claims of domestication as
the source of the product.
The Zoological Soicety has in its possession a
brief emanating from a firm in Canton which,
beside the following letter, may fairly be re-
garded as a curiosity:
{Translation ]
CONSULAT DE FRANCE
A
MONGTSEU
No. 207
République Frangaise,
Mongtseu, April 6, 1918.
Mr. W. T. Hornaday,
Director of the New York Zoological Society,
185th Street & Southern Boulevard,
New York.
Dear Sir:
I received yesterday your note of February 16,
telling me that you are a friend of my cousin, Du-
Pont, and asking me for some information regarding
the breeding of gold and silver pheasants in this
country.
rHE DEVIL FISH AND ITS PR
Eight sinuous arms, studded with powerful suction discs, enable the Devil-Fish to overpower its prey and employ its
strong beak. These scenes of marine life were filmed at the Naples Aquarium. he series of motion pictures, represent-
ing ye itient work, have been arranged and are being presented to the American public by Mr. Raymond L. Ditmars.
1644
STRANGE CREATURES OF THE SEA
Mr. Ditmars had these enlargements reproduced from motion picture film prepared at the Naples Aquarium, The upper
figure shows the Argonaut, an ally of the Devil-Fish, which floats the seas in its papery shell. Under the surf: it moves
by pumping water through a tube seen at the top of the illustration. he lower scene shows the Anemone—animate sea
flowers—which live in a limy tube and throw out their petal-like tentacles in search of floating particles of food
1645
1646
I have never seen any farms for the breeding of
pheasants in this province, and I never have heard
it said by anyone that they exist.
Not having been in Yunnan for nine years, I have
consulted some of the oldest residents, among others
Father Maire, Catholic missionary, who has been in
this province more than thirty years, and has resided
and traveled in numerous regions of Yunnan. He
also has not seen any farms where the breeding of
pheasants is carried on, and never has heard estab-
lishments of this kind spoken of.
Dr. Legendre, a French traveler, whose name you
perhaps know, was at Mongtseu at the time of the
receipt of your letter. He has many times traveled
through Yunnan and Seutchoan and has gone as far
as the borders of Thibet. I showed him your letter
and he gave me the same answer as Father Maire.
I have often seen in the markets live pheasants
(silver or golden, and argus pheasants), but these
birds always had been taken with a trap or a net.
They were very savage and sought to escape from
the bamboo baskets in which they were confined.
These birds have never been domesticated, for it is
very difficult to keep them in a coop. One would
lose the half of them. Even the golden pheasants
refuse to eat; grow thin and die.
Perhaps that which has given rise to the fable of
“pheasant farms” is the habit of two tribes, Lolos
Sa-Gni and Ahi, which inhabit the mountain in the
region of Lounan (above Mile, east of Yunnan), who
keep some male pheasants which they utilize as de-
coys. They remove some feathers from these pheas-
ants, try to tame them, and in the spring they carry
them into the fields to attract the hen pheasants. In
this region, Father Maire tells me, the peasants cul-
tivate maize and buckwheat, and the pheasants are
very numerous.
A pheasant which has been used as a decoy may,
if it is tamed, be sold for six silver taéls (about 13
Mexican piastres). Then the price of a pheasant for
the table is, in Mongtseu, from 30 to 40 piastres. In
the mountain the prices are less high. I have bought
at Mongtseu a pair of beautiful living argus pheas-
ants for 80 piastres. (All the prices given herein are
in Mexican piastres.)
The exportation of these birds alive, and of
their skins, is strictly prohibited, both in China as
well as in Indo-China. It requires a special author-
ization to export any pairs of live pheasants. Their
skins are confiscated. In Indo-China even the ped-
dling of silver and argus pheasants is forbidden, ex-
cept for propagation.
The French and Chinese authorities have acted very
wisely in forbidding trade in the skins of pheasants,
for the sale of them has encouraged the natives to
slaughter great quantities, and they would rapidly
have annihilated these magnificent species of birds.
This exportation was carried on chiefly by the people
of Canton. I know that the Chinese Custom House
officer seized, about three years ago, a case contain-
ing several thousand skins dispatched to a merchant
in Canton.
Evidently, if the domestication and breeding of
pheasants had been an accomplished fact, the French
and Chinese would not have prohibited the exporta-
tion of these birds, or their skins.
I am at your disposal for any further information
that you may wish to demand of me, and I am happy
to have been able to be of service to you.
Accept, Sir, the assurance of my best sentiments.
L. FLAYELLE.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
P. S.—I have just had the explanation of the origin
of this story. Mr. Anderson, American Consul-
General at Hongkong, some two years ago, on the
strength of incorrect information, pointed out in
one of his reports the existence of “pheasant
farms” in Yunnan,
A JUNGLE INCUBATOR
By Ler S. Cranpauy
MONG the rhododendrons near the Jungle
Walk in the Zoological Park, there is a
heap of leaves and forest debris. It ap-
pears commonplace and uninteresting, but its
origin and purpose are not those of the conyen-
tional rubbish pile.
The fauna of Australia contains many curi-
ous forms. Its marsupial mammals, paralleling
in a marvelous way numerous groups of more
highly organized creatures, are well represented
in the collections of the Zoological Society. Its
birds, while less generally remarkable, still in-
clude many species of unusual habits. Two
groups in particular, one containing the emus
and cassowaries, the other the megapodes or
mound builders, have developed aberrant meth-
ods of reproduction. The emu family, with its
prettily striped babies, motherly father and ad-
vanced mother, are well known to our visitors.
But now we shall make the acquaintance of an
ultra-modern bird, whose habits might inspire
the imaginative humorist. Here the tendency to
slough off maternal duties has reached its log-
ical end, for nobody cares for the babies at all!
The Encyclopedia Brittanica says that arti-
ficial incubation has been known to the Egyp-
tians and Chinese from “time immemorial.”
That honored phrase is not chronologically ex-
act, but whatever the period may be, it is fairly
safe to say that incubators were in use before
the days of Confucius, and without the guiding
intellect of man. In the untravelled bush of
Australia, birds were making use of the princi-
ple on which the modern 10,000-egg machine is
founded.
The brush turkey, the most familiar bird of
the megapode group, nests from September to
January, a period that, in the Antipodes, cor-
responds to our spring and summer. But this
nest building consists of no conventional weavy-
ing and binding. The brush turkey’s skill lies
rather in its feet than in its beak, and it is well
equipped for the work to be done. So generous
is its endowment, in fact, that the length of its
toes. coupled with the bare and highly colored
head and neck, led to its early description as a
vulture, although it is really a member of the
family of fowls. But these feet were fashioned
Photograph by R. Sanbor
MOUND OF A BRUSH TURKEY IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK
This mound composed of soil, leaves and twigs. It measures about twelve feet in diameter and three in height.
1647
1648
for a softer purpose than holding prey in proc-
ess of rending.
Turning his back to the chosen spot, the
brush turkey begins to scratch. And then it is
obyious that this is indeed his forte. Huge foot-
fulls of leaves and twigs from the jungle floor
fly toward the common center as though borne
on the wings of an infant whirlwind. “Material
frequently is brought from considerable dis-
tances and often the ground for many feet
is scraped quite clean. Small streams are no
obstacle, for the brush turkey dredges as well
as he gleans.
about
In an incredibly short time, a heap of very
respectable proportions has been formed, per-
haps as high as six feet and ten or twelve in
diameter. The core is composed of humus and
leaves in an advanced stage of decomposition.
The outer layer of coarser material forms a pro-
tective jacket for what is destined to become
the incubation chamber. After the mound has
stood for a period sufficient to insure the begin-
ning of fermentation, the cover is scraped away
and a hole is dug in the center of the central
mass. Here the female deposits her egg, point
down, and the mound is again closed. It is
commonly stated that the work of building the
mound and preparing it for the reception of the
eggs is performed by the male alone. Further
observations seem necessary to confirm this
belief.
A period of several days appears to intervene
between the laying of each egg and its success-
or, so that a mound operating at full capacity
contains eggs in all stages of incubation. Each
pile is usually the property of a single pair of
birds, but huge structures, measuring many feet
in diameter, have been found. These large af-
fairs are said to be used in common by several
pairs of brush turkeys—somewhat after the
fashion of the municipal plants which we are
sometimes told will be the final outeome of mod-
ern human tendencies !
While the mound contains eggs, it is watched
over with great solicitude by the parents, which
are quick to repair any damage. The heat gen-
erated by the decaying vegetation gives the in-
terior of the mound a temperature of about 95°
Fahrenheit. From 100° to 103° are required
for the incubation of the eggs of the common
fowl, but less heat seems to be needed for those
of the brush turkey. After a period of six
weeks, the first chick emerges. Buried beneath
a heap of sodden rubbish, his case seems hope-
less. But youthful as he is, the spirit of the
upward trend has marked him for its own. From
his parents he has inherited sturdy feet and the
will to use them. He promptly scratches his
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BULLETIN
way to the surface and begins to preen his
feathers in the pleasant sunshine. For feathers
he has, and wings as well.
Disdainful of parental discipline, as might be
expected, he scuttles off into the underbrush, to
search for the insects which will form his first
meal. But the parents are not offended, for to
them he is a perfect stranger. When night ap-
proaches, this infant prodigy flies with his pre-
cocious wings to a convenient perch, and spends
the night in happy indifference to his lonely
state.
And now what shall we say of our own “up-
ward trends” and “advanced movements?” For
this dingy bird of Australia has developed the
problem of parental duties to a state which even
our ultra-thinkers have hardly dared approach.
In the summer of 1917, two brush turkeys ar-
rived at the Zoological Park. In the belief that
they were a pair, the birds were placed in a
large run at the Ostrich House. It soon became
apparent, however, that both were males. It
is not the nature of the brush turkey that two
males should occupy the same enclosure, how-
ever large. This point was brought so strongly
to the attention of the weaker bird that it took
leave, climbing the eight-foot fence and launch-
ing itself in lop-sided flight from the topmost
strand. A thorough sez arch failed to reveal its
whereabouts and we had given up hope of find-
ing it, when a strange accumulation of leaves
and sticks was reported near the Jungle Walk.
Investigation showed the ground nearby to have
been cleaned in a workmanlike manner. Mysti-
fied at first, and suspecting an over- industrious
child, we found that our lost brush turkey was
obeying the commands of instinct. He must
build a mound, although its purpose could not
be fulfilled.
After a winter passed in the Pheasant Aviary
the bird was liberated this spring and promptly
returned to his haunts in the Beaver Valley.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
By Raymonp L. Dirmars
Our Tame Wombat.—One of the most inter-
esting animals in the Park occupies an unpre-
tentious cage in the Small-Mammal House, and
many visitors examine it without realizing its
unique character. It is a full grown wombat,
from Australia, a remarkable pouched animal,
or marsupial, that attains a weight of about sev-
enty pounds and in appearance is a nondescript.
In form it suggests both an overgrown bear cub
and a gigantic woodchuck. Our specimen is
unique in the history of captive wombats. It
was born in the Park, and is so tame that it
follows Keeper Lansberg like a dog. This an-
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
imal is so absolutely docile that a child can
fondle it, although its aspect is not reassuring.
The wombat possesses great strength, and sharp
claws for digging. It constructs burrows, even
in stubborn and rocky ground, and leads much
the same life, on a magnified scale, as our com-
mon ground “hog.”
Animal Weather Prophets-—Our prairie
dogs appear to be quite reliable forecasters of
the weather, and this has been particularly
noted the past spring, when there were numer-
ous, heavy rains. On a number of oceasions the
larger members of the colony were observed to
be loosening the earth around their mounds with
their forefeet, then shovelling the soil upward
with the hind feet. Other members worked
within the burrow throwing out earth to aid in
the building process. When the borders of a
crater had been considerably raised the animals
went to work tamping down the earth with
their heads. This is an amusing process. They
look like miniature goats, pounding the ground
with the tops of their heads. These operations
invariably took place before a rain, and the ob-
ject was the construction of a circular dyke to
prevent water running down the burrow.
Tame Swallows.—Several swallows have
built their nests in the elks’ shelter shed, and
have become remarkably tame. They fly be-
tween and over the members of the herd when
the deer are in their shed, and pay no atten-
tion to the keeper as he cleans the enclosure.
In their constant trips for aerial insect food,
they pass so close to the keeper's face that he
frequently feels the displaced air from their
wings. Their nests are built of mud and plas-
tered against the wall. Several of them are so
accessible that one may stand and look into
them. This procedure does not greatly distnrb
the swallows, which for a moment circle away,
but immediately return as if nothing unusual
had happened.
A Strange Rat-Trap—We have found it
necessary to watch for the appearance of rats
in the prairie dog enclosure. Owing to the con-
struction of the fence, with its internal over-
hang, this cirenlar enclosure forms a gigantic
rat-trap. The prowling rodents are enticed by
the food within, and after climbing the fence
from the outside, find it impossible to return.
We recently noted a large rat killing a young
prairie dog, and at once several rat-traps were
set. A full dozen of the marauders were cap-
tured during the night.
A Duel in the Bear Dens.—For the first time
in several years we had the misfortune to be
1649
compelled to witness a fight to the death in one
of the larger bear dens. The combat involved
a small female Yezo bear, from Japan, and a
large hybrid Sloth-Russian bear, born in the
Park. The latter animal was the aggressor, and
the attack was made without the slightest pre-
monitory symptom of hostility. Bears often act
that way.
Everything possible was done by our force of
keepers to separate the combatants, but to no
avail. The infuriated hybrid bear seemed to be
unaware of the energetic use of clubs, bars,
streams of water and ammonia fumes. The
struggle lasted many minutes, and at its end the
Yezo bear was killed and dragged into a sleep-
ing den. The hybrid became so savage and ag-
gressive that for an entire day the keepers were
unable to enter the den. Rather than risk an-
other tragedy, the murderous animal was mer-
cifully destroyed.
Battling Under Water.—A few days after
the combat at the bear dens, there was a trag-
edy at the Sea-Lion Pool. A recently arrived sea-
lion had at first been very friendly with the two
others which had amicably occupied the pool.
Trouble developed without warning, and the
most of the fighting took place under water.
Our second best specimen was killed by a sav-
age bite through the head. This was our first
fatal ease of fighting between sea-lions.
Strange Antics of a Monkey.—There is a
large rhesus monkey in the Park that seems to
entertain strange hallucinations. Whether or
not this animal is actually insane is a problem.
From a position of rest he will suddenly glare
ahead, then make a frantic reach for an imagi-
nary something that seems to be passing near.
The motion appears like an effort te grasp a
passing fly. At times the endeavor is with both
hands. as if the object were large and formid-
able. Often he will spring several feet in the
effort. These antics take place only if the
keeper is near, and sometimes considerable en-
ergy is consumed. The animal is in splendid
physical condition.
Giant Otters——For the past six months the
Zoological Society has been in long-distance
possession of three giant otters, in the hinter-
land of French Guiana,—bought and paid for,
but undelivered because of a lack of ships to
bring them. “It is the war!” We never yet
have exhibited that remarkable species, and it
is rather galling to at last be so near te de-facto
possession, and yet so far. Apparently those
giants are destined to live and die in their own
country.
REPAIRING THE BEAVER DAM
Placing sticks on the dam.
Photographs by E. R. Sanborn
FILLING THE CREVICES WITH MUD
The very heavy rains of early June were disastrous to the work of our beaver colony.
overflowed a portion of the dam, and in the process a section of the beavers’ work was carried away.
morning, and by noon there was much excitement among the members of the colony.
There was frequent diving for water-soaked sticks, and when materials had been located, the repairs were started with
Each of the industrious animals made dozens of trips to the dam, carrying sticks—often twice as long as themselves,
At one time five beavers were counted working together in placing peeled
The pond became so filled that it
This happened in the
a rush.
then covering these with mud and wet leaves.
branches, and packing the crevices with mud.
The result of these activities was a much longer and higher dam than has previously been built by our beaver colony. It
should be understood that the beaver’s idea in building a dam and making a pond is to keep the entrance of its mound-like
home submerged and hidden, and also to provide water in which to dive and escape from its enemies on shore.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges of the
Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary tickets to
the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payment of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the openirig and closing hours are from 10
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the year; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
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WAR PIGEONS AT HOME IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Love of home is the strongest characteristic of the homing pigeon, and everything has been done to add to the
contentment of our birds. The bars in the entrance the top swing inward, so that
the pigeons can enter the loft, but cannot leave again
1656
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1657
is a satisfaction to know that both these world’s
champions were produced in America, giving
assurance that the heritage of the now scattered
lofts of Belgium has not been neglected in this
country. Grandchildren of both these famous
birds are included in the flock recently installed
in the New York Zoological Park. Others of
almost equally illustrious descent complete the
new exhibit, which is proving of great interest
to our visitors.
Automatic selection, operating through the
medium of severe trials of flight, will leave us
only the best individuals at the beginning of the
next breeding season, when the product of our
loft will be placed at the disposal of the Goy-
ernment. Especial thanks are due to Mr. F. C.
Schmidt, secretary of the United Homing
Pigeon Concourse, of Greater New York, for
much valuable advice in our newest undertaking.
Particular interest in the Pigeon Section of
the Signal Corps will be taken by members of
the Zoological Society when it is known that
two keepers of the Department of Birds, Louis
Wahl and William Smead, recently have joined
its ranks. Corporal T. Donald Carter, until re-
cently one of our keepers of birds, is now in
France in the same branch of the service.
AUSTRALIA’S MOST REMARKABLE MAMMALS
Basep oN THE CoLLectTions or THE New York ZooxoaicaL Park.
PART II.
By W. H. D. Le Souer,
Director of the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne.
Author of “The Mammals of Australia,’ “Wild Life of Australia,” etc.
THE KANGAROOS
LL kangaroos have more or less the same
habits and are usually found in small com-
panies in country where they are not dis-
turbed. They are protected for the whole year
in Victoria and soon increase if undisturbed.
Partial protection is given them in New South
Wales, but not in Queensland, except in certain
districts. The number of skins annually sent to
other countries from Australia, especially from
Queensland, runs into many thousands. Of this
number, the United States receives a large
share; sometimes over 80,000 in one year.
Many men make their living entirely by
shooting kangaroos with a rifle; one man I know
having shot over 400 last year (1917). This
means that in the course of comparatively a few
years, these interesting animals will become
very scarce, as the skins of all species, including
wallaby, are used for leather. The introduction
of the fox into Australia will not help matters
as they are sure to kill some of the young ones.
These animals fortunately live and breed freely
in confinement, having one young one at birth,
although twins have been known to occur
occasionally.
They are hunted on horseback with the aid
of a large dog of the grey-hound type, known
as a kangaroo dog, and if the country should
be sufficiently open, they usually are caught and
killed. When hard pressed, they often will take
refuge in a river or in swamps where they stand
waist deep in the water awaiting their enemies.
Should a dog swim out to them, they will hold
it under water with their fore arms and eventu-
ally drown the venturesome animal. When
attacked on land, the old males that are not as
speedy as the females, often stand with their
back to a tree ready to fight with the dogs; and
they are usually quite a match for any single
dog. Young kangaroos are often caught and
reared by hand, when their mother has been
shot or otherwise killed. Their backs are easily
damaged if roughly handled. When leaning
forward to feed on short grass, they often rest
on the upper part of their paws, as well as on
the under part in the ordinary way. When in
this position, the young that may be in the
pouch, and old enough, can nibble on the grass
at the same time.
Kangaroos are diligently sought for their
skins, and although they are well protected in
Victoria, and to a certain extent in other parts
of Australia, their numbers are diminishing. A
small, slender species, Parry's Kangaroo, (M.
parryii) is found in the hilly coastal districts
of Queensland and northern parts of New
South Wales. The short, soft and light bluish-
grey fur marked with a white line on each side
of its face as well as on the neck, and long, thin
tail, have suggested its local names the Pretty-
Face or Whip-Tail Kangaroo. It usually fre-
quents scrubby country and often may be seen
1658
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
BLACK SWAMP-WALLABY
Young kangaroos seek refuge in the mother’s pouch until one-third grown.
This young specimen was fully weaned,
but rushed for the mother upon the slightest disturbance.
in the Darling Downs district from railway
carriages when one is travelling from Brisbane
to Sidney, or vice-versa. It is three feet in
height and its tail is two and one-half feet in
length. The Red Kangaroo, (Macropus rufus)
is probably the largest of the kangaroos. The
short, woolly fur is red in color in the male and
bluish grey in the female. When standing up-
right, practically on its hind toes, and resting
the weight of its body on the end portion of
the tail, it measures about six and one-half feet;
otherwise four to five and a half feet.
Old males get very pugnacious and frequently
fight one another. They do so by scratching, if
possible, with their fore paws, and also by lean-
ing back and resting the weight of their body
on the extreme end of their tail, only about six
inches, and striking forward with the hind feet.
The claws are sharp and although they do not
often do much damage to each other, they can
easily rip up an unwary dog should one tackle
them. These animals live on the plain country
of New South Wales and southern Queensland,
generally remaining during the heat of the day
under the shade of the trees that fringe the
plains. They can easily travel at the rate of
twenty miles an hour when pursued, and exceed
that speed when pressed. They cover about
twelve feet at a jump and can clear a fence
eight to ten feet high. Occasionally they are
pursued on the plains with motor cars, although
I hardly think that is a fair way to get them, as
they have no chance, unless they get into a belt
of timbered or rough country. However, the
sport is not destined to be very popular as
motoring over the plains at over twenty miles
an hour is usually a very bumpy experience. A
female kangaroo when hard pressed in flight if
she should be carrying a heavy young one, or
joey in her pouch, will take the young one out
and conceal it under a bush, coming back when
all danger is over, should she have a chance.
The only safe way to hold a kangaroo is by
the tail, and it takes a strong man to hold one.
The young are born in the ordinary way, but in
a very immature state. They are about an inch
long, the fore feet are twice the size of the hind
feet and the tail very small. It is placed on
BENNETT’S TREE KANGAROO
The tail is not prehensile, but is used in balancing. The forefeet are adept in grasping. These animals
sometimes leap to the ground froma height of fifty feet.
1659
1660 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
GIANT RED KANGAROO
Largest known species among the kangaroos. A standing specimen measures six and a half feet high.
The tail is used as a prop as well as a balancing member in leaping.
the nipple in the marsupium by the mother and
the pressure of the milk forms a small bulb at
the end of the nipple at the back of the mouth.
This swelling being larger than the entrance to
the mouth of the young one, holds it on. If the
young kangaroo is pulled off at an early stage
it cannot be replaced.
The Grey Kangaroo, (Macropus giganteus) is
found across the entire southern part of Aus-
tralia as well as in Tasmania. The species
from that island (M. fuliginosus) is now very
searce. It has long, dark fur and the under
parts are white. The female is much lighter in
color than the male. Those on the western side
of the mainland usually are darker, but gen-
erally melanism is more pronounced among the
animals in the western portion of Australia than
in the eastern. These animals are only a little
inferior in size to the red kangaroo, and the fur
is longer and coarser. The males are a dark
grey and the females and young much lighter.
They are found in open forest country and fre-
quently are called locally the Forester Kan-
garoo. The variety from Tasmania and Kan-
garoo Island (M. fuliginosus) is now very
searce. It has long, dark fur, the under parts
being white. The female is paler than the male.
The Wallaroo or Euro Kangaroo, (M._ ro-
bustus), has long and coarse fur; the color of
the male being dark reddish-grey and that of
the females more bluish-grey. Farther north
in Queensland, the color is often dark greyish-
brown in the males. The exact tint varies con-
siderably. This variety is found in the central
districts of Australia, as well as towards the
coast. They live only on the rocky ranges and
are thickset and strong and adepts at bounding
over the often rough country where they are
found, and where fequently it is difficult for a
dog to follow them.
Several sub-species of this animal, (M. wood-
wardi) from northwest Australia, have been
described. The color of the short close hair of
the male is bright red and that of the female
fawn. The head and body measures four feet
and the tail three feet. The fur of M. alliga-
toris from north Australia is also short and the
color more or less rufous, with the neck, arms
and foreback, fawn. Another sub-species from
southwestern Australia, M. cervinus, is lighter
in color, and lastly M. isabellinus from Barrow
Island off West Australia, has a dark rufous
back with the front of the neck white. In the
southern districts of Australia, in the drier and
frequently sandy country where the mallee
eucalyptus grows, is found a darker and more
slender variety of kangaroo, the Black-Faced
(M. melanops). However, as this country is
being cleared rapidly for wheat-growing, this
animal will become scarce, as it is destroyed by
the farmers.
The Antilopine Kangaroo, (M. antilopinus)
is found in the Coburg Peninsula in north Aus-
tralia, and very little is known of this animal.
It is of a heavy build with short fur, rufous in
color with underparts white. The female is
smaller and of a fawn color. The head and
body are four and one-half feet and the tail two
feet long.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
CAPTIVE TREE KANGAROOS
In the Zoological Gardens at Melbourne, Australia.
Tue Tree WaLiasy
These interesting animals are found in the
mountain near the northern
Queensland as well as in New Guinea.
varieties inhabit Australia, namely Lumholt’s,
(Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and Bennett's, (D.
bennettianus). The former which has long yel-
lowish-brown fur with a black chin and white
chest is found in the districts
near Cardwell, and the latter which has long
dark brown fur, further north near Cooktown.
Like most of the other grazing Australian ani-
mals, they rest during the day and feed chiefly
at night. They live almost exclusively in trees
or on tops of granite boulders that are covered
with vegetation.
mals that I disturbed when in the latter situa-
tion, jump to a rock below, a distance of about
forty-five feet. It is wonderful the way they
are able to jump from bough to bough and rare-
ly make any miscalculation. Their long tail is
not prehensile and is used for balancing only,
and the soles of their hind feet are serrated and
that prevents them from slipping.
ranges coast of
Two
more southern
I once saw one of these ani-
1661
The natives obtain them by going to the up-
per portions of the scrub-covered ranges in the
early morning with their dogs, and the latter
are frequently able to pick up the scent of a
kangaroo that has gone from one tree to another
or to track it to the tree in which it is feeding.
Some of the natives then climb any tree in prox-
imity to one that shelters the wallaby, to pre-
vent it escaping into it, while another of their
number climbs the tree that harbors the animal,
and either catches it by the tail or forces it to
jump to the ground in its endeavors to escape.
The other natives with the dogs are there on
the lookout for it and generally secure it.
The tree wallabies frequently get from one
bough to another by going along towards the
end of a branch, and clinging to it with their
As it bends they are enabled to get
They can
also jump a considerable distance from one
bough to another. As a rule, when they are on
the ground they lean well forward and keep
their tail clear of the soil. In ascending a tree
they do so by clinging with their fore paws
round a creeper and moving both hind feet up
at the same time; and they go up very quickly.
They cannot ascend an ordinary trunk of a tree,
but, as the forests in the districts where they
are found abound with creepers, practically
fore paws.
a foothold on one at a lower level.
BENNETT'S TREE KANGAROO
They both climb and nimbly jump from branch to branch.
1662 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
PRS:
RAT KANGAROO
The tail is prehensile and is employed in seizing and carrying grasses with which the animal makes its nest.
every tree having one or more, they have no
difficulty in climbing. They also can climb an
ordinary two or three-inch rope with ease, or
even a gas or water pipe; their serrated pads
enabling them to get a secure hold. Should
one escape on board a vessel, it quickly climbs
the ropes and easily gets to the mast-head.
These animals in their native state are more or
less infected with two or three kinds of para-
sites and often have sore places caused by them.
As their food consists of leaves and various
shrubs, they live well in captivity.
WALLABIES
There is little difference between kangaroos
and wallabies. The members of the genus
Macropus whose head and body are over four
feet in length are called kangaroos, and those
three feet and under, usually wallabies. One
of the largest of the latter is the Black-Tailed,
(Macropus ualabatus) measuring just under
three feet and the tail two feet. This animal
which is of rather a heavy build, and not nearly
so active as many of the smaller kinds, is al-
ways founds in scrubby country. Its color is
very dark brown or reddish-grey and light ru-
fous underneath. They formerly existed in
countless numbers in the densely timbered por-
tions of the coastal districts of New South
Wales and Victoria, and hundreds of thousands
of their skins have been exported. But trap-
pers and settlements have so reduced their
numbers that they are now protected in Vic-
toria. During the day they usually remain well
hidden, coming out in the evening to feed. A
very closely allied variety, (M. apicalis) is
found in the same class of country in the coastal
districts of Queensland. It has shorter fur and
the rufous color is more intense. Probably the
largest of these animals is the Red-Necked
Wallaby. It is of more slender build than the
preceding species, is greyish-fawn in color, with
a reddish neck and rump, and measures three
and one-half feet and its tail two and one-half
feet. It is found in the eastern parts of Aus-
tralia from southern Queensland to Victoria
where it usually inhabits the open forest
country.
The Tasmania form of this wallaby, (M.
bennettii) has thicker and longer fur and is
slightly darker in shade. Its neck and rump
are dull brown instead of red. It also is found
in southern Victoria and on the islands in Bass
Strait. Formerly it was very plentiful, espe-
cially in the Islands, but now the hunters with
their dogs have completely exterminated them
also, except in Tasmania, where they still hold
their own in the rough parts. In captivity they
easily become tame and do not knock themselves
about in the way other species often do. In
Victoria and south Australia, Grey’s Wallaby,
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
PARRY’'S KANGAROO
Distinct facial markings render this species quite rocognizable.
(M. greyi) is found. It is a slender animal and
can travel very fast. The color is greyish-fawn
with a rufous tinge on the neck. It measures
about two and one-half feet in length and its
tail slightly under. Another fine wallaby, the
Black Striped, (M. dorsalis) is found in the
inland districts of New South Wales and south-
ern Queensland. The general color is grey with
a reddish tinge on the forequarters, and it is
readily distinguished by a narrow black line
down the center of its back. It measures
slightly over two and one-half feet and its tail
two feet.
The Black Gloved Wallaby, (M. irma) from
southwestern Australia is a well-marked animal,
with soft fur of a bluish-grey above, white be-
low the chin, cheek stripes also of the same
color, and another white stripe on the neck,
edged with darker color. They measure about
three feet and tail two and one-half feet, thrive
well in captivity and make very docile pets.
The Agile Wallaby, (M. agilis) is a heavier
animal with short, coarse dark sandy-colored
fur, very short ears and a long tail that easily
distinguishes it. The habitat of this species is
southeast New Guinea, as well as in the north-
eastern portion of Australia. The Cape York
Wallaby, (M. coweni), another species from
northeast Australia, is also a dark sandy color,
darker on the back with white underparts and
a white hip-stripe. These animals are small,
being only twenty-eight inches long and their
tail fourteen inches.
The Rutfous-Bellied Wallaby, (M._ billar-
dieri) used to be exceedingly numerous in Vic-
toria and especially on the islands in Bass
Straits, as well as in Tasmania, but those on
the islands have been nearly cleared out. The
hunters with packs of kangaroo dogs, used to
burn the thick patches of scrub in which they
knew the wallabies had taken refuge during the
day and their dogs caught the unfortunate ani-
mals as they ran out. Their habitat is in the
dense scrub and although their runs are very
numerous in such places, they are fairly safe
under ordinary circumstances. Many hun-
dreds of thousands of their skins have been ex-
ported. These animals are of stout build, have
thick, soft fur of a dark greyish-brown color,
face and head olive-grey and no face markings.
The body measures twenty-seven inches and the
tail which is very short, only fourteen inches.
The Short-Tailed Wallaby, (M. brachyurus )
from western Australia is the smallest of the
wallabies. Its body measures twenty-three
inches and its tail ten inches. Its fur is long
and coarse and is a uniform greyish-brown. The
ears are small and rounded. Its habits are iden-
tical with those of the rufous-bellied wallaby.
The Rock Wallabies (Petrogale), are found
all over Australia, but not in Tasmania. As
their name implies they live only in rough, rocky
1664
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ALBINO RED KANGAROOS
In the Melbourne Zoological Gardens.
country, whereas the members of the family
Macropus are usually found in the more level
districts. The Rock Wallabies lean well for-
ward, using their long, bushy tails only for bal-
ancing and not as a third support, as do the
Macropus family, especially for the larger
forms. The underside of the toes are covered
thickly with small tubercles that prevent the
animals from slipping on the rocks, especially
when they are wet. ‘They usually take refuge
during the day in caves or under rocks, coming
out to feed in the evening and at night. The
wonderful way that they can bound freely and
without hesitation from rock to rock, sometimes
onto excrescences that can hardly be seen, is
extraordinary. A dog naturally and fortunate-
ly has little chance of catching them. In the
many runs among the rocks that have been
used by countless numbers of these animals for
many years past, the rocks are perfectly pol-
ished and shiny. No ordinary fence will stop
this active animal, and, should they escape from
captivity they seem to enjoy hopping about the
roofs of buildings, apparently quite at home and
where they cannot well be followed.
The Brush-Tailed Wallaby (P. pencillata)
found in the Eastern coastal districts of Aus-
tralia, is a thick set animal with long, coarse
brown fur, a light cheek-stripe and short ears.
It measures thirty inches long and the tail, usu-
ally tipped with yellow, is twenty-four inches.
There are three wallabies belonging to the
genus Onychogale (Nail-Tailed). They are
well marked animals having fairly long tails,
crested at the ends and provided with spurs.
These are the only marsupials that have such
an excrescence. Among mammals, the lion is
the only one that has a similar spur. The Nail-
Tailed Wallaby, (O. unguifera) from northwest
and north-central Australia is a slender and
graceful fawn-colored animal, with a darker
medium band, and white hip-stripes and under
parts. The body measures twenty-six and the
tail twenty-eight inches. The tail is long and
white on the upper side with a few, faint brown
rings showing towards the end, which is black.
The spur is flattened laterally and hidden in
the long hairs.
Rar KanGaroos
We now come to the Rat-Kangaroos, or as
they are called in Australia, Kangaroo Rats.
They formerly were exceedingly plentiful, but
dogs and foxes have taken a heavy toll of them
and in the settled districts they have almost dis-
appeared. They are about eighteen inches in
length with a tail fourteen inches, and of a
sandy-grey color. They usually sleep coiled up
in their nests during the day, coming out to feed
in the evening and at night. The largest of
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
1665
25: te
SHORT-TAILED WALLABY
With these smaller species the tail is of little use as a prop.
them, readily distinguished by its reddish-grey
color, the Rufous (depyplymnus rufescens) is
found only in New South Wales, and is twenty-
one inches long with a tail fifteen inches. It
has an indistinct stripe in front of the hips.
There is another family of these active little
animals namely the Bettongs, (Bettongia),
characterized by the fact that they are the only
ground animals having prehensile tails, which
they use for carrying bundles of grass for the
construction of their nests. A hollow is first
scraped out in the ground and in it a dome-
shaped nest of grass is built; the top being
about level with the surface of the ground. The
animal upon entering the nest draws a bunch
of grass after him, and closes the entrance so
perfectly that the nest cannot be detected, eas-
ily. A fox or dog, however, can readily detect
the presence of the owner; if he happens to be
at home. If he should be, there is little hope,
for the intruder simply pounces down on the
nest and usually secures the owner. The var-
ieties of these animals are closely allied extern-
ally and are difficult to identify without know-
ing the locality from which they came. The
Tasmanian variety, (B. cuniculus) is slightly
the largest and has white feet instead of brown-
ish, as in the others. The underparts are white
and, generally, there is a white tip on its tail.
The New South Wales variety, (B. gaimardi)
has hair of a more woolly texture than the oth-
ers and white hind paws; also a few white hairs
at the tip of the tail. The Brush-Tailed Rat-
Kangaroo, (B. penicillata) is found all over
southern and central Australia and has a body
length of fourteen inches. The tail which is
twelve inches long has a black crest along the
upper surface of the lower portion, but not
white hairs at the tip. The phinarium is bare
of fur as in the other species. This is the var-
iety that is usually seen in captivity.
Educated Chimpanzees.—Our keepers at the
Primates’ House are giving daily exhibitions in
which the chimpanzees and orang-utans promi-
nently figure. These exhibitions take place in
the large outside cage at the north end of the
building, and illustrate the adaptability of the
anthropoid apes in learning to do many things
that require a high degree of intelligence. The
animals take their meals from tables, ride
bicycles and go through other interesting man-
oeuvres.
Growth of the Warthog.—Our single speci-
men of the African wart-hog has developed
into a most spectacular animal. Although his
tusks have developed into very long and formid-
able weapons, he remains fairly tame, and his
keepers freely enter his enclosure. On approach,
this animal inspires respect and caution, as he
has an alarming habit of gnashing his tusks. In
retreat, however, the wart-hog provokes a smile,
caused by his insignificant tail. It appears that
nature has been singularly stingy in providing
him with means of fighting flies, and while his
tail is a very busy appendage, it looks like the
remnant of an animated shoe-string.
MALE OF THE SWAMP-WALLABY
The dexterous manipulation of the forefeet is clearly shown.
1666
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Departments -
Mammals Aquarium
W. T. Hornapay. C. H. TownsEnp.
Birds Reptiles
WILi1aM BEERE.
Lee S. CranDaLt.
Raymonp L. Dirmars.
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
Etwin R. Sangorn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Vor. XXI, No. 5 SEPTEMBER, 1918
DHE JOHN I PAUL Ginn OF BOOKS
In the first instance, every great zoological
library is founded upon a certain number of
the great illustrated folios of birds and mam-
mals, such as the average young zoologist ard-
ently longs for but rarely achieves until their
usefulness—to him—has passed.
For ten long years, dating back to the open-
ing of the Administration Building at the Zoo-
logical Park, we have longed for the sumptuous
works of Gould and Audubon and Elliot, with-
out having achieved a single folio volume. The
Society had so many other lines of endeavor
that the Library simply had to wait.
Now, at last, our library’s Good Genius has
appeared. His name is Joun Jay Paut, and
his habitat is Watertown, Florida. We have a
suspicion that he is interested in the lumber in-
dustry; but in any event the printed catalogue
of his library is sufficient to excite envy in the
breast of every book-worm.
Mr. Paul observed the yawning chasms in our
half-fledged library, and then his gifts began to
come in, in a stream that seemed to be intended
to make up in one grand coup the deficits of
twenty years. Beginning with Cuvier’s “Ani-
mal Kingdom,” in sixteen volumes, and Gray’s
“Tilustrations of Indian Zoology,’ the scene
shifted to Richardson’s “Fauna Boreali Ameri-
cana,’ the various exploring expeditions of the
western hemisphere, and ran the gamut of the
best zoological treatises of America, India, Af-
rica and the Far East. There came also a fine
series of books of zoological travels.
All these, however, represented merely a fore-
taste of the splendid folios that followed. To
show a sample of each of the latter on Mem-
bers Day required a series of tables twenty feet
long. The truly great folio works, representing
1667
thousands of dollars in value, were the follow-
ing’:
Audubon & Bachman’s “Quadrupeds of
North America,” 3 vols. and text.
Cuvier & Saint Hilaire’s “Natural History of
Mammals.” 4 vols.
Gould’s “‘Partridges of America.”
Grau’s “Illustrations of Indian
2 vols.
Elliot’s “Monograph of the Birds of Para-
dise.”
Elliot’s “Monograph of the Ant Thrushes.”
Elliot’s “Monograph of the Hornsbills.”’
Elliot’s “Birds of North America.” 2 vols.
Taken altogether, Mr. Paul's gift of books
forms a noteworthy collection, and goes far
toward taking out of the mouth the bad taste of
ten lean years.
Zoology.”
BEQUEST OF COL:..OLIVER H. PAYNE
Through a bequest contained in the will of
Col. Payne, for many years a member of the
Board of Managers of the Society, our library
has fallen heir to a fine copy of Audubon’s
“Birds of North America,” in three double ele-
phant folio volumes, and also a copy of Audu-
bon and Bachman’s “Quadrupeds of North
America,” in three volumes of the same size.
REMARKABLE ABNORMAL GROWTH
OF ELEPHANT TUSKS
A letter recently received from Mr. A. G. R.
Theobald, State Shikari of Mysore, transmits a
photograph of a dead elephant in a bamboo jun-
gle, bearing remarkable abnormal tusks. Mr.
Theobald’s description of this strange case
follows:
“Last year my son shot three rogue elephants
which were proscribed by the Government, as
they had become vicious mankillers, and ter-
rorized the Forest Department Staff and the
surrounding jungle tribes. One of these ele-
phants had a very unique pair of tusks. Instead
of growing in the usual manner, they grew out
almost at right angles to the head, like the up-
per tusks of a wild boar, and making a sharp
curve formed a full semicircle. The tip of one
had penetrated over six inches into the head
just behind the eye, leaving an open, festering
wound. The animal was in an emaciated con-
dition, and must have suffered excruciating pain
from the wound, wihch was probably the cause
of it becoming so vicious. I am enclosing a
photograph of the elephant, showing the curious
formation of the tusks.”’
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
INDIAN ELEPHANT WITH SIDE-GROWING TUSKS
Shot by Charles Theobald, Mysore, S. India.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
By Raymonp L. Drrmars.
Improved Small-Mammal Cages.—A complete
outfit of new cages has been built in the Small
Mammal House by our own construction force,
and this building, with its varied and elaborate
collections, is now in much better shape than
when it was quite new. These latest specimens
of cage work quite successfully solve the old
problem of lighting, drainage and
floors, for the housing and display of the small-
er mammals. The disagreeable odors usually
existing in such buildings have been almost
eliminated, and the air purified by electrical ma-
chines producing a flow of ozone. While a large
series of small-mammals is difficult to maintain
at a high standard, even in normal times, the
present market conditions render purchases
extra difficult.
The good condition of the collections in this
building speak well for sanitary conditions and
for the efficiency of the keepers in charge.
sanitary
A Rare Arrival.—In these days of animal em-
bargos, we were particularly fortunate in ob-
taining a specimen of the echidna, of Australia.
There are two families of mammals, whose
members lay eggs, and from these their young
are hatched as are those of birds. They form
the lowest order of mammals, and appear to
form a sort of connecting link between the
mammals and birds. The Australian echidna is
an odd, flat-bodied animal, covered with heavy
quills. When alarmed it rolls into a bristling
ball. Its snout is much like the beak of a mer-
ganser duck, and it is provided with an enor-
mously elongated tongue, which is used in
catching ants.
A “Horned” Rattlesnake—We have recent-
ly received another decorated rattlesnake, which
is the result of rather clever surgical work by
Indians. This specimen arrived from Browns-
ville, Texas, as the gift of W. A. Snake King,
who makes a specialty of collecting and selling
rattlesnakes, and who at times has hundreds of
these reptiles in corrals on his ranch. Certain
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
1669
Photograph and specimen from the State Conservation Commission
THE GOOD STEP-MOTHER
How an “‘up-state’’ White-Tailed Deer fawn was saved for the Zoological Park.
farmer is, unfortunately. invisible.
Indians enjoy the diversion of taking a large
rattlesnake and grafting a rooster’s spur upon
the top of its head. The surgical operation is
so cleverly performed, and the healing so per-
fect, that the decorative appendage appears to
have grown there. One of these “unicorn”
specimens lived for many months in the Reptile
House. Of late, the Indians have elaborated
the operation and decorate rattlesnakes with
two horns. It is a specimen of this type that
has been received at the Park, and it attracts
much interest. It was sold to the highest bid-
der in Brownsville, the purchase price being do-
nated to the local Red Cross unit, and Mr.
Snake King kindly procured the sending of the
reptile to us.
Savage Hybrid Bears.—Our bears are peace-
ful and hardy animals and the years pass with-
out combats or sickness in our large collection.
The keepers enter the dens each morning and
after driving the big carnivores to the top of the
rocky ledge, proceed to wash the den floors.
Accidents to
the few instances
have been avoided.
tled to hear a great commotion at the Bear
Dens and discovered two of these animals
in furious combat. The participants were a
female Yezo bear from Japan, and a hybrid
Russian-Sloth bear born in the Park two years
ago. The latter animal was the
Keeper Romanoff entered the den and with a
the keepers have been rare, and
that have could
Recently we were star-
occurred
ageressor.
The kind-hearted
stout club endeavored to separate the combat-
ants. So infuriated was the hybrid bear, that
the blows from the club, blinding streams of
water, ammonia fumes and eventually the use of
heavy iron bars wielded by several keepers,
were utterly futile in making an impression.
The Yezo bear was killed and finally dragged
into one of the sleeping dens. The hybrid bear
continued savage for several days and develop-
ed such a threatening attitude towards the
keeper that it was decided to mercifully execute
him. We have noted in other instances that
hybrid bears usually develop a bad temper with-
in their second or third year.
Insect Songsters.—Late afternoon ushers in
the katy-did chorus in the Reptile House. To
some of our visitors who have never exam-
ined these tree-top songsters, or noted how they
“sing,” the effect is quite startling. A descrip-
tive label explains that the loud call is pro-
duced by rubbing together the stridulating or-
gans, which in plain English are the brittle
portions of the wings. We hear frequent ex-
clamations of astonishment about the volume of
sound produced by these insects. The collection
of katy-dids resulted from the arduous work
of Keeper Palmer while on a vacation trip.
The insects were hunted at night, and stalked
by their calls. It was necessary to climb into
trees after them, and locate each specimen by
means of a flash-lamp.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
INSECT TYRANTS
By WitiiamM Beese
Illustrations by Joun Tree Van
cient sand dune in the heart of the Guiana
A horde of those Huns of the
jungle, army ants, had made their drive direct-
ly across the glade, and scores of fleeing insects
and other creatures had fallen headlong into
this deep pit. From my man’s height it was
a dreadful encounter, but crowding near the
edge it became even more terrible; and when I
flattened myself on the sand and began to dis-
tinguish individuals, and perceive details from
an ant’s point of view. I realized the full hor-
ror and irresistibility of
ants.
I STOOD on the brim of a pit dug in an an-
wilderness.
an assault by these
I perceived a large toad squatted on a small
shelf of sand in the pit, close to the edge of a
crowded column of ants. He was a rough old
chap, covered with warts and corrugations, and
pigmented in dark grey, with mottlings of choc-
olate and dull red and occasional glints of gold.
He was crouched flat, with all his fingers and
toes tucked in beneath him. His head was drawn
in, his eyes closed, and all his exposed surface
was sticky with his acid perspiration—the sweat
of fear. He knew his danger—of that there
was no doubt—and he was apparently aware
of the fact that he could not escape. Resignedly
he had settled on the very line of traffic of the
deadly foe, after intrenching himself and sum-
moning to his aid all the defenses with which
nature had endowed him.
And he was winning out! He was the first
vertebrate I have ever known to withstand the
army ants. For a few minutes he would be
ignored and his sides would vibrate as he
breathed with feverish rapidity. Then two or
three ants would run toward him, play upon
him with their antennae, and examine him sus-
piciously. During this time he was immovable.
Even when a soldier sank his mandibles deep
into the roughened skin and wrenched viciously.
the toad never moved. He might have been a
parti-colored pebble embedded in its matrix of
sand. Once when three bit him simultaneously,
he winced, and the whitish, acrid juice oozed
from his pores. Usually the ants were content
with merely examining him. I left him when I
saw that he was in no immediate danger.
For the dozens
roaches, beetles, spiders, ants, and harvest men,
there was no escape. One daddy-long-legs did
a pitiful dance of death. Supported on his eight
of grasshoppers, crickets.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1671
long legs, he stood high out of reach of his as-
sailants. He was balanced so exactly that the
instant a feeling antenna touched a leg, he
would lift it out of reach. Even when two or
three were simultaneously threatened, he raised
them, and at one time he stood perfectly bal-
anced on four legs, the other four waving in
mid air. But his kismet came with a concerted
rush of half a dozen ants, which overbore him,
and in a fraction of time his body, with two
long legs trailing behind, was straddled by a
small worker and borne rapidly away.
I now flattened myself on an antless area at
the edge of the pit and studied the field of bat-
tle. In another half-hour the massacre was al-
most over. Five double, or often quadruple, col-
umns were formed up the sandy cliffs, and the
terrific labor of carrying out the dead victims
began. The pit was five feet deep, with per-
fectly straight sides, which at the rim had been
gutted by the rain, so that they actually over-
hung. Yet the ants which had half climbed,
half tumbled their way to the bottom in the
wake of their victims, now settled themselves
to solving the problem of surmounting these
cliffs of loose, crumbling grains, dragging loads
which, in most cases, were much heavier than
themselves. Imagine a gang of men set to car
rying bundles of one to two hundred pounds up
perpendicular cliffs twelve hundred feet in
height, and the task of the army ants is made
more vivid. So swiftly did they work and so
constantly shift their formations and methods
of meeting and surmounting difficulties, that I
felt as I used to feel when looking at a three-
ring circus. I could perceive and record only
a small part of the ingenious devices and the
mutual assistance and sharing of the compli-
cated conditions which arose at every step.
When two traffic columns reached the summit,
three others were forging rapidly ahead. All
used a similar method of advance. A group of
mixed castes led the way, acting as scouts, sap-
pers and miners. They searched out every
slope, every helpful step or shelf of sand. They
took advantage of every hurdle of white grass-
roots as a welcome grip with which to bind the
shifting sand-grains. Now and then they had
to cross a bare, barren slope with no natural
advantages. Behind them pressed a motley
throng, some still obsessed with the sapper in-
stinet, widening the trail, tumbling down loose,
dangerous grains. Some bore the first fruits
of victory, small ants and roaches which had
been the first to succumb. These were carried
by one, or at most by two ants, usually with the
prey held in the jaws close beneath the body,
the legs or hinderpart trailing behind. In this
straddling fashion the burden was borne rap-
idly along, an opposite method from the over-
head waving banners of the leaf-cutters.
With these came a crowd of workers, both
white and black-headed, and soldiers, all emp-
ty-jawed, active, but taking no part in the ac-
tual preparation of the trail. This second
cohort or brigade had, it seemed to me, the most
remarkable functions of any of the ants which
I saw during my whole period of observation.
They were the living implements of trail mak-
ing, and their ultimate functions and distribu-
tion were so astounding, so correlated, so syn-
chronized with the activities of all the others
that it was difficult not to postulate an all-per-
vading intelligence, to think of these hundreds
and thousands of organisms as other than cor-
puscles in a dynamic stream of life controlled
by some single, outside mind.
Here, then, were scores of ants scrambling
up the steep uneven sides, over ground which
they had never explored, with unknown obsta-
cles confronting them at every step. To the eye
they were ants of assorted sizes, but as they ad-
vanced, numbers fell out here and there and
remained behind. This mob consisted of po-
tential corduroy, rope-bridges, props, hand-
rails, lattices, screens, fillers, stiles, ladders and
other unnamable adjuncts to the successful
scaling of these apparently impregnable cliffs.
If a stratum of hard sand appeared, on which
no impression could be made, a line of ants
strung themselves out, each elaborately fixing
himself fast by means of jaws and feet. From
that moment his feverish activity left him; he
became a fixture, a single unit of a swaying
bridge over a chasm; a beam, an inorganic
plank, over which his fellows tramped by hun-
dreds, some empty, some heavily laden. If a
sudden ascent had to be made, one ant joined
himself to others to form a hanging ladder, up
which the climbed, partly braced
against the sandy wall.
columns
At uncertain, unguarded turns a huge soldier
would take up his station, with as many fune-
tions and duties as a member of the Broadway
traffic squad. Stray, wandering ants would be
set right by a single twiddle of antennae; an
over-burdened brother would be given a help-
ing jaw and assisted for some distance to the
end of his beat. I was especially interested in
seeing, again and again, this willingness to help
bear the burdens. It showed the remains of an
instinct, inhibited by over-development, by ul-
1672 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
tra-specialization of fighting paraphernalia,
still active when opportunity gave it play. - At
the first hint, by sound or smell, of danger, the
big soldier whirled outward and, rearing high
on his legs, brandished his mighty blades in
mid-air. Here was an ideal pacifist, who could
turn his sword into a ploughshare at will, and
yet keep the former unsheathed for instant use.
When I watched more closely, I detected
more delicate gradations of mutual aid. At the
same level in two columns of ascent, the same
stratum of hard sand was encountered. To one
column the sand presented a rough surface
which gave a good foothold. Here the single
line of ants which was ranged along the lower
edge of the trail, in lieu of hand-rail, all faced
downward, so that the ants passing above them
walked partly on the abdomens and partly on
the hind-legs of their fellows. In the second
column, the surface of the sand was smooth,
and here the burdened ants found great difficul-
ty in obtaining a foothold. In this instance the
supporting gang of ants faced upward, keeping
their place solely by their six, sturdy legs. This
left head and jaws free, and in almost every
case they helped the passage of the booty by a
system of passing from jaw to jaw, like a line
of people handing buckets at a fire. The right-
ful carriers gave up their load temporarily and
devoted their attention to their own precarious
footing.
I learned as much from the failures of this
particular formation as from its successes.
Once a great segment of wood-roach was too
much for the gallant line clinging to the sides
of the pit, and the whole load broke loose and
rolled to the bottom. Of the hand-rail squad
only two ants remained. Yet in four minutes
another line was formed of fresh ants—ants
who had never been to the spot before—and
again traffic was uninterrupted. I saw one ant
deliberately drop his burden, letting it bounce
and roll far down to the bottom of the pit, and
instantly take his place in the line of living
guard-rails. The former constituents of the line
had clung to the roach segment through all its
wild descent, and until it came to rest at the
bottom. Without a moment’s pause they all at-
tacked it as if they thought it had come to life,
then seized it and began tugging it upward. In
a fraction of time, without signal or suggestion
or order, the handrails had become porters. The
huge piece of provender had rolled close to an
ascending column on the opposite side of the
pit, and up this new trail the bearers started,
pulling and pushing in unison, as if they had
been droghers and nothing else throughout the
whole of their ant-existence.
One climax of mutual assistance occurred
near the rim of the pit on a level with my eyes,
where one column passed over a surface which
had been undermined by heavy rain, and which
actually overhung. I watched the overcoming
of this obstacle. All the ants which attempted
to make their way up at this point lost their
footing and rolled headlong to the bottom. By
superformicine exertions a single small worker
at last won a path to the rim at the top. Around
the edge of the pit innumerable ants were con-
stantly running, trying, on their part, to find
a way down. The single ant communicated at
once with all which came past, and without hes-
itation a mass of the insects formed at this spot
and began to work downward. This could be
done only by clinging one to the other; but more
and more clambered down this living ladder,
until it swayed three inches in length, far out
over the vastness of the pit. I had never lost
sight of the small worker, who had turned on
his tracks and was now near the bottom of the
ladder, reaching wildly out for some support
ant, grass or sand. I was astonished to see
that, as the length and consequent weight of
the dangling chain increased, the base support
was correspondingly strengthened. Ant after
ant settled itself firmly on the sand at the top,
until a mat of insects had been formed, spread
out like animate guy ropes.
At last the ultimate ant in the rope touched
the upraised jaws of a soldier far below. The
contact acted like an electric shock. The far-
thest ant in the guy-rope gang quivered with
emotion, a crowd of ants climbed down and an-
other up, and bits of insect and spider prey
began to appear from the depths of the pit, over
the living carpet suspended from the brim. For
an inch the droghers climbed over the bodies
braced against the cliff. Then, where the sur-
face became smooth, the dangling chain came
into use. Before the rim of the pit was reached,
the chain had become a veritable hollow tube
of ants, all with heads inward, and through this
organic shaft passed the host from the ascend-
‘ing column. But it was far more than any
mechanically built tube. When an extra large
piece of loot came up, the tube voluntarily en-
larged, the swelling passing along until the
booty and its bearers emerged at the top.
Within five minutes after this last column
was completed, there passed over it, out of the
pit, a daddy-long-legs with legs trailing, per-
haps the same one which I had seen in the
'
t
4
A
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
tragic little dance of death. There followed
two silvery-gray ants, a wood-roach in two in-
stallments, part of a small frog, three roaches
and two beetles. These latter gave a great deal
of trouble and tumbled down the cliff again and
again.
When the tropical night began to close down,
the last of the columns were making their way
out, systematically from the bottom up, each ant
following in turn. The moment the last bit of
prey passed up the column, by some wonder-
fully delicate and subtle sense, every ant knew
of it, and the corduroy rose, the hand-rails un-
jointed themselves, the ropes unspliced, the em-
bankments dislodged of their own volition, and
stepping-stones took to themselves legs. After
hours of total inactivity, these sentient para-
phernalia of the va formica became, once more,
beings surcharged with ceaseless movement,
alert and ready to become a useful cog in the
next movement of this myriad-minded machine.
I jumped down into the pit. The great gold-
spotted toad stretched and scratched himself,
looked at me and trembled his throat. I was
not an army ant.
I looked out and saw the last of the mighty
army disappearing into the undergrowth. I
listened and heard no chirp of cricket, no voice
of any insect in the glade. Silence brooded,
significant of wholesale death. Only at my feet
two ants still moved, a small worker and a great
white-headed soldier. Both had been badly dis-
abled in the struggles in the pit, and now vainly
sought to surmount even the first step of the
lofty cliff. They had been ruthlessly deserted.
The rearing of new hosts was too easy a matter
for nature to have evolved anything like
stretchers or a Red Cross service among these
beings.. The impotence of these two,
struggling in the dusk, only emphasized the ter-
rible vitality of their distant fellows. As the
last twilight of day dimmed, I saw the twain
still bravely striving, and now the toad was
watching them intently.
social
DEATH OF THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS
On the night of August 27 the Zoological
Park sustained the greatest loss in its history,
thus far. Our most valuable animal, the great
1673
Indian rhinoceros, Mogul, was found dead in
his corral, quite without any visible illness, and
practically without a struggle. On the previous
day he had missed but one meal.
The autopsy that was made by Dr. D. J.
Mangan disclosed the fact that the death of
Mogul was due directly to carditis, to which
other heart troubles contributed.
Mogul was a full-grown male specimen of
Rhinoceros unicornis, and one of the only three
specimens of that species known in captivity.
He was caught in Kashmir in 1906, and, having
reached the Zoological Park in 1907, he had
been on exhibition here for eleven years. His
weight was 2,620 pounds. When only one year
of age his cost to us was 46,000, and ever since
he attained full maturity he has been valued by
the Zoological Society at $25,000.
Both the skin and complete skeleton of Mogul
have been presented to the American Museum
of Natural History.
ie
%
rHE PARK’S BIG BEAVER COLONY
The society now possesses the most satisfactory colony of beavers that ever has inhabited our Beaver Pond. There are
twelve specimens, representing three
struction of their dam is a source of §
\ pair of swans live amicably
FEF yg
e i, z
nerations. Their constant engineering work in the repair of their home and con
at interest to visitors, chiefly because it is performed in the daytime, in full view.
with the colony.
DINNER FOR ELEVEN
The beavers are feeding upon cracked corn. They also eat much bark from browse that is daily provided.
1674
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges of the
Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary tickets to
the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payrnent of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the opening and closing hours are from 10
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the year; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report No.1..........-. Paper $ .40 Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors,
iy 3 DP Aas Neo: obs 0 ; 75 Cloth $1,00 sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects......... 25
f bg pte | and ri, each. me -40 -60 (By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.)
i i Sh Cate cugers aay: “75 1.00 | Souvenir Books: Series No. 8, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 78
“ “ RO ener aoe “ 1.00 “ 1.25 illustrations from four color plates. .. ......... .50
“ “ “ 12 1 14, 15. 1.25 1.50 (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, each... “ 1.00 “ 1.25 Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 82 Pages, providing
pier atopy nec ee tot Sea ay i i space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horne- ee made from selected photographs of animals taken
day) postpaid ................ 1.65 in the Zoological Park, complete with stamps. ..... 15
Destruction of Our Birds andMam- (By mail, postage 6 cents extra.)
mals (Hornaday).....-....--- 15 Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
Notes on Mountain Sheep of North containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
America (Hornaday)..... Define 40 color stamp reproductions....... Eee ae ota aeoela 85
The Caribou (Grant)...........- st 40 a -60 es ooo ane mail 7 i yas
ivi i i hotogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. nimals
ne Onetnandibelanonsbiplot the and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
Large Mammals of North Amer “
iea (Grant). 2... s05 [ese Saeko of 2 subjects. Per set, postpaid...............5- 25
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) “ 1,00 ie areca A combined fan and map of the iB
Tropical wae Life (Beebe; Hartley; AY (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.) x
Howes Soin eg ee ee Pitan ee B00 Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 1-11 inclusive, from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
SCb. cece seen eee eee eee eee 2.80 flavor insfolder forny cau slat miata e yy sebanaeds eivie aie 10
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 12, 18and14. °° 25 (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
i tea NO U5 eee eee “a 125 Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
oy Feo ea LBs ottsale Seleie' 2 +25 Bvatibe sea chincis eames ater ays Oral clade lsetalsel elt. = 25
i Renna wee RMLULS Sie hah ie +25 Duotone, Brown, each. 0. ve lee sees sialsls viele wae 35
“ AON SPN ee nee “ +50 Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each............-5-. 15
“ “eo He neem hs “ 4 Photo-Letter; (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure ... 2 ys 10
“ COURIC sina aa “ “oR 4 colors........ 2 for .10
Oe bcp had ere 2
‘ts Fae UTee att PATI AS sate hy ies New York Aquarium Nature Series
oe aaa TEES Raptr ie oes ae 25 Sea Shore Life (Mayer)....... hae ae 4) REG a taayeele $1.20
ic: co Cultivation of Fishes in Ponds (Townsend)...........- .20
Peete ea 2 Bees © a Chameleons of the Sea tee SAL SAS RAS BAIA 15
- , : i : Northern Elephant Seal (Townsend)................+-. 25
Bulletin Nos. 1, 6, 8, 85, 48 and 46 .. Out of Print Care of Home Aquaria (Osburn). .... Chee ab
Bulletins—Bi-monthly......... 20c. each; Yearly by mail 1.00 Porpoise in Captivity (Townsend) .-. 25
Bulletin Nos. 5 to 28 inclusive, set, cloth bound,........ 5.00 | Natural History of the Whale Shark (Gudger) -30
“ 94 to 60 “ “ “ “ 10.00 The Gaff-Topsail Catfish (Gudger). . rere age re BO
Beri ht 4 Inmates of the Aquarium (a book of views)..........0- 25
Official Guide to the New York
Zoological Park (Hornaday) .......-.-..2++2++2ee2: 35 Aquarium Post Cards: Colored. In sets, each.... - - 6
Publications for sale at 111 Broadway, Zoological Park and the New York Aquarium.
i KAA. < No. 6 : NOVEMBER 1918
i
17 OOLOGICALY
SOCIEI Y.
BULLETIN
i
I
lt
|
Ut
— A
Published by \
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Fi UUMATLETTOCTOCSTULAL AULA 0. 4 OOEOCONTNY ESA OOTP OOTTOTOSLAA AT :
a wil renee f wc
Li
ATA ATONE NON TATUM TTT TNT ATO AT
New York Zoological Society
Genera Orricr, 111 Broadway, New Yor« Criry.
President
Henry Farrrietp Osporn.
Hirst Vice-President Second Hice-President
Mapison Grant. Frank K. Srurars.
Greasurer Asst. Oreasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. Tuer Farmers’ Loan anv Trust Co.
Secretary
Mapison GRANT.
Executive Committee
Mapison Grant, Chairman. Wm. Pierson Hamitton, Warson B. DickeRMAN,
Percy R. Pyne, Frank K. Srurais, Antuony R. Kuser,
Witiiam Wuirte Nites, LisPENARD STEWART, Henry Fairrietp Osporn, ez-officiv
Board of Managers
£x oficta The Mayor and The Presipent Department of Parks, City of New York.
Class of 1919
Percy R. Pyne, C. Lepyarp Brair, Antuony R. Kuser,
Georce Birp GRINNELL, FrepericK GILBERT Bourne, Watson B. DickrerMAN,
Grorce C. Crark, *Wn. Austin WapswortnH, Mortimer L., Scuirr,
Cievetanp H. Dongs, Emerson McMILtin, Freperic C. Watcort.
Class of 1920
Henry Farrrietp Osporn, Wm. Pierson Hamitton, A. Barton Hepsurn,
LisPENARD STEWART, Ropert S. Brewster, Witi1am Woopwarp,
Cuarces F. Dietericu, Epwarp S. Harkness, Epwin THorNe,
Grorce F. Baker, WintiaMm B. Oscoop Fietp, Percy A. RockeFrLuer.
Glass of 1921
Levi P. Morton, Henry A. C. Taytor, Lewis RuTHERFORD Morris,
ANDREW CARNEGIE, Frank K. Srureis, ArcHer M. Huntinerton,
Mapison GRANT, Greorce J. Goutp, Henry M. Titrorp,
Wititiam Wuire NI es, Oacpen MILLs, E. C. Converse.
General Officers
Wituiam T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartres H. Townsenp, Director, New York Aquarium.
R. I... Cerero, Bursar. C. Grant La Farer, Architect.
H. Dr B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer. Georce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
Officers of the Zoological Park
Wiritram T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircue tu, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merket, Chief Forester.
Raymonpv L, Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Rew Brarr, Veterinarian.
Wituiam Berne, Curator, Birds. G. M. Beersower, Engineer.
Lee S. Cranpat, Asst. Curator, Birds. Witriam Mitrcur.y, Cashier.
Eiwin R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuineton I. DeNysrz, Assistant. A. H. Crenpenine, Clerk.
Louis L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Metten, Secretary.
Grorcrt A. MacCatuivum, Pathologist.
* Deceased
LOOrtOrG (eC A “S-Or€
Phe Sb Ue lal nl N
AQUARIUM NUMBER
CONTENTS FOR NOVEMBER, 1918
GREEN MOR Ave. es ee ee
THE GREAT OCEAN SUNFISH ooccccccccccccscce-
Sea Lions anD THE FisHErRy INDUSTRIES _......
Arr Buapper TROUBLE IN CaPTIVE FIsHEs .....
AQUARIST AND AQUARIAN ......... et ad Aiea
Neep oF a CoLLectinc Boar ror THE AQUARIUM
iene MirGRIAETON SOW WISH) 2 eee
SPIN VAM EOS NR ae ee een ee we El, ee
On Spiper-WesBs AND SpipeR-WeB FisuH-NEvs.....
THe Many anp Curious ENEMIES OF FISHES........ :
Wark Work AT THE AQUARIUM 2.2 ccc cneenn
Ite MSO RMN TEREST ost ee tee
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SANDFISH
Fisu TRrRopuHIES FOR THE AQUARIUM
Fur Seat Herp 1n 1918
ReEcEPTION TO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
PAGE
see ee irontuspiece
._C. H. Townsend 1677
Ue ee aww. C. H. Townsend 1679
weds, DL. Mowbray 1683
sonnulda M. Mellen 1683
vs Ida M. Mellen 1685
E. W. Gudger 1687
aaa amv wiVielLen 1690
Wy, hpi ene ea Sand C. H. Townsend 1692
aC. H. Townsend 1693
A Hicu Tipe
COLLECTING SPECIMENS
Lecture on Fish CULTURE
Wuate Meat
Foop Fisues at TRENTON Fair
OcEAN SUNFISH ....... CaprurepD Orr Lone Istanp By Mr. Georce McKesson Brown ...... Cover
010UT
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BULLETIN e
Published by the New York Zoological Society mel
Vou. XXI
NOVEMBER, 1918
NuMBER 6
THE GREAT OCEAN SUNFISH
(Mola Mola)
By C. H. Townsenpd
HE Aquarium had the unique privilege of
|p exhibiting a live ocean sunfish for a short
time on the third of June. Our hope of
making this wonderful guest a permanent mem-
ber of the Aquarium family faded quickly, and
on the following day the Museum of Natural
History had profited by our loss.
The specimen, a small one of its kind,
weighed 165 pounds. Its length, from its
short snout to the posterior edge of its remark-
ably short tail, was nearly four feet, but this
measurement gives little idea of its size.
It was caught on June 2 by two fishermen in
a motor boat, at the mussel beds about a mile
off Manhattan Beach, Coney Island, where the
water is seventeen feet deep. The fishermen
were using clam bait on sea bass hooks, and
the fish was hooked at the bottom. It took
nearly half an hour to bring the heavy fish to
the surface, when it was tied to the motor boat,
towed into Sheepshead Bay and made fast to
a wharf.
The Aquarium collector arrived promptly,
spent several hours in a vain search for a well-
smack to transport it, and as a final resort tele-
phoned to the Aquarium for a tank and motor
truck. The long haul from Sheepshead Bay to
the Battery proved fatal, and for the hun-
dredth time the Aquarium records the loss of a
large and remarkable marine animal for sheer
lack of a suitable collecting boat.
It is not often that an ocean sunfish small
enough for exhibition in a public aquarium be-
comes available, as it is one of the largest of
fishes. A specimen eight feet long, taken off
Redondo Beach, California, in June, 1893,
weighed 1,800 pounds. The skin was mounted
1677
by Mr. T. Shooter of Los Angeles, and it is
said that the body of the fish was cut up and
weighed in sections.
Dr. B. W. Evermann examined and described
a nine-foot sunfish brought into San Francisco
in May, 1915, which he believed to weigh not
more than 1,800 pounds.
The American Museum of Natural History
has a mounted specimen, ten feet long, which
must have been much heavier than either of
those just mentioned. It was taken off Long
Beach, California, in May, 1911.
There is a popular magazine reoerd of an
ocean sunfish killed in Australian waters which
was said to have been ten feet in length and
fourteen feet in vertical measurement.
All of these were taken in Pacific waters. The
largest specimen recorded for the Atlantic was
eight feet long. It was taken off Cape Look-
out, North Carolina, in May, 1904.
The measurements of the Aquarium specimen
were as follows: Length, three feet eleven
inches; vertical measurement, five feet two inch-
es; dorsal and anal, each one foot, seventeen
inches in length by nine inches in width; height
of tail, twenty-two inches; length of tail at cen-
ter, six inches; pectoral, six inches long by six
inches wide; diameter of eye, two inches.
The photographs at hand appear to show
that in the larger specimens of ocean sunfish
the dorsal and anal fins are relatively shorter
and broader than in fishes of smaller size, indi-
cating changes in proportions after the animal
reaches maturity.
The ocean sunfish inhabits the warmer parts
of the Atlantic and Pacific, and in summer
wanders north as far as Massachusetts and
1678 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Bz XB
OCEAN SUNFISH
Captured off Long Island, N. Y., June 1918, by Messrs. Ehrlein and Wagner. Length
4 feet, weight 165 pounds. Brought alive to the New York Aquarium.
California. It occurs off the New Jersey and
Long Island shores every summer, and _ speci-
mens, usually too large to be handled, are re-
ported yearly to the Aquarium by fishermen.
The name sunfish is derived from the habit
the fish has of basking at the surface in calm
weather, with the high dorsal fin projecting
above water. The scientific name Mola is
Latin for mill-stone, referring to the circular
outline of the body. It is also called head-fish.
It is a sluggish creature, quite indifferent to the
presence of man. Fishermen without any means
of capturing or killing it, often prod the big
fish with their oars without greatly disturbing
its composure.
I once saw a large specimen basking near
the U. S. Steamship Albatross, while that ves-
sel was engaged in making a deep sea sounding
off the west coast of Mexico. We were not dis-
posed at that time to undertake the task of get-
ting it on board. The fish paid no attention to
the vessel nor the pistol shots fired at its pro-
jecting fin by foolish marksmen.
One of the accompanying photographs shows
a specimen captured southeast of Long Island
by Mr. George McKesson Brown, of New York,
who informed me he had no means of bring-
ing it alive to the Aquarium.
The ocean sunfish has a rough, shark-like
skin, rather silvery in coloration. The pectoral
fins are small and rounded, and the small gill
opening is fitted with a
valve. It lacks ventral fins.
The vertical dorsal and anal
fins are conspicuously long
and heavy, but appear to
have rather limited freedom
of movement.
The tail of this fish is its
most remarkable external
feature. It is very short
. and thick and projects but
little behind the large ver-
tical fins, forming a heavy
rudder, hinged to the
“sawed-off” body by a soft
and flexible base. The tail,
with its few but heavy and
thick rays, extends nearly
to the height of the body.
Technically the fish has no
tail, the long dorsal and
anal fins being actually uni-
ted behind the body.
The rather small mouth
contains a parrot-like beak,
the teeth in both jaws being
solidly fused together.
Of the food habits of the ocean sunfish not
much is known. Our specimen, a male, when
dissected at the Museum, had little in its stom-
ach but two or three handfuls of green seaweed
(Ulva). The beak is well adapted for crushing
|
>. H. T., Photo
————————————————
2
Photographed by George Pollock
OCEAN SUNFISH (MOLA MOLA), PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 1679
such small mollusks and
crustaceans as inhabit the
surface of the sea. It is
known to feed to some ex-
tent on jelly fishes, while
eels in the larval stage have
been found in its stomach.
The stomach of our speci-
men had no longitudinal
folds, to indicate bulky
foods causing distension.
Little has been ascertained
regarding its breeding hab-
its. The young are quite
unlike the adult in appear-
ance and were _ formerly
known under other names.
Some of the stages of
growth are shown in accom-
panying photographs. The
early larval stage is still un-
known. The eggs have been
reported as minute.
Statements regarding its
edible qualities are at vari-
ance, some pronouncing the
flesh palatable, while others
declare it worthless. The
Aquarium specimen, like most of the ocean sun-
fishes described, was covered with conspicuous
round and flattened fleshy parasites about the
size of a silver quarter (J'ristomum molae) and
a few crustacean parasites (Cecrops latrielli).
OCEAN SUNFISH
Captured by the Norwegian Fisheries Steamer, Michael
Sars, north of the Azores. Length 6 feet.
Length 7 feet 6 inches.
Mr. Ambrose Monell, Jr., off Palm Beach, Florida, 1916.
C.H. T., Photo
OCEAN SUNFISH
Weight, estimated, 1000 pounds. Captured by
In some of the published accounts of the fish
it is said to be phosphorescent at times.
The ocean sunfish is apparently lacking in
powers of defense. Its mouth is small and its
skin is not sufficiently thick and hard to protect
it from the attacks of sharks. Specimens lacer-
ated by sharks have often been found. Its speed
cannot be sufficient to enable it to elude an act-
ive enemy such as the killer whale or the shark.
How such a conspicuous and defenseless crea-
ture drifts about the wide year after
year, attaining great size and weight, remains
an unanswered question.
oceans
SEA LIONS AND THE FISHERY
INDUSTRIES*
By C. H. Townsenp.
N important report on The Sea Lion Ques-
tion in British Columbia has recently been
made by a commission appointed by the
Biological Board of Canada. The commission
was charged with an inquiry respecting the ef-
fect of the bounty offered by the Dominion Goy-
ernment, with a view to reducing the numbers
of sea lions in British Columbia, where there are
important salmon-canning and other fishery in-
dustries.
*An article on the subject was published in THe BuLietin for November, 1915.
1680 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
OCEAN SUNFISH
Captured off Redondo Beach, Cal., 1893. Weight 1800 pounds.
The bounty was offered at the instigation of
fishermen, market men and cannery men, on the
claim that sea lions were enormously destruc-
tive to food fishes.
The work of the commission, or certain mem-
bers of it, extended over several seasons. It in-
cluded not merely inquiries relative to the
bounty, but investigations covering the breeding
places, numbers, food habits and utility of sea
lions, together with hearings of complaints
based upon their alleged destructiveness.
The commission, headed by Dr. Charles F.
Newcombe of Victoria, performed its arduous
field work with faithfulness. Notwithstanding
the enormous local importance of the industries
inimical to the existence of herds of sea lions,
the conclusions and recommendations of the re-
port are free from considerations of expediency.
The report covers the years 1915-16 and is
an important contribution to the ever-recurring
subject of seals and sea lions in their relation
to the commercial fisheries.
These carnivorous animals abound along the
coasts of many countries and have always been
condemned by those who live by exploiting the
fisheries. It is a remarkable fact that their food
habits under natural conditions have not yet
been studied to the extent necessary to the de-
termination of their economic status. It is not
many years since a vigorous attack against sea
lions was made by fishing interests on the Pa-
cific Coast of the United States. Many of them
were killed before the extensive slaughter pro-
posed by fishermen was
checked. The rather limit-
ed investigations which were
made at the time by federal
agents served to show that
most of the charges made by
fishermen could not be
proved. But we are not yet
in possession of such facts
regarding the food habits of
the sea lion, as have been
brought out in the case of
the fur seal, which has been
studied intensively. Until
this has been done, the sea
lion question cannot be de-
termined on a basis of fact.
The inquiries made in
British Columbia _ have
thrown light on the subject,
but what constitutes the
principal food of the sea
lion remains to be discoy-
ered. What the animal may
eat when it wanders into the
vicinity of extensive fishing operations, or what
damage to fishing apparatus might be attributed
to it, cannot safely be made the excuse for
wholesale extermination.
It has been definitely ascertained that the
principal food of the fur seal is not fish. The
same may be true with regard to the sea lion,
but it will be more difficult to determine. The
stomachs of large numbers of fur seals killed in
the open ocean while feeding, were examined on
the decks of sealing vessels and the results were
conclusive. In the case of sea lions, examina-
tions have been made of animals shot at their
breeding places, where advanced digestion left
few traces of food.
From the reports at hand from British Co-
lumbia, it appears that the bounty of #2 was
paid on 4,074 sea lions. It is stated that not
more than 50 per cent. of those killed could be
secured, and “at a conservative estimate there
must have been 8,000 killed,’ while the numbers
killed elsewhere “would add materially to this
number.” The number of sea lions in that re-
gion was estimated in 1913 by Dr. Newcombe,
Chairman of the Commission, at 11,000. In the
report for 1916, it is stated, “while in round
numbers 10,000 fairly well represents those
seen on the rocks at the rookeries, there is a
large number besides these, possibly even as
great a number or greater, scattered over a wide
area along the whole coast.” The estimate of
10,000 does not include the 8,000 believed to
have been killed previously.
'
;
§
er
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
The commission reports
that there was little evi-
dence of serious damage in
1916. “The sea lion is un-
doubtedly to blame for some
torn nets and mutilated fish,
but that he alone is to blame
is open to question. Nets
are commonly torn at other
fish centers where the men
searcely know what a sea
lion looks like. Valuable ob-
servations were made on the
stomach contents of sea lions killed. Since it has
been shown that fish not used for food as well
as squid and devil fish are eaten, he cannot at
all times be the epicure that some people would
have us believe. Although he requires animal
food, it is probable that he will take any kind
available in quantity to satisfy his hunger. It
is even possible that in helping to keep down
other injurious species he does more good than
harm to the fishing industry, provided he can
be kept away from the nets or other fishing
gear. If the disappearance of the dogfish is in
any sense due to the presence of the sea lion,
the sooner the matter is investigated the better.
No other species is so much a pest as dogfish.”
Very early larval stage.
In connection with the question as to the
amount of food required by an adult sea lion,
it might be well to mention that a California
sea lion fourteen years old, which has lived in
the New York Aquarium for eleven years and
which weighed in 1917, 610 pounds, eats about
sixteen pounds of fish a day. It would eat more,
but this amount has been found sufficient to keep
it in good condition. An eight-foot porpoise in
captivity requires much heavier feeding.
OCEAN SUNFISH (MOL4A)
Captured by E. Ehrlein and C. Wagner off
Long Island, N. Y., 1918.
1681
Early larval stage. Advanced larval stage.
OCEAN SUNFISH (MOLA MOLA)
Careful consideration is given to the commer-
cial uses to which sea lion carcasses might be
put. The weight of a twelve-foot sea lion was
ascertained to be 2240 pounds. The skin and
fat are of recognized value, and the meat might
also be made use of. There would certainly be
fewer objections to the killing of sea lions if
the carcasses were utilized. “It will be seen
that in paying a bounty of $2 for each muzzle
of a slain sea lion, and disregarding the hide
and carcass, there is lost an opportunity to en-
courage the prevention of fishing depredations
and at the same time, by means of a business
organization centered in the government offhi-
cials, make the sea lion, through its hide and
carcass, pay the bounty and more.”
Here we seem to be arriving at a possible
solution of the problem. If the latent resources
in the herds of sea lions which appear to some
undetermined extent to be injurious to the
salmon fishery, can be developed, the whole sit-
uation will change rapidly. When the sea lion
itself becomes the basis of a fishery, in which
the leather, oil and guano trades are interested,
its conservation will be considered for commer-
cial reasons. At present seal oil and leather
are derived chiefly from the hair seals of the
North Atlantic region. The sea lion of the
North Pacific is available for legitimate ex-
ploitation.
“While the commissioners recommend that
sea lions should be driven away or greatly re-
duced in numbers where it is evident that they
are doing appreciable damage, they are not sat-
isfied that there is any necessity for decreasing
the numbers at other rookeries, except after
some organized plan by which the pups could
be free from injury, as in the case mentioned
off the Oregon coast, in order that the industrial
value of the sea-lions should be conserved, and
more particularly in view of the possible friend-
ly offices of the sea-lion that suggest further in-
quiry. Even in the case where it is considered
necessary to diminish the number of sea-lions
materially, the monetary value of the hide and
1682
Photo, U.
FRAME OF “BIDARRAH”, READY FOR ITS COVERING OF SEA LION SKINS
This type of native boat is used as a lighter at the Pribilof and
Commander Islands for loading and unloading ships.
careass should be taken into consideration in
any plan adopted.”
Commercial fishermen in general have not dis-
tinguished themselves for broadmindedness. A
fight to save the pelican has just been won in
the legislature of Florida, fishermen having in-
troduced bills to permit the killing of pelicans,
gulls and other birds which they describe as
“terrifically destructive to food fishes.” A bill
introduced in the New Jersey legislature to per-
mit the killing of gulls was barely defeated.
The conservator of wild life has little chance
to sit with folded hands. The tendency to de-
stroy wild creatures not immediately serviceable
to man always exists.
We know little of the food habits of sea lions
and less of salmon after they enter the sea.
Perhaps the salmon has an enemy in some form
of marine life which is held in check by the sea
lion. Such relationships are well known to sci-
ence. The Pacific salmon and sea lions have
dwelt closely together for ages, and were once
infinitely more numerous, and it might not be
well to divorce them.
If by some magic the sea lions could be wiped
out of existence, the commercial fish catchers
would doubtless be reckless enough to do it.
They would be incapable of appreciating in-
juries that might result from disturbance of Na-
ture’s balance. Naturalists are broader minded.
The investigations made in British Columbia
show that the killing of sea lions prior to 1916
on the rookeries adjacent to the Rivers Inlet re-
gion, served to keep them away that year. The
manager of the canneries located there admitted
S. S. Albatross,
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
that it was not necessary to
kill sea lions, but that it
would suffice merely to
drive them away from that
neighborhood. The commis-
sion very properly declines
to favor any plan looking
toward extermination, it
having been shown that sea
lions ean be frightened
away from localities where
they do some damage. This
they suggest could best be
accomplished through the
Federal Department of
Fisheries, and add that “In-
discriminate and promiscu-
ous killing should not be
tolerated.”
The species under con-
sideration is Steller’s sea
lion (Eumetopias stelleri),
which is found from California to Bering Sea
and the Asiatic Coast. It is the largest of all
sea lions. The writer killed a specimen on the
Alaska Peninsula nearly thirteen feet in length.
ring Island, 1892
It probably attains a weight of more than
1400 pounds. Although as yet of little commer-
cial interest, it has always been of great impor-
tance to the Aleutian Islanders, who make use
of its skin, oil and flesh. The huge skin is the
covering of their boats, the intestines split and
sewed together are made into excellent rain-
proof garments, while the stomach is used for
the storage of oil. On the Pribilof and the
Commander Islands the supply of sea lions is
carefully conserved, their skins being used in
the construction of the great lighters or “bidar-
rahs’’ used in the loading and unloading of
ships. A photograph of this efficient native
craft is presented in this BuLLerin.
We cannot believe that the civilized world,
having hitherto made little use of this large and
abundant animal, can aftord to destroy it for
comparatively trivial reasons. While its num-
bers run into thousands, the figures count for
little when compared with the millions that
would have to be used in numbering the salmon.
The world is now, as never before, consider-
ing its supplies of food and oil and leather. The
sea lion constitutes one of the resources of the
sea. It must not be destroyed because its pres-
ence irritates salmon fishermen. Although for-
merly more numerous than at present, it pro-
duced no known effect on the stupendous runs
of salmon that crowded the Pacific salmon riy-
ers before wholesale and often unregulated com-
mercial fishing decimated them.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
AIR-BLADDER TROUBLE IN
FISHES.
By L. L. Mowsray.
CAPTIVE
MONG the larger marine tropical fishes,
especially the groupers, kept in the Aqua-
rium, there are sometimes troubles arising
from the nature of the foods supplied. These
fishes in their native waters feed to a consider-
able extent on large crustaceans which are un-
obtainable as fish food for northern aquariums.
The lack of these bulky foods apparently affects
the operation of the air bladder.
I have taken a large spiny lobster from the
stomach of a black grouper (Mycteroperca bo-
naci), that had been swallowed within four
hours after the lobster had been placed in the
fish trap. The stomach of the fish was so packed
that the outline of the lobster showed plainly.
The action of the gastric juices had been so rap-
id that the lobster, when cut out, looked as if it
had been boiled, and its hard shell was so soft-
ened that the finger could be pushed through it
with ease.
A captive fish suffering from lack of bulky
crustacean food to keep the stomach well
stretched and use up the gastric juices, spends
much time swimming with its head out of wa-
ter. Occasionally it will dart downward, but
soon returns to the surface as if seeking air.
The trouble is evidently caused by contraction
of the walls of the stomach when hard food is
lacking, which in turn contracts the gullet. This
has the effect of closing the air duct opening
from the air bladder. The air duct in such a
case may long have been inactive as a result of
the fish having been kept at an even depth, the
tanks being only four feet deep. Under natu-
ral conditions these fishes range from shallow
water down to considerable depths, while in cap-
tivity the action of the air bladder is restricted.
The fish gradually acquires much buoyancy
when living in shallow water and the tendency
to remain at the surface becomes greater. The
trouble is usually overcome by puncturing the
enlarged swim bladder, but this would not be
necessary if it could have been supplied with
more of its natural food. The puncture is made
by piercing the left wall of the body behind the
pectoral fin, a distance two-thirds of its length.
The operation is performed with a grooved nee-
dle. By piercing at this point the pectoral girdle
is cleared, and the smaller lobe of the liver be-
ing on the left side, its puncturing is avoided.
The air escapes as the needle is withdrawn, the
little flap of skin cut by the grooved instrument
falls back into place, the fish is relieved, and the
wound soon heals.
1683
This operation may again become necessary
unless the fish is supplied with the hard and
bulky food it requires.
AQUARIST AND AQUARIAN
By Ipa M. Mevten.
HAT is the correct title for a person
who understands the management of
aquaria? For some years this has been
a vexed question. Aquarian, Aquarium-keeper,
Aquarist, and other names have been given. A
similar difficulty accompanied the selection of a
word to describe a receptacle or building con-
taining live aquatic plants and animals, aqua-
vivarium and other names having been used be-
fore aquarium was finally settled upon.
The euphonius and unique name of “Aquarial
Garden” was bestowed upon an aquarium opened
in Boston in 1860. Professor E. S. Morse,
President of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory, thinks it may have been suggested by Agas-
siz, who was greatly interested in the institu-
tion. The Leisure Hour of 1864 states that
Agassiz “may frequently be seen walking to-
wards the Boston Aquarial Gardens.” As the
histories and guide-books of Boston covering
that period, tell very little about the opening
of the Aquarial Garden, it is interesting to learn
from Professor Morse that the exhibition con-
sisted of “individual aquaria round the hall, and
in the centre a huge tank in which seals, a shark
and other animals were displayed. Afterwards
a group of Africans, Zulus, Hottentots and
other negroes danced and sang on the stage.”
Such awkward words as aquavivarium and
aquarium-keeper are not likely to become popu-
lar. A book in our Aquarium library, published
sixty years ago in London, is entitled The A qua-
rian Naturalist. This is typically English.
From old American dictionaries we learn that
Aquarians were members of an heretical Chris-
tian sect that flourished about the middle of the
18th century and were so called because they
used only water at the Lord’s Supper. Mur-
ray's English Dictionary, at present the stand-
ard dictionary in England, gives this definition
and also defines Aquarian as “One who keeps
an aquarium.” It also states that the word has
been used, though rarely, as an adjective, an
article in the Intellectual Observer for 1865 be-
ing entitled “Aquarian Principles.”
The word Aquarist was adopted some years
ago by the New York Aquarium. In perfectly
correct form, probably, it should be Aquariist ;
but the contraction is preferable. The publish-
ers of the Century Encyclopedia, conferring
with the officers of the Aquarium on the subject
1684 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Bepartments :
Mammals Aquarium
W. T. Hornapay. C. H. TOWNSEND.
Birds Reptiles
WitiiaM BEEBE. Raymonp L. Ditmars.
Lee S. CRANDALL.
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
ELwin R. Sanborn,
Editor and Official Photographer
EEE EEE ESEEESEnnnn
Vou. XXI, No. 6 NOVEMBER, 1918
ee eS ee
several years ago, stated that in view of our
adoption of the word, its usage would be re-
garded as established, and they purposed insert-
ing it in the next issue of their encyclopedia.
This has not yet been printed.
Mr. W. A. Poyser, editor of Aquatic Life,
revived the word Aquarian in 1916 and has
since used it in his magazine, though he also
uses Aquarist.
Mr. Poyser advised the writer last summer
that he had received intelligence of the forma-
tion of an astrological society in Boston for the
purpose of studying mental, moral and physical
effects of planets on human beings. As the
world was passing through the portion of the
universe dominated by the sign Aquarius, the
society was named The Boston Aquarian Socie-
ty, its members being known as Aquarians. Mr.
Poyser’s informant expressed a humorous fear
lest a confusion of the titles Aquarian and dA qua-
rist lead to the latter being accused of star-gaz-
ing. But however that might be, aquarium
lovers may take assurance from the moral in the
old story about the little boy who, being a star-
gazer, finally fell into a pond while looking
skyward—which only shows that he was obliged
to direct his attention to aquatic life sooner or
later.
It is true that the word Aquarian has proved
most versatile, having found a place successively
in the realms of religion, pisciculture and astrol-
ogy; but Aquarist, being capable of but a single
construction, seems to hold the advantage.
NEED OF A COLLECTING BOAT FOR
THE AQUARIUM.
The recent loss of a fine specimen of the
ocean sunfish which might today have been on
exhibition alive in New York, brings up again
the question of a boat for the Aquarium.
Boat and pound-net fishermen along the adja-
cent coast frequently telephone the Aquarium
when unusual marine animals are taken. These
the Aquarium cannot often secure for mere lack
of suitable transportation facilities.
There is no reason why a small-sized ocean
sunfish could not be kept at the Aquarium. Dur-
ing the summer months the Gulf Stream drifts
interesting creatures northward, which enter
our bays and are frequently captured, but which
cannot be transported in ordinary shipping
tanks. All aquariums must do their own col-
lecting, as the animal dealer keeps no aquatic
animals but seals and alligators.
Fishes and most other marine animals must
be transported in their natural element, and
there is no device so well suited to this purpose
as the ordinary fishing sloop or power boat pro-
vided with a water compartment. In the com-
mon type of “‘well-smack,” as it is called, there
is a water compartment built in the middle of
the craft, to which sea water has access through
small holes in the hull. It is, of course, en-
tirely water-tight in its relation to other parts
of the boat. The well-smack is an old type of
fishing boat and has been used in many coun-
tries for carrying fishes to market alive. It was
in extensive use along the New England coast
before the practice of carrying ice became gen-
eral. There are many still in use, even in the
neighborhood of New York. All lobstermen
continue to use them.
In tropical regions, as in Florida, Bermuda,
and the West Indies, the day’s catch is brought
to market alive in well-smacks, usually of small
size. In fact, the first tropical fishes exhibited
alive in New York were brought in a large well-
smack from Bermuda by the late William E.
Damon. They were exhibited at Barnum’s Mu-
seum, then located at Broadway and Ann Street.
With a well-smack of suitable size, the Aqua-
rium could lay the whole coast, from Massachu-
setts to South Carolina, under tribute for speci-
mens in the summer season.
The New York Aquarium has never been able
to keep the perpetually interesting ectopus, for
the reason that it does not survive transporta-
tion in tanks, although specimens have been
shipped yearly from southern points. It is no
uncommon thing for Bermuda fishermen to keep
octopi alive in the wells of their smacks for
weeks together. The octopus lives long in cap-
tivity and is nearly always to be seen in the
tanks of Bermuda, Naples, and other aquariums,
to which it can be transported without injury.
It is common at Charleston, from which point
its transportation to New York in a well-smack
would be entirely practicable.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
At present the New York Aquarium can ex-
hibit nothing except what will stand the rather
rough treatment involved in the use of shipping
tanks. Our list of interesting marine forms
which cannot be handled by this method is a
large one.
By the use of a well-smack the expense of
collecting and the loss of specimens in transit
could be greatly reduced.
The people of New York have missed seeing
many wonderful marine creatures because the
Aquarium has never been able to add a boat
with a large water compartment to its collect-
ing equipment.
Who wants to buy the Aquarium a well-smack ?
THE MIGRATIONS OF
By Ina M. Metien
Alexander Meek, in his book on The Migra-
tions of Fish (1916),
ing phenomena, special and general, illustrative
of the habits and activities of fishes.
FISH
records various interest-
He shows that many fishes, like many birds,
migrate with the seasons; and, like birds that
fly with or against the wind, fishes swim with
or against the current.
That currents are an incentive to a change of
habitat is evidenced by the fact that ocean fishes
are much more prone to migrations than fresh-
water species.
Some of the principal ocean currents have
special designations, as the Mediterranean, the
Canary, the Japanese, the Northern Icelandic,
and the Counter Equatorial current, also the
Gulf Stream; besides which there are numerous
superficial, circulatory, and bottom currents,
unnamed. Some of the arctic currents are green,
and some, issuing from the tropics, are dark
blue.
Mr. Meek gives a chart of the oceanic cur-
rents of the world, which presents as bewilder-
ing a maze as one could well imagine. It is as
though the seas were designed from the famous
old puzzle, Pigs in the Clover; and after seeing
it, we wonder, not that salt water fishes journey
hundreds of miles, but that they are ever found
twice in the same locality. We are not surprised
that the sheepshead, whose one-time steady
presence around Long Island gave Sheepshead
Bay its name, is no longer commonly found in
these waters, but farther south; that the basking
shark, formerly a regular migrant to the North
Sea, now limits its hunting grounds to the Irish
and Norwegian coasts; or that the mackerel is
1685
reported to be quitting this side of the Atlantic
for the other.
Salt water buoys up an egg that would sink
in fresh water, and multitudes of the eggs and
larvae of ocean fishes float upon or immediately
beneath the surface of the sea, carried along by
currents for days, weeks, or months, in passive
migration. Great quantities of the fry of a
single species may settle together on the bot-
tom of a region remote from the ground on
which they were spawned; or the fry of several
species may become mixed together.
The migrations of fishes are not, however, due
essentially to currents, but to several other
causes.
Migration may be actuated by the food sup-
ply. Both young and old fishes are subject to
periodic migration. The young are also af-
fected by seasons, and enter upon so-called sea-
sonal migrations, while the older fishes engage
in yearly spawning migrations under the im-
pulse of sexual maturity, which occurs when
they are three or more years old. The migra-
tory instinct is so powerful in the mature fishes
that considerable loss of life ensues among some
species during these “annual pulsations’ from
the sheer exhaustion of travel. They generally
have regular spawning grounds. The salmon,
marine lampreys, and most of the herrings and
shads enter the rivers to spawn; while the eel
journeys from fresh water to the ocean. Some
species migrate from the shore to mid-ocean,
some rise from the depths to spawn at the sur-
face. They are all nocturnal in habit. The
deep-sea species, during migration, move up-
ward by night, feeding and traveling, and down-
ward by day, to rest. Dogfishes migrate in large
companies into shallow water for the summer,
and deep water for the winter. Herring also
migrate in enormous shoals, and one writer es-
timates that if a herring be allowed for every
cubie foot, and a shoal 18 feet deep is limited to
one square mile (many are of vastly larger di-
mensions), it would contain 500,000,000 fish.
“The herring,’ he says, “would literally choke
the sea if not largely destroyed by other fish as
well as by birds.”
Some of the lung fishes of Africa hibernate in
mud in the winter, and this is looked upon as a
substitute for migration. It appears that the
majority of fishes are great travelers.
Attendance.—The number of visitors at the
Aquarium to date has fallen off somewhat as
compared with the same period of 1917. The
million mark was passed in September.
‘mntienby Yi0X MON
QYITANYd) HALSHOT ANIdS]
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ON SPIDER WEBS AND SPIDER WEB
FISH NETS
By E. W. Gupaer,
Professor of Biology, State Normal College,
Greensboro, N. C.
N the Butretin for March, 1918, I pub-
lished a short article on the spider-web fish-
net, giving all the accounts then at hand of
this interesting fishing apparatus. Since that
time, however, some additional data have come
to hand and it seems desirable to put these on
record, and all the more so because many people
have thought the first article a “fish story’ and
not worthy of credence. The data now to be
presented will amply confirm the accounts pre-
viously given.
The account in question had its origin in a
communication from the distinguished Russian
traveller, Miklucho-Maclay, to the German ex-
plorer, Kubary, and by him passed on to Louis
Becke, the Australian South Sea trader and
writer of charming books on South Sea Life
and customs. In addition to a search made for
me at the time of the writing of the first article
through the available publications of Miklucho-
Maclay, I have myself made during the past
summer a careful search through his bibliogra-
phy for all titles bearing on New Guinea. The
New Guinea papers were all gone through one
by one and page by page, but nowhere was
there found any account of the spider-web fish-
net story as related by Kubary. The record, if
any was made, seems to have been lost.
As opportunity has offered during the past
six months, notes have been made of unusually
strong spider-webs. And interesting in them-
selves as well as furnishing corroboratory evi-
dence, some paragraphs may well be devoted to
such accounts.
As early as 1725, Sir Hans Sloane in his book
on Jamaica wrote of a large wood spider which
made nets “so strong as to give a man inveigled
in them trouble for sometime” and he quotes
Jan de Laet that at Cumana there were spiders’
webs so strong that considerable force was need-
ed to break them. Laet wrote somewhere in the
sixteen hundreds, but I have not been able to
verify the citation, nor one from Oveido to the
same effect for the West Indies.
Later on, (1745), Wm. Smith records the fact
that on St. Kitts, Leeward Islands, certain huge
spiders make such large webs reaching from
bush to bush that they are troublesome to pe-
destrians. He quote Woodes Rogers that at St.
Vincent's, Cape Verde Islands, there are found
spiders’ webs of even stronger texture than
those found at St. Kitts. This statement of
1687
Rogers’ I have not had opportunity to verify by
reference to his book.
Jacobs (1844) says of certain large spiders
in Mauritius that: “Their webs, nearly as large
and strong as small fishing nets, and suspended
in the open spaces between the underwood, fre-
quently and seriously retarded our progress.”
Of the neighboring island of Madagascar
(log. cit.) quotes from Purehas Peter William-
son Flores and one Keeling, that there are spi-
ders therein which make exceedingly
webs.
Darwin in his celebrated “Voyage of the Bea-
gle” (1860) notes that at Rio de Janeiro the
paths in the forest were “barricaded” with the
strong yellow webs of an Epeira.
Moseley (1892), writing of the large and
strong spiders’ webs previously referred to as
being found on the Cape Verde Islands, says:
“A large and handsome yellow spider makes
large webs of yellow silk everywhere among the
bushes. The silk is remarkably strong, and the
supporting threads of the web often bend the
tips of the tamarisk twigs, to which they are
fastened, right down. Either the spider drags
on the thread and bends the twig, or the twig
becomes bent in growing, after being made
fast to.”
Turning now to New Guinea, we find D’Al-
bertis in his book on that great island, saying
(Vol. II, p. 15), that near the mouth of the riy-
er Fly, “A large kind of spider abounds to an
extraordinary extent. This insect constructs a
web from one branch to another at the height
of a man from the ground, by which it causes
the greatest inconvenience to those who walk in
the island.”
In the not far-distant Celebes, Hickson speaks
of huge, coarse webs made by large and bril-
liant colored spiders. While in the nearby Sol-
omon Islands, Woodford (1890) writes of large
spider-webs woven across the paths which were
so strong that catching him across the face they
offered considerable resistance.
strong
Slightly outside the line of this search, but
still worthy of quotation, is Douglas Rannie,
who, on p. 94 of his “My Adventures Among
South Sea Savages,’ London, 1912, speaks of
seeing at Toman Island a bag made of spider’s
web used by its native owner to carry a small
bamboo box. Similarly somewhat foreign to
this article but still of very great interest is the
following quotation from A. S.. Meek’s “A Nat-
uralist in Cannibal Land,’ London, 1913. On
p- 123 he writes:
“My natural history notes on this district
(inland New Guinea, near the head of the Aroa
1688 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
STRIPED BASS (ROCCUS LINEATUS)
River, 1903), begin with a note on the very
curious Saturnid moth found there, high on the
hills, which spins its web on communal lines.
A number join together to make a huge web
which is sometimes two feet and more across.
The natives use the web (which somewhat re-
sembles cloth) as a head-dress to keep out the
rain. It is perfectly water-tight.”
The reader has probably before getting thus
far asked himself if large insects may not be
caught in these great strong nets, as flies are
caught in our country in the weaker webs of
our smaller spiders, and in answer to this query
the following accounts are given:
Thomas Belt in his “Naturalist in Nicaragua”
(London, 1874,) writes (p. 108), that: “Here a
large spider had built strong yellow silken webs,
joined one to another, so as to make a complete
curtain of web, in which were entangled many
large butterflies, generally forest species, caught
when flying across the clearing.”
So also D’Albertis (1881, Vol. I, p. 385),
speaks of a large spider which had made a net
under one of his boxes and in it had taken pris-
oner a butterfly at least ten times its own size.
However, the natives of New Guinea are not
content to let the butterflies catch themselves
in the spider webs, but actually make nets for
the purpose of catching them. Witness Meek
(19138, pp. 140-141):
“They capture specimens (of a large hairy
butterfly living in the mountains), too, with nets
most ingeniously made of spiders’ webs. The
manner of making these nets was this: With a
very fine forked stick the native would make
something like the framework of a tennis rac-
quet. This he would run again and again
through and through the strong web spun by
the big yellow spider com-
mon to the bush there. Hay-
ing thus got some web
across the net. I have some-
times seen the natives get a
big fat spider onto the
frame, then shake him off.
As he tried to climb up they
would keep twisting the
frame and shaking it slight-
ly to prevent him ever
reaching it. Thus the spi-
der was made to spin fresh
strands for the net.”
It should be noted here
that these butterflies are so
E.R.S..Photo large that the alternative
method of taking them is by
shooting them with a bow
and arrow. They were as large as fair-sized
hedge-row birds. From this we can reckon the
strength of the net.
The possibility of birds being caught in such
large and strong spider-webs has also probably
occurred to the reader, and hence the following
accounts will be of interest.
For our first reference to this we must go
back to Sloane (1725) who says of spiders’ webs
in Jamaica that they are made of silken threads
so strong that they “will stop not only small
birds, but even wild pigeons.” While for earlier
authorities than himself he quotes Jan de Laet,
Peter Martyr, and one “Smith of Bermudas”
that spiders’ webs are known in the West In-
dies to catch birds as big as blackbirds.
Mosely (1892) records the following inter-
esting occurrence:
“At Little Ke Island (South of the west end
of New Guinea) von Willemoes Suhm actually
found a strong and healthy glossy starling
caught fast in a yellow spider's web, and he
took the bird out alive and brought it on board
the ship to be preserved.”
Meek (1913) says that such nets are used for
catching butterflies, as his description quoted
above shows, and possibly also for catching
small birds.
We now come to the use of spiders’ webs for
fish nets, and in addition to the data given in
the former paper, the following brief accounts
are set forth.
Hardy and Elkington in their fascinating
book “In the Savage South Seas,” London, 1907,
describe in detail many interesting methods of
fishing, but, in describing the various kinds of
nets used, merely note of ours, “Some are even
made of a tough spider’s web.’ From this mere
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
statement it is certain that
they never saw this net, for
had they done so a figure
and description would have
surely been given.
Van der Sande (1907)
states that a spider- web
fish-net (such as described
by Pratt — (see my paper
in the Bututetin for March,
1918) is not known in that
part of Dutch New Guinea
explored by him. Likewise
Meek (1913) does not think
it is so used, and character-
izes Pratt's account as a
fairy story, though he agrees
that such nets “were (used)
for prawns or very small
fish.” He bases his negative conclusions on
the fact that a native left such a net made
for taking butterflies outside in the rain over
night, and when morning came all the stickiness
was gone, and gone consequently was its use-
fulness for butterfly catching since the threads
were glazed all over. However, there is no rea-
son to judge from this that it could not be used
to catch fish, and in fact he says that it is so
used for taking small fish.
The next references, however, are absolutely
positive and corroborating as they do Pratt’s
account (1906), leave no doubt that such a net
is actually used by the natives of New Guinea.
It should be stated furthermore that the author
to be quoted seems to have had no knowledge of
Pratt’s book.
Mr. Robert W. Williamson spent some months
in the Mafulu district of New Guinea inland
from Yule Island and Redscar Bay—these two
being the basal corners of a triangle of which
Mafulu was the apex. Returning to England
he wrote two books, from which the following
extract is taken.
In both his books Williamson, after describ-
ing a dip net of hand-woven mesh, goes on to
say, using the same words:
“The other form (of dip net) is also found
on a looped cane; but the loop in this case is
larger and more oval in shape, and the netting
is made of the web of a large spider. To make
it they take the already looped cane to where
there are a number of such webs, and twist the
looped end round and round among the webs,
until there is stretched across the loop a double
or treble or quadruple layer of web, which,
though flat when made, is elastic, and when
used becomes under pressure more or less bag-
shaped.”
1689
ANALIS)
MUTTON FISH (LUTIANUS
Before leaving this interesting subject there
may be given a use of the spider’s web which
is intermediate between that described above
and that which will be described in full in an-
other and later paper. The account referred to
of this use is found in H. B. Guppy’s book ““The
Solomon Islands and Their Natives,’ London,
1887. On page 158 he writes:
“The following ingenious snare was employed
on one occasion by my natives in Treasury (Is-
land), when I was anxious to obtain for Dr.
Gunther some small fish that frequented one of
the streams on the north side of the island. I
was very desirous to have some of these fish,
and my natives were equally anxious to display
their ingenuity in catching them. They first
bent a pliant switch into an oval hoop, about a
foot in length, over which they spread a cover-
ing of stout spider-web which was found in the
wood hard by. Having placed this hoop on the
surface of the water, buoying it upon two light
sticks, they shook over it a portion of a nest of
ants, which formed a large kind of tumor on
the trunk of a neighboring tree, thus covering
the web with a number of struggling young in-
sects. This snare was then allowed to float
down the stream, when the little fish, which
were between two and three inches long, com-
menced jumping up at the white bodies of the
ants from underneath the hoop, apparently not
seeing the intervening web on which they lay,
as it appeared nearly transparent in the water.
In a short time one of the small fish succeeded
in getting its snout and gills entangled in the
web, when a native at once waded in, and plac-
ing his hand under the entangled fish, secured
the prize. With two of these web-hoops we
caught nine or ten of these little fish in a quar-
ter of an hour.”
1690 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Another use of spider web is that of a lure for
fishing with a rod or by trolling with a hand
line, a pole, or a kite. The lure is in the form
of a miniature tennis racquet with the threads
strung or wound over it, or in the form of a
loop or mass of cobweb in which the teeth and
snout of the fish become entangled. This is
especially used in connection with kite-fishing,
but as Kipling says, “that is another story,” and
the data therefor will be given later in another
paper.
THE MANY AND CURIOUS ENEMIES
OF FISHES.
By Ipa M. MELLeNn.
T is a singular fact—and singular in spite of
our knowledge that life everywhere preys
upon life—that nearly all of the great divi-
sions of the animal kingdom contain species that
are enemies of fishes. Two-thirds of the living
world, one might say, is inimical in one way or
another to fish life.
Like most other animals, they have microscop-
ic enemies and parasites of various sorts, both
plant and animal.
Among the vertebrates, beginning with the
fishes themselves, whose almost universal canni-
balism perhaps entitles them to be regarded as
their own worst enemies, the majority of ani-
mals have a taste for fish. Salamanders and
other amphibians, crocodiles, alligators and
other reptiles, many birds that live exclusively
on fish; and, among the mammals, the seals and
porpoises, most, if not all, of the cat family, and
the human species. are prominent in their appe-
tite for the finny tribe.
After this brief enumeration of the general
enemies of fishes, we should perhaps experience
no surprise on learning of certain curious and
special ones; yet the subject is one that does
elicit our interested surprise.
That a large fish will almost invariably eat a
smaller one is a familiar enough fact; that eels
have a special taste for trout is not startling;
but what shall we say to the discovery that one
species of fish will hunt another species in
schools; that dogfishes in overpowering numbers
will surround a school of mackerel, hedging
them in on all sides and from beneath, effectual-
lv preventing their escape, and hacking and de-
vouring them piecemeal?
We have heard of Bostonians who pronounced
themselves dear lovers of beans, and it may not
be amiss in this sense to say that bullfrogs and
fishes are dear lovers, one of the other. A bull-
frog loves a small fish—for breakfest—and a
big fish loves a bullfrog. The same state of
keen mutual interest exists between crayfishes
and fishes.
Water snakes have often been seen issuing
from ponds with a horn-pout, carp or perch in
their mouths. One close observer estimated that
a medium-sized snake would devour forty young
carp in a day and concluded that water snakes
consume more fishes than fish-eating birds,
though they are outdone in fresh waters by the
mink, which is accredited with possessing an
appetite for fish quickly running—from the hu-
man estimate—into a hundred dollars’ worth.
Musk rats, once believed to be almost strictly
vegetable feeders, are now known to prey upon
fish, especially carp and trout. Some turtles,
such as the musk, snapping, Blanding’s and
others, also catch fish.
Shrew mice are great enemies of young fishes,
eating even the eggs, and specimens have been
caught with ten young trout in their stomachs.
The otter is a huntsman rather unfair in his
extravagant habit of consuming only a small
portion of each fish he captures and then hunt-
ing another. The wild cat and raccoon, as well
as the weasel and skunk, go a-fishing, and ducks
and geese, world over, prey upon fish. The
crow is said to be a skillful fisher.
The beautiful kingfisher, with which man bit-
terly contests the privilege to fish (though
doubtless the kingfisher’s claims should be pre-
ferred upon rights of priority), is said to swal-
low a dozen fingerling fishes a day. The rule
against wantonly killing birds “Because nobody
has a right to take the life of any animal except
for food or self-protection,’ appears to have
been sadly broken by that German who, in four-
teen years, killed seven hundred kingfishers,
purely in a spirit of competition.
On this subject the State Zoologist of Penn-
sylvania in 1896 pointedly remarked that the
number of fish taken every year by lawless per-
sons in defiance of the statutes of his state, was
a hundred times over more than the number cap-
tured by the fish-eating birds and mammals com-
bined. And he named over twenty-five species
of birds and several mammals whose prey is
largely or wholly fish. What a lessened chance
of sustenance the birds and mammals must have
when man fishes with legal license!
The jealousy of the German who killed the
kingfishers was quite outdone in British Co-
lumbia during the summer of 1917 if reports
are true. It is said that two hundred hair seals
basking in the sun at the mouth of the Fraser
River were destroyed with dynamite for the sole
reason that the seals happen to enjoy a certain
fish that the human palate also craves.
eS ee eee
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Numerous species of crus-
taceans are inimical to fish-
es, and at one time it was
reported that the minute
fresh-water shrimp, collect-
ed in such quantities by man
to feed his aquarium fishes
with, would actually fasten
in numbers upon very young
trout and eat them alive;
surely, if true, a case of un-
conscious retribution.
The waters of lakes,
ponds and brooks are popu-
lous with beetles, bugs,
mites, and the larvae of in-
sects born in the water and
later developing wings —
particularly beetle and dra-
gon-fly larvae —that prey
upon young fishes. Many
aquatic bugs are armed with sharp and service-
able sabres which they use to spear fishes sev-
eral times their own size; the beetles have pow-
erful jaws, and seven or eight in unison will
attack and devour a live fish; and the dragon-
fly larva is a formidable enemy, with its long,
arm-like “mask” bearing on the end a pair of
miniature ice tongs, that can be darted out sud-
dently to seize an unsuspecting passerby in the
shape of fish, tadpole, or brother dragon-fly.
It has been estimated that a dragon-fly larva
will make away with several hundred little
fishes in a day, though several dozen is probably
nearer the mark. In a test of the capacity of
the water tiger (the larva of the predaceous div-
ing beetle) in which tadpoles were used, the
present writer found that the creature would
devour thirty-nine tadpoles in a twenty-four-
hour day; and young fishes would, no doubt, in
a state of nature, fall prey similarly. The ap-
petite of the dragon-fly is much the same.
A most curious and interesting case of the
destruction of very young fishes by mosquitoes
was reported some years ago by a gentleman
who said that as he was sitting in the shade of
some willows overhanging a mountain creek in
Colorado, the morning sun fell upon the almost
transparent bodies of some young trout—babies
still bearing a portion of the yolk sac. They
came to the surface every few minutes, and
over them circled a swarm of mosquitoes. When
a little head reared itself level with the water,
a mosquito would light upon and instantly trans-
fix it by inserting its bill into the brain and
sucking out the life juices, whereuopn the dead
trout would turn over on its back and float down
the stream. This massacre of the innocents he
SANDFISH (MALACANTHUS PLUMIERI)
witnessed for half an hour, during which twenty
victims were counted.
A large black spider was once cbserved in
New Jersey catching a fish, which it bit, grip-
ped, and dragged out on land.
Some mollusks are said to eat the spawn of
fishes, and fresh-water mussels, as is well
known, are parasitic on the fins and gills of
fishes in the early stages of their growth.
In a test once made of the survival of the
fittest, between beetles, bugs, fishes and other
pond inhabitants, a salamander was seen de-
vouring little fishes at the rate of forty an hour.
Some species of fish appear to have more ene-
mies than others. The salmon has numerous
foes besides man,— brown bears, seals and
wolves, eagles, gulls, terns and mergansers all
finding it palatable, besides which trout and
sculpins prey extensively upon the eggs and
young.
Sharks rank second only to man as destroyers
of cod.
Jelly-fish capture fishes of various sizes by
stinging them with poison nettles, and a species
of colorless fresh-water hydra paralyzes infant
fishes in the same way, making many a meal off
them.
Among the foes of little fishes, carnivorous
plants have not escaped suspicion, though their
enmity is believed to be neither persistent nor
formidable in a state of nature. Darwin de-
scribed plants that, by means of highly special-
ized leaves secreting gastric juices, capture and
consume small insects—insectivorous plants—
and he described the manner in which the blad-
derwort, Utricularia vulgaris, imprisons and
1692 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
destroys small crustaceans, worms, and micro-
scopic animals. Since his time it has been ob-
served that this bladderwort, when confined in
an aquarium with the newly-hatched young of
perch, roach, carp, or small aquarium fishes,
will trap them and therefore become, upon oc-
casion, a pisciyorous plant. Minute objects are
enabled to enter the bladders of the plant, but
not to leave them. After a few hours or days
the victims suffocate or starve, and the products
of decay are absorbed into the cells of the blad-
ders and thence into the tissues of the plant
itself.
Fishes have ever been prolific animals; were,
indeed, one of the common symbols of fecundi-
ty in the ancient worship of Nature. The group,
therefore, despite its multitudinous enemies, has
continued throughout the centuries to hold a
prominent place in the world of life; and for
all we can tell may be existing and reproducing
its kind many ages after even its most cunning
enemy, man, shall have become extinct.
WAR WORK AT THE AQUARIUM.
By C. H. Townsenp.
Navy Recruiting Station—At the invitation
of the Director, the Navy Department opened
a recruiting station at the Aquarium in April.
This station proved to be well located, as the
Navy yeoman in charge often had as many as
125 applicants a week. Preliminary examina-
tions as to age, eyesight, hearing, ete., were
made at the Aquarium, where such as were clear-
ly unfit could be rejected. Those passed by the
officer in charge were sent elsewhere for medi-
cal examination.
The Aquarium had its customary 5,000 vis-
itors a day during the spring and summer, but
the conspicuous Navy signs at the entrance
probably caught the eye of many a stroller in
Battery Park and conveyed the idea of enlist-
ment.
Lantern Slides for Army Camps.—At the re-
quest of the Young Men’s Christian Association,
the Aquarium prepared sets of colored lantern
slides for use in Army camps. These were illus-
trative of the forms of aquatic life exhibited at
the Aquarium and were accompanied by written
lectures, making the pictures available in the
hands of any Y. M. C. A. camp worker, where
an illustrated lecture was desirable.
The Aquarium at the Food Show.—At the re-
quest of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, the Aqua-
rium contributed several tanks of living fishes
in connection with the Government exhibit at
the Food Show held in the Grand Central Pal-
ace in June. The tanks were installed and the
water connections made by employees of the
Aquarium, who also cared for the exhibit. The
fishes were mostly those edible but less popular
species, that the Bureau is now exploiting as
food fishes that should be utilized to a greater
extent, such as bowfin, burbot, yellow perch and
carp.
The bowfin and burbot, both of which are
abundant in the Great Lakes, were formerly but
little used, but are now being shipped east in
considerable quantities. The consumption of
carp, abundant in all our waters, is greatly on
the increase.
The Bureau distributed circulars relative to
fishes but little utilized, setting forth the best
methods of capture, preserving, shipping and
cooking.
The Commissioner writes that the living
fishes “proved a most attractive feature and
added immeasurably to the success of the fish-
eries exhibit.”
Testing of Life Preservers—A committee, of
which the Director of the Aquarium is a mem-
ber, has, during a period extending over several
months, tested life preservers of the various pat-
terns used on shipboard.
It will be remembered that the first vessel
reaching the scene of the Titanic disaster found
but one body afloat, while a few days later, bod-
ies with life preservers properly attached, re-
appeared at the surface.
The committee undertook the examination of
life preservers under such conditions as would
thoroughly test their buoyancy and _ balance.
The tests were made at night in the tanks of
pure sea water at the Aquarium, after the build-
ing had been closed to visitors. The flotation
of each pattern was first observed while being
used by a fully dressed man of average size.
Sufficient weight was then attached to its lower
edges to sink it to a water line previously marked
when it was in actual use. It was then left
afloat for twenty-four hours or longer. Steam-
ship men and naval officers were present. The
work will be continued as other forms of life
preservers are secured. The tests have been re-
ported upon so far only to the proper depart-
ment at Washington—and the committee has no
report to be made public.
Fourth Liberty Loan—As the BuLuetin goes
to press, the Aquarium Station of the Fourth
Liberty Loan is in active operation. A naval
band is playing in the building. Two men ar-
rayed in the full-length life-saving suit of the
type used for wounded men on homeward-bound
transport ships, are giving public demonstra-
tions of its effectiveness in the large central
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
pool. The big sea lion which has lived eleven
years in the building is dodging about keeping
out of their way. And the sale of Bonds is in
progress.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
By C. H. Townsenp. =
The American Fisheries Society —The Amer-
ican Fisheries Society, which held its forty-
eighth annual meeting in New York this year,
was given a reception at the Aquarium on the
evening of September tenth. About 125 persons
were present and the entertainment took the
form of a smoker, with motion pictures and re-
freshments. The motion picture films were sup-
plied by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries and by
Prizma, Inc., of New York. The Prizma films
were natural color pictures of unusually fine
quality. All were illustrative of the fishery in-
dustries and fish culture.
During the week the meetings of the Society
at the Waldorf-Astoria were well attended
Much time was given to discussion of the sub-
ject of water pollution by manufacturing wastes
and the sewage of towns. The pollution of our
streams and lakes is on the increase and now
constitutes the greatest danger to our fishery re-
sources.
A Photograph of the Sandfish.—Mr. Sanborn
has succeeded, after several futile attempts, in
making an admirable photograph of the coy and
elusive sandfish (Malacanthus plumieri), which
has been livi ing in the Aquarium for more than
a vear. It is the habit of this fish to make
tunnel-shaped lairs in the eel grass in which it
hides. In order to provide a hiding place
which would still permit of its being aon ed,
a piece of tile piping was placed in its tank, but
the mere setting up of the camera sent it under
cover and a satisfactory photograph has not
been made until recently.
This is a common food fish in Flerida, Ber-
muda and the West Indies, reaching a length of
three feet and a weight of twelve pounds. What
little is known of its habits was published
the Buttetin for March, 1915.
Fish Trophies for the Aquarium—The Rac-
quet and Tennis Club has presented to the Aqua-
rium several large mounted game fishes killed at
various times by members of the Club. The
largest is a 500-pound tuna from Nova Scotia,
taken by Mr. Robert W. Chanler. Another tuna
weighing 152 pounds was taken by Mr. M. G.
Foster. There are two tarpons, one weighing
186 pounds, killed by Mr. H. M. Inman, and a
smaller one by Mr. S. L. Husted, Jr. There is
an 8-foot sail-fish, taken by Mr. W. S. Brown,
1693
and a California yellow-tail, sent without date.
All of these fishes were taken with rod and reel.
The Zoological Society hereby extends to The
Racquet and Tennis Club its grateful thanks for
this gift to the Aquarium.
Fur Seal Herd in 1918.—The Bureau of Fish-
eries at Washington has announced the result of
the census of the Alaska fur seal herd for the
season of 1918. The total number of seals of
all ages is given as 496,600. The census is of
date of August 10, the close of the breeding sea-
son. The figures given do not include the 33,881
surplus male seals taken during the season,
which would bring the total size of the herd in
the summer of 1918 to 530,481, an increase of
67,107 seals since the census of 1917
Ocean sealing, which involved the killing of
many more females than males, and which had
been going on for many years, was discontinued
by international agreement in 1911. At that
time the herd had become reduced to 123,600
seals. At present there are more than five times
that number. Since the cessation of ocean seal-
ing there have been no losses of breeding fe-
males, with the accompanying losses of nursing
young. Whatever sealing may be done on the
Pribilof Islands from year to year, will be lim-
ited to the surplus males of this highly polyga-
mous species, with no injury to the breeding
stock. We may confidentially expect a pro-
gressive increase in this immensely valuable
herd as time passes.
Reception to the Zoological Society—The an-
nual reception to members of the Zoological So-
ciety at the Aquarium on May 6 was attended
by over three hundred persons. The building
was specially illuminated and was decoented
with plants. Music and refreshments were fur-
nished. A shipment of tropical fishes, received
a few days earlier, added many interesting ex-
hibits.
A High Tide —The highest tide in the base-
ment fireroom of the Aquarium which has yet
been recorded, occurred on April 11, when the
water rose thirty-six inches above the floor, or
within two inches of the furnace grate bars.
After many years of protest, the work of the
Aquarium is still being done under the old han-
dicap. The sea has always flooded the fireroom
monthly during the new-moon tides.
Collecting Specimens.—The work of collect-
ing fishes and other marine exhibits for the
Aquaxtum has gradually become more difficult
owing to war conditions. Shipments by sea have
become more expensive, shipments by rail are
hampered by railway restrictions, and the move-
ments of small boats about the lower bay are
1694
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
L. L. Mowbray, Photo
THE ENTRANCE, NEW YORK AQUARIUM, 1918
limited. As all aquariums must procure their
own exhibits, from natural sources of supply,
the indications are that the collections of the
New York Aquarium will not be quite up to the
standard until after the war.
Lecture on Fish Culture-——The Director of
the Aquarium gave an illustrated lecture on the
subject of Fish Culture for Farms, at Columbia
University, on February 15. This was one of
the winter series of lectures under the auspices
of the University Department of Agriculture.
Whale Meat.—New York has not yet received
a very large share of the whale meat that is now
being made available. While Pacific Coast
cities have been using it for months, shipments
to eastern cities have been rather limited. Bos-
ton has had a few carloads. It was recently
quoted in the New York wholesale market re-
ports at seventeen to eighteen cents a pound,
and was for sale at a dozen or more retail
stands. It appears that the supply was largely
taken by the uptown district. Canneries have
already been established on the Pacific, and lim-
ited quantities of the canned article have been
available for some time.
Whale meat is palatable and nutritious, and
there is little evidence of prejudice against it.
It is no doubt destined to come into general use.
Whales are enormously large animals. and the
vast quantities of whale meat hitherto wasted or
converted into fertilizer, will hereafter be put
to better use. A report has just been received
from British Columbia that the season’s whale
catch for that region is the largest since 1911,
amounting to about 1,000 whales.
Food Fishes at Trenton Fair.—At the request
of the New Jersey Fish and Game Commission,
the Aquarium lent several shipping tanks of
food fishes for exhibition at the State Fair at
Trenton, September 8—October 4. Shipment
was made at the expense of the Commission.
Most of the fishes sent were returned, together
with many others collected for the occasion. A
similar arrangement was effected last year which
proved equally advantageous to the State Com-
mission and the Aquarium.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, privileges of the
Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten complimentary tickets to
the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payment of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the openirig and closing hours are from 10
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the vear; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report No.1............ Paper $ .40 Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors,
Le iS SNE aS CIOS ‘ 75 Cloth $1.00 sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects......... 35
rm “ “ $ and 4, each.. 2 40 a .60 (By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.)
Fe 3 eats (ey areas 15 1:00 | Souvenir Books: Series No. 8, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 78
“ “ . LS ees “ 1.00 cry 1.25 illustrations from four color plates. . ......... 50
x “ ee 10, a 1.25 1.50 (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
11, 12, 18, 14, 15. « 4 : en
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, each .... “ 1.00 “ 1.25 Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 82 Pages, providing
SereC 7 = space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horna- “A made from selected photographs of animals taken
day) postpaid ...-....-....-- 1.65 in the Zoological Park, complete with stamps....... .75
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- - (By mail, postage 6 cents extra.)
mals (Hornaday)......-...--. -15 Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
Notes on Mountain Sheep of North containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
color stamp reproductions... . Sry Ast)
(By mail 7 cents extra)
Photogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. Animals
and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
America (Hornaday).........- 40
The Caribou (Grant)............ 40 o 60
The Origin and Relationship of the
Large Mammals of North Amer-
WOHIRG Tatts hake Soe eea we “ 1.00 of 2 subjects. Per set, postpaid................. 25
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) “1.99 | Souvenir Map-Fan: A combined fan and map of the
5 = ZOGIOPICAINE ALKA er ttanetetetab niet afrent = alin = felal piriasareunies a .10
Tropical Wild Life (Beebe; Hartley; * (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
Howes) Ws eg senate Oe TN See 239 san Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 1-11 inclusive, from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
SCt eee eee e eee rece eee eee 2.80 Hatorin stolen fori. et ticvcn Seeks a cele wate oe
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos. 12, 18 and 14. Sf 25 (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
R ww NO 1S... ee eee ¥ +25 Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
ie Peer ape oraniseimciee = a +25 White seachieper rivers etoliitenis sieid ceesne ae 25
is ow ae and 18 5 125 Duotone s Brown esch ces /iosnw ese aerarice bos tines “35
it Giunehats ae GOOG Coie - ae Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each..........--.-.. 15
“ CORA pnt emp Sa nen “ 35 Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure...?for .10
“ CS Ens Ce (TT ep aaa a “ “25 35 a a AeColOre ae eiteie er 2for .10
“ SPR aero rs ee 46 25 New York Aquarium Nature Series
: Bi ee PD hana eh atthe Pa 25 Sea Shore Life (Mayer).............-.- ; Sie cute .. $1.20
7 hologica Vol. I. No.1...... se 25 Cultivation of Fishes in Ponds (Townsend)............ 20)
Vea ra ee 2 Besiki sl xe we 25 Chameleons of the Sea nomnaena Fontan eed SC eOCRD © 15
E E Northern Elephant Seal (Townsend)...............--.- 25
Bulletin Nos. 1, 6, 8, 85, 48 and 46 .. Out of Print Care of Home Aquaria (Osburn)... .........--00.e00 25
Bulletins—Bi-monthly......... 20c. each; Yearly by mail 1.00 Porpoise in Captivity (Townsend) | AVES Byrne Seat EER 25
Bulletin Nos. 5 to 28 inclusive, set, cloth bound, ........ 5.00 Natural History of the Whale Shark (Gudger) ara, See 30
“ “94 to 60 “ ay “ “ 10.00 The Gaff-Topsail Catfish (Gudger).. ... ..........4.. 30
5 FED pet RS ea: Sea eT aes a ‘ Inmates of the Aquarium (a book of views).........-.. .25
Official Guide to the New York
Zoological Park (Hornaday).........-.....e0eee eee 95 Aquarium Post Cards: Colored. Im sets, each... . 25
Publications for sale at 111 Broadway, Zoological Park and the New York Aquarium.
You. XXII. No. 1 Ao) JANUARY, 1919
"ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY -
BULLETIN
MW Published by
' 5 THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
| A
mi mm eA TN
(Nth
Nem York Zoological Society
Genera Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York City.
President
Henry FarrFrietp Osporn.
Hirst Wice-President Second Vice-President
Mapison GRANT. Frank K. Srurais.
Greasurer Asst. Greasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. Tue Farmers’ Loan anv Trust Co.
Secretary
Manpison GRANT.
Executive Committee
Mapison Grant, Chairman. Wm. Pierson Hamitton, Watson B. DickeRMAN,
Percy R. Pyne, Frank K,. Srureris, Antuony R. Kuser,
Witiiam Wuire Nives, LisPENARD STEWART, Henry Farrrietp Osporn, ex-officiv
Board of Managers
€x officio §=T'he Mayor and The Presipent Department of Parks, City of New York.
Glass of 1919
Percy R. Pyne, C. Lepyarp Buarr, Watson B. DickrrMan,
Georce Birp GRINNELL, Freperick Gitpert Bourne, Mortimer L. Scuirr,
Grorce C. Criark, Emerson McMituin, Freperic C. Watcort,
Cievetanp H. Donpasr, Antuony R. Kuser, BrEKMAN WINTHROP,
Glass of 1920
Henry FairrieLp Osporn, Wo. Pierson Hamitton, A. Barton Hepzsurn,
LisPENARD STEWART, Rosert S. Brewster, Witi1am Woopwarp,
Cuartes F. Dretericu, Epwarp S. Harkness, Epwin Tuorne,
Grorce F. Baker, Witiiam B. Oscoop Fiexp, Percy A. RockrereLier.
Glass of 1921
Levi P. Morton, Henry A. C. Taytor, Lewis RutHerrorp Morris,
ANDREW CARNEGIE, Frank K. Srurais, Arcuer M. Huntineton,
Mapison GRANT, Gerorce J. Goutp, Henry M. Titrorp,
Witiiam Wuire NIxes, Ocpen MILts, E. C. Converse.
General Officers
Witiiam T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park. 3
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director, New York Aquarium. Q
R. L. Cerero, Bursar. C. Grant La Farce, Architect.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer. Grorce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
@fficers of the Zoological Park
Witu1am T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircue tu, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merxet, Chief Forester.
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Reip Buair, Veterinarian.
WituraM Beese, Curator, Birds. G. M. Beersower, Engineer.
Lee S. Cranpatu, Asst. Curator, Birds. Witiiam Mitcuett, Cashier.
Exwin R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquariimm
Cuarites H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuineton I. DeNyse, Assistant. A. H. Cienpenine, Clerk.
Louis L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Metten, Secretary.
Grorcre A. MacCauium, Pathologist.
CONTENTS FOR JANUARY, 1919
PAGE
PIGEIVIINITINIGKYS IURIAG ORIAN G2 eee ee Frontispiece
Berese’s Great Purasant MoNnoGraPuH . We. TD: “Hornaday, 3
Curinese IMpreYAN Pueasant (Illustration). 1
WarrLes or Cock Tracopans (IJllustration)—. : : 5
Brown Earep-Pueasanr (Illustration ) 2 6
Kuser’s Bioop Partrringe (Jllustration ) 9
Tracopan PiumaGes (Illustration) pee ' : 10
Birp Nores rrom SoutH AMERICA... : : W.T. Hornaday 12
Tueropore Roosevett pene nA ee W.T. Hornaday 14
PREFACE LOOLOGIGN 2-2 isk 7 eke, ee Henry Fairfield Osborn 14
An Epipemic oF Parasires Raymond L. Ditmars 15
Boston ZootoaicaL Park REORGANIZATION __. Z (Boston Transcript) 15
Lee S. Crandall 16
William Beebe 19
George W. Hunter 21
Rare Briros Brep in THE Park
Witp Hunters or Witp Game
TropicaL Witp Lire 1x British GuiANA
YounG Gray-Backep Trumperters (Illustration) ; 22
Youne Hoarzins Cuisine (Illustration) 24
26
Tue Tropicat Researcu STATION IN 1919
IreMs or INTEREST Raymond L. Ditmars 26
Beavers’ Winter Food Gentle Winter
New Bactrian Camels A Subtle Malady
An Interesting Monkey Our Service Flag
Reliable Weather Prophets Elephant Acrobatics
Kuser’s Bioop PartTRipGe Cover
TEMMINCK’S TRAGOPAN, TRAGOPAN TEMMINCKI (J. E. GRAY)
Its home is in the great heart of China among the oaks and rhododendrons of high altitudes. Few white men have seen it wild,
Color-plate from Beebe’s “A Monograph of the Pheasants’
ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
Published by the New York Zoological Society
Vou. XXII
JANUARY, 1919
NuMBER 1
BEEBE’S GREAT
PHEASANT
MONOGRAPH
By Witu1amM T. Hornapay
FTER everything else has been said about
sport in game-bird shooting, the last word
is that pheasant-shooting is the finest of
the fine. As mountain-sheep hunting is to other
sport with the rifle, so is the pursuit of the
pheasants of the world in comparison with other
bird-shooting.
Of all game birds the pheasants of the world
are the most beautiful, and also the most diffi-
cult to find and to kill. Scenically, their haunts
embrace the finest and most spectacular moun-
tain and forest regions of the old world. It is
a far cry, both upward and across, from the
spicy, hothouse forests of tide-water Borneo to
the stupendous steeps and everlasting snows of
the highest Himalayas. And yet, at one extreme
Mr. Beebe found the wonderful Argus Pheas-
ant, and at the other the abyss-loving Impeyan.
To build a Monograph of the Phasianidae
that will do the subject even-handed justice is a
task for Men. We say “build,” because the
writing is the minor part of the work. The task
calls for great expenditures of money and labor,
perfectly synchronized with masterful ability in
the gathering of facts and illustrations. On one
hand, no amount of expense-money can avail
without genius expressed in terms of labor; and
on the other hand no flight of genius by any
possibility could attain more than one-quarter
of the way to such a goal without most generous
financial support.
On one side it was Mr. William Beebe whose
well trained scientific mind, tireless industry,
skill as an explorer, and skill as a writer and
book-maker that rendered this monograph pos-
sible. On the other hand, it was the profound
love of birds and splendid imagination of Col.
Anthony R. Kuser, combined with ample re-
sources, that brought about the union of fore-
sight and forces that produced the great result
now laid before the bird-lovers of the world.
There are monographs and monographs. Some
of them are mere picture-books, with an accom-
paniment of brief and perfunctory text. There
are others that delve into scientific details of no
interest to any human being save the delver
himself. Of what kind is the Kuser-Beebe Mon-
ograph of the Pheasants? Its modest binding of
maroon cloth does not even faintly suggest the
riches within.
First of all, it is something new under the sun.
It pulses with life and interest, and the charm-
ing personal touch of the author.
Its scope is broad, its plan is new and orig-
inal, and it grips the reader with a warm and
masterful hand. The overflowing wealth of
first-hand facts is a delightful surprise. It tells
the reader the things that he most wishes to
know about these strange and beautiful birds.
It reveals their personalities, their habits and
their romantic dwelling-places, their classifica-
tion and their geography. The science of or-
nithology is made fascinating, and the general
reader of Mr. Beebe’s abundant text soon real-
izes that when science is written by a sympa-
thetic hand, it can be both understandable and
delightful.
Mr. Beebe’s thirty pages of “Introduction” is
a masterful general review of the Pheasant
Family as a whole. It is a treasury of scientific
information, and as interesting as a good novel.
It shows how science can be made attractive in-
stead of repulsive; but it must be admitted in
advance that few other zoological subjects lend
themselves so thoroughly to this sparkling
treatment. This is science made available to
[ 3 ]
= a — — = —— - ——
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*[BOITBYO-SULUING-JO-[MOJ aq} *AY-UKYT-OF{ JE [[BO ‘s19YPRay FY} JO aizsN] Ol[|VOUT
I ‘asoulyg ey, “AAl[B 41 Uaas Sey UU azI AM ON “a0Ue}sIXa 1Oy JYSY 9ARIG B SULYBUL SI Pllg SIZ BULYD [eIZUaD Jo jlvat{ ayy UT
WATTLES OF COCK TRAGOPANS
1. Tragopan melanocephalus. 2% Tragopan caboti. 3. Tragopan temmincki. 4. Tragopan blythi blythi. 5. Tragopan satyra.
Made from color-plate, Beebe’s “A Monograph of the Pheasants”
[ 5]
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
~I
WINTER HOME OF THE NEPAL
Here the great pines and spruces defy the elements, rearing their sturdy gnarled trunks and spreading wide their
seraggy branches.
HIMALAYAN BLOOD PARTRIDGE
Between their trunks extend dense masses of stunted rhododendrons, and among
these the blood partridges spend the long winter days.
Plate from Beebe’s ““Monograph of the Pheasants”
the millions rather than the scientific few.
Briefly summarized, the Introduction includes a
real introduction, then a “Brief General Ac-
count,’ a table and a diagram to show genera
and relationships, a “Key to the Genera,” a gen-
eral map of distribution, a diagram of Regions,
“Flight and Gait,” “Food,” ““Roosts,” “Friends
and Enemies,’ “Voice,” “Protective Coloring,”
“Home Life,’ nests, eggs, and lastly “Relation
to Man.”
It is because of such presentations as this
that we place this monograph in a class by itself
and eall it a matchless model of bird exploita-
tion.
In the body of the work, each species is not
fenced off at its beginning by a formidable
barbed-wire entanglement of synonyms hung
with grinning skeletons from the past. * It is a
common thing for zoological species to be ush-
ered in by long lists of dead and utterly worth-
less names and references that are both useless
and repulsive. By Mr. Beebe the few synonyms
that are really necessary have been placed at
the end of each species chapter, instead of at
the beginning, as the custom long has been. For
this sensible innovation the reader registers
profound gratitude, and then plunges in medias
res.
This first volume of the projected four shows
that between a monograph written in a study,
from dry skins, and one based on first-hand ob-
servations made with the camera and gun in the
haunts of the living birds, there is a world of
difference. Regardless of time, labor and dan-
ger, Mr. Beebe sought out all the important
pheasant species of India, Borneo, Java and
China in their homes and haunts. He _ photo-
graphed their mountains and jungles, their nests,
their favorite rocks, trees and bushes. He col-
lected liberally of their eggs, young, adults, and
food supplies. He learned a thousand things
about pheasants that never before had been ob-
served and recorded and he solved many pheas-
ant mysteries.
Ever looking with the eyes of an evolution-
ist and a diligent student of avian life histories,
Mr. Beebe discovered how local and geographic
groups have developed varieties that have led, in
8 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
the case of the Silver Pheasants to the recogni-
tion of many species that are in reality no more
than individual variations. Many names have
been shunted into the oblivion of synonyms.
The author found that the one sure way to dif-
ferentiate sub-families is by observing the molt-
ing habits of the tail feathers. For example, in
the group of Blood Partridges and Tragopans
the tail feathers are molted successively from
the central feathers outward, while in all spe-
cies belonging to the twelve genera of the sub-
family Phasianinae (“Pheasant-like”) the molt-
ing process is exactly reversed. Now this fact,
simple as it is, establishes an absolute line of de-
marcation between those two groups, and places
the members of each where they belong. The
other two groups also are differentiated by their
molting processes.
Naturally, the reader is interested in his op-
portunity to become acquainted with the basic
classification of the nineteen genera of pheasants
of the world, and to learn of the four great
groups that nature has developed. Here is a
clear diagram of the whole Family:
First, we are favored with an excellent out-
line map of Asia, showing in color all the terri-
tory occupied by the group of Tragopans. We
observe that the Tragopan home embraces the
mountains of Kashmir, Nepal, northern Burma
and central China.
Mr. A. Thorburn’s splendid colored plate
bursts upon us with a blaze of glory. It repre-
sents what seems to us the acme of ornitho-
logical art. It is reproduced herewith, though
not by the same elaborate process that produced
the exquisite colored plates which so richly
adorn this work. As it stands in the volume, the
original plates leave nothing for either the bird-
lover or the art-lover to desire. The genius of
the artist cannot be described in words. Not
only are his birds exquisitely perfect in draw-
ing, coloring and detail, but his landscapes of
mountain, rock, tree and sky are equally perfect
as works of art. The work of the two English
artist-naturalists, G. E. Lodge and A. Thor-
burn, is nothing less than marvelous, and this
monograph is a monument to their artistic ge-
nius, as well as to the eftorts of Mr. Beebe and
Subfamily PERDICINAE (Quail-like)
[Tail moult centrifugal, from the central
feathers outward.]
Subfamily PHASIANINAE (Pheasant-like)
[Tail moult centripetal, from the outer
feathers inward.]
Long-tailed Pheasants
Golden and Amherst
ee
[Tail moults 3rd from the central pair
outward and inward.]
Subfamily ARGUSIANINAE (Argus-like) ene Peacock Pheasants .
Argus Pheasants
Subfamily PAVONINAE (Peafowl-like)
[Tail moults 6th from the central pair
{ Peafowl .
outward. ]
Blood Partridges . Ithagenes.
Tragopans : . Tragopan.
Eared-Pheasants ; : - Crossoptilon.
Impeyans < : . Lophophorus.
Kaleege and Silvers . Gennaeus.
Crestless Firebacks . - Acomus.
Crested Firebacks . . Lophura.
White-tailed Pheasant . Lobiophasis.
Junglefowl : : . Gallus.
Koklass Pheasants c . Pucrasia.
Cheer Pheasants - Catreus.
True Pheasants : : - Phasianus.
. Syrmaticus.
. - Chrysolophus.
Chalcurus
Peacock Pheasants . - Polyplectron.
Ocellated Argus . Rheinardius
. Argusianus.
. Pavo.
This foundation being well and truly laid, the Col. Kuser.
various species may be brought forward and in-
troduced. By way of example, let us choose
the aristocratic Temminck’s Tragopan. minck’s Tragopan.
The beautful Impeyan Pheasant
is the work of Charles R. Knight.
But to return to our sample species, Tem-
The colored plate shows a
KUSER’S BLOOD PARTRIDGE, ITHAGENES KUSERI BEEBE
“During a late afternoon in Northern Yunnan, a small flock of blood partridges worked its way down a mountain slope through
an unseasonable snowstorm that half covered the blossoming Chinese primroses and the newly budding dwarf bamboos.
Made from color-plate, Beebe’s “A Monograph of the Pheasants”
[ 9 ]
TRAGOPAN PLUMAGES
lragopans, unlike blood partridges, do not acquire the adult plumage in the first year of their life.
1 Chick, 2 Juvenile and 8 First-Year Plumages of the Satyr Tragopan.
Made from color-plate, Beebe’s “A Monograph of the Pheasants”
[ 10 ]
ZOOLOGICAL
Re
THE NEPAL
SUMMER HOME OF
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 11
HIMALAYAN BLOOD PARTRIDGE
In the eastern Himalayas the limit of perpetual snow is at 16,000 feet, and in winter the storms rush down from the crests
and sweep everything before them to tree level.
Only lonely Nepal shepherds ever visit these slopes
Plate from Beebe’s ““A Monograph of the Pheasants”
pair of birds in their mountain home, with a
Himalayan silver fir tree in the large, and the
paper laurel flower on which the bird loves to
feed. Then come two photogravures, from the
author’s the Yunnan
home of the specimens actually taken by Mr.
Beebe.
The text opens with four lines in small type
yhotographs, showing
ton) ton)
covering all the English, French, Chinese and
“vernacular” names by which the bird is known.
This paragraph is followed by five of
“Brief Description,’ two lines of record regard-
ing the “Type”
“Range.”
lines
specimen, and two more on
The real text opens with half a page of large-
type statement “General Distribution,”
which tells clearly and concisely all the reader
And then be-
gins the story of this Tragopan, now for the
first time adequately told. It is prefaced by a
little quoted matter, introduced by this droll
on
cares to know on that subject.
statement:
“To show the meagreness of our knowledge
concerning the wild life of Temminck’s Trago-
pan, I shall quote every fact that I have been
able to unearth in the literature of this species.”
And the quoted matter that follows fills only
two-thirds of one page!
Mr. Beebe’s treatment of the species is in-
teresting.
First he introduces the bird as he saw it in
its haunts, and describes its immediate surround-
ings, its plumage as it lay before him, and the
This is followed by close-
“Captiv-
contents of its crop.
range observations of the living bird in
ity,’ in the Zoological Park, where it has been
kept for six years.
The breeding habits of the bird are accorded
generous space; and it is no exaggeration to say
that this part of the story is of extreme interest.
Naturally the eggs come in for their full share
of attention.
After seven pages of interesting pheasant
story, we come to the section of “Detailed De-
scription,’ dear to the heart of the bird student
and curator, and to the highest degree neces-
sary. And how will the author handle it?
12 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Four pages of matter are set forth, in plain
and simple English, under the following heads:
“adult male,’ “adult female,’ “natal down,”
“first year plumage, male,’ “second autumn
molt, male.” The measurements are all there,
throughout.
Finally, the last half page of the twelve pages
of text is devoted to ‘Early History and Synon-
omy.” The barbed wire entanglement is only
three inches high, and the reader can leave it
and hurry away from it as rapidly as he chooses.
The specimen chapter cited above may be
taken as a fair average of the treatment award-
ed each species of the twenty-four described in
this initial volume. For some others the text far
exceeds the twelve pages of our example. The
justly celebrated Himalayan Impeyan Pheasant
is accorded thirty-four pages of text and many
illustrations, including six photogravures of its
haunts, its nest and eggs.
The Kuser-Beebe “Monograph of the Pheas-
ants” is from the famous press of Witherby &
Company, London, a firm justly celebrated for
the production of sumptuous works on zoological
subjects, and particularly birds.
Stated categorically, Volume I consists of a
preface by Professor Henry Fairfield Osborn,
twenty-nine pages of “Introduction’’ to the
pheasants of the world by Mr. Beebe, and 198
pages of text. There are twenty colored plates,
by G. E. Lodge, A. Thorburn and Charles R.
Knight, and thirty-one photogravures from the
author’s photographs. The colored plates in-
clude adult birds of both sexes, young in various
stages, wattles on a large scale, and many eggs.
There are five large maps of geographical dis-
tribution, the first of which shows the distribu-
tion of all the pheasants. The net size of each
colored plate is 814 x 111% inches, the type bed
of the text is 7145 x 1034 inches, and the size of
the bound volume over all is 12 x 1614 inches.
The binding is maroon cloth, with gilt title and
side stamp. The typography, paper and press
work is everything that could be desired in such
a work, and the absence of padding is gratefully
evident.
Now that peace has been declared, the war’s
delays that for three years retarded the appear-
ance of Volume I will not be so seriously oper-
ative against the three remaining volumes. The
text is fully complete and ready for the printer,
the illustrations have actually been printed, and
there would seem to be no reason for a long de-
lay in the finish. We are assured that the work
remaining will be completed with all possible
diligence.
In conclusion, and viewed dispassionately, the
Kuser-Beebe “Monograph of the Pheasants’’ is
a great work, and a new departure in the mak-
ing of works of its class. Distinctly, it sets a
higher standard in the illumination of zoological
groups. It represents years of labor, the ex-
penditure of a great sum of money, and the best
artistic talent in bird portrayal in colors. Judged
by this first volume, the finished work will be
worth to the world all that it has cost. No doubt
all ornithologists and zoologists will take pride
in the fact that American genius and enterprise
has produced the world’s most perfect zoological
monograph. To Col. Kuser, Mr. Beebe, the
various artists represented, and the publisher
we say—well done!
BIRD NOTES FROM SOUTH AMERICA
I. Tue Truta Asout GaTHERING EGRET
PLuMeEs IN VENEZUELA
OR fully five years, the plumage trade in
Paris and the plume exporters of Vene-
zuela have at intervals been advancing
handsomely embroidered stories of “egret
farms” on the Orinoco. Quite recently the
feather exporters of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela,
framed up elaborate representations to the
United States Treasury Department, intended
to open the way for egret plume exports to the
United States. Unfortunately, however, the
evidence was lacking in American flavor and
verisimilitude, and the ports of the United
States have remained tightly closed.
Meanwhile Lieut. Leo E. Miller, a trained
zoological collector for the American Museum
of Natural History, has spent six years in field
work among the birds and mammals of South
America. Finally, before becoming a “bird
man’’ in the United States army in France, he
wrote a thrillingly interesting book. Its title is
“In the Wilds of South America,” and its pub-
lishers are the Scribner’s of New York ($4.50),
and it should at once find its way into every
library of zoology, travel and adventure.
In the most nonchalant and matter-of-fact
way, as coming all in the day’s work, Lieut.
Miller has recorded certain things about the
gathering of egret plumes in Venezuela, along
the Orinoco in the region of the alleged “egret
farms” of which we have heard so much. For
example, on page 148:
“The Araueca is a river of considerable size,
and is said to be bordered by vast marshes and
swamps, the home of countless egrets and other
—
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 13
water birds. Hunting parties ascend during the
nesting-season, and kill great numbers of the
birds. The plumes are taken to Ciudad Boli-
var, and disposed of to the export dealers.”
On the upper Paraguay River, however, a
new wrinkle in egret slaughter is thus revealed
by Lieut. Miller (p. 222):
“Eerets were present in such vast numbers
that the trees were white with them; and when
they flew the twinkling wings filled the air like
snowflakes. They were not molested in this lo-
eality, for the reason that their habitat is im-
penetrable. I later learned in another region
that thousands of these birds are killed for their
plumes, in a most atrocious manner. About the
time the egret’s feathers are at their best, which
is also the time when the nests are filled with
young birds, the annual floods have begun to
recede, leaving small lakes and marshes teem-
ing with imprisoned fish, such as we had seen
en route to Rancho Palmiras. This is the sea-
son of harvest for the water-birds, and they re-
pair daily to some favorite resort to gorge on
the luckless fish. The plume-hunters, taking
advantage oi this combination of circumstances,
collect quantities of fish, poison them, and then
seatter them over the birds’ feeding-grounds.
Occasionally poisoned shrimp are used if the
inundations extend beyond the usual time. This
method is, of course, cheaper than shooting; the
birds are not frightened away as they are by
the loud report of guns, and the success of such
relentless persecution must be obvious. A whole
colony could be exterminated in its feeding-
grounds even if the rookery is impregnable.”
II. Stavueutrer or Connors
In his journey across southern South Amer-
ica, in the lake region of western Argentina,
Mr. Miller came upon the actual source of the
supply of condor quills that formerly met the
demands of the London feather market. This
was at Mendoza, in the Andes, four hours by
train from San Juan (p. 422).
“At Mendoza we met an Indian who claimed
to be the champion condor hunter of all South
America. During his ten years of collecting he
had killed more than sixteen thousand of the
magnificent birds. His record for one day was
one hundred and fourteen. Naturally, they had
become greatly reduced in numbers, for the con-
dor lays but a single egg and it takes many
months to rear the young. His method was to
drive a burro to some lonely gorge among the
bleak mountain-tops favored by the birds, and
then to kill the animal. He was very particular
in stating that the burro had to be fat—a poor
one would not do for bait. He then spread nets
about the carcass, and when the condors gath-
ered about to feast he pulled a rope and en-
snared them; on one occasion he trapped sirty-
seven at one throw of the net. The prisoners
were dispatched with a club and the long wing-
feathers extracted to be exported to France to
decorate women’s hats. Formerly he had re-
ceived about twenty pesos per bird. With his
accumulated wealth he built a powder-mill; this
promptly blew up, so he was again practically
penniless. Of course there were still condors
in the mountains—in fact, he knew of a ledge
where upward of eight hundred congregated to
spend the nights, but the price of feathers had
gone down fifty per cent. on account of the war.
He ended his speech in a very dramatic man-
ner: ‘What,’ he said, ‘me go out and slaughter
such a wonderful, magnificent and rare bird as
the condor for ten pesos each! No, senor! Not
299
me.
Ill. Insecr Pests Fortow Birp SLAUGHTER
Finally, Mr. Miller contributes to the cause
of the protection of insectivorous birds this
highly impressive paragraph, that is destined
to be quoted far and wide. Mendoza and San
Juan are in the lake district of Western Argen-
tina. (“In the Wilds of South America.” p.
221.)
“Tt requires but four hours to reach Mendoza
from San Juan by train. This attractive city is
really in the heart of the wine country, but the
vineyards were almost depleted from the in-
roads of an insect called the bicho de cesto. The
vegetation all about was covered with small,
ragged cocoons from which the hungry hordes of
destructive creatures would in the
spring. In places wide areas of weeds had been
burned over to destroy the pest while still in
the incipient stage; but enough always escaped
to undo the work of the few careful growers
who attempted to stamp out their enemy of the
grape-vines. The slaughter of birds on a vast
seale may account for the increase of the bicho
de cesto. We saw vendors on the streets carry-
ing baskets full of small birds of several species
—mostly sparrows—which they sold by the
dozen. The number killed weekly must run into
the thousands. As a natural result of this
wholesale killing, birds are not plentiful in the
environs of Mendoza.” We Tt Ee
emerge
14 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Departments :
Mammals Aquarium
W. T. Hornapay. C. H. Townsenpb.
Birds Reptiles
WIL.1aM BEEBE.
Lee S. CRANDALL.
Raymonp L. Dirmars.
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1919, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
Etwin R. SaNnBorn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Vor. XXII, No. 1. JANUARY, 1919
=.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The untimely loss of Theodore Roosevelt has
struck deep in many circles of American life.
As zoologists, we think of the loss to zoology
and wild-life protection. While this is not the
time to recount what he did in those fields, it
must be said that his unique labors and influ-
ence produced results that constitute in them-
selves a monument worthy of a great and com-
manding personage. The expedition to Africa,
and the zoological collections and literature that
resulted therefrom, constitute a great scientific
achievement. The measures for the protection
of wild life and forests that were either inaugu-
rated or finished by Col. Roosevelt during his
terms of office as President of the United States
were alone sufficient to make a reign illustrious.
Above all, however, it is the loss of Roose-
velt’s splendid Americanism, and his champion-
ship of the square deal to man, that registers
most heavily now. As an inspirer of youth and
men to high ideals of life, to straight thinking,
to right living and to high patriotic duty, he was
the greatest American that ever lived. This loss
in inspiring leadership is America’s greatest
loss. There has been in this calculating world
few great leaders who have known no _ policy
save that of fearlessly driving ahead in the path
of duty, utterly regardless of personal conse-
quences to themselves; but Roosevelt was pre-
eminently a leader of that rare kind.
The contemporaries of Theodore Roosevelt
never again will see his equal, and the aching
void that he has left in all human probability
never will be filled by one who is at once a
statesman, a champion of the rights of men, a
hunter-zoologist, sportsman and writer — one
man, preeminent in all. W.T_H.
PREFACE TO ZOOLOGICA
VOLUME ONE
President Henry Fairfield Osborn writes the
following preface for the first bound volume of
Zoologica, to show our members and scientific
colleagues the aims of the Zoological Society in
the new departure in zoology which it has
undertaken:
The Zoological Society of New York was
chartered in 1895 for three principal objects.
The first object was educational, namely,
popular nature teaching through the beautiful
and instructive arrangement of living mammals,
birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes, exhibit-
ed so far as possible in their native surround-
ings in a great, free zoological park and aquari-
um. The second object was economic, humani-
tarian, and esthetic, namely, the preservation
and conservation of wild life, especially in
North America, but in all parts of the world as
well.
When these two primary objects were well
advanced and the Society had established its
great Zoological Park and its great Aquarium
under the most intelligent and liberal scientific
administration, then it entered more seriously
upon its third chief object, namely, the promo-
tion of zoology through exploration, research,
and publication.
Members of the scientific staff of the Park
and of the Aquarium did not, however, enter the
well trodden field of the lifeless cabinet or mu-
seum animal, nor of the older systematic or de-
scriptive zoology, but sought a new and inspir-
ing field which had been relatively little
pursued, namely, the observation of the living
bird and the living mammal, wherever possible
in its own living environment. This is a path
pursued by the older naturalists and travellers,
abandoned for a time in the work of the labora-
tory, but which is now followed with the new
ardor of a larger knowledge of the problems
and a deeper insight into the search for causes.
These causes are sought in the experiments
which nature herself is constantly trying, or
in a close imitation of the actual experiments of
nature, as in Beebe’s studies of the causes goy-
erning the changes of plumage and of color in
the scarlet tanager (Piranga), and the Inca dove
(Scardafella).
Thus the Society puts forth this first volume
of collected contributions by younger men who
have been trained chiefly within its staff and by
its expeditions on land and sea, in the hope of
striking the new and inspiring note which life
always gives. These men have given the best
’
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 15
of their energy. and intelligence to exploration
and research. Patrons, managers, and friends
have backed the journeys and researches with
generous gifts. Especially in the wild life of
South America and of Asia, materials have been
secured for these and for more profound and
exhaustive studies which from time to time will
be published elsewhere.
REORGANIZATION OF THE
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Mayor Prrers Names Georce F. Morse, Jr.,
Nature STUDENT, AS CURATOR OF THE ZOO
AND AQguARIUM—REORGANIZATION COMING
BOSTON
In the hope of reorganizing the service at the
Zoological Garden and the Aquarium, to make
it of greater benefit to the public, Mayor Peters
has appointed George F. Morse, Jr., curator,
thus giving him complete management of these
institutions. The positions of director of the
Aquarium and assistant curator, for which pro-
vision was made in the budget at $2,000 and
$1,800, will be abolished. The position of cura-
tor of the Zoo has been vacant since 1914 and
the position of director of the Aquarium has
been vacant since 1915. During the interven-
ing time both these positions were occupied by
Assistant Curator McNeally, who resigned last
February. The change in management will
mean a saving of $1,300 per year.
Mr. Morse is regarded as a student of nature,
having been closely identified with wild life of
New England. He is secretary of the Massa-
chusetts Fish and Game Protective Association
and president of the Massachusetts Sportsman
League. He served on the Fish and Game Com-
mittee of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1914
and 1915. He was recommended for the posi-
tion by former Attorney General Herbert
Parker.—Boston Transcript.
AN EPIDEMIC OF PARASITES
By Raymonp L. Dirmars
A considerable part of our collection of rep-
tiles has been destroyed during the past two
years by the invasion into all the cages of
a minute parasite that attacks the skin of
the snakes. We have carefully investigated
the character of this serious trouble and find
that the offender is a member of that formid-
able group known as ticks and mites—a number
of which are responsible for a high mortality
among animals of all kinds. The members of
this group are scientifically arranged in several
distinct orders, and the mites come under the
technical head of Acarina. They are more close-
ly related to the spiders than the true insects
and a great number of the species are specific
parasites upon the bodies of various mammals,
birds and reptiles. Some are so minute as to
infest the bodies of insects. Upon the normal
host they seldom cause disastrous effects beyond
the annoyance caused by the existence of ab-
normal numbers. They are spider-like in form.
Some are of sluggish gait, while others are very
active. It is their transference from the normal
host to the body of another, that results in the
spread of various diseases that may: assume
highly aggravated phases owing to the partial
or complete immunity of the former host and
the susceptibility of the infested victim. This
is the cause of many epidemics among animals,
both domestic and wild.
A familiar example of the mites is that tiny
creature known as the harvest bug, which in
July, August and September is extremely
abundant in the southern states among broad-
bladed grass. It occurs rather sparingly in the
northern states, but in some localities is ex-
tremely annoying to farmers. Its specific hosts
cannot definitely be defined, as it has been found
upon reptiles, birds and insects. The female
is a brilliant red, and the action of the creature
is to burrow under the skin and deposit its eggs.
A livid sore is the result, which may spread over
an area the diameter of a silver dollar. This
may readily become infested by micro-organisms
and develop into a serious abscess, or blood
poisoning. The phase of life of this creature
indicates one of the dangers of the attacks
of mites, as the more formidable types not only
burrow under the skin in depositing the eggs,
but cause wounds by the imbedding of a blood-
It is the latter type that
is responsible for the spread of animal maladies.
The type that has caused such heavy losses
among our reptiles appears to be of the former
description.
sucking proboscis.
The presence of the parasites among our rep-
tiles was noted soon after the arrival of a large
batch of South American iguanas. These are
large lizards, with small, but hard scales and
very tough skin. The mites were noted in a
number of adjoining cages and an effort was
made to localize their occurrence and extermin-
ate them. While the minute forms were found
to be very abundant upon the bodies of the
iguanas, these reptiles appeared to be but very
slightly inconvenienced by the parasites. They
were cleansed with an oily insecticide and the
same applied to a number of infested snakes.
16 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
While the insecticide produced the desired
effect with the lizards and caused no harmful
results, it was found that the oil had a markedly
harmful result upon the delicate skin of the
snakes, and a number of specimens were lost.
In the meantime the invasion of mites quickly
spread. The parasites are very active, travel
great distances and will live for weeks or
months in the crevices of an empty cage, com-
ing forth to attack when specimens are intro-
duced.
Our observations lead us to believe that these
parasites normally live upon the bodies of
lizards, where they do little harm. In a wild
condition there is virtually no association be-
tween lizards and snakes, owing to their mark-
edly different modes of life, and the possibility
of transference is extremely remote. Under
the conditions of a collection of captive reptiles,
the parasites found immediate hosts among the
serpents, and upon the delicate scalation of
these reptiles caused great havoc in burrowing
into the skin and causing innumerable ulcers,
which prevented shedding of the epidermis and
resulted fatally in a great number of cases.
We noted an extremely interesting and con-
stantly demonstrated immunity to attack among
certain species of snakes. The large gopher,
pine and king snakes of our southern states
may be greatly infested, yet suffer no ill effects.
The South American serpents—coming from
the same country as the iguanas—appear to be
quite immune, beyond the appearance of an oc-
casional superficial ulcer, which is sloughed off
in shedding the skin. The American water
snake, the black snake, coachwhip snake and
hog-nosed snake are extremely susceptible and
so quickly become unsightly with sores and
swellings, that infested specimens must be
destroyed. An elaborate collection of Austra-
lian snakes, ranging in size from a large carpet
python to many examples of the poisonous
species, was literally swept from the collection
by attacks of the parasites. Two specimens
of the Indian cobra, which were in the midst
of the infested area, passed through the worst
ravages of the trouble without a sear or blemish.
Through the use of extremely fine powders,
mildly poisonous, blown into the cages by bel-
lows, we have the parasites definitely checked,
but owing to their extreme abundance in local
recurrences, it may be necessary during the
coming summer to empty the Reptile House
and resort to drastic and prolonged fumigation.
It is of interest to note the characteristic of
these parasites of attacking only the cold-
blooded animals. Our elaborate series of small
and delicate mammals that has been on exhibi-
tion in the Reptile House throughout the trouble
has never been attacked—though in immediate
proximity to the worst areas of occurrence.
RARE BIRDS BRED IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK
By Ler S. Cranpauy
Asst. Curator of Birds
Cc ONDITIONS under which birds are kept
in a Zoological Park where they must be
inspected daily at close range by thou-
sands of visitors, are not conducive to good re-
sults in breeding. Nesting birds of most species
require at least partial isolation from their fel-
lows, an opportunity for seclusion and a certain
amount of space. For most of our birds, these
requirements cannot be met, since the chief
function of such a collection rests on the visibil-
ity of the specimens which compose it. The
erection of a series of cages along the red deer
walk, part of them separated from the public
by a solid wall, has enabled us to give favored
pairs of the smaller birds surroundings suitable
for breeding, and many of them have done so.
The larger birds have a great advantage,
since they are easily seen at greater distances
and hence can be given more space. Among
these birds there are always a certain number
that attempt reproduction. There are many
obstacles to success and our summers in the
Zoological Park are largely devoted to giving
aid in overcoming them. Torrential rains, quar-
relsome neighbors, aggressive parents and ever-
present vermin of many kinds, provide a wide
range for the exercise of our ingenuity.
For several years past, the birds in the Fly-
ing Cage have maintained a mixed heronry of
great interest. A number of pairs each of rose-
ate spoonbills, snowy egrets, and white, scarlet
and Indian black-headed ibises, have loaded the
small trees in one corner with nests. However,
there is so little space and so much quarreling
that usually little comes of it, although all have
hatched young birds. This year a pair of white
ibises succeeded in rearing a single sooty young-
ster. Although so barren of practical result,
this colony is like a bit transported from some
great tropical breeding ground.
~— a
ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY BULLETIN
7s
MAGELLAN UPLAND GEESE AND FOSTER MOTHER
despite her diminutive size,
This tiny silky hen,
The laughing gulls in the flying cage are
among our most satisfactory exhibits. They are
always immaculate and their raucous voices are
never still. Some of the older individuals have
nested for several years but with little success.
Pelicans and herons developed a great fondness
for young gulls, and hustling the harassed par-
ents from their nests became a favorite sport
with others. We finally adopted the expedient
of surrounding a labyrinth of paving stones
with a ring of stout wire of small mesh, with
openings cut at the bottom for the passage
of the gulls. The latter birds took to it at once
and several pairs nested during the first season.
Still the babies mysteriously disappeared, and
after much watching we found that great herons
and ibises were forcing themselves through the
entrances, apparently far too small for birds of
such size. Last spring we remedied this defect
and two young gulls were added to the collec-
tion.
Our faithful old emus have nested twice, rear-
ing a single youngster of the first brood and
three of the next. Strangely enough, a year of
quiescence always follows one of breeding. The
emus nested for the first time in 1915, rested in
1916, and laid again in 1917. The actions of the
birds are a certain index of their intention, and
hatched the four goslings (Shown in the picture).
if all goes well we shall have another emu brood
in 1919. Whether or not this strange habit is
common to all emus appears not to be known,
it seems perfectly normal in our pair.
During the past season, probably our most
happy result was the rearing of three Magellan
upland geese. These are beautiful birds. The
male is chiefly white and the female chiefly
chestnut; both birds being delicately stenciled
with narrow bars of black. Our pair nested in
1917, but because of wet weather and vermin,
the young which hatched were not reared. The
next spring we decided to experiment and bold-
ly placed the four eggs under a diminutive silky
hen. The little creature could barely cover the
great eggs, but sturdily stuck to her post, and
hatched four fine goslings. One of them suc-
cumbed to a sudden thunder shower, but the
three others are now fully grown. After the
first week or two, the tiny mother was quite un-
able to hover her charges, but she guided them
with wise counsel, which they docilely obeyed.
Even when the ungainly fledgelings were four
times the silky’s size, her cluck was law.
This goose has been bred in Europe, but ap-
parently there is no previous record of this
achievement in this country.
18 ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
MAGELLAN UPLAND GEESE AND FOSTER MOTHER
Even when the fledgelings were four times the silky’s size, her cluck was law.
The curassows are an interesting group of
South American gallinaceous birds which would
seem to lend themselves well to domestication.
Unfortunately, while readily tamed and easi-
ly kept, they are difficult to breed. Previous to
1918, there was but one record of the breeding
of any species of curassow in this country, Mr.
EK. A. Watts, on the estate of Mrs. Frederic Fer-
ris Thompson, having reared the young of the
globose curassow.
A fine pair of banded curassows has lived in
our Flvying-Cage for several years. One autumn,
after the removal of the birds to winter quar-
ters, we discovered two large white eggs in the
top of a tall stump and suspected the curas-
sows. During the following season they were
watched closely and the female was soon found
incubating two eggs on top of the stump. The
eggs were removed at once and entrusted to a
silky hen; for young curassows would have little
chance of survival in such mixed company. But
our hopes were never realized, for the eggs, as
well as two clutches that followed, were infer-
tile. In 1917, we succeeded in hatching a young
bird, which throve until it was about a month
old, when it mysteriously disappeared. Last
spring we were more fortunate and a depend-
able silky, after an incubation period of twenty-
eight days, hatched two strong curassow chicks.
They were cared for solicitously, but in spite of
our attention, the smaller one died. The other,
however, grew well from the first. It feathered
with surprising rapidity and by September first,
when two months old, the youngster was in full
male plumage and distinguishable from its male
parent only by the difference in size. As far
as we are able to learn, there is no previous in-
stance of the breeding of this bird in captivity.
The Alligator Chorus-—The alligator colony
in the Reptile House has been having a very
noisy time of late weeks. The ‘gator colony
usually bellows when the whistles blow at
twelve o'clock. During the past month, how-
ever, there was a prolonged uproar from whis-
tles large and small, whenever a troop ship ar-
rived, and this was taken by the alligators to be
the chorus of a distant colony and they immedi-
ately joined in. A number of our soldier and
sailor visitors, who have had this condition ex-
plained, have been much amused and declared
the ‘gators to be “right there’ in patriotic
spirit.
ZOOLOGICAL
WILD HUNTERS
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 1
©
OF WILD GAME
By Witi1aM Breese
Curator of Birds
HAVE seen a French front line give way
because some quartermaster far in the rear
made an error in food and water supply. I
have been in a bombing machine starting on a
two-hundred mile trip, which came to grief
within sight of its hangar, because a mechanic
forgot, or was careless. I have known a great
German attack to crumble because distant muni-
tion workers misloaded their shells, and three
out of every five which fell in the preparatory
barrage were duds and failed to explode.
When creeping up on some big game animal,
of what use is your skill in aiming, your free-
dom from buck fever, your hunter’s knowledge
in awaiting just the right moment, if your gun
bearer fails you at the last, and your hand, out-
stretched behind, fails to receive the rifle,
loaded and ready? Many photographs of bird
or beast would have been impossible without
the intuitive co-operation of the camera bearer
—a naked savage perhaps, who could not un-
derstand a camera, and whose eyes would fail
to recognize even the perspective in a_photo-
graphic print. Yet if he be a real shikari, he
will unfold your graflex, and when your hands
are free, after worming yourself through vines
and underbrush, place the -strange black box
with its single staring eye in your quivering,
outstretched grasp. It takes months to reach
the haunts of your big game; a successful stalk
may last many hours; but a misjudgment of two
seconds on the part of your shikari will make
naught of all this preparation.
I have hunted with many savage men in many
lands, and the best were the Sea Dyaks in cen-
tral Borneo, and the worst were the Malays.
It is an easy thing to become known as a
fair-minded and generous Sahib to one’s sweep-
er and cook and luggage coolies, but to win and
hold the respect of your native hunter is no light
task. When I meet a man who is a hero to his
shikari, I know he is worth knowing in other
ways than in the jungle.
It is contrast that etches deepest into mem-
ory, and so I think of my past servants and
bearers in pairs—the most aristocratic—the ut-
terly slavish; the bravest—the most cowardly ;
the cleanest—the filthiest.
Again there comes to mind the incident of
Angad Singh. He was a Sikh—handsome as a
Greek, dignified and proud as only a Sikh can
be. For the space of a few months he was my
shikari and syce, and as brave and keen in the
hunt as he was courteous and patient. Across
my nightly campfire I came to know him more
intimately. When the embers glowed brilliant-
ly in the utter blackness of night, we drew close,
for we were camped near a high pass in north-
ern Burma, and the icy breath from the Tibetan
snows siphoned down with the mist at night-
fall. Twice on similar evenings we had started
at the sight of a tall form looming suddenly,
ghostly, from the darkness. The apparition
made us reach for our weapons, for more than
once poisoned arrows had rattled against our
canvas, sent from the cross-bow of some Chinese
renegade. But we now knew our regular eve-
ning visitor would be only Angad Singh, the
Sikh, come obviously for the following day’s
commands, actually in the hope of a chance to
talk for a few moments at the sahib’s fire.
Angad Singh was a true Sikh and wore the
five k’s of his caste—the uncut hair, the short
trousers, the iron bangle, the steel dagger, and
the comb. His manners were those of a cour-
tier. But Angad Singh had a temperate daring
which set him apart. Sustained by the thin
veil of asking for orders, he stocd by our camp-
fire each evening, grave, respectful, attentive.
I asked after the horses one by one, and ascer-
tained that the worn girth had been mended,
and I promised punishment for the syece who
had driven the extra pack-mule over the aconite
meadows, without harm, to be sure, but with a
carelessness not to be condoned.
Then each evening I spoke of some subject
casually, very casually, for any more direct
speech would touch our difference in caste, and
we should both become conscious, and the de-
lightfully slender daring of Angad Singh would
be ended forever. It was always a subject of
my own country and always of war, for the
Sikh is first a warrior, and next native, shikari,
syce, or what not. And his eyes would glisten,
and in the flickering light I would see him sway
restlessly, as a tethered elephant sways when
the wind blows from swampy jungle. I spoke
once of the great war between the North and
the South, and of the battle waged at Gettys-
burg. After a respectful pause, the question
came eagerly, “At this great battle, O Sahib, at
the Burg of Gettys, this Pickett Sahib, did he
not charge with elephants?’ And I considered
20 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
gravely, and finally confessed that there were
no elephants in that encounter. Ashamed to
admit that our American armies were destitute
of elephants, I hinted that the jungle was too
thick for their use. And Angad Singh shook
his head sympathetically.
In the great Punjab and northwest provinces,
the Sikhs form a marvelous body of men. In
numbers they equal the Norwegians. Their
caste is high, their laws strict. They may not
touch wine or tobacco. They are not born to
the title Singh, or lion, but acquire it by bap-
tism, the water of which is called amrit, or nec-
tar. The Sikhs form the backbone of the Eng-
lish native army and constabulary in India.
When, as master, you win the respect and affec-
tion of a Sikh servant, you need fear neither
poison nor steel in so much as it is humanly
possible for him to protect you. At first it is
sometimes difficult to keep the line quite dis-
tinct, to preserve the balance and distance of
your relationship. For his gentle courtesy and
dignity is natural and very charming, and in
appearance they are the most aristocratic, hand-
some race of living men. As one looks deep
into their clear eyes one longs for a hint of their
true ancestry. It seems altogether reasonable
that their forefathers were the remnants of
Alexander’s Grecian army, many of whom set-
tled in the northern provinces. And the kin-
ship of face, of morals, makes of them compan-
ions beyond all other native tribes.
From Angad Singh, type of aristocratic dig-
nity, my thoughts go to Cinghalese Veddahs —
low, savage, apelike, sniffing as they trail, long-
armed, cowering before me, but doglike grate-
ful of any gift of food. It was long before I
could make them understand that I wished
much to find the eggs of a junglefowl and when
I had almost given up, a Veddah led me a long
tramp through a scrub and jungle, and at last
squatted panting, for all the world like an over-
worked pointer, and there in front of him was
the last egg of a nestful of wild junglefowl.
He knew his wilderness as well as the Sikh, yet
his whole nature was slavish. Every race,
Portuguese, black and yellow, with which his
ancestors had come in contact had crushed him,
beaten him to the wall, until there was no re-
covery. His race is on the verge of extinction
and it will die out, not as the sabre-toothed ti-
gers died, but like the passing of some light-
starved plant—to a kismet which may perhaps
give him some new chance, an opportunity to
dominate in turn.
Of all my memories of savage hunters, those
of the Dyaks of Borneo are most thrilling.
They, more than any others, entered into the
spirit of the chase with most enthusiasm. They
had no idea what I wanted with pheasants, but
they loved the hunt and were eager to put all
their knowledge and skill at the service of
burong-orang, the bird-man. Science was an
abstraction far beyond their experience and im-
agination, but they speculated among them-
selves on my motives and the underlying pur-
poses of the trip. They saw the bodies thrown
away—plainly food was not the object. Some
were certain that the feathers and bones were
to be used as medicine, or at any rate were to
be sold, in time, for some indefinite purpose.
Others held, and these were in the majority,
that the feathers were to be used for head-
dresses. I was tracking head-dresses through
the marshes and the jungle, and some day, at
some auspicious hour, I would take them back
to the white man’s land—for the men to wear.
For it goes without saying that such things are
not for women.
These Dyaks could build a camp or break it
with great speed and thoroughness. When the
river bank was muddy, causeways were built in
an hour. They were superior woodsmen, and
knew the secrets of the jungle. They would
follow or they would wait at the signal, and
they asked no questions. But they would look
wistfully at my gun when game came within
sight, and their faces would be troubled and
overcast when I elected to watch and not to
shoot. At night, about the campfires, they
talked about this, expressing a gentle indigna-
tion and a profound wonder. A bush would
represent the rowi or argus, the sempidan or
fire-backed pheasants which I had hunted; a
blow-pipe, my gun. I would see them sometimes
absorbed in this drama. Once, I asked about
it, and I learned that it had been decided that
IT was an unaccountable hunter, but that they
respected whatever I chose to do, since it was
evident that I, too, was governed by signs and
by omens. Doubtless, the shooting of my pheas-
ants was no light matter, and if a white butter-
flv crossed the sun at the moment the burong
appeared, then Tuan was more than justified in
saving his fire. In this tolerance, in this
withholding of judgment, I saw what was finest
in the Dyak character. What they did not un-
derstand they did not therefore condemn.
Another shift of the focus of memory sharp-
ens the boisterous crowd of coolies of the Hills
—the thirty odd Tibetans who carried all my
luggage and food, and guns, and cameras, from
Darjeeling to their own country of the snows
and back again—good-natured, jolly, restless,
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 21
like a pack of school boys. There is little in
their lives to make them happy. They live in
eternal winter where the snow-covered moun-
tains look down upon range upon range of white
hills, and their transient homes are filthy and
infested with vermin. But they are immune to
suffering and privation; their excess of jubi-
lance and joy in living spills over in the midst
of the hardest labor. They laugh at everything,
good or bad. They seem to have acquired some
rough, instinctive philosophy which gives a
bright color to the world.
One day when I was tragopan hunting I came
across one of their settlements, where eight per-
sons and thirty-three hybrid yaks were gather-
ed in the semblance of a village. A single shed-
like building was perched on a small, grassy
platform which jutted out from the thousand-
foot slope of a great Himalayan mountain, a
precipitous slope dotted here and there with
rhododendron trees in full scarlet bloom. — It
was a sudden rift in a driving, vaporous cloud
which revealed this isolated dwelling, and, when
closing, shut it as quickly from view. This
seemed in some way to emphasize how hopeless-
ly these human beings were set apart from the
world, to show how every outside influence must
die out before it could reach them, to bring out
with merciless detail the completeness of their
segregation.
When I climbed down to the shed, I found
the people stolid, unwashed—the women hardly
to be distinguished from the men. They were
all of them dressed in layer upon layer of tat-
tered, dirty cloth, and stood silent, close to-
gether, as if afraid. But after I had been with
them an hour the mental and physical differ-
ences became apparent. One small boy, clad in
the rags of his ancestors, was the superior be-
ing among men. He stepped forward of his
own accord and made friendly advances, vol-
unteering the information that his name was
Yat-ki. His small, dark face with its Mongo-
lian eyes and typical low, broad forehead was
alight with eagerness and curiosity.
This young Tibetan readily understood the
business which had brought me to the moun-
tains, and pointed out a distant gully where
pheasants thrived in abundance. Also he of-
fered his services as guide should I have need
of one. He asked about my camera, and when
he learned that it was my ambition to point it
at the yaks, drove several up to me. In all of
this he conducted himself with the greatest
gravity and courtesy. The other members of
his clan were stupid, with that impregnable
stupidity which far transcends the reputed stu-
pidity of animals. When I was leaving and
asked for the symmetrical copper jar from
which I had been served with yak-milk, it was
Yat-ki who engineered the bargaining which en-
sued. And when I had climbed back up the
slope and turned to look down at the plateau,
I saw him standing far out on the ledge, wav-
ing both hands in farewell. He seemed smaller
than when he had stood beside me, younger,
even a little helpless, with the snow whirling
up around him like luminous spray from the
depths of the blue valley which lay so far be-
low. He could not have been more than twelve
years old, but he was centuries older than his
people in sympathy, in tact, in imagination. I
hope that since that day the gods of his Tibetan
clan have dealt kindly with him.
TROPICAL
WILD LIFE IN
BRITISH GUIANA
By Proressor Grorce W. Hunter,
Head of the Department of Biology, De Witt Clinton High School, New York.
T is not often that a book reviewer is privi-
leged to write of a book which contains his
own impressions or his own experiences, but
sometimes this happens. It was my own pecu-
liar good fortune to be for a few short weeks
one of the little laboratory group whose mem-
bers have given to the scientific world some of
their observations and conclusions in the volume
published by the New York Zoological Society
and entitled “Tropical Wild Life in British
Guiana,” by William Beebe, Director, G. In-
ness Hartley, Research Associate, and Paul G.
Howes, Research Assistant.
Kalacoon, as a laboratory station, was well
located for the purpose to which it was put.
Perched high on a two hundred foot elevation,
overlooking three great rivers—each broader
than our Hudson; at the edge of a primal jungle
which stretches immeasurable leagues away to
the banks of the Amazon. And yet within five
short hours of Georgetown, and within half an
hour of New York by eable, this place is ideal
for the study of tropical wild life. As we are
told in the introductory chapters, several types
of ecological vantage ground are at hand. The
Hills rubber plantation with its recently
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ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 23
cleared jungle; a second growth idea, stretching
along the edge of the primeval forest; and final-
ly the great forest with its moras, greenhearts
and crabwoods bound together with the tangle
of ever present lianas and monkey ladders, so
typical of the South American jungle. Wild
life there was in abundance, too, for him who
could see it.
Never will I forget my first experience in
that shadow-flecked jungle with Beebe as my
guide, as he pointed upward through the patches
of sunlight to a huge mora and said, “Howlers !”’
I never had expected to see a troop of real mon-
keys in full swing in their native haunts, nor
would I have done so on this occasion had I not
been with a man, who of all men it has been my
privilege to know, has the true naturalist’s in-
stinets interwoven with the almost second nature
of the woodsman. The jungle is a closed book
to the average visitor simply because he does not
know how to unlock its secrets. For one must
have the stealthiness of the Indian and the per-
severance of the trained naturalist to see the
sights that Beebe describes so accurately.
It is needless to say that the splendidly paint-
ed and vet scientifically accurate description of
the experimental work and field observations
bring back vivid pictures of those days of won-
der and evenings of stimulation. The mornings
were spent in the field, each worker going alone
to his point of vantage, where he might perhaps
sit for hours watching the play of life which
took place about him. Another member of the
party might travel alone far away from the
trails, searching for some new type of bird or
insect life that abounded for him who knew the
way to find it. And, after finding the habitat,
the study of the habits of the form was made
the objective, for the work of the expedition was
dynamic, and not static. Beebe, the trained
ecologist and laboratory worker, the keen orni-
thologist and enthusiastic naturalist, planned a
piece of work which was both practical and
scientific. An area of jungle which was little
larger than Central Park, closely accessible to
Kalacoon, was chosen for a field of study. Here
Beebe, with the pre-knowledge of the man who
has mapped out his work and who knows his
territory, apportioned among his men the pecu-
liar problems best fitted to their training and
interest. Hartley worked on general ornitho-
logical questions, and some connected with the
development of birds. Howes took the life his-
tory of some of the various insets predominant
there—particularly wasps. Beebe, primarily
interested in ornithological work, yet catholic
enough in his interests to seize on many of the
other phenomena, has written on the general
faunal conditions, as well as some of the special
chapters such as those on the hoatzins and
toucans.
While it is not the purpose of this review to
go into detailed account of this volume, yet time
must be taken to call attention to a few of the
more noteworthy chapters. Beebe’s account of
the general fauna and flora, as he saw them, and
in particular his delightful chapters on the jun-
gle and its life, the bird life of the Bartica Dis-
trict, and methods of research (Chapters 6, 7
and 10) are of peculiar interest. Some most
interesting scientific theories are hinted at or
are worked out in skeleton in these chapters. A
comparison of the sequence of seasons in the
tropics and in the temperate zone is most sug-
gestive. His description of the horizontal strata
of the jungle and the scientific spirit in which
he acknowledges how little we know of that top-
most stratum—that of the high treetops—is
most enlightening. Those of us who know our
Waterton recognize what strides Beebe and his
companions have made in their diagnosis of
jungle conditions. In his chapter on the bird
life of the Bartica District, he has shown that
in their short stay he and his party actually
have made a greater contribution in the naming
of species than did the naturalist Whitely some
years before with his much greater opportuni-
ties. His notes and methods of work are en-
lightening, and as an eye witness, were to me
most interesting. Frequently I have awakened
on my cot in the long laboratory room at Kala-
coon—where we all slept—to see Beebe at the
window, with the first light of dawn, carefully
observing the flights of birds, listening to their
calls and songs and making notes on such other
habits as he could observe from the laboratory
windows. As he says, ten years work might be
done without stirring from the laboratory at
Kalacoon. But this statement is true only to the
man with exceptional interest and exceptional
ability.
Chapter ten on “Methods of Research” de-
serves more than passing comment. For in no
place in the book more than in this chapter does
the scientific spirit of the research student blend
with that of the naturalist. As Beebe says, he
was concerned not with the haphazard collect-
ing of the old-type naturalist, but with “the
problems concerned in discovering, watching
and finally, if necessary, securing dead or alive,
certain definite species or groups of organisms.
And this was a very difficult matter and of all
places difficult here in the tropics, where a sin-
A YOUNG HOATZIN CLIMBING
A series of photographs illustrating the extraordinary climbing ability of a nestling hoatzin.
Plate from “‘Tropical Wild Life in British Guiana.
ZOOLOGICAL
gle glimpse of a certain species might be all
that was vouchsafed for many months.”
Beebe’s description of some of the sequence
of events which lead to certain of his observa-
tions are most significant to the trained biolo-
gist. Certain insects emerged only after heavy
rains; certain birds fed only on those insects;
ergo, to observe the birds first find the insects
furnishing the repast. Or to locate the driver
ants one must listen for the notes of the ant-
birds. And in turn one might then be reward-
ed with a glimpse of the white-fronted anteatch-
er which usually accompanied the driver ants.
The use of the jungle pit (see figure 35) not
only gave the expedition material, but has given
the literary world one of the most delightful
bits of descriptive writing that it has had in
many a day (see “Jungle Peace,” Chapter IX).
And in many other ways the inventiveness of
the laboratory-trained scientist shows out in this
chapter.
One of the most interesting chapters is that
on the life of the hoatzins. The careful exper-
imental work, and the series of photographs
taken to illustrate the locomotion of the young
birds is of fascinating interest even to the lay-
men. His reference to the claws of the archae-
opteryx (page 174) shows the keenness of
Beebe’s thought and the far-reaching activity of
his mind. Observations on “The Homes of Tou-
cans’ (Chapter XII) and on “The Ways of
Tinamou” (Chapter XV) are examples of his
delightful style and his keenness in research.
The chapters by Hartley are worthy contri-
butions to our knowledge of the development of
some of the tropical birds. Chapter twenty-
three on the perai fish is of particular signifi-
cance to me because of my own interest in the
life habits of this fish, the observations which I
personally made while at Kalacoon being con-
firmed in this chapter.
Howes, whose artistic ability is shown in the
admirable plates of the wasps, has made a last-
ing contribution to the insect life of the tropics.
Of peculiar interest is his chapter on “Con-
trolled Pupation” in which he describes the life
history as he saw it of the vermillion-nut fly
—a new species belonging to the family T'repe-
tidae and the genus Spilographa.
The supplementary chapters by Walter G.
White, a chaplain stationed at Penal Settlement,
and by James Rodway, the curator of the
Georgetown Museum, are interesting additions
to this noteworthy book.
The illustrations of the book are largely di-
rect reproductions of photographs taken by
Howes and Beebe, and represent hours and days
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
bo
or
of the most careful, painstaking and artistic
work. ‘To me, as a wanderer in this same jun-
gle, the photographs bring back vividly many
of the wonders of that territory—albeit the
colors and grandeur of those forest aisles of
straight-boled trees can hardly be reproduced.
The press work and typography of the book
are unusually good, characteristic of the publi-
cations of the New York Zoological Society.
Altogether, this volume is a noteworthy
contribution to the scientific literature of the
tropics.
Theodore Roosevelt at the close of his intro-
duction to the volume, writes “Mr. Beebe and
his associates, Messrs. Hartley and Howes, have
not only done a first class job, but they have
pointed out the way into what is probably the
most fruitful field for original and productive
biological investigation.”
The field of scientific research covered in this
volume can best be indicated by the actual
table of Contents which follow:
Part I—By WitiiaM Breese
Establishment of the Tropical Research Station.
Historical Bartica.
The Naturalists of Bartica District.
The General Field of Work.
The Open Clearing and Secondgrowth.
The Jungle and Its Life.
The Bird Life of Bartica District.
List of the Birds of Bartica District.
Akawai Indian and Colonial Names of Birds
and Mammals of Bartica.
Methods of Research.
Purther Notes on the Life History of Hoatzins.
The Homes of Toucans.
Ornithological Discoveries.
Young Gray-backed Trumpeters.
The Ways of Tinamou.
Wild Life near Kalacoon.
The Alligators of Guiana.
Part II—By G. Inness Harriey
Notes on the Development of the Jacana.
Notes on the Development of the Smooth-
billed Ani.
Notes on a Few Embryos.
Nesting Habits of the Gray-breasted Martin.
Preliminary Notes on the Development of thie
Wing.
Notes on the Perai Fish.
Parr IJI—By Pavut G. Howes
The Bees and Wasps of Bartica.
Two Potter Wasps.
26 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Larval Sacrifice.
The Black Reed-Wasp.
The White-footed Wasp.
The Forest Shell-Wasp.
The One-banded Dauber.
The Blue Huntress.
Paralyzed Provender.
Controlled Pupation.
Part [V—SuprLeMENTARY CHAPTERS
Notes from the Hinterland of Guiana,
Walter G. White.
Indian Charms, James Rodway.
General Index.
THE TROPICAL RESEARCH STATION
IN 1919
HE Tropical Research Station of the Zoo-
logical Society in Bartica District, British
Guiana, will be opened in March and work
carried on throughout the year. Director Beebe
will sail on February 21 with a corps of assist-
ants and artists, and will be followed during the
spring and summer by a number of well-known
scientists who will take advantage of the unusual
opportunities to carry on their various lines of
research in the tropical jungles.
The permanent headquarters of the Station,
known as Katabo, at the junction of the Maza-
runi and Cuyuni Rivers, two miles up-river from
Kalacoon, will be occupied for the first time this
year. Here bungalows and a large laboratory
are already built ready for occupancy. Especial
attention will be devoted this year to sending
live animals to the Zoological Park, in view of
the depleted condition of the collections, as well
as the gathering of material for a new volume
of Tropical Wild Life.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
By Raymonv L. Dirmars
Beavers’ Winter Food—During the Autumn
months we hear numerous queries from visitors
about the habits of the beavers in building an
elongated island of brush in close proximity to
their aquatic house. This island has been con-
structed each year and in the same spot. We
call this structure the food levee. The beavers
swim with sticks and brush from the shore and
lace these into a structure about twenty feet
long. Their object is to provide a generous
supply of food-wood for the winter and the bark
is not gnawed from this brush until the severe
winter weather is at hand. Each beaver, dur-
ing a single afternoon, will make as many as
twenty trips, sometimes towing a branch eight
or ten feet long. But a small proportion of the
food-wood actually shows above water, and it
is interesting to watch the industrious animals
diving in order to lace the branches well under
water. The oject of this is to have food that
may be reached beneath the ice, when the pond
is solidly frozen over. The animals make di-
rect trips from the submerged entrances of their
house to the food levee, and during periods of
severe cold carry on an active existence without
being seen. During thaws they break a hole
through the ice and feed upon the exposed
branches of the levee. They keep a hole open
in the ice as long as possible, but zero weather
and absolute closing of the surface does not
appear to be much of an inconvenience, owing
to their previous care in submerging ample food
supplies for such emergencies.
New Bactrian Camels.—The loss of our sin-
gle specimen of Bactrian camel, which had been
ailing for some years, has been amply compen-
sated by the purchase of an exceptionally fine
pair and a young specimen of this species.
These animals are quartered in a range at the
southwest corner of the Park, near the Crotona
gate. The young camel was born in July, 1918,
and is the gift of the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Finley J. Shepard. The Shepard children
have named the young animal “‘Victorine.”’
An Interesting Monkey.—Another arrival is a
large and particularly interesting monkey of the
entellus type, from India. The common entellus
monkey is very delicate in captivity. The
species on exhibition comes from northern India
and is said to be found in the Himalayan Moun-
tains at altitudes as high as ten thousand feet.
It is new to the Park collections and attracts
immediate attention from the extraordinary
length of its tail. In a sitting position this
animal is about two and half feet high. It
is of very slender build and the tail is about
four feet long. This animal’s agility is truly
remarkable. Without effort it bounds from the
floor of its cage to a shelf fully five feet high,
jumps to the mesh oy-s the skylight, which is
about eight feet higher, then lightly drops the
entire distance to the floor of the cage. Its
antics are as light and airy as the bounding of
a toy balloon. We have identified this specimen
as Semnopithicus shistaceus.
Reliable Weather Prophets—We have always
had considerable respect for the members of the
prairie-dog colony as weather forecasters.
During the past six weeks these rodents have
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
bo
~
BEAVER POND IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The brush showing on the surface of the water is the food-wood gathered and placed there by the beavers.
Mr. Ditmars
has very aptly called it the ‘food levee”.
persistently prepared the rims of their craters
for heavy rain. These preparations. consist of
much trenching and walling around the burrow,
shoving the earth well up about the mound, and
then tamping it down with the head. This pre-
vents water running down the burrows, if the
surrounding area is flooded. There was much
of this work being done on the 20th and 21st
of December, though the sun was shining and
there was no indication of a storm. On the
22nd there was an all-day and heavy fall of rain
to the depth of over an inch.
Gentle Winter—We cannot recall so mild a
fall season in a considerable number of years.
The transition from autumn to winter was
very gradual and the first indication of frost
was weeks behind last year’s record. On
Christmas Eve the lakes and ponds in the Park
were rippling against grassy shores that were
as green as in early spring. There is yet hardly
any signs of ice, but there is an occasional
dandelion actually blossoming on the lawns.
These are remarkable conditions compared with
last year. On December 24, in 1917, there were
fourteen inches of dry, drifting snow upon the
ground, and the lakes were so ice-bound that
skating had been in progress for some time.
There has been a great saving in coal, but a
green Christmas, with muddy and_frostless
ground, produces an abnormal and mournful
tone upon the landscape.
A Subtle Malady—We have suffered consid-
erable losses in the kangaroo collection from a
malady so mysterious that it has kept our acting
veterinarian, Dr. Mangan, very busy investigat-
ing. This fatal disease first appears as a slight
lump either under or on the side of the jaw.
At this stage the animal is feverish and refuses
food. The swelling rapidly enlarges, and to
such an extent that it is necessary to lance it.
It is like a large abscess in character. After
the swelling has been drained the animal sufhi-
28 ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
Me
¥
AN ARTIST WORKING IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Society always has encouraged the use of the Zoological Park for the sculpture and painting of wild life.
Mr. Paul Herzel, a young New York artist, spent several months in the Elk Range making studies and finished
paintings of our beautiful herd of Wapiti.
ciently recovers to partake of food, but the
wound assumes a spreading character, with in-
dications of necrosis.
sistent that the animal quickly weakens and
dies. The investigation of old records leads us
to believe that epidemics of this type have been
previously known in collections of kangaroos.
This condition is so per-
We are seeking a microscopic diagnosis of this
serious condition, which appears to be quite
confined to the kangaroos.
Our Service Flag.—Our Service Flag carries
sixteen stars with a gold star on the margin.
We are beginning to hear from members of the
Park force who fought in France. Howard
Engeholm, a keeper in the Bird House, recently
returned to Camp Merritt for demobilization.
He was a machine gunner and was severely
A member of the conservatory force,
James Doyle, is in the Greenhut Hospital re-
covering from wounds and gas poisoning.
gassed.
Elephant Acrobatics —Our large male Afri-
ean elephant, Khartum, recently gave quite a
crowd of visitors a very amusing time, when he
was furnished with a big crockery cask, with the
ends knocked out, as an object for diversion.
Khartum occasionally finds time hanging rather
monotonously and seeks amusement in ways
that are both serious and irritating to our con-
struction department. He has loosened great
girders imbedded in cement, bent the gates,
shattered doors and thrown hay at visitors. He
considered the huge cask distinctly entertaining
and kicked it distances of fifty feet or more,
and always with a hind foot. Tiring of this he
stood the cask on end and tried knocking it
He finished
the performance by pushing the cask from a
over with a swing of his trunk.
kneeling position. We were surprised to note
that the elephant has not broken the cask
through a number of days’ exercise in the yard.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, Zoopathologica,
privileges of the Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten compli-
mentary tickets to the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payment of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000, a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. From April 15 to October 15, the openirig and closing hours are from 10
o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset. From October 16 to April 14, the opening and
closing hours are from 10 o'clock A. M. until one-half hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open every day in the year; April 15 to October 15, 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.;
October 16 to April 14, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Open free to the public every day in the year.
Annual Report No. Aacratetatatetstanate's\« Esper $ .40 Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors,
“ “ SF an oe eee "5 Cloth $1.00 sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects......... 25
o “ On Frege ach. RY A “ ae (By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.)
aa “ +1 oY S & ‘ “0 ; Souvenir Books: Series No. 8, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 78
5 6, a 75 1.00 illustrations from four color plates. ............. 50
a tf CA alee: Pas a 1.00 ‘a 1.25 (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
5 Loa 10: Be # 1.25 re 1.50 Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 32 pages, providing
“ “01. 12, 18, 14, 15 space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
Lr Re nage es # made from selected photographs of animals taken
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, each .... 1.00 1.25 in the Zoological Park, complete with stamps. ...... 15
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horna- (By mail, postage 6 cents extra.)
Gay HOStpaAldiec stile reieente ticle aa 1.65 Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
mals (Hornaday)............. es 15 COloKStAnip ne procmMetiOnsny-m/aide rere iiereel
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FZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
THE FOUR-EYES (CHAETODON CAPISTRATUS
Published by
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
HOV TFT DIM
%
Z. MMMM LT
MARCH, 1919
New York Zoological Society
GeneraL Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York Ciry.
President
Henry FatrrieELp Osporn.
Hirst Vice-President _ Second Hice-President
Mapison GRANT. Frank K. Srurais.
Greasurer Asat. Oreasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. Tue Farmers’ Loan anp Trust Co.
Secretary
Mapison GRANT.
Executive Committee
Mapison Grant, Chairman. Wm. Pierson Hamitton, Watson B. DickerRMAN,
Percy R. Pyne, Frank K. Srureis, Antuony R. Kuser,
Witiiam Wuirte Nites, LisPENARD STEWART, Henry Fairriretp Osporn, ez-officic
Board of Managers
£x officia: The Mayor and The Presipent Department of Parks, City of New York.
Glass of 1919
Percy R. Pyne, C. Lepyarp Buarr, Watson B. DickrerMAN,
Georce Birp GRINNELL, FrepericK GILBERT Bourne, Mortimer L. Scuirr,
Georce C. Cuark, Emerson McMI.tin, Freperic C. Watcort.
CueveLanp H. Donesr, AntuHony R. Kuser, BEEKMAN WINTHROP,
Glass of 1920
Henry FairrieLp Osporn, Wo. Pierson Hamitton, A. Barton Hepsurn,
LisPENARD STEWART, Rosert S. Brewster, Witi1am Woopwarp,
Cuartes F, Dierericu, Epwarp S. Harkness, Epwin Tuorne,
Georce F. Baker, Wivziam B. Oscoop Fretp, Percy A. RocKEFELLER.
Glass of 1921
Levi P. Morton, Henry A. C. Taytor, Lewis RutHerrorp Morris,
ANnpREW CARNEGIE, Frank K. Srurais, Arcuer M. Huntinerton,
Mapison GRANT, Georce J. Goutp, Henry M. Titrorp, |
Wittram Wuirte NIxes, OcpEen MILLs, E. C. Converse.
Geurral Officers
Wittiam T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenn, Director, New York Aquarium.
R. L.. Cerero, Bursar. C. Grant La Farce, Architect.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer. Grorce S. Huntineron, Prosector.
Officers of the Zonlogical Park
Witiiam T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircue rt, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merket, Chief Forester.
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Rei Buair, Veterinarian.
WitiraM Breese, Curator, Birds. G. M. Brerersower, Engineer.
Lee S. Cranpa.u, Asst. Curator, Birds. Witiiam MitcHety, Cashier.
Exwin R. Sansorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuineton [. DeNysz, Assistant. A. H. Crenpenine, Clerk.
Louis L. Mowsray, Assistant. Ipa M. Metten, Secretary.
Grorce A. MacCattvum, Pathologist.
A SUGGESTION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM BUILDING .~
ZOOM OG eC AVE eS. OV CreE Yes B Us ER EN
AQUARIUM NUMBER
CONTENTS FOR MARCH, 1919
PAGE
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Onn Ay ONAL ORME ELE) (SR Acm KON] pee eee eee ee ree seread C. H. Townsend 32
Agvarium Guine Book (Specimen Illustrations and Descriptions) 0.00 34-38
REINDEER INCREASE IN ALASKA ............ St, ace C. H. Townsend 39
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Braver IN THE ADIRONDACKS _. Tia Mecsas aOR Te C. H. Townsend 47
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Dor aaeioat Nora es (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
Tash (Coven) Ssas oo ooo moose oO “1.00 | Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
A he WL Ce CAC Hem ernest stata en) cial ocala’ Srernyay'alaValaya\n\slatale\ « 25
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) 1,00 Duotone, Brown, each ......----. +s. eseeeeennes 35
Tropical Wild Life (Beebe; Hartley; Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each................ 15
IG traS ea ee awe *. a 3.00 | Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure... 2 for .10
‘ca Vol N reap inolisi + ~ ue detent “ 1.85 containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
oh, Fe SG te ee en color stamp reproductions....... poe ejaieyellscrete el weleie Fe fe BD
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- - | (By mail 7 cents extra)
mals (Hornaday).....--.+---+ +15 Photogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. Animals
; ‘ . a and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
ore a oun tain Sheep ok ert 40 Of 2 subjects) SPemsetDOStPaldeiss ass cn oc crac. ot. 25
3 “ : a a Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
The Caribou (Grant)..........-- 40 +60 from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
ee . - flatrorsineto] der torie:se ad 1:0.) rere sget amen renee ce wlers 10
The Origin and Relationship of the | ORS Bas reine recog 3
Large Mammals of North Amer- lees (By mail, postage 2 cents extra.)
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ic a MECH GLK Nacieo ted hte Aone Ac td fo OOO DOI blenny
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) 1,00 Duotone, Brown, each.........-.....
Mropical Wild Life (Beebe; Hartley; Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each 6 TE
MMe iaeie eieite na sauiestieieaare sthseks 3.00 Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, photogravure... 2 for .10
=f Sis e iS bie ta hee AVCOLOLS nie? «lara 2for .10
gic . 1. Nos. 1- slusive, |
eee ee hak nee tte, Re. ee a | New York Aquarium Nature Series
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A NS ET SK ie i a
- ‘ (ae
m. XXII. No. 5 ON SEPTEMBER, 1919
mi finns mT nn
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
iy i lil i |
Published by
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
4A il am HUTTON Wr TCT TT
AMEN NNN LSA TAMA
DM ctr! cE am li IM
New York Zoological Society
GENERAL Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York Ciry.
President
Henry Farrrietp Ossorn
Hirst Wice-President
Mapison GRANT
Second Hice-President
Frank K. Srurcis.
Asat. Oreasurer
Tue Farmers’ Loan & Trust Co.
Orrasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place.
Secretary
Mapison Grant.
Exerutive Committee
Wo. Pierson Hamitton,
Frank K. Srureis,
LisPENARD STEWART,
Watson B. DickerMAn,
AntHony R. Kuser,
Henry Farrrietp Osgorn, ea-officio.
Mapison Grant, Chairman.
Percy R. Pyne, ;
Witriam Waite NItes,
Board of Managers
Ex-nficia: The Mayor and The Present Department of Parks, City of New York.
Class of 1920
Henry FarrrieLtp Osporn,
LisPENARD STEWART,
Cuartes F, DierericnH,
Georce F. Baker,
Levi P. Morton,
ANDREW CARNEGIE,
Mapison GRANT,
Wituiam Wuirte Nites,
Percy R. Pyne,
Grorce Birp GRINNELL,
CuieveLtanp H. Dopee,
C. Lepyarp Brair,
Wo. Pierson Hamitton,
Rozert S. Brewster,
Epwarp S. Harkness,
Witu1aMm B. Oscoop Fiexp,
Glass of 15921
Henry A. C. Taytor,
Frank K. Sturais,
GrorceE J. Goutp,
OcpEen Mitts,
Glass of 1922
Emerson McMILuin,
Antuony R. Kuser,
Watson B. DickerRMAN,
Mortimer L. Scuirr,
General Officers
A. Barton Hepsurn,
Wiriiam Woopwarp,
Epwin THorRNE,
Percy A. RockEFreLLeEr.
Lewis Rurnerrorp Morris,
Arcuer M. Hunrineron,
Henry M. Titrorp,
E. C. Converse.
Freperic C. Watcort,
BrerKMAN WINTHROP,
GeorceE C, Criark,
W. RepMmonp Cross.
Wiuu1am T. Hornavay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director, New York Aquarium.
C. Grant La Farce, Architect.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer.
R. L. Crerero, Bursar.
Georce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
Georce A. MacCatium, Pathologist.
@ffirers of the Zoological Park
Witi1am T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircuett, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merxet, Chief Forester.
Raymonp L. Drrmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Rem Brair, Veterinarian.
Ler S. Cranpatu, Curator, Birds. Wittram Mircuett, Cashier.
Witr1am Breese, Honorary Curator, Birds.
Exwin R. Sanzorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarium
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director.
Wasuineton I. DeNysez, Assistant. Roser? Surcuirre, Clerk.
Ipa M. Metuen, Secretary.
Special Redwoods Number
SAVING THE REDWOODS
An Account of the Movement During 1919 to Preserve
the Redwoods of California
By MADISON GRANT
CON AE NASS
for
Sh Pt MB ER
1919
Bipats GREW Ke Eran GuRO VIE) seen ee
Frontispiece
SMNTTN GEIL ED RLU DIWIO OD She mes ce = ae a ce eee I aetna Eee ann Madison Grant 91
Tue Bic Tree or THE Sao As. Tue Revwoops LeaGcue.
Repwoobs oF THE Coast. ConpitioNs IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON.
DestRUCTION. Survey or tue Repwoops, 1919.
erm HOOnOGICALE S OCIETY—— LEAN NORM OD Oe ee ee 119
A MonoGraru OF THE PHEASANTS. ....... 120
Illustrations
DISTRIBUTION OF Rep WOODS—MAP oo ccccccccccccccecececeecscccesseeencescceececesssesecessesien 92
Cauirornia State Higuway . ieee 938
Cauirornia State Highway— Panoramic van Leia e he O4
Riepwoop! EOREST—BERORB) UT NUNG oe ccccestecscceeeeeee- eee teeeees 94
IRioany@@iay IP orate eseaiey (CHOPIN CL ccc coeeereeneserueeee aeopc ence tne esr Ser eee ee eee oe 95
SPE CRN HHI DRIVING Gk 0) EVR UACTS TO Nao eee ee ie ese pec areca ep canst sae 96
Deprus or THE REDWoops . 98
Curtine Repwoops ............. RRS Etat eet 100
Typricat Lumper Mitt 101
Grace Stake Curtine —. 2... 101
Lumperine Atone State Hicuway ~ 102
Rinesion Grape STAKES 20 =. oe , 104
Spiirtinc Repwoops - a ore ee? 105
LuMBERING ALONG Sram Hienwa AY 105
Repwoops on Ben River 2.002... 106
Repwoops oN DyeErvVILLE FLart .......0-- ee 108
Kriamatu River Repwoops .......... : 111
Kramatru River Repwoops ....... eh Seinen gph mr ees 1183
Kiamatu River Repwoops ......................... Ree rs Bo eee cht eee ee ee et ts MET 114
GHAR IPAISETRB TVS MER Te DD VVO.O DD See ta Ct a ae Ne eee eee eee Ma)
Tivreaamuarnian, UR iidoie: IRON OOIIS: Lecccsssecn centenary Hanae ee Se coe alr
IRGTRAMIOACTSETe TEU IAVAE RMN EGET WO OD) Spee erent tc glee cee ees aces ee oe es ee a acre Seneces casts estates Cove
Single Copies, 20c
Photographs by Charles ie Tennehiends ree oman Art Co., and Others.
LA OOILOECHCAIL SOCIMaA MS WGI NI Ny
PusrisHep by the New York ZooroeicaLt Society
111 Broadway, New York City
Bi-monthly Yearly by Mail, $1.00
BULL CREEK FLAT GROVE
Looking west across the South Fork of the Eel River and up Bull Creek, August 1917
Humboldt County, California. (See Page 112)
[ 90 ]
ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
Published by the New York Zoological Society
Votume XXII
SEPTEMBER 1919
NuMBER 5
SAVING
THE
REDWOODS
By Manvtson Grant
An Account oF THE Movement DurinGc 1919 To PRESERVE THE REDWOODS
OF CALIFORNIA
\ I" J HILE the cause of conservation of game
and forest in the United States has ad-
vanced with a rapidity and with a de-
gree of public support that could not have been
anticipated by the early conservationists, never-
theless it has been too slow to keep pace with
the forces of destruction. Members of the Zoo-
logical Society know only too well that the ever-
increasing stringency of game protective meas-
ures has failed to save many species of our wild
life outside of national parks and other sanc-
tuaries, and that in them alone the game will
find its final refuge.
The forests are now threatened with annihila-
tion. It is officially stated that at the present
rate of destruction the old stand of forests in
the United States will all be cut over within
the next sixty years. It will not last sixty years
because the new and efficient methods of logging
by machinery now generally introduced are not
only more rapid, but make a clean sweep of ey-
ery standing stick, while the old method left be-
hind many of the smaller trees as well as a few
giants which were defective and not worth cut-
ting.
The most serious threat of devastation,—cer-
tainly the most dramatic,—is the impending de-
struction of the giant Redwoods of the California
coast, and the following pages are devoted to
a description of the efforts being made to save
them.
History of the Sequoia.
The genus Sequoia, to which the two surviv-
ing species of the great trees of California be-
long, is a member of the Tazxodiaceae and stands
widely separated from other living trees. This
genus together with closely related groups once
spread over the entire northern hemisphere, and
fossil remains of Sequoia and kindred genera
have been found in Europe, Spitzbergen, Sibe-
ria, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Changes in
climate and other causes have led to their grad-
ual extinction until the sole survivors of the
genus are confined to California, one to high
altitudes in the Sierra Mountains, and the other
to the western slope of the Coast Range. Fos-
sil leaves and cones of genera closely related to
Sequoia occur in the rocks of the Jurassic and of
the Trias, and the members of the genus Sequoia
were common and characteristic trees in Cali-
fornia throughout the Cretaceous.
To give some idea of what this bald statement
means, these trees, virtually in their present
form, flourished in California before the mam-
mals developed from their humble, insectivorous
ancestors of the Mesozoic and while the dino-
saurs were the most advanced form of land ani-
mals. The mountains unon which these trees
now stand contain fossil records of early Se-
quoia-like trees, proving that this group abound-
ed before the rocks that constitute the pres-
ent Sierras and Coast Ranges were laid down in
the shallow seas, to be upheaved later and erod-
ed into their present shapes. In the base of
Mt. Shasta and under its lava flows, the ancient
rocks are marked with imprints of their leaves
and cones. Such antiquity is to be measured not
by hundreds or thousands, but by millions of
years.
While the duration of the family, of the
genus, and even the existing species, or species
so closely allied as to be almost indistinguish-
able, extends through such an immense portion
of the earth’s history, the life of the living trees
is correspondingly great.
[91]
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
The Sequoia is not only the oldest living thing
on earth, but it is the tallest tree on earth, and
we have no reason, so far as our paleo-botanical
studies have gone, to believe that there ever
existed on earth either individual trees or forests
that surpassed in size, in girth. in height or in
grandeur, the Sequoias of California. And
these are the trees that modern commercialism
is cutting for grape stakes, for railroad ties and
for shingles.
The Big Tree of the Sierras.
While the purpose of this article is to deal
with the Redwoods of the coast rather than the
Big Trees of the Sierras, both of the genus
Sequoia, a description of the Redwood should
be preceded by a few words on the Big Tree.
The Big Trees, Sequoia gigantea, are very dif-
ferent from the Redwoods and are found on
the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas in Cali-
fornia, at an altitude of from five to eight thou-
sand feet above the sea, with a north and south
range of about 250 miles. They do not consti-
tute a solid stand, but occur in more or less
isolated groves, and mixed in with them are
other huge trees, chiefly white fir, incense cedar,
sugar and yellow pine.
These groves are stated generally to be about
thirty-two in number and are much scattered
and isolated in the northern part of their range,
while in the south they are larger and closer
together. This distribution shows that the Big
Tree is on the decline, the various groves having
long since lost touch with each other, while in
the north the reproduction is very poor. They
all grow in spots sheltered by surrounding for-
ests and the slopes of the Sierras are more or
less windless, but unless artificially protected in
national parks they would soon be destroyed for
their valuable lumber.
They have suffered throughout the ages from
ground fires. Their enormously thick bark,
which is from one-half to two feet through, is a
great protection, and the tree lives on, although
its heart has been burned out, so long as this
bark and its underlying cambium layer can reach
the earth. If protected by human care the Big
Tree has remarkable recuperative power, and
many of the trees in the Giant Forest show an
accelerated growth owing to their immunity
from fire even for a few decades.
These trees are from five to twenty-five feet
in diameter at shoulder height above the ground,
and in the Giant Forest alone there are said to
be 5,000 trees of over ten feet in diameter.
Map showing the original distribution of the Coast Redwoods,
Sequoia sempervirens. (See Page 94)
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 93
The height varies from 150 to much over 225
feet, and as they are without taproots they stand
absolutely straight, often without branches from
the ground to a height of 175 feet.
The crown usually is dead; not blasted by
lightning, as has been often stated, but because
ancient fires have eaten in at the base so that the
flow of sap to the extreme crown has been
checked. When connection with the ground and
the life-giving water supply has been strongly
re-established, growth takes place from the top-
most uninjured branches, and forms a new but
false crown. It is estimated that if these trees
had escaped upsetting by the wind and had been
allowed to grow entirely free from fire through-
out their age long existence and had carried
their proportionate growth (calculated from the
tapering of the trunk) to their uttermost limits,
these giants would be 600 feet high.
This is mere speculation, as is the theoretical
age of some of the more ancient trees. The
known age of trees which have been cut is from
1,100 to 3.250 years, but there is little doubt
that this long period is much exceeded in such
cases as the General Sherman tree or the Griz-
zly Giant. The life of these monsters can be
computed only by comparison with the measured
trunks of lumbered trees the actual age of which
has been ascertained from the rings of growth.
There is always a factor of uncertainty in the
size of trees depending on their rate of growth
and supply of water. In exposed positions with
poor water and soil, development may be greatly
retarded and a tree may be very ancient al-
though relatively small in size. On the other
hand, a favorable location, such as a pocket in
the rock or access to underlying water, might
greatly accelerate the growth of a tree within
the same grove.
Some close observers claim that the size of
the annual ring increases with the dryness
and not with the moistness of the season. They
argue that there is little or no rainfall in the
Sierras during the summer and the ground
water comes from melted snow, that growth
takes place during the months when the ground
is free from snow, and that a wet season means
a heavy snowfall which lies around the trees
late in the spring and gathers again early in
the autumn, thus shortening the number of
weeks available for increase of bulk.
If this theory be correct, then the series of
gradually thickening rings, culminating and
then thinning out again, which is characteristic
The California State Highway in 1917—before cutting
94 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
a
PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE Cal
Along the South Fork of the Eel River, Humbe)
of nearly all the Big Trees that have been stud-
ied, would record dry seasons and not those of
abundant moisture. This theory flatly contra-
dicts the evidence recently deduced from a study
of the growth rings of these trees with reference
to oscillations of climate throughout the North-
ern Hemisphere.
Redwoods of the Coast.
The Redwood of the coast, Sequoia semper-
virens—the immortal Sequoia—well deserves its
name. Far from being a battered remnant
like its cousin of the Sierras, whose shattered
ranks remind one of ponderous Roman ruins, the
Redwood is a beautiful, cheerful and very brave
tree. Burned and hacked and butchered, it
sprouts up again with a vitality truly amazing.
It is this marvellous capacity for new growth
from trunk or from root saplings, which is per-
haps the most interesting character of the Red-
wood in contrast with the Big Tree, which has
no such means of regeneration and must depend
on its cones for reproduction.
All the Redwood forests have been more or
less injured by fire, often deliberately started
by the lumbermen to clear away the slash, and
it is a wonderful sight to see a charred trunk
throw out a spray of new growth twenty or thir-
ty feet above the ground, or a new tree standing
on top of an ancient bole and sending its roots
like tentacles down into the ground around the
mother stump. Other trees stand athwart the EX IRIBIONYAQON) NOIRE
fallen bodies of their parents and continually Before Gurung
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 95
RNIA STATE HIGHWAY IN 1919
inty, before lumbering operations were started
readjust their root system to the decaying trunk
beneath it.
The vitality of the second growth throws up
a circular ring of new and beautiful Redwoods
around the parent stump, and these little trees
come up again and again if cut. If, however,
they are burned several times in succession, this
capacity of shoot reproduction appears to be lost
and there are cases, notably about fifteen miles
north of Areata, in Humboldt County, where the
highway passes through three or four miles of
very large and thickly set burned stumps that
show little or no signs of reforestation, proving
that there are conditions where human greed
and human carelessness make it impossible for
even the Redwood to survive.
The age of the Redwood is about half that of
the Sierra Big Tree, and the life of a mature
Redwood runs from 500 to 1,800 years, in many
eases probably rather more.
The diameter of the larger Redwoods is sixteen
feet and over, and the height runs from 100 to
340 feet. Thus, while the diameter is less, the
height is far greater than its cousin, the Big
Tree, with the result and effect of a graceful
beauty rather than vast solidity. It is probable
that trees will be found which will exceed this
maximum altitude, and it is quite possible that
an ultimate height of 350 feet may be recorded.
One would anticipate the discovery of this tall-
AY REDWOOD FOREST est tree on earth either in Bull Creek Flat or
After Cutting along Redwood Creek.
94 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY BULLETIN
PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE CALI- | RORNIA STATE HIGHWAY IN 1919
Along the South Fork of the Eel River, Humboldt
County, before lumbering operations were started
of nearly all the Big Trees that have been stud-
ied, would record dry seasons and not those of
abundant moisture. This theory flatly contra-
dicts the evidence recently deduced from a study
of the growth rings of these trees with reference
to oscillations of climate throughout the North-
ern Hemisphere.
Redwoods of the Coast.
The Redwood of the coast, Sequoia semper-
virens—the immortal Sequoia—well deserves its
name. Far from being a battered remnant
like its cousin of the Sierras, whose shattered
ranks remind one of ponderous Roman ruins, the
Redwood is a beautiful, cheerful and very brave
tree. Burned and hacked and butchered, it
Sprouts up again with a vitality truly amazing.
It is this marvellous capacity for new growth
from trunk or from root saplings, which is per-
haps the most interesting character of the Red-
wood in contrast with the Big Tree, which has
no such means of regeneration and must depend
on its cones for reproduction,
All the Redwood forests hay
less injured by fire, often deliberately started
by the lumbermen to clear away the slash, and
it is a wonderful sight to see a charred trunk
ty fn abore tie oon, Srowte renty or thir
on top of an ancient bale aren fe ae
§ and sending its roots
like tentacles down into the ground around the
Feira stump. Other trees stand athwart the
allen bodies of their parents and continually
e been more or
eng Seat erie a
A REDWOOD FOREST
Before Cutting
A REDWOOD FOREST
After Cutting
readjust their root system to the decaying trunk
beneath it.
The vitality of the second growth throws up
a circular ring of new and beautiful Redwoods
around the parent stump, and these little trees
come up again and again if cut. If, however,
they are burned several times in succession, this
capacity of shoot reproduction appears to be lost
and there are cases, notably about fifteen miles
north of Arcata, in Humboldt County, where the
highway passes through three or four miles of
very large and thickly set burned stumps that
show little or no signs of reforestation, proving
that there are conditions where human greed
and human carelessness make it impossible for
even the Redwood to survive
The age of the Redwood is about half that of
the Sierra Big ‘Tree, and the life of a mature
Redwood runs from 500 to 1,800 years, in many
cases probably rather more.
The diameter of the larger ted woods is sixteen
and the height runs from 100 to
while the diameter is less, the
than its cousin, the Big
and effect of a graceful
It is probable
will exceed this
feet and over,
340 feet. Thus,
height is far greater
Tree, with the result el
beauty rather than vast are
ee aes peice possible that
850 feet may be recorded.
discovery of this tall-
Bull Creek Flat or
maximum altitude,
an ultimate height of
One would anticipate the
est tree on earth either in
dwood Creek.
(LOT a8¥q aes)
“6161
Rlusoyeg ‘eyaing “OO ly uBulaalg Aq ydeisoj04q
‘Ajunoy yploquinyy “IeATY [aq 94} JO YAO yyNog ‘AemyYSIPR 944 UO [IW vayoW
GaLaTdWOO ATUVAN NOILVYAdO ONIYAEWNNT
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 97
Of course, in discussing the present Red-
woods, one must always bear in mind _ that
many of the finest groves have fallen to the
axe, Judging from the silent records of gigantic
stumps along the Eel River, especially at Sono-
ma Flat, only recently destroyed, to say nothing
of forests to the north long since cut away. It
is probable that the existing groves, with few
exceptions such as Bull Creek Flat, do not rep-
resent the finest groves of Redwoods of fifty
years ago. How needless all this sacrifice of
Humboldt Redwoods has been may be measured
by the fact that few if any of the lumber com-
panies have proven profitable investments, if
their failure to pay dividends is a test of their
commercial success.
On rare occasions, notably where a strong
wind follows long rainy seasons, Redwoods when
exposed on high ridges may be blown down, but
there are no such windfalls as are found in the
forests of Canada. The danger of wind over-
throwing Redwoods, even when in a thin strip
along a road, is very slight if there is reason-
able protection from the contour of the ground.
The original range of the Redwoods extended
from Monterey north along the California coast
to a point a few miles over the Oregon line, em-
bracing an area with a length of about 450 miles
and a width not exceeding forty miles. The
narrowness of this range seems to be determined
by the fog which sweeps in from the Pacific,
and the writer has seen the edge of the fog-bank
clinging closely to the inland limit of the Red-
wood belt. The natives, with the usual human
capacity for error, state that the Redwoods at-
tract fog, but of course it is the moisture of the
fog deposited on the tops of the Redwoods that
determines their inland distribution. These for-
ests are sometimes so wet that the dripping from
the high crowns is like a thin rain, and at Red-
wood Creek during the past summer it was hard
to tell whether it was raining or not, so satu-
rated with moisture were the foliage and the
trunks, when the fog darkened the forest.
In the southern and larger half of its range,
the Redwood is somewhat broken up in more or
less isolated groves, and the axe of the lumber-
man has now separated these groves still more
widely. In the north there is an almost con-
tinuous series of solid stands of Redwoods, con-
stituting the most magnificent forests in the
world, not even excepting the great Douglas firs
and pines that adjoin them in Oregon.
The Redwoods in the south seem to show a
marked variation from those of the north, being
generally redder in color, and their growth in
rings or circles is much more frequent than in
the groves of Humboldt and Del Norte Coun-
ties. A further study will probably bring out
other characteristic differences.
South of San Francisco the Redwoods are now
chiefly found in the Big Basin, which has been
wisely made into a state park, and in the famous
Santa Cruz grove. Intermediate spots along the
Coast Range, notably at La Honda, are inter-
esting chiefly as showing the pathetic solicitude
with which the owners of surviving trees care for
the battered remnants amid the charred stumps
of former giants. Here at least the owners have
learned that the value of a living tree at a pub-
lic resort or along a highway far exceeds thie
value of its lumber. AI] these southern groves
are mere reminders of the forests that are gone,
but the surviving trees will be carefully
protected.
North of San Francisco, the Muir Woods on
the slopes of Mount Tamalpais are easily ac-
cessible and show something of the forest gran-
deur formerly found in the region of the Golden
Gate. The preservation of this grove is entirely
due to the wise munificence of Mr. William Kent,
who presented it to the nation, and put into
practical form that devotion to California about
which so many of its sons talk eloquently and
do so little to perpetuate.
To the north, Sonoma County has purchased
for public use the Armstrong Grove, and Men-
docino County probably will be impelled to buy
the Montgomery Grove. These last trees are
situated near the highway to the north of Ukiah,
and will be the first grove visited by the north-
bound tourist. If they are purchased by the
town or county, Ukiah will become the entrance
to the Redwood Park series, and like Merced
at the entrance to the Yosemite Valley will de-
rive a great revenue from motor tourists.
After leaving Mendocino County one enters
the great groves of Humboldt and Del Norte
Counties. Here are solid stands of Redwoods
and their subtle charm is so uniform that the ob-
server finds it difficult to distinguish between one
grove and the next.
Four great forests stand out prominently:
They are the groves along the south fork of the
Eel River and the west bank of the main Eel,
culminating in the Bull Creek Flat and the
Dyerville Flat; the immense Redwood Creek
grove; the Klamath River groves, and the Smith
River groves in Del Norte County. Each has
its peculiar beauty and it is difficult to choose
among them, but it is the trees of Humboldt
which at the present moment are most in peril.
See pages 111, 113, 114, 115.
Destruction
south fork of the Eel
River are traversed by the state highway now
The groves along the
DS IN 1919.
South Fork
E
2
2
&
i
iJ
&
a
x
=
oy
=
3
ce
=
Zi
g
in (See Pa:
forn
eutting along the Highw
y_the Freeman Art C
On the edge of a gra
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 99
in the process of construction. The route of
this highway made the timber accessible and
the immediate result was the establishment of
small lumber camps that are destroying the
trees along its edge. Not only are the trees
along the road cut down, but the highway itself
in many cases has been injured. It is hard to
find more disastrous bungling even in road
construction.
One logging company, having thoroughly
devastated large areas of its home state in the
east, has recently purchased great tracts of
Redwoods. These have been farmed out in
small plots of forty acres each to various indi-
viduals, who purchased on what was virtually a
stumpage basis, and the cutting was in full
swing in July 1919. The writer drove through
these same groves two years ago, in August
1917, and the change was sickening. This ex-
ample of human greed and waste can scarcely
be described. The pictures on pages 101-102,
104-105 tell the story better than words.
These great trees with their hundreds of feet
of clear timber have among other valuable
qualities the unfortunate characteristic of easy
cleavage or splitting, and so they are doomed to
the ignoble fate of being riven for railroad ties,
for shakes or shingles, and perhaps worst
of all, for grape stakes. Let no one, whether
opposed to Prohibition or not, waste sympathy
on the California wine-growers, whose sad lot
it was last year the fashion to deplore. Grapes
in California command today two or three times
the price they ever brought before, and the
development of the vineyards is the most im-
mediate and threatening danger to the Red-
woods of California. These superb trees are
sacrificed to supply the stakes to carry vines,
because of the practically indestructible char-
acter of their wood, which will stand in the
ground almost indefinitely without rotting.
Survey of the Redwoods in 1919
On August 7, 1919, Stephen Tyng Mather,
Director of National Parks, and the writer left
San Francisco to study the available Red-
wood stands with reference to the selection of a
site for a National Redwood Park, and to ob-
serve at first hand the actual destruction in
progress.
The first night brought the party to Willits,
beyond Ukiah in Mendocino County. Up to
this point there were few or no Redwoods
except the Montgomery grove, which lies to the
west of the highway. From Willits the highway
is under construction, and the Redwoods begin
to appear along the roadside in small and
scattered groups about fifty miles to the north,
and while they are insignificant in comparison
with the great Humboldt groves, nevertheless
these trees are highly important in connection
with the highway and should be preserved.
The highway itself has not been built with
an intelligent regard for the preservation of
natural features, and the usual wasteful and
destructive methods common to road contractors
are everywhere followed.
In the construction of motor roads here and
elsewhere in California, and for that matter in
Oregon and Washington, the commissions in
charge should employ a landscape engineer ; that
is, an engineer with some elemental sympathy
with nature should supervise the work. The
contractors should not be allowed to leave a
wide area of devastation adjoining the road-
way. Unnecessary vandalism, such as wrapping
wire cables around the bases of the trees to sup-
port derricks, should be stopped; but, no doubt,
all this will come after the trees and the scenery
have been largely destroyed.
As to the trees along the highway in Men-
docino County, the possibility of their pro-
tection depends entirely upon the action of the
Highway Commission in securing a right of way
which should not be less than an average width
of 300 yards.
The Redwoods grove at Hicks Camp is the
first important camping site to be passed, and
about twelve miles south of Garberville is the
Sterns Camp grove, which is about ten acres in
extent with a width of about 800 yards, and
is a fine stand on a level flat. At this point it
becomes evident that any park in connection
with the highway must take in the entire erosion
valley of the south fork of the Eel from crest
to crest. The skyline with its superb trees is
nearly as important as the flat bottom and much
more important than the intermediate area. The
river valley is narrow, in fact, little more than
a wide gorge, with a level bottom, and the timber
on the slopes has less commercial value than
that upon the flat. If the timber along the
highway is to be preserved, a relatively small
amount of additional cost would save the entire
valley. While it may not be necessary to go
far beyond the crest, nevertheless as the trees
are exposed a substantial amount of timber be-
hind probably will have to be taken to protect
them.
There is a fine grove at Red Mountain, and a
little beyond the first cutting appears.
At a point six miles south of Garberville the
first very large stand occurs. Here we were
shocked to learn that the California Highway
Commission not only had failed to acquire a
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TYPICAL LUMBER MILL
On the State Highway, South Fork of Eel River, Humboldt County.
August 1919. (See Page 107)
GRAPE STAKE CUTTING
On the South Fork of Eel River, Humboldt County.
August 1919. (See Page 107)
[ 101 ]
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Photograph by Chas. P. Punchard
Photograph by Chas. P. Punchard
ZOOLOGICAL
sufficient right of way to protect the timber
along the route, but actually had contracted
with the owners of the land for the removal of
the timber. In other words, the Commission
bought a hundred foot strip with the under-
standing that the owners should cut off the only
thing of value, namely, the timber. This in-
credible folly can only be explained by the
widespread belief that a strip of timber along
the road will blow down unless covered and
protected by the forest behind.
The writer does not intend to enter into a
discussion of this question, but it seems to be
universally believed in the Redwood country
that trees blow down if the adjoining forest
is cut off. There is but the slightest basis for
this tradition. Trees on ridges which have been
exposed by cutting, or an isolated strip of trees
standing across the line of prevailing winds,
may in exceptional cases be blown down, be-
cause the Redwoods, like the other great trees
of California and Oregon, are without taproots.
The writer (who has been through the Redwood
belt twice from end to end and has visited
practically every grove of importance) never
has seen a single instance where trees have
been blown down en masse, and he has seen
again and again isolated trees and groups of
trees in most exposed positions, that have stood
for years in defiance of wind and storm. ‘This
is particularly significant as many of these
trees were imperfect or burned at the core and
consequently had but insufficient support.
This myth of trees being blown down has
been exploded again and again, but in order to
kill definitely this old woman’s tale it must be
made the subject of an authoritative report by
the Bureau of Forestry. The superstition stands
precisely in the same class of evidence as does
the silly story universally believed by trappers
that the porcupine shoots its quills. It is strange
that the one place where misinformation about
zoology and the habits of animals flourishes most
is among backwoodsmen and even guides, just
as ignorance of the true principles of heredity
is so widespread among the breeders of horses
and dogs. In the same way, men in the lumber
country are surprised when a skeptic from
the outside world ventures to question the sacro-
sanct doctrine that, if cutting in a forest is once
started, all the trees must be lumbered or they
will be blown over by the wind. Possibly this
belief has been encouraged by the wiser lumber-
men for ulterior purposes.
The mere fact that there is little or no evi-
dence of trees blowing over even though in the
SOCIETY BULLETIN
1038
most exposed positions, and the further fact that
numberless trees, isolated or in groups, which
have been deprived of all their supporting trees,
stand for years without falling, are of little
weight against this venerable superstition.
This yarn is encountered throughout the
north, perhaps with rather more justification,
among the yellow pine forests, but even there
the writer has failed to find any evidence for it,
although he does not pretend to have covered
the ground as in the case of the Redwoods.
Among the Redwoods one of the most noticeable
features is the absence of fallen trees, such as
cover the ground everywhere in Canada and the
northern greenwood forests.
Another superstition of the same character is,
that Redwood trees and timber are not injured
by burning over because of the fact that these
trees, like nearly all other very large trees of
California, are resistant to fire by reason of
their thick bark, and that many of them show
sears of ancient conflagrations, even in the damp
forests of the north. The result is that there has
been a great deal of deliberate burning of brush,
both preceding and following lumbering opera-
tions. In the ordinary lumbering operations the
trees are felled and the masses of fallen ma-
terial—brush, shattered branches and some-
times trunks—are then burned. This is said to
be necessary in order to saw up the giant trunks,
several reasons being given, chiefly the difficulty
of lumbering among masses of fallen débris.
The statement is also made that the workmen
object to the alleged danger of cutting unless
the rubbish has been burned.
However that may be, the burning results
in very substantial destruction of good timber,
estimated in some cases as high as thirty per
cent. This proportion was said to be established
by an experiment made many years ago by the
A. B. Hammond Lumber Company, which has
been unusually intelligent in the utilization of
its holdings. A comparison was made between
two tracts of equal area, one burned over in
the usual wasteful manner and the other logged
without burning, and the result showed that the
burning destroyed about thirty per cent. of the
timber. Whether or not there is any economy
in the method of lumbering with assistance of
fire, the public has a right to put a stop to this
destruction of good timber because the time is
coming when wood will be as valuable in
California as it now is in Europe. What action
would the state take, and rightly take, if
the hotels in New York threw away one-third
of the food which was purchased to supply
their guests on the theory that it was their prop-
“6161 Ul
SHMVLS AdVUD AO SUTId
SPLITTING THE REDWOODS
Along the Highway, South Fork of Eel River, Humboldt County. Photograph by Chas. P. Punchard
August 1919. (See Page 107)
LUMBERING ALONG THE STATE HIGHWAY
South Fork of Eel River, Humboldt County. Photograph by Chas. P. Punchard
August 1919. (See Page 107)
[ 105 |
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ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 107
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
Departments -
Mammals
W. T. Hornapay.
Aquarium
C. H. Townsenp.
Birds Reptiles
Lee S. CRANDALL. Raymonp L. Dirmars
WittraM Breese. Honorary Curator, Birds
Published bi-monthly at the Office of the Society,
111 Broadway, New York City.
Yearly by Mail, $1.00.
MAILED FREE TO MEMBERS.
Copyright, 1919, by the New York Zoological Society.
Each author is responsible for the scientific accuracy
and the proof reading of his contribution.
Etwin R. Sanzorn,
Editor and Official Photographer
Von. XXDT, No; 5.
SEPTEMBER 1919
erty? Surely this is one of the most glaring
examples of the necessity of the state interfering
with the management of private property to pre-
vent its wasteful exploitation. Countless tons
of slabs and lumber also are burned to get
them “out of the way.” Are there no by-prod-
ucts from lumber such as there are in the refin-
ing of petroleum or in the conversion of hogs
into bacon?
In Garberville, we were received by a group
of citizens headed by Judge F. A. Cutler and
A. E. Connick, who showed our party over the
road as far as Eureka, and pointed out the lum-
bering operations in full progress along the
road, examples of which are shown in the ac-
companying illustrations on page 105.
The railroad ties were purchased under the
authority of the United States Railroad Admin-
istration, but in justice to the officials it may be
said that they did not realize the vast injury
to the state highways when they authorized the
use of Redwood timber for ties. The Railroad
Administration, through its chief, Mr. R. G.
Sproul, and Mr. H. W. Ellicott, Purchasing
Agent of the Northwestern Railroad, immedi-
ately stopped the buying of ties from areas
which would come within the proposed reser-
vation, as soon as the matter was _ officially
brought to their attention by the writer, and
they expressed their entire sympathy with the
plans for the preservation of these trees.
The cutting has been done in almost every
case along the east bank of the south fork of
the Kel River and on the very edge of the high-
way. and while the devastation is appalling, ney-
ertheless the damage if arrested at the present
time can ultimately be minimized.
Some distance below Garberville, the highway
leaves the river and does not reenter the Red-
woods until just above Phillipsville, where there
is a fine stand of Redwoods on the left bank. At
Phillipsville itself there are five acres of very
fine trees on both sides of the road, and again
at Fish Creek there is a four-acre tract of Red-
woods which has not yet been injured by cutting.
Below Miranda, on Logan’s Flat, there is a
fine stand on both sides of the road some four
or five hundred acres.in extent. This is offered
for sale. but as yet there has been no cutting.
The first cutting below Garberville appears
at Elk Creek, where a few trees have been cut
for grape stakes, and more cutting appears a
little below. Further down the river there is
another stand of about 200 acres of bottom
land, with more or less cutting. Further down
again on the left bank is a very fine, thick
stand of Redwoods, 700 acres in extent. This
tract is not in immediate danger because it be-
longs to the A. B. Hammond Lumber Co., which
is not cutting in this section. These trees un-
doubtedly should be included in any park along
the highway. Below this point and near the river
and highway, cutting is actively going on and
there is serious danger of the entire destruction
of the flat.
Near here and on the right side of the high-
way a stand of timber belongs to the University
of Minnesota. It is reasonable to assume that
a university—an educational institution—may
be interested in the permanent preservation of
these trees.
Below this again there are some small mills.
Most of the cutting here has been finished. and
while the destruction has been very serious
further work has been suspended. See page 96.
Further down the river at Pepper Wood the
forest has been greatly exposed by cutting,
showing again that trees will stand along these
river flats even though left entirely without
shelter.
In connection with the theory that exposed
trees blow down, it should be stated that the
Northwestern Pacific Railroad owns a few Red-
woods on its right of way between the tracks
and the main Eel River, and that some of these
trees, being absolutely isolated and in a very
exposed position, have been overthrown by the
wind.
After these scenes of devastation and threats
of worse, we turned into Bull Creek Flat, per-
haps the finest forest in the world. Bull Creek
flows into the left side of the south fork of the
Eel River just above Dyerville, where the south
fork joins the main Eel. It is a magnificent
stand of trees, some 10,000 acres in extent. See
pages 90 and 106.
sumber Company
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ZOOLOGICAL
The total area which must be taken for the
Highway Park, from the upper reaches of the
South Fork down to the mouth of Bull Creek,
contains about 10,000 acres in addition to the
Bull Creek grove.
Bull Creek Flat belongs to the Pacific Lum-
ber Company, except two sections in the upper
part, which are the property of the Metropoli-
tan Lumber Company. ‘The officials of both
these companies expressed their sympathy with
the park project so far as it relates to Bull
Creek Flat. This tract is said to contain one
enormous tree, possibly the largest Redwood and
the tallest tree in the world.
Immediately opposite the mouth of Bull
Creek is Dyerville Flat, a triangular area be-
tween the two forks of the Eel River. At this
point is located South Fork railway station, and °
it will be the natural entrance to the Park. The
trees have been cleared away around the station
to the extent of 150 or 200 yards and the Pacific
Lumber Company has just begun lumbering at
this point, in September 1919. If this cutting
is continued it will greatly injure the approach
to the proposed park. The reason given for
commencing lumbering operations here is the
shortage of man power, making it desirable to
log on a flat and in the immediate vicinity of the
railroad in order to keep the mills supplied.
This cutting is the one great danger to the
proposed park and is a most serious situation
as yet unprovided for. See page 108.
Below the junction of the South Fork. the
timber on the right bank of the main Eel River
has been entirely destroyed and the landscape
presents a scene comparable only to the devas-
tated regions of France. Few Redwoods are
left, but a magnificent example has been pro-
vided to show how the whole country will appear
when lumbering operations are extended to the
west bank. Reforestation is very slight and
many places show no signs of regeneration. The
stumps have been charred and burned, and the
land lies worthless.
This cut over area on the right bank would
be a suitable site for reforestation experiments
under the present California Forestry Board.
The land could be acquired, and reforested at
nominal cost. It is only a question of time when
the state, for its own protection, will be forced
to undertake this work.
The fundamental tragedy of the whole Red-
wood situation lies in the fact that these great
trees are nearly all in the hands of private own-
ers who cannot reasonably be expected to sacri-
fice their holdings for public benefit. The state
and nation, however foolish they may have been
SOCIETY
BULLETIN 109
in giving away these lands. must now buy back
at least a large portion of them.
On the east bank of the Eel River for many
miles below the Forks there are very few Red-
woods in sight of the river except at Fortuna,
where 2,300 acres of fine Redwoods have been
preserved temporarily and are known as _ the
Carson Woods. This grove is a mile or so east
of the highway and should be preserved as a
local park.
Along the lower stretches of the Eel River
below Scotia, the Pacific Lumber Company is
said to have checked reforestation by cutting
during successive years the sprouting saplings
which bravely tried to lift their heads around
the old stumps. This was done under the im-
pression that the land could be made available
for pasturage. It has proved a failure and the
only result has been to destroy in many places
the chance of reforestation.
Below the forks on the left bank there is a
magnificent stand of trees extending from the
water's edge to the crest of the main slope,
nearly all of which belongs to the Pacific Lum-
ber Company. This area is some 20,000 acres
in extent and the highway runs through it. It
should be preserved, although the cost would be
great. because of the size of the tract and the
fine quality and thickness of the timber. Below
this forest, the land on both sides of the river
has been almost entirely destroyed, so far as
timber is concerned.
At Eureka there was great interest shown on
the oceasion of our visit. The citizens were
organizing actively to put a stop to the destruc-
tion of the Redwoods along the highway. Public
meetings were held, which developed later into
affirmative action to be described later. This
enthusiasm was due in great degree to the recent
visit of Secretary of Agriculture Houston and
Col. Graves, Chief of the United States Bureau
of Forestry, who had aroused the people of
Humboldt County to the importance of protec-
tive measures.
Along the coast from Eureka north about
twenty miles, there is little or nothing but
cleared country, and beyond Arcata the road
runs between some three or four miles of charred
stumps which show no signs of reforestation.
This condition appears to be entirely due to
repeated fires.
At Orick, on the Big Lagoon, we passed the
lower end of the Redwood Creek grove, one of
the very best stands of Redwood in Humboldt
County, approximately 50.000 acres in extent;
the lower part largely owned by the A. B. Ham-
mond Lumber Company and the upper part by
110 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
the Sage Lumber Company. This stand of Red-
woods is largely mixed with spruce and the
ground is carpeted with ferns in great abun-
dance and variety.
One of the most conspicuous features of these
Redwood forests, especially in Del Norte
County and the northern portions of Humboldt,
is the profusion of ferns. It is said that some
thirty species of ferns are found in these woods.
This Redwood Creek stand is as yet untouched
and should be carefully considered for a national
park, because the timber being inaccessible can
be acquired at a relatively small cost.
The most important groves north of this sec-
tion are on the Klamath River and also on the
Smith River in Del Norte County, known as
Mills Creek grove. There are several other
groves in this region and the Redwood stand
throughout Del Norte County is exception-
ally fine. The trees, perhaps, are less healthy
but they are larger, more weird and grotesque in
their contours, and while less valuable for tim-
ber, are even better adapted for preservation in
a park. As Del Norte County is somewhat re-
mote it may be immune for a short time from
serious inroads by the axe, and there is no doubt
that the Smith River Redwoods should be ac-
quired ultimately for a national park.
On our return from the north the writer was
called upon, as one of the representatives of the
Redwoods League, to return to Eureka and take
part in the park movement which had made
great progress since our first visit. The citizens
of Eureka had brought together at a public
meeting all the small holders who were actually
operating along the highway. As a result of
this remarkable public demonstration, the lum-
bermen agreed for the sum of $60,000 to sus-
pend cutting and to give two-year options on
their property at reasonable figures. Thirty
thousand dollars of the money needed were
donated by Stephen T. Mather and by William
Kent, both Vice-Presidents of the Redwoods
League. The remaining $30,000 were supplied
from the county funds of Humboldt County.
These options were purchased upon the under-
standing that they would be exercised when due
and the lands paid for by special county bond
issues. The state of California is expected to
furnish a general bond issue for the purchase of
the remaining timber lands on the south fork of
the Eel, together with the Bull Creek and Dyer-
ville Flats, containing in all some 20,000 or
25,000 acres.
The great stand of Redwoods on the left bank
of the main Eel River below the forks was left
out of consideration temporarily because of the
large sum involved in its purchase, but if the
preservation of the South Fork is once secured
public interest will inevitably demand the ex-
tension of the Park to include these trees. It
is perfectly obvious from the aroused public sen-
timent in Humboldt County and elsewhere in
California that the time is at hand when lumber
companies will not be allowed to destroy such
superb groves for a net return often absurdly
small.
The protection of these Redwoods must ,be
secured by Humboldt County and by the State
of California, but the Federal Government
also must do its share by establishing a large
National Redwoods Park. To obtain Con-
gressional action is a matter of many months,
but a resolution has been offered in Congress by
Representative Lea, calling for an investigation
of the whole Redwoods problem with a view to
the establishment of such a park. Hereto-
fore national parks have been carved out of
the public domain and it will be a new departure
for Congress to buy private lands for public use
on any such seale as will be necessary here.
The Redwoods League looks confidently to
private holders of timber to donate either groves
of Redwoods which are within the proposed park
area (and several such donations have already
been offered), but it also expects to receive gifts
of Redwoods which can be exchanged for land
within the park area. There are many patriotic
Californians who will be only too glad to
donate funds for the preservation of the Red-
woods when they realize that there is an organi-
zation ready to accept, administer these groves
and turn them over to the State or Nation when
the proper time arrives.
The inhabitants of Del Norte and Humboldt
Counties have scarcely awakened to the possi-
bilities of fabulous wealth in their Redwoods as
an attraction for visitors. The annual value of
the tourist crop to southern California is said to
be about $80,000,000, although natural curiosi-
ties other than the climate sometimes have to be
manufactured. As an amusing example of the
business acumen of southern California, one may
mention Ramona’s “‘place of marriage’ and her
“orave, at San Diego, to both of which the
tourist is religiously conducted and gravely
assured that, if Ramona ever had lived other
than in the brain of a sentimental novelist, she
would have been married and buried at these
mythical shrines.
When Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
awaken to a full realization of the revolution
effected by automobiles, which will flood the
country with tourists as soon as the highways
7,
Courtesy of Charles Willis Ward
EDWOODS
2 KR
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LAMATH f
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The tree on left is eighteen feet in diameter.
112 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
are completed, they will find that a Redwood
grove, such as Bull Creek Flat, is an attraction
that is worth to the county many times the full
net value of the timber contained in it. When
the last Redwoods are destroyed, towns like
Eureka and railroads like the Northwestern
Pacific Railway will be without resources, and
will die away like many another predecessor in
the United States and Canada.
All these are purely commercial considera-
tions. It is scarcely necessary to dwell on the
crime involved in the destruction of the oldest
and tallest trees on earth. The cutting of a Se-
quoia for grape stakes or railroad ties (and an
eighteen-foot tree was cut this summer for that
purpose along the new state highway) is like
breaking up one’s grandfather's clock for kind-
ling to save the trouble of splitting logs at the
woodpile, or lighting one’s pipe with a Greek
manuscript to save the trouble of reaching for
the matches.
After the fall of the Roman Empire the
priceless works of classic art were “needed”’
for lime, and statues by Phidias and Praxiteles
were slacked down for this purpose, but the
men who did it are today rightly dubbed
“vandals and barbarians.” What then will the
next generation call us if we continue to destroy
these priceless trees because lumber is “needed”
for grape stakes and railroad ties?
It will cost money to preserve the Redwoods,
—many millions; but California has no choice.
Either the amount needed to save the groves
must be supplied today, or else a far greater
sum will be required ten years hence to purchase
a butchered and isolated tenth part of the
forests. Those are the only alternatives. If
the groves are bought in their present condition
and at relatively small cost, it will be a great
innovation because heretofore Americans have
followed the wasteful policy of recklessly ex-
ploiting wild life, forests and streams, and
then as soon as the destruction is complete, the
policy is changed, game is reintroduced and
attempts are made to reforest the mountains at
vast cost. But Redwoods never can be replaced.
In the negotiations for the purchase of tim-
ber lands, the officers of the Redwoods League
found sympathetic and cordial support for the
park among the lumbermen. They know the
value of the timber only too well. The timber
is their property, and their business is to cut
and to realize on it. It is not fair for a com-
munity to ask them to hold this timber, to
pay taxes on it and then to sacrifice their finan-
cial interests for the public welfare. It is the duty
of the county, the state and the nation to pur-
chase their holdings at the proper value. The
question involved is not local, it is a state, a
national, in fact an international concern, as the
benefit derived from the preservation of the
Redwoods will be for the people of the na-
tion and the world at large. There is no reason
why the lumbermen should abandon their in-
terests without adequate remuneration, although
in many cases individuals and companies will
donate a certain portion of their timber, or sell
at low figures. If the state had been sufh-
ciently intelligent, before building the highways
which made the timber accessible, to have ap-
proached the lumbermen properly and to have
made it a condition precedent that a strip of
timber on either side of the road should be do-
nated, no doubt in many cases the lumbermen
would have found it greatly to their interest to
accept the proposal. The fact that this was not
done was the fault of the state, its highway com-
mission and its legislature, and not the fault of
the lumbermen.
Experience has shown that the only effective,
persistent and intelligent conservators of wild
game have been sportsmen who have evolved
from game killers into game protectors, and
personally the writer believes that the lumber
owners themselves, who are among the finest
men on the coast, will be found to be most
generous and helpful in any scheme looking to
the preservation of the timber. The writer says
this not out of any desire to placate the lumber-
men, but from a genuine belief, based on the
character of the men he has interviewed, that
this will prove to be the case.
A distinction must be made between the
owners who are doing the lumbering themselves,
and absentee owners who have no interest in the
country, no knowledge of the trees, and who are
operating through local agents. These agents
have no choice except to obey orders, and the
absentee landlords have no interest in the
country except to extract an income, and they
care not a rap what happens to the land after
it has been devastated and plundered.
The Redwoods League
Such were the conditions when the “Save the
Redwoods League’ was formally organized in
San Francisco in July 1919. This League
had its origin in a trip made in 1917 by the
writer in company with Prof. Henry Fairfield
Osborn and Dr. John C. Merriam through the
groves of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte
Counties. The grandeurs of the Bull Creek Flat
Grove and its threatened destruction weighed
so heavily upon the members of this party that
a letter was addressed to Governor Stephens of
Courtesy of Charles Willis Ward
R
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11
s is the growth of ferns.
REDWOODS ON
One of the features of these Redwood fores
Mi ALE ED 5 HE
att
ate
KLAMATH RIVER REDWOODS
Courtesy of Charles Willis Ward, Esq.
(See Page 97)
[114]
a
I
a
AMPING
River Redwoods.
Cc
Jard
W
s Willis
harle:
Courtesy of C
g the Klamath
Amon
116 ZOOLOGICAL
California, who was about to visit the Redwoods
in Humboldt County, asking him to take steps
to preserve this stand of giant trees. See page
90.
During 1918 the writer again went to Cali-
fornia and endeavored to interest the California
Highway Commission in securing a strip of tim-
ber along the new highways, but owing to the
war and other causes no substantial progress
was made until the winter of 1918-19, when Dr.
Merriam and the writer finally succeeded in
enlisting the support of a group of patriotic
Californians in the proposed League, which was
then organized as follows:
President
Frankun K. Lane
Secretary and Treasurer
Rozert G. Sproun
BHuecutive Committee
Joun C. Merriam, Chairman
Madison Grant
William E. Colby
George M. Cornwall
Wigginton E. Creed
William H. Crocker
William Kent
Henry Fairfield Osborn
Frank S. Daggett
Joseph D. Grant
Henry S. Graves
Stephen Tyng Mather
Ralph P. Merritt
Charles F. Stern
Walter Mulford
Benjamin Ide Wheeler
Ray Lyman Wilbur
Charles B. Wing
Wilbur L. Jepson
This League is at present under the active
direction of Dr. John C. Merriam, of the Uni-
versity of California, Berkeley, California, and
to him all applications for membership should
be addressed.
Subscriptions also of any amount are greatly
needed.
The purposes of the League are as follows:
(1) To purchase Redwood groves by private
subscriptions and by county bond issues.
(2) To secure a state bond issue to buy
the finest Redwood groves along state highways.
(8) To establish through Federal aid a Na-
tonal Redwoods Park.
(4) To obtain through state and county aid
the protection of timber along the scenic high-
ways now in course of construction throughout
California.
(5) To encourage the state to purchase cut-
over Redwood areas for reforestation by natural
means, or by replanting where repeated fires
have made sprout reproduction impossible.
Committees have been formed to study the
subjects of Redwood distribution, variation and
the most efficient commercial use of Redwood
products, in the belief that nearly all the pur-
poses for which this lumber is now used can be
adequately served by second growth trees.
A committee of ladies has been formed and
the assistance of automobile and other associa-
SOCIETY BULLETIN
tions and clubs in California has been enlisted.
The salvation of these great trees probably
will depend on two factors just entering into
active political life-——one the automobilists and
the other the women voters. The California
Redwoods League is primarily indebted to
two men, Stephen Tyng Mather and William
Kent, for the funds to start work. These gentle-
men guaranteed $10,000 and thus made possible
the preliminary organization and later made
other subscriptions as described above.
Conditions in Oregon and Washington
After leaving California Mr. Mather and the
writer traversed the entire breadth of central
Oregon and Washington, motoring up the east
side of the Cascades, down the Columbia high-
way to Portland, and up the Cowlitz Valley to
Mount Ranier in Washington, thence southward
through the Willamette Valley in Oregon, over
to Klamath Falls and then south through the
Pitt River Canon back to San Francisco, a total
of about 2,200 miles.
Preliminary steps were taken for the organi-
zation of leagues in Portland and in Seattle,
under the direction of the ablest men on the
coast. The objects in view were to preserve the
timber along the main roads and along the shores
of lakes and rivers, and to protect by the estab-
lishment of state parks the high peaks and
crests of the Cascade Mountains. Both Oregon
and Washington are constructing a system of
great highways without adequate protection to
the scenic features along the route.
Among other purposes in view are the exten-
sion of Crater Lake National Park to include
the Diamond Lake region, so that the finest
game district in Oregon can be protected as a
game sanctuary. Crooked River Cajon also is
under consideration as a national monument or
state park.
Burney Falls in California should be pre-
served as a state park, but this is a matter
outside of the scope of the Redwoods League
and must be handled by the state. The sale of
the wonderful beach road south of Monterey,
known as the Seventeen Mile Drive, and the
threatened destruction of its extraordinary
eypress forests, unique in the whole world. for a
real estate development scheme is another state
matter which must demand attention.
The most immediate need in Oregon and
Washington is for highway commissions of
greater vision than those that are now con-
structing roads in accordance with obsolete
methods. The state highway leading from
Tacoma to Mount Ranier recently ran through
the welcome shade of giant pines and firs, but
CALIFORNIA, IN 1917
STATE HIGHWAY THROUGH THE REDWOODS. HUMBOLDT COUNTY,
Photograph by the Freeman Art Co., Eureka, California
hee |
118 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN
the Washington Highway Commission cut a
swath 300 feet wide and then burned the timber
against the adjacent forests instead of in the
middle of the strip. The result is that one
drives for miles through a blasted desert of
burned and twisted stumps of what was once a
magnificent forest, while the trees on either side
have been needlessly scorched and charred with
fire, and are frequently girdled by the steel
ropes used by the contractors as supports for
derricks. All this is reckless waste, and the
only defense that the writer heard was that the
inhabitants of the state had not yet awakened
to a realization of the value of trees and that
road builders have “‘always cut a wide strip for
a road so that the sun could dry the mud.” The
fact that modern roads are concrete and do not
need drying has not yet come to their attention.
The old-fashioned method of burning under-
brush to “improve the forests,” an inheritance
from Indian days and locally known at “Piute
forestry,” is still in the ascendant.
The great fight, however, of both the Oregon
and the Washington Leagues will be to induce
the state not to build highways through timbered
tracts unless a strip of timber on either side is
first secured as part of the right of way. Such
an arrangement nearly always can be made with
the owners of the timber if the reservation of a
strip of trees is made a condition precedent to
the construction of the road. A notable example
is the new highway now under construction from
Ashland to Klamath Falls, Oregon, through
some thirty miles of sugar and yellow pine and
Douglas fir. If the trees are preserved, this
will be one of the most beautiful roads in the
world; if they are cut, the road will pass
through a desert.
On the whole, the results of the summer’s
work.—the complete organization of the League
in California, and the start made in Oregon and
Washington,—have undoubtedly inaugurated a
movement which will have far-reaching effects.
The energy of the earnest and able men now
in charge of the California League, and the tre-
mendous popular support behind it, probably
will solve the problem of the Redwoods of Hum-
boldt County. The forests of the north may
have to await action by the federal government;
but if the trees along the south fork of the Eel
are saved, public sentiment will be overwhelm-
ingly in favor of their preservation.
The task of the Leagues in Oregon and Wash-
ington will be harder. The population is less
dense and has far less respect for trees. The
magnificent Columbia highway, which is proy-
ing to be a profitable investment for Port-
land, may serve as an example, but even there
the promoters failed to secure the land along
the right of way and will have to pay out
large sums to secure the continuance not only
of the forests but of the water supply of the
falls along the route. The borders of the high-
way with its trees could have been secured at
the start with but small expenditure. When
lumbering operations have completed the destruc-
tion of the timber on the mountains above the
highway, and Multnomah Falls shall have
dwindled away, Oregon probably will awaken
to the necessity of preserving such scenic fea-
tures as then remain intact.
In Washington, the contrast between the cool
and wooded road within Mount Ranier National
Park, which has been built without injury to
the trees, and the devastated horror which the
State Highway Commission has constructed out-
side of the Park boundaries, inevitably will
strengthen the hands of the Washington League
and perhaps enable it to save the trees along the
highway between Tacoma and Seattle, where
beautiful forests at the side of the road are
now sacrificed for fire wood.
As this goes to press, the welcome news comes
from Bend, Oregon, that the Shevlin-Hixon
Lumber Company is considering the creation of
a memorial to the late Thomas Shevlin by the
dedication of the timber in Tumalo Canon and
perhaps along the highway to the purpose.
With the co-operation of Col. Graves and the
Bureau of Forestry, other stretches of timber
along new roads may thereafter be set aside
systematically so that the Forest Reserves as
well as the National Parks can be utilized by
the public as driveways and camp sites. The
increase of motor traffic especially along the
proposed system of highways to connect the im-
portant national parks in the far west will make
these proposals widely popular.
Throughout the Pacific states there are every-
where evidence of the old competition between
the growing enlightenment of the people and the
forces of destruction. Old frontier conditions
have passed—waste of natural resources, scenic
or otherwise, sooner or later will be checked and
a proper appreciation of the value of an unde-
filed nature will sueceed—but the problem of
today is to save for coming generations some
substantial portion of our national endowment.
The author desires to make special acknowl-
edgment to Mr. Chas. Punchard, the talented
landseape architect of the National Park Serv-
ice, who accompanied Mr. Mather and himself,
for many of the photographs used in this paper.
New York Zoological Society
Tue New York Zooioeicat Society is a private scientific association which, under
of New York,
contract with the City
is vested with the sole control and management of
the New York Zoological Park, and of the New York Aquarium.
The Society is national in scope and appeals to all Americans who are interested in
the preservation of our heritage of wild life.
The forees at work for the destruction of
animals and birds are multiplying rapidly, and the Society believes that great efforts are
necessary to preserve and protect the remnants.
To those who are interested in the study and preservation of all forms of wild life
in North America, the Society offers an economical,
The work contemplated for the future is as follows
devoted to that end.
1. Endowment Fund.—The increase of the pres-
ent Endowment Fund is the most imperative need.
Without a substantial addition, either by donations
or bequests, the Society wiil not be on a satisfac-
tory financial basis, and its work will continue to
be hampered for lack of funds. The present Fund
is less than $375,000.
2. Zoological Park.—Development of the Zoo-
logical Park, 264 acres in extent, and the care and
increase of its collection of over 4,000 animals.
3. Aquarium Development.—Development and
administration of the New York Aquarium, and
the extension of its marine exhibits of nearly 6,000
specimens.
4. Aquarium Improvements.—The alteration of
the present Aquarium Building so as to remove
the boilers that are daily flooded at high tide, to
a site outside the present building. The space
then could be devoted to additional exhibits. Sev-
eral more rooms are needed, also, by the adminis-
trative force, and for research work in connection
with the scientific utilization of the immense mass
of gross material that is available. This change
would cost upward of $100,000,
5. Pension Fund.—The enlargement of the Per-
manent Pension Fund for employees. The Soci-
ety’s contribution to the present fund is $8,000,
of which $4,335 is derived from a fund of $100,000
provided through the generosity of the late An-
drew Carnegie. An additional $150,000 is required
to provide adequate relief for widows, the perma-
nence of the present pension plan and to relieve
the Society of its annual contribution of $3,665.
6. Tropical Station.—Maintenance of the Tropi-
cal Zoological Station in South America for study
and research work in tropical life, the publication
of the scientific results obtained, and as a source
of supply for the Park and Aquarium collections.
7. Publication—Scientific studies on the care
of wild animals and fishes in captivity. This work
should be accomplished in 1920.
8. Publication in Zoologica of a series of scien-
tific articles of great value on living animals, and
in Zoopathologica of medical and pathological ma-
terial on the diseases of wild animals.
9. Pathology and Anatomy.—Research and in-
vestigation in pathology and anatomy through the
Prosector’s department.
10. Photographs.—Publication in permanent
form of photographs taken at the Park of great
value to science.
11. Wild Life Paintings.—Completion of the gal-
lery of oil paintings to include all American spe-
cies of large mammals and of such other mam-
mals and birds as are threatened with extermina-
efficient and permanent organization
tion. These pictures are of great artistic merit
and are prepared from accurate studies gathered
in the habitat of each animal. Nineteen pictures
already have been completed and hung in the Ad-
ministration Building.
12. Heads and Horns Museum:—The erection
and equipment of a museum on Baird Court to con-
tain the National Collection of Heads and Horns.
This Museum will be open to the public, and will
contain the present collection of 870 specimens,
which is already of unique value, as many of the
species represented are verging on extinction. Un-
der existing conditions abroad, the Society will
have the opportunity of securing many record
specimens at low prices. The fund has been
partly subscribed, but more will be needed to in-
crease the variety and number of the collection.
13. Zoological Library.—Establishment of a zoo-
logical library, greatly needed for research work
at the Park. It is the intention of the Society
to install in the library at the Zoological Park
all the literature available, that relates to the
present world-wide conservation movement. The
literature on this subject is widely scattered,
but the best of it should be gathered and made
available for those engaged in preserving our herf-
tage of wild life and forests. Adequate funds
have not been available for the library, and scien-
tific work, even for the identification of specimens,
has suffered accordingly.
14. Game Protection.—Establishment of Game
Sanctuaries in the National Forest Reserves. This
is the most practical plan for permanently pro-
tecting American wildlife. The success of the
Yellowstone National Park as a game sanctuary
has been abundantly demonstrated.
15. Game Protection.—Maintenance of existing
game laws, and the extension of laws prohibiting
the sale of game, spring shooting, use of automatic
guns, and in the promotion of closed seasons for
species threatened with extinction. Appeals for
financial help for these causes are constantly re-
ceived from all over the United States and Canada.
16. Stream Protection—Many of the finest
American rivers and streams have been polluted
by dye waste, chemicals from pulp mills, sawdust,
sewage from towns and villages, and other defil-
ing and poisonous materials. The result has been
the destruction of many valuable and interesting
fishes, notably salmon and shad, and the trans-
formation of beautiful woodland streams into a
menace to public health and a blot on the land-
scape. The Society intends to attempt to abate
these evil conditions and prevent their extension,
as soon as funds are available.
a a RE
A Notable Event for Bird Lovers
“The World's Most Perfect Zoological Monograph”’
<=
TEMMINCK‘'S TRAGOPAN, Tragopan Temmincki (J. FE. Gray)
(Specimen color-plate from volume one)
A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS
By Wit11amM Breese
Published by the New York Zoological Society, through the co-operation of Col. Anthony R. Kuser.
To be completed in four royal quarto volumes, equally to the layman and the scientist. Only 400
richly illustrated with reproductions in color of copies are available for sale in America. Volume I
paintings by Thorburn, Lodge, Knight, Fuertes and is now ready for distribution. Price is $62.50 for
Jones, also many photogravures and maps. It appeals each volume.
Prospectus, specimen plate and subscription blank will be mailed on application.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, ZOOLOGICAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
New York Zoological Sorivty
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
Membership in the Zoological Society is open to all interested in the objects of the organiza-
tion, who desire to contribute toward its support.
The cost of Annual Membership is $10 per year, which entitles the holder to admission to
the Zoological Park on all pay days, when he may see the collections to the best advantage.
Members are entitled to the Annual Report, bi-monthly Bulletins, Zoologica, Zoopathologica,
privileges of the Administration Building, all lectures and special exhibitions, and ten compli-
mentary tickets to the Zoological Park for distribution.
Any Annual Member may become a Life Member by the payment of $200. A subscriber
of $1,000 becomes a Patron; $2,500, an Associate Founder; $5,000, a Founder; $10,000, a
Founder in Perpetuity, and $25,000 a Benefactor.
Application for membership may be given to the Chief Clerk, in the Zoological Park;
C. H. Townsend, N. Y. Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City, or forwarded to the General
Secretary, No. 111 Broadway, New York City.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
The Zoological Park is open every day in the year, free, except Monday and Thursday of
each week, when admission is charged. Should either of these days fall on a holiday no admis-
sion fee is charged. The opening and closing hours are from 10 o’clock A. M. until one-half
hour before sunset.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open free to the public, every day in the year: April to September, 9 A.
to 5 P. M.; October to March, 10 A. M. to 4 P. M.
PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report No. 1...--+++-+++++ Paper $ .40 Souvenir Postal Cards: Series of 75 subjects in colors,
“ “ i “ 15 Cloth $1.00 sold in sets of 25 cards, assorted subjects.........
poe ea i aa “A 5 pe . (By mail, postage 2 cents per set extra.)
3-and 4, each. . -40 60 | Sowvenir Books: Series No. 3, 48 pages, 7x9 inches, 73
“ «s LO aby; Pe ae oe 15 a 1.00 illustrations from four color plates.............4.
a A ro me oo te aan ° ane (By mail, postage 3 cents extra.)
x Ke . Y ne tes mane Pe : - ; Animals in Art Stamps: Album of 32 pages, providing
9 10, we 1,25 1.50 space for mounting 120 art stamps in four colors
“ “ “91, 12, 18, 14, 15 made from selected photographs of animals taken
pea ixbe dacs os =f Es in the Zoological Park, complete with stamps......
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, each... 1.00 1.25 (By mail, postage 6 cents extra.)
Our Vanishing Wild Life (Horna- Wild Animal Stamp Primer: 96 page cloth bound book
day pOBEDaidl oe lcicaieictsis-c asics " 1.65 containing 49 animal stories, illustrated by 50 four-
color stamp reproductions....... cp nss seer clsmse
Destruction of Our Birds and Mam- n (By mail 7 cents extra)
mals (Hornaday).........+.-+ +15 Photogravures: Series of 12 subjects in sepia. Animals
Notes on Mountain Sheep of North and views in the Zoological Park. Sold in sets
America (Hornaday)....++.e++ 40 of 2 subjects. Per set, postpaid................
i 5 nm Panorama of the Zoological Park: Reproduced in colors
The Caribou (Grant)............ -40 60 from an original drawing in perspective. Sold
The Origin and Relationship of the flat or in folder fom. tenet eee e eee nes e
Large Mammals of North Amer- y mail, postage 2 cents extra.
ica (Grant)... .2.-...-eeeceee “1.00 | Enlargements: 11x14 inches. 12 subjects in black and
“2 WILE; CAH «ene ssi civic ee vjviee sce ees © = aimieialalale +25
The Rocky Mountain Goat (Grant) 1,00 Duotone m Brown CACM ain sielalcio d= oleic o\=)a)e « eleteraretets 35
Tropical Wild Life (Beebe; Hartley; Hand Colored (10 Subjects), each........++++-0+5 75
IEW Oe Hasac Heoood onqboroa- 5 on 3.00 Photo-Letter: (folding) 18 pictures, 4 colors........2for .10
Zoologica Vol. 1. Nos, 1-20 inclusive, New York Aquarium Nature Series
Relic b Gan nde erro noe BAER DLC On BY 3.85 “6.00 aa Shore Life (Mayer) ...... (Saco sete cloth $1.20
; e ‘a ultivation of Fishes in Ponds (Townsend)............ 25
Zoologica Vol. II. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5 +25 ea, Chameleons of the Sea Gieeeteoae Piseeinaie 25
“ uu “ os Northern Elephant Seal (Townsend). ........+eeeeeseee 25
. 6, 7,84 9... . <
: Ns Gh dob heate oy Care of Home Aquaria (Osburn) . cloth .50
Zoopathologica Vol. I. Nos. 1 to5.. ue .25 ea. Porpoise in Captivity (Townsend) . acne Werke oa 25
3 4 4 Natural History of the Whale Shark (Gudger).......... 25
Bulletin Nos. 1, 6, 8, 35, 48 and 46 .. Out of Print | The Gaff-Topsail Catfish (Gudger)........2++eeeeeeeees 125
Bulletins—Bi-monthly......... 20c. each; Yearly by mail 1.00 | Inmates of the Aquarium (a book of views)......++.-+++ +25
Bulletin Nos. 24 to 60 inclusive, set, cloth bound,...... 10.00 Aquarium Post Cards: Colored. In sets, each..... -«. .25
Official Guide Zoological Park (Hornaday).........+.+. 40 (For all mail orders, 5c. extra)
Publications for sale at 111 Broadway, Zoological Park and the New York Aquarium.
t
A
fou. “ATT. No. 6
( FEB 14 1920 \NOVEMBER, 1919
A 7 A
Onal Mus
Seco uss
» iE )
PeGGLOGicAL
SOCIETY
BULLETIN
: i il can
Published by
THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY : Hl |
2)
i
a DOOMSDAY
verde
in mmm iM nT mala WA
LLAMA NRA TUT CASTANOS |
New York Zoological Soriety
Genera. Orrice, 111 Broadway, New York City.
President
Henry FarrrieLp Ossorn
Hirst Wice-President Second Hice-President
Mapison GRANT Frank K. Srurais.
Greasurer Asst. Greasurer
Percy R. Pyne, 20 Exchange Place. ‘Tue Farmers’ Loan & Trust Co. |
Secretary
Mapison Grant, Chairman.
Percy R. Pyne,
Wittram Wuirte NItes,
Mapison Grant.
Executive Committee
Wma. Pierson Hamitton,
Frank K. Srurais,
LisPENARD STEWART,
Board of Managers
Watson B. DicKeRMAN,
Antuony R. Kusrr,
Henry Farrrietp Osporn, ea-officio.
Ex-ofticia: The Mayor and The Presioent Department of Parks, City of New York.
Henry FarrFrieLp Ossorn,
LisPENARD STEWART,
Cuartes F. Dietericnu,
Georce F. Baker,
Levi P. Morton,
ANDREW CARNEGIE,
Mapison GRANT,
Witiram Wuite NILEs,
Percy R. Pyne,
Gerorce Birp GRINNELL,
CieveLanp H. Dopeer,
C. Lepyarp Brair,
Glass of 1920
Wm. Prerson HaMILTon,
Rosert S. Brewster,
Epwarp S. Harkness,
WituraM B. Oscoop Fietp,
Glass of 1921
Henry A. C. Tay tor,
Frank K. Srureis,
Georc_E J. GouLp,
Ocpen MILLs,
Class of 1922
Emerson McMI tin,
Antuony R. Kuser,
Watson B. DickeRMAN,
Mortimer L. ScuiFF,
General Officers
A. Barton Heppurn,
Witi1amM Woopwarp,
Epwin THORNE,
Percy A. RockeFreLuer.
Lewis RutHerrorp Morris,
Arcuer M. HunTineton,
Henry M. Titrorp,
E. C. Converse.
Freperic C. Watcort,
BeekMAN WINTHROP,
Georce C, Crark,
W. Repmonp Cross.
Wituram T. Hornapay, Director Zoological Park.
Cuartes H. Townsenp, Director, New York Aquarium.
Georce S. Huntineton, Prosector.
Grorce A. MacCatuium, Pathologist.
C. Grant La Farce, Architect.
H. De B. Parsons, Consulting Engineer.
R. L. Crerero, Bursar.
Officers of the Zoological Park
Wixuram T. Hornapay, Director.
H. R. Mircue rt, Chief Clerk. H. W. Merket, Chief Forester. |
Raymonp L. Dirmars, Curator, Reptiles. W. Reip Brarr, Veterinarian.
Lee S. Cranpauu, Curator, Birds. Wituiam Mitcuety, Cashier.
WituiaM Breese, Honorary Curator, Birds.
Exwin R. Sanzorn, Photographer and Editor.
Officers of the Aquarinm
Cuarues H. Townsenp, Director.
WASHINGTON I. DENYSE, Assistant. ROBERT SUTCLIFFE, Clerk. |
IpA M. MELLEN, Secretary.
AQUARIUM NUMBER
ClOUNPISE NM Si a0 NIOSVe BME BaEeR 1919
Aquarium GuipE Cover DemsIGn................... PORE 2 Oe Se aa RENE EA Ot Sees Frontispiece
MAKING Usk OF THE SHARK 222.25. eer ae te echee eh eo C. H. Townsend 128
PIM ET MV ACQU AIRE U Nome oe shee te epee Meee Se co lee SEN Pre em eee eer Eastman (Exchange) 125
RACH Res BUTS EN Spee ee een oe ee ne ae ee oe A Se NS E.W.Gudger 126
FANG GAT NUTIVitas Ley WU TIN Gas lea; ACN! ene eee ee ee ee eR ee oe C. H. Townsend 1380
BTS Tee AN QCATRITU NPIS CAUL nese oe eee | gee 2 ae eee eh waste C. H. Townsend 1380
IBOOKSMU SiR Ui7 TOMA G UARISTS secsese: ensues er eer eee een aes Compiled by Ida M. Mellen 131
Sanp Bars anp Frats at Low Tipe................ pS eatn ee e ee W.I. DeNyse 1383
IDRINETEINIS WE =! VAIO HDi Py RTS EURS tee eee ee ee oe een ee Ida M. Mellen 13838
fuer em rAnnie AO UAT Mie ere oe eee Mee nee ates ee arn eee C.H. Townsend 185
liver GrTiAvN Ts CRYANVIRSI'S Elsa oe ee eae ene A uae fas Noe NE Ee eee eee eed C.H. Townsend 136
KRainGAm Biri ViISIES PAG U/ARIUIM 2 cnc C.H. Townsend 136
GrowTH-Rate or Paciric Cora REEFS...........--...--22--2-------/ Alfred Goldsborough Mayor 137
TieNTSROR MUN TEREST) esse ee et C. H. Townsend and Ida M. Mellen 139
Tue Buivue LosstTer Herrines aNp Porartors
Tue Doagerr Boar Giant Devit-F isu
Illustrations
PAvan ES OVAUTMe GOVAN #y ORNS ELAR Sonesta ee once ete ae ee ee CE ee ee ee ae 124
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